ASU-Beebe Faculty Debuted New Credentialing System

The college presented a new instructor scoring rubric at the Arkansas Community Colleges conference in Hot Springs.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Administration

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring a vertical tower of organized wooden blocks representing an academic evaluation system. — ASU-Beebe faculty introduced a new instructor credentialing rubric at the Arkansas Community Colleges conference to streamline professional hiring standards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should colleges prioritize practical work experience over academic degrees when hiring instructors?

Faculty from ASU-Beebe showcased a novel credentialing system for hiring instructors during a state conference. The method aims to modernize how Arkansas community colleges evaluate potential teaching staff.

Why it matters

The Higher Learning Commission updated standards to grant colleges more autonomy in determining faculty qualifications. This change helps institutions streamline hiring for courses that transfer to four-year universities.

The new system relies on 18 graduate credit hours for standard qualification or a point-based rubric adapted from Coconino Community College. Five faculty members led the presentation of this model.

The players

ASU-Beebe

This is a public community college based in Beebe, Arkansas, that serves as a regional institution for higher education.

Higher Learning Commission

This is a regional accreditation agency that sets standards for institutions of higher education across the United States.

Coconino Community College

This is a public institution based in Flagstaff, Arizona, that provided the template for the new scoring rubric.

Arkansas Legislature

This is the state lawmaking body that enacted changes to faculty credentialing requirements in 2025.

The details

ASU-Beebe faculty designed the scoring rubric to assess both education and professional history, providing a structured alternative to traditional degree requirements. The project was adapted from standards used at Coconino Community College to ensure compliance with updated state legislation.

The Arkansas Legislature passed changes to faculty credentialing laws in 2025.
ASU-Beebe faculty developed the new candidate scoring rubric in the summer of 2026.
The Arkansas Community Colleges conference began on October 11, 2026.
ASU-Beebe faculty presented the credentialing system on October 12, 2026.

Culture Shift

The adoption of this rubric marks a move away from rigid, degree-only requirements toward a more nuanced, competency-based evaluation model. This shift mirrors broader efforts in higher education to align faculty qualifications with practical professional experience.

Students may see more diverse instructors in their classrooms as the college integrates professionals with strong work histories. The streamlined hiring process could lead to fewer course vacancies and improved access to subject-matter experts.

The takeaway

This new rubric highlights a transition toward valuing diverse professional backgrounds over traditional academic credentials alone. Prospective instructors should note that practical industry experience may now carry significantly more weight in the hiring process.