Ozarka College Celebrates First Graduates of "Grow Your Own" Educator Program

Published on May 6, 2026

Ozarka College, in partnership with the Highland School District, is proud to announce a significant milestone in its "Grow Your Own" educator initiative, as the program celebrates its first two graduates this spring.

Carly Perish and Emma Hyslip of Highland, Arkansas, will complete the program and be recognized during the Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies at Arkansas Tech University, scheduled for May 8–9 at Tucker Coliseum. The College of Education and Health ceremony will take place Friday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m.

The students were also recently honored during a pinning ceremony, marking their transition into the teaching profession and recognizing their dedication and accomplishments.

The "Grow Your Own" program is a collaborative effort between Ozarka College and the Highland School District aimed at addressing local teacher shortages by preparing highly qualified educators from within the community. By creating accessible pathways into the teaching profession, the initiative strengthens the local workforce and supports long-term educational success across the region.

"This moment represents exactly why partnerships like this matter," said Jill Sandlin, Director of Education at Ozarka College. "Carly and Emma are outstanding examples of what can happen when we invest in our own communities. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication, and we are grateful for the strong partnership with Highland School District and Arkansas Tech University that made this opportunity possible."

Ozarka College extends its sincere appreciation to the Highland School District and Arkansas Tech University for their continued partnership and commitment to developing the next generation of educators.

For more information about the "Grow Your Own" program, please contact Jill Sandlin at 870-612-2342.