The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a historically Black educational institution, has announced that it will establish two new degree programs: agricultural engineering and hospitality and tourism management. Both programs have been approved by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and will be offered during the fall 2019 semester.
The agricultural engineering degree is the first engineering program offered at the historically Black institution. The degree will offer three areas of emphasis: power and machinery, agricultural production systems, and soil and water systems.
“It’s fitting that our first engineering degree would be in agriculture as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is an 1890-land grant institution,” said Dr. Robert Z. Carr, Jr., provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
The hospitality and tourism management curriculum will include classes key to the hospitality industry, including the management and marketing of restaurants and hotels. Students in this program will be prepared to thrive as general and sales managers and in entry-level positions upon graduation.
“Agriculture and tourism are the state’s top industries, generating $16 billion and nearly $6 billion annually, respectively. Our goal at UAPB is to offer programs that empower students to positively impact their communities, the state, and society at large,” said Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander.