Kennedy Holland, 21, was crowned Miss Arkansas 2025 in June at the Robinson Center in Little Rock. The Greenwood native was Miss University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in 2024 and competed in this year’s Miss Arkansas Pageant as Miss Metro 2025. She is the daughter of Katie and Sean Holland and a senior communication major at UCA with plans to pursue a master’s degree in nonprofit management.
Continue ReadingUCA Aviation Academy Opens Bill Cope Memorial Hangar
Arcs of water sprayed across the taxiway at Conway Regional Airport Friday, Aug. 22, as the water cannon salute – a time-honored aviation tradition – marked the grand opening of the Bill Cope Memorial Hangar, which is home to the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Aviation Academy.
Continue ReadingHomecoming 2025
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) celebrated Homecoming the week of Oct. 27-Nov. 1 with a full schedule of campus and community events. Students, alumni and friends returned to Conway to reconnect, take part in campus traditions and show their UCA spirit. The week concluded with the crowning of Kyle Payne as Homecoming King and Abby Holycross as Queen.
Continue ReadingThe STEM Institute
Launching a trash can 20 to 30 feet in the air using liquid nitrogen in front of the oldest building on campus sounds like a college prank, but it is just one of many engaging activities offered by the STEM Institute. The STEM Institute, housed on the second floor of Old Main, is a hidden gem of supplies for K-12 science and math classrooms in Central Arkansas. Stocked with microscopes, learning materials, lesson plans and much more, this institute’s mission is to enrich STEM education with an emphasis on supporting and resourcing K-12 STEM teachers and students.
Continue ReadingB is for Bears
Having two young children at home, Executive Director of Alumni Relations Alison Taylor was more than excited when Vice President of University Advancement Mary Bane Lackie brought her the idea for a children’s book. Taylor took this idea and began work on UCA’s children’s book “B Is for Bears: The UCA Alphabet.”
Continue ReadingLoyalty Society: Celebrating Consistent Support
At the University of Central Arkansas, loyal giving builds the foundation for everything we do. Whether it’s a student scholarship, a classroom renovation or a Saturday night at Estes Stadium, the university thrives because of those who give year after year.
Continue ReadingThen & Now
The University of Central Arkansas has undergone numerous changes since its establishment in 1907, from its beginnings as a teacher training college to its current status as a premier destination institution offering more than 140 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. UCAʼs campus continues to build, grow and inspire – learning from the past and changing the future.
Continue ReadingBears Give Back
Highlighting student groups at UCA giving back to the community.
Continue ReadingAn Afternoon with Ollie
His proper name is Ollivander Aloysious Smith, but those on UCA’s campus know him as “Ollie the Collie.” He can be seen at sporting events with athletic trainers, in classrooms and in Torreyson Library saying “Hello” to students, faculty and staff. Ollie, an eight-year-old Rough Collie, is a therapy specialist for exercise and sport science athletes and has been serving UCA’s campus since 2017.
Continue ReadingHonoring Leadership & Legacy
Honoring leadership & legacy at UCA
Continue ReadingBrian Corbin
When Brian Corbin, director of transfer services, arrived at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in 2000, he had never been to Arkansas, but he had a clear mission in mind. He found his place in Conway during that trip, and he continues to help transfer and returning students at the university he now calls home.
Continue ReadingDoug Corbitt
When Norbert Schedler walked up the front steps of Doug Corbitt’s house in 2001, sat down, and motioned him to come and talk, Corbitt wouldn’t have guessed that 24 years later, he would be an integral part of the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College as a beloved lecturer in philosophy and the Peer Mentor program coordinator.
Continue ReadingKyle Reynolds ’08
With deep family ties to the University of Central Arkansas, Kyle Reynolds ’08 carried on a tradition when he chose to become a Bear.
“Both of my maternal grandparents went to school here, then both of my parents went, and then my older brother also attended UCA,” Reynolds said. “I applied to other schools and got in, but I had some family backing and had spent some time around campus, so I was familiar with it. I came to UCA and then just had a really great time.”
Abigail Wells
The decision to come to UCA quickly proved to be the right one. “When I came to campus, I knew that I would be able to thrive,” Wells said. “It was the best decision. I love it here.” Wells is now a senior at UCA, majoring in public administration and health promotion. She started BearsAdapt, a registered student organization inspired by the nonprofit she founded after graduating from high school, Natural State Adaptive Sports.
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