Becky Paneitz

Dr. Rebecca Paneitz became the second President of NorthWest Arkansas Community College on August 1, 2003. Her greatest strength is her honesty and vision for making the college the best it can possibly be. She was instrumental in developing the college’s five-year strategic plan in 2004. Her leadership has strengthened the college’s enrollment plans to ensure steady growth. In addition, Dr. Paneitz has established four learning centers in the college’s service area to address the needs of communities we serve.

Professional and Educational Background

Dr. Paneitz received her bachelor’s degree in office administration from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and her master’s in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She served as personnel administrator for the Arkansas Department of Corrections before becoming Dean of Technology and Trades and then Dean of Arts, Business and Communication at Pueblo Community College in Colorado. She then became Dean of Instruction at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, where she was instrumental in the planning and development of their advanced technology center – a feat she had also accomplished at Pueblo. She completed her doctorate in vocational education from Colorado State University in 1997. In 1999, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and joined Central Piedmont Community College as Vice President for Instruction until her return to Arkansas.

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Paneitz is very active in the community and involved with the following: Arvest Bank Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer Forum, Northwest Arkansas Council, Bentonville/Bella Vista, Fayetteville, Rogers /Lowell, and Springdale Chambers of Commerce, Northwest Arkansas Regional Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges, Arkansas Association of Women in Two-year Colleges, Arkansas Capital Corporation Board of Directors, Arkansas Women’s Forum, American Association of Community Colleges, Association of Community College Trustees, Association of Community College Trustees Advisory Committee of Presidents, Center for Occupation Research and Development Board, Cooperative for Advancement of Community Based Postsecondary Education (COMBASE), Global Corporate College Board, and the League for Innovation in the Community College.

Awards and Achievements

Since her arrival in northwest Arkansas, Dr. Paneitz has received the “Trailblazer” award from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; included in the 2005-2006 Empire Who’s Who Registry of Executives and Professionals; selected to be a member of the Arkansas Women’s Forum; and selected to be the recipient of the 2005 Outstanding Alumni Award for Achievement and Merit from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. In 2007, Dr. Paneitz was honored by Just Communities with the Humanitarian of the Year award during the Fifth Annual Cultural Celebration. Just this year, Dr. Paneitz distinguished herself as a leader and was named Woman of Distinction by NOARK Girl Scouts. She was also chosen to participate in The Children’s Museum of NWA Dancing with the Stars to become a Celebrity Waitress for the event.

Personal

Dr. Paneitz is a native Arkansan from southeast Arkansas. She is married to husband, Dave. She has two daughters and three grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys golf, reading, and spending time with family and friends.