Kimberly Stubbs
Director of Financial Aid
Office of Student Financial Aid
Email: kstubbs1@uca.edu
Office: Harrin 211
Phone: 501-852-0732
Kimberly Stubbs is the Director of Financial Aid at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Business with a focus on Executive Leadership, both of which have equipped her with the skills necessary to excel in her professional career.
Kimberly’s professional journey began shortly after graduating from UCA when she worked as the Assistant Project Coordinator at the Small Business Advancement National Center. In this role, she worked with students in the business exchange program with universities in the European Union. After resigning from this position to start a family, she held various volunteer roles, including PTO President for Greenbrier Middle School, Director of a non-profit ministry, and Children’s Director for her local church. These experiences helped her grow her leadership skills and learn to work with and lead others in volunteer settings.
Her return to higher education began with a role as a Financial Aid Counselor at Central Baptist College. During her time there, she completed her master’s degree and began adjunct instruction for students, further developing her passion for working with college students. In 2018, Kimberly returned to her alma mater, UCA, as a Scholarship Counselor. Her dedication and expertise quickly led to her promotion to Assistant Director over the Federal Aid Counselors and, in January 2023, to Director of Student Financial Aid.
Throughout her career at UCA, Kimberly has made significant contributions, including the implementation of the UCA Commitment Scholarship and developing an algorithm to process the last dollar needed. She has led her team through the complexities of the FAFSA Simplification process, ensuring that aid was processed timely for students and parents to make informed decisions about their education. Kimberly has also successfully guided her office through staffing challenges, demonstrating her strong leadership and commitment to student success.
As Director of Student Financial Aid, Kimberly’s key goals are to continue serving students to the best of the office’s ability, even in changing times. She aims to motivate her staff to see their positions as valuable to the institution and make a difference in students’ lives. Kimberly defines student success as helping students navigate their academic journey one step at a time, ultimately leading to graduation. She believes providing clear, concise financial aid information and exceptional customer service are crucial to reducing financial burdens and helping students succeed.
Kimberly is inspired by her love for college students and the opportunity to impact their lives positively. She finds great joy in helping students and families understand their financial aid, knowing that her guidance can significantly impact their educational journey. Her passion for working with students is evident in her dedication to enrollment services and student success at UCA.
Outside of work, Kimberly enjoys volunteering with her church’s kids ministry, leading children’s choir and drama performances, and spending time with her family. She loves camping and finds great joy in spending time with her adult children and their growing families. These personal interests and her love for people prepare her for working with others in the workplace.
Kimberly is excited about the future of UCA’s Division of Enrollment Services and Student Success, particularly under Dr. Thomas’s leadership. She looks forward to the impact of the UCA Commitment program on students and their families. She is enthusiastic about new marketing strategies and collaborations with admissions and other offices to recruit and retain students. Kimberly believes that the division has made significant strides in these areas and is eager to see what the future holds for UCA.
She advises students to take one step at a time, remain persistent, and believe in themselves. She emphasizes that success comes with hard work, failures, hardships, and perseverance, but students can reach graduation day and beyond by putting one foot in front of the other.
Kimberly Stubbs is a proud UCA Bear and cherishes the opportunity to work at the university she loves. She feels privileged to be part of a great institution that genuinely cares about its students and is grateful for the chance to contribute to their success.