Public Relations

Retail Management program director faces hectic schedule

            BENTONVILLE – One of the newest employees of NorthWest Arkansas Community’s schedule has been more hectic than others with the opening of spring registration this month.

            Margie Flores-Vance is director of the new Retail Management certificate and degree programs at NWACC. She started work at NWACC on Nov. 1.

            The program, which begins its first semester in January, was made possible by a $600,000 donation by the Wal-Mart Foundation in October.

            Classes begin in January. Registration began Nov. 5.

            “I’ve been going non-stop,” Vance said shortly before Thanksgiving.

            Indeed, she’s met with internal stakeholders, such as advisors and counselors, marketing and grant management officials.

            She’s interviewed potential candidates for program instruction.

            She’s designed and developed a marketing plan and specific materials.

            She’s amid a major effort to identify the number of students currently working in the retail industry and students who might be interested in retailing.

            She’s coordinating her efforts with NWACC’s Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE).

            She’s met with Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club representatives, working to communicate the benefits of the program with associates and shoppers.

            She’s talked up the program at Rotary, SIFE’s Business Leaders Lecture Series, Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce Champion Luncheon, and NWACC Amigos round table discussions.

            “It’s exciting,” she said. “Everywhere I have been people are enthused about the potential of this program.”

            Students interested in the retail industry can complete either the degree, or just take the courses they are interested in and receive one of more of the following certificates:

• Retail Management Certificate (21 Hrs)
• Business Ethics Certificate (12 Hrs)
• Quantitative Analysis Certificate (15 Hrs)
• Communication Certificate (15 Hrs)

            Upon completion of all four certificates  

            Students are awarded the AAS Degree in Business Management upon completion of all four certificates.

            Most classes are available online for convenience and flexibility.

            Vance has more than 24 years professional work experience in both the private and public sectors.

            Her academic teaching experience began in 1999 at Central New Mexico (CNM) College formerly Albuquerque TVI Community College in Albuquerque, N.M.

            She served as department chair for both the Business Administration and the Retail Management Program.

            She previously taught in the Business and Technology Division as a full-time faculty, at North Arkansas College in Harrison.

            Vance is an online adjunct faculty at Drury University and was an Adjunct Faculty at Webster University.

            She is the recipient of the National "Teaching Excellence Award" from the Association of Collegiate Business Schools Programs (ACBSP), and she has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching.

            Vance holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management degrees from the University of Redlands, Redlands, California.

            She holds an Associates of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Crafton Hills College, Yucaipa, California.

            Vance can be reached at 479-986-4070 or by email at mvance@nwacc.edu.

For questions/comments on this content, please contact jhall@nwacc.edu

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