UA-EACC received a Governor's Quality Award from the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence (AIPE) during the 31st annual Governor's Quality Award Celebration held at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.

The awards, presented by Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge, celebrate organizations across industries that are raising the bar for quality and performance excellence in Arkansas. Twelve organizations were honored as award recipients during this year's Governor's Quality Award Celebration. 

"We are honored to receive this award. By evaluating our mission, understanding who we serve, and assessing our strategic challenges, we are laying a strong foundation for continued growth and impact in our region," said Dr. Cathie Cline, UA-EACC Chancellor.

"This recognition affirms our commitment to purpose and progress, and we are proud of what we are continuing to build together," she added. 

"Understanding the needs of your community and region, building key relationships, and prioritizing those above anything else is the formula for success at the two-year level," said University of Arkansas System President Jay B. Silveria. "I'm proud to see UA-EACC being recognized for these efforts and congratulate Dr. Cline and her team for the hard work they do to advance education and opportunities for Arkansans in their region."

The Governor's Quality Award Program, administered by the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence (AIPE) in partnership with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, helps Arkansas organizations of all sizes strengthen their performance and achieve sustainable success. 

"These organizations represent the heart of what the Governor's Quality Award program is all about - growth through continuous improvement," said Trish Villines, Executive Director of the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence. "This is not a one-time achievement but a journey that challenges leaders to look inward, strengthen their systems, and use data to make a real difference for their employees, customers, and communities. Each organization recognized has taken meaningful steps toward building a stronger, more resilient Arkansas."

Using the Baldrige Excellence Framework, the program guides organizations through a multi-level process - from establishing foundational systems at the Challenge level to demonstrating world-class results at the Governor's Award level. Each stage provides valuable feedback and a roadmap for improvement, supporting a statewide culture of excellence.

The Challenge Award was presented to UA-EACC for completing the foundational level of the Governor's Quality Award journey by defining the institution's mission, customers, and strategic challenges, and taking the first formal step toward long-term performance excellence.  

UA-EACC is recognized as an innovative leader in career training, industry partnerships, and transfer opportunities through credit and non-credit programs. UA-EACC's accreditors have praised its "unparalleled commitment to students" as a distinguishing feature that sets it apart from other institutions. Since joining the UA System in 2024, UA-EACC has continued to innovate. Recently, UA-EACC was named one of America's top 250 vocational schools by USA Today, one of only 117 in the nation earning a 5-star rating.

UA-EACC Chancellor Cathie Cline accepts award from Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge during the Governor's Quality Award Celebration