Sorensen begins as NWACC Communications & Arts dean

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NWACC is excited to announce Daniel Sorensen as its new dean of the college’s Communications and Arts division. 

In the role, Sorensen, who holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Idaho, will oversee the college’s Art, Graphic Design, Integrated Design, Theater, Music, Creative Writing, Media and Journalism programs, as well as the student newspaper, The Eagle.

Sorensen, an award-winning artist, formerly served as the Visual and Performing Arts Department chair and an associate professor at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas, where he also served as chair of the Odessa Public Art Committee and board member of the Texas Association of Schools of Art.

At NWACC, he will serve as a member of President Dennis Rittle’s Extended Cabinet. As a part of the leadership team, Sorensen said he will work to make Communications and Arts more visible – within the campus community and throughout Northwest Arkansas. 

Senior Vice President for Learning Diana Johnson said, “We are thrilled to welcome Daniel Sorensen to NWACC as the dean of Communications and Arts. His distinguished background as an educator, artist and academic leader, combined with his commitment to student success and community engagement, makes him an exceptional addition to our leadership team.”

Sorensen looks forward to strengthening the college’s relationships with its regional partners and working together to highlight NWACC’s programs and collaborate for events on and off campus.

As he is getting to know the Communications and Arts faculty and staff, looking for ways to build on their strengths and program successes, Sorensen said his wife and five children are also getting to know Northwest Arkansas – especially how green it is compared to West Texas. 

“The people here have been nothing but amazing,” he said. “This is such a great area, and I’ve been blown away by how friendly everyone is.”

Eventually, Sorensen said he could see himself teaching in the classroom again, but for now he’s focused on helping grow the Communications and Arts division and looking for the gaps between the college and surrounding communities and finding ways to best serve them.

“More than anything, I want everyone to know just how much of a resource NWACC is for the community, because the classes here are truly high quality.”

Learn more about Communications and Arts at NWACC.