Gary Meier, BRTC Machine Tool Technology instructor, and Joseph Spray
POCAHONTAS, AR Oct. 25, 2019 – In compliance with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education
(ADHE), Black River Technical College (BRTC) completed a program review for its Associate of Applied
Science (AAS) in General Technology degree last week.
Joseph Spray, a welder for Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway and a former U.S. Army
Reserves medic from 2003 to 2015, was the external on-site reviewer for the degree. He inspected the
different general technology programs, interviewed instructors, and counseled administration. He also
toured the campus and observed several classes. Michael Orf from Missouri State-West Plains served as
the off-site evaluation report reader reviewer.
Joseph Spray and Phillip Dickson (facing away), BRTC Dean of Business and Technology
Academic program reviews are required every 7–10 years to help colleges identify changes and
improvements to a program. Two external evaluators are required for program reviews. One evaluator
serves as an off-site evaluation reader while the other is an on-site reviewer like Mr. Spray.
Recommendations made by external reviewers are taken very seriously by the college and are reported
to ADHE.
For more information contact Sissy Gray at (870) 248-4000.