ASU-Newport Named Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications
05/01/2025
NEWPORT, Ark. — Arkansas State University-Newport has been designated as an Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications. This prestigious recognition highlights ASU-Newport as an institution that serves as a model for fostering student success through access, opportunity and workforce outcomes.
The Opportunity Colleges designation is part of the newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification published by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education. This new classification measures how well institutions reflect the communities they serve and how graduates’ earnings compare to others in their area.
In 2025, only 479 institutions nationwide — about 16% of U.S. colleges and universities evaluated — received this designation. ASU-Newport is one of only seven institutions in Arkansas to achieve the Opportunity College distinction.
“We are honored to receive this national recognition from the Carnegie Foundation,” said Dr. Johnny M. Moore, Chancellor of ASU-Newport. “This designation affirms ASUN’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible education that empowers our students and strengthens our communities. It reflects our unwavering commitment to student success, economic mobility, and opportunity for all.”
“For more than 20 years, ASU-Newport has opened doors for students across Northeast Arkansas, providing affordable, career-focused degrees and training programs that change lives,” Moore added. “This new classification validates that our graduates are not only reaching their academic goals but also thriving in today’s workforce. We are proud to serve our region and excited to continue building pathways to prosperity for future generations.”
Dr. Typhanie Myers, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, said: “Being recognized as an Opportunity College demonstrates the transformative impact of higher education, especially in rural communities like ours. The data shows that ASUN students are achieving significant earnings gains after graduation, making a real difference for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
The methodology for the new Student Access and Earnings Classification uses detailed groupings based on the 2025 Institutional Classification to compare access and economic outcomes among similar institutions.
More information about the 2025 Student Access and Earnings Classifications, including methodology, can be found at the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education website: https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/.
