Being named “Faculty Member of the Game” might sound like a single moment in the spotlight, but for Dr. Winden Fey, it reflects years of quietly cheering on students from behind the scenes. Whether she’s teaching global religious studies, designing new programs to support struggling students or helping someone find their footing after a setback, Dr. Winden Fey’s work at the University of Central Arkansas has always revolved around one priority: making sure students succeed.
The award, sponsored by Arvest Bank, gives student-athletes the chance to highlight faculty who have made a difference in their lives. On Sept. 6, Dr. Julia Winden Fey, UCA’s Director of Student Success, was surprised to find she’d been selected.
As the Director for Student Success and a faculty member at UCA, I work to help all of our students succeed, but I know that our student-athletes face particular challenges and I do what I can to ensure they have access to needed resources and support. For me, this award was a nice confirmation that some of those efforts have been useful,” Dr. Winden Fey said.
Dr. Winden Fey has held a variety of roles within UCA. Her positions have included Resident Faculty Master in UCA’s Living Learning Communities, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students, Director of University College, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, and since 2013, Director of Student Success Services. Each position has built on the last, shaping her approach to helping students navigate their own journeys.
Some of her most impactful work has focused on creating programs to meet students at difficult crossroads. She helped design support for those facing their first suspension, developed the Supplemental Instruction Program and launched the Success Coaching program. But to her, student success is not something that can be ‘easily’ defined.
The easy answer is that student success is measured by that student walking across the stage at graduation, but the reality is more complex. If I or Student Success can help students identify their strengths, obtain some of their goals, and ultimately find satisfaction in their life at UCA, then I think we’ve all succeeded,” Dr. Winden Fey said.
Dr. Winden Fey was not always the amazing mentor that she’s known as, before her success she had her own guidance. “Student Success was not a field in higher education when I was a student as it is now, but I was lucky enough to work with several leaders in what would become Student Success after I started at UCA. Dr. Jayme Millsap Stone, who was the Director of Learning Communities, and Dr. Sally Roden, who was the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, both introduced me to the growing focus in higher education on student academic support and student success.”
Now, Dr. Winden Fey hopes to offer her own version of that encouragement to UCA students, many of whom face challenges far beyond the classroom.
To any student, I would say take care of you, your health, your well-being, but set your goals and don’t give up just because things may get difficult. When you do feel overwhelmed, reach out for support. There are a lot of people on this campus ready to assist you,” she said.
In her free time, Dr. Winden Fey is an avid reader, a passion that’s been with her for years. “When I was in seminary in New York City, I had the privilege of hearing the writer and poet, Audre Lorde, speak,” she said. “Since then a number of her books have been influential on my thinking about education and how to live, especially when she argues for living and learning in ways that promote joy and create genuine connections between people. I’m afraid I’m also a big fan of fantasy and science fiction, so throw a few human and non-human species into a story to see if they can find ways to get along together, and I’m there.”
For Dr. Winden Fey, supporting students is as much about honoring their complexity as it is about making sure they persist toward graduation. She sees her role as helping them thrive, both inside and outside the classroom.
Written by Jamie Jewell, Strategic Communications Student Assistant