Achievements

UCA Director of Disability Grievance Procedure Elected VP Of Ark-AHEAD

Arkansas Association on Higher Education and Disability (Ark-AHEAD) is an organization for professionals working with people with disabilities in postsecondary education settings in Arkansas. The person accepting the office of Vice President is committing to a three-year commitment on the Board—serving the first year as Vice President, the second as President and the third as Immediate Past President. Serving on the Board provides a great opportunity to network and provide input into the activities of the organization. UCA’s own Crystal Hill was elected Vice President of Ark-AHEAD this year.
The full slate of officers is below.

President – Reed Claiborne (University of Arkansas at Little Rock)

Vice-President – Crystal Hill (University of Central Arkansas)

Secretary – Elizabeth Means (Arkansas Tech University)
Treasurer – Heidi Scher (University of Arkansas at Fayetteville)

Member at Large – Chinwendu Okoronkwo, Laura James (University of Arkansas at Fayetteville)

Agency Member- Edwin Mitchell (Arkansas Rehabilitation Services)

2 year school representative – Rochelle Redus (Pulaski Technical College)

4 year school representative- Dr. Jennifer Rice Mason (Arkansas State University-Jonesboro)

Private school representative – Julie Brown (Hendrix College)

Webmaster – Erin Poe (Henderson State University)

Past President – Doris Pierce (Pulaski Technical College)

UCA Department Chair Presented At National Symposium In St. Louis

Steve Tucker, PhD, ATC presented a research study during a podium session at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in St. Louis, Missouri on June 26, 2015.

The study, which was titled “The Effects of 6-week Open and Closed Chain Resistance Tubing Programs on Shoulder Torque and Power,” was co-authored by James Fletcher, PhD, PT, ATC, and David Taylor, PhD, PT, CSCS from the Department of Physical Therapy, and Sean Engle, MS from the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education.

UCA Professor Published In Encyclopedia of Diversity and Social Justice

UCA Professor Dr. Angela Webster-Smith was recently published in the Encyclopedia of Diversity and Social Justice.

The Encyclopedia of Diversity and Social Justice published in 2015 contains over 300 entries alphabetically arranged for straightforward and convenient use by scholars and general readers alike. This reference is a comprehensive and systematic collection of designated entries that describe, in detail, important diversity and social justice themes.

Dr. Sherwood Thompson edited the encyclopedia and assembled a network of contributors and consultants to provide a centralized source and convenient way to discover the modern meaning, richness, and significance of diversity and social justice language, while offering a balanced viewpoint.

This encyclopedia reveals the unique nature of the language of diversity and social justice and makes the connection between how this language influences—negatively and positively—institutions and society. The terms have been carefully chosen in order to present the common usage of words and themes that dominate our daily conversations about these topics.

Entries range from original research to synopses of existing scholarship. These discussions provide alternative views to popular doctrines and philosophical truths, and include many of the most popular terms used in current conversations on the topic, from ageism to xenophobia. This reference covers cultural, social, and political vernacular and offers an historical perspective as well. With contributions from experts in various fields, the entries consist of topics that represent a wider context among a diverse community of people from every walk of life.

Webster-Smith’s article is entitled Racial Identity. Reflecting on racial identity is important because beliefs and attitudes regarding race have a comprehensive effect on individuals. Such beliefs and attitudes influence self-image (positive or negative), how one views one’s own group, as well as groups that are unlike one’s own (superior, inferior, equal). Racial identity is not a new phenomenon. It has historical correlation with health, intellectual development, worldviews, and life goals. The two-volume set was published by Rowman and Littlefield.

Dr. Webster-Smith is currently the chair of the board for an open enrollment public charter school and is an executive coach with public school principals. She is active on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas and in professional organizations.

Demolition Crew Of Dignitaries Crashed A Wall At McCastlain Hall

One-by-one, officials and dignitaries at the University of Central Arkansas took a swing at a wall in McCastlain Hall in a wall crashing event commemorating the start of renovations to the historic building.

Taking the first swing, Stacy Hurst, director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, led the group of 10 that also included President Tom Courtway, UCA Board of Trustees Chair Brad Lacy and Nan Snow, member of the UCA Foundation Board of Directors, as well as others.

The dignitaries all donned hard hats, gloves and safety glasses as they swung golden sledgehammers to take down 10-foot high drywall panels.

This event commemorated the start of renovation projects at McCastlain Hall that will be funded by grants from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council (ANCRC). The ANCRC awarded an $800,000 grant in 2014 for the restoration and renovation of McCastlain’s East Commons and Fireplace Room. The university was recently granted $400,000 from the ANCRC to create a new, more accessible, grand hallway between McCastlain’s East Commons and the Baum Gallery.

Built in 1939 as the first stand-alone cafeteria on campus, McCastlain Hall is now one of eight buildings comprising UCA’s Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, January 18, 2013.

Watch the video here:

UCA Department Chair Honored As Contributing Author Of Sports Medicine Book

Steve Tucker, PhD, ATC, was a contributing author of a book titled Quick Questions in the Shoulder: Expert Advice in Sports Medicine. The book, published by Slack Inc. in May 2015, focuses on questions and answers related to the prevention, assessment, treatment, management, and rehabilitation of the shoulder.

Dr. Tucker was the author of the chapter titled “What Are the Optimal Shoulder Strength Ratios for Overhead Athletes, and What Strategies Should be Implemented to Ensure Appropriate Strength Ratios?”

Dr. Tucker is the chair for the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, and he received his Bachelor of Science in athletic training from Valparaiso University and his Masters of Science and PhD in exercise science with a specialization in biomechanics and anatomy from The University of Toledo.

Dr. Tucker’s research interests focus on the biomechanics of chronic shoulder injuries. In particular, he is interested in the kinematics and muscle activation of the shoulder complex during rehabilitation exercises and functional activities in overhead athletes. He is a certified athletic trainer and licensed in the state of Arkansas.

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