The Board of Trustees at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis has agreed to discuss a possible merger with the Arkansas State University System.
Board Chair Mary Meux Toney said a merger could help the college do more for the city, county and region.
College President Glen Fenter said ASU would benefit from Mid-South's workforce training programs and the college would benefit from Arkansas State's support for funding workforce training programs.
Fenter said Mid-South Community College would retain autonomy if a merger occurs.
The name of the college would likely become Arkansas State University Mid-South. ASU's flagship campus is in Jonesboro with other campuses in Beebe, Mountain Home, Newport, Searcy, Marked Tree, Heber Springs, Paragould and the Little Rock Air Force Base.