Recently Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) partnered with the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and Arkansas Community Colleges and took  a page from reality television to  launch their own Enrollment Pitch Competition, modeled by the popular ABC show  Shark Tank.

This year's competition took place on October 24 and gave Ozarka the opportunity to pitch their ideas to increase enrollment to a panel of sharks. Representing the sharks were Kevin Chaloner, Vice President - Arkansas State District Manager at U.S. Bank; Bradley Field, Director of Marketing & Promotions for the Arkansas Travelers; Shara Hutchcraft, Director of Communications for North Little Rock; and Kimberly Mundell, Director of Communications for the Arkansas Department of Education. The judges determined the winners who received funding for their enrollment efforts.

Ozarka College was among the winners selected to receive funding for their CPI enrollment project. The team consisting of Amanda Englehardt, Career Pathways Director; April Killian, Director of Development; and Katie Norris, Director of Public Relations and Marketing was awarded $3,500 for their idea.

"We are so thankful to have been chosen as a winner of the first annual Arkansas Career Pathways Shark Tank, " said Amanda Engelhardt, Career Pathways director. "We are beyond excited to proceed with our new funding and are optimistic about increasing CPI's enrollment. "

Career Pathways  is designed to assist eligible students overcome barriers in their pursuit of higher education and employment training. Qualified applicants may be eligible for assistance with tuition, fees, books, childcare, rising fuel costs, counseling, resumes, and other services.For more information about Career Pathways, please contact Amanda Engelhardt at 870.368.2041 or email careerpathways@ozarka.edu.