SDG Action & Awareness Week is a global celebration created by the University Global Coalition (UGC) to promote awareness of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The week is also designed to inspire action among faculty, students, and staff in higher education to further the SDGs on campus and in the community.
The theme for the second SDG Action & Awareness Week at the University of Central Arkansas is LOCAL HANDS, GLOBAL HEARTS. To celebrate, the Center for Global Learning and Engagement invites students, faculty, and staff to participate in the events below.
Visit the SDG Resources page to learn more about UCA’s past efforts to raise awareness about the SDGs.
Monday, March 3
Local Hands, Global Hearts
Kickoff Table Event
Ronnie Williams Student Center Porch, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Center for Global Learning and Engagement, Living Learning Communities
Spin the SDG wheel, play an SDG game, punch for an SDG prize, and find out how to take action on campus and in the community. Buttons, stickers, and candy will be available.
UCA Peace Pole Dedication
SDG Action & Awareness Week Kickoff
Location: In the Peace Garden behind Schichtl Hall, Reception: 4 p.m., Dedication Ceremony: 4:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Conway Morning Rotary Club, UCA Rotaract Club, Norbert O. Schedler Honors College, Center for Global Learning and Engagement
The Peace Pole Project is a global effort to promote peace and features the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages. Located in the Peace Garden behind Schichtl Hall, the UCA Peace Pole will feature 8 different languages thus representing our campus commitment to global learning and engagement.
Creative writing students from Sandy Longhorn’s poetry workshop class will read and display their poems about SDGs.
Tuesday, March 4
Fusing Global Goals and Academic Excellence: Incorporating the SDGs and COIL into Your Work
Executive Dining Room, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Center for Global Learning and Engagement, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership (CETAL)
Join us for an engaging panel discussion and interactive workshop focused on effective strategies for incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) into your coursework and scholarship while aligning your work with institutional and academic goals and objectives. Learn more here. FACULTY ONLY. REGISTER> CETAL
Teaching Gender Studies through Manga
Integrated Health Sciences Building, Rooms 201/203, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Arkansas National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (ARNCTA), UCA Asian Studies Program
Please join Dr. Kinko Ito, a sociology professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), for a wide-ranging conversation about women and manga in modern Japan. Dr. Ito, a nationally recognized expert in Japanese popular culture, will share strategies for understanding women and gender in contemporary Japan by exploring “Ladies Comics.”
This UCA Global Spotlight talk is also part of ARNCTA’s Women’s History Month Series on “Teaching Gender in Modern Japan.”
Wednesday, March 5
Plant & Learn Workshop
Christian Cafeteria, 10 a.m.
Sponsored by: Aramark
A hands-on session where students learn sustainable farming practices and plant greens, followed by a harvest day with cooking demonstrations or donations to a local food pantry. Please note there is only space for 8 students, please sign-up to confirm your participation.
Global Learning Scholar Program Info Session & Reception
Schichtl Hall, Room 114 , 5-6 p.m.
Sponsored by: Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Attendees will learn more about the Global Learning Scholar Program (GLSP), which encourages students to choose academic coursework with global learning content for their programs of study.
Green Bear Coalition Garden Work Day
Lewis Science Center Atrium, 1:40-2:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Green Bear Coalition
Please join Green Bear Coalition in the Lewis Science Center Atrium for a garden work day.
Thursday, March 6
Thank You for Your Service
Ronnie Williams Student Center, Room 214, 1:40-3:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Living Learning Communities, American Red Cross Serving Greater Arkansas
This card-making event aims to make 500 cards that will be distributed to area veterans throughout the year. Choose from two 1-hour shifts (or attend both!). Each shift will start with a brief workshop to demonstrate card-making techniques. Each shift is limited to 30 people, so sign up on GivePulse ASAP!
Teach the Shoah: The Holocaust through Story
Schichtl Hall, Room 115, 4:30-6 p.m.
Sponsored by: Center for Global Learning and Engagement
This powerful program is dedicated to keeping the stories of Holocaust survivors alive. Three UCA students — Torrie Herrington, Cooper Horton, and Brenna Metts — recently named Lesaper Fellows through the Teach the Shoah organization. “Lesaper” is Hebrew for “to tell.” The students will share the stories of three Holocaust survivors crafted from in-person interviews.
Friday, March 7
Swap Don’t Shop
Student Center Lawn, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sponsored by: UCA Rotaract Club
UCA Rotaract started this initiative so the UCA campus community can donate clothing, shoes, jewelry, and other gently used items for FREE shopping. Collection boxes will be in the Living Learning Communities the week before the event, and individuals can also drop off items on the day of the event. Leftover clothing will be donated to the UCA SEW and WOW closets!
Feeding Local Hands and Global Hearts
McAlister Hall, Room 216, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sponsored by: Nutrition and Family Sciences, Community Nutrition Seniors
Participants will learn tips for reducing food waste, managing high food prices, and promoting nutrition across the lifespan through mini-lessons and hands-on activities.
Saturday, March 8
The Big Event 2025
Kickoff at UCA Football Field; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sponsored by: UCA Student Affairs
All students are encouraged to participate and take advantage of this chance to contribute to the community! Don’t miss out on this meaningful experience – sign up today!
Monday, March 3 – Friday, March 7
SDG Interactive Resource Display
Torreyson Library
Sponsored by: Torreyson Library
Visit the SDG informational resource table, make zines (self-published mini magazines), answer whiteboard questions, and pick up a button. Resources will be available all week.
SDG Awareness
1907 Bread Co., Christian Cafeteria, Food Court, Alumni Circle
Sponsored by: Center for Global Learning and Engagement, Aramark
- Visit Scan the QR code on the table tents at select UCA Dining locations to learn more about SDGs.
- Visit Alumni Circle in front of Main Hall to read signs about SDGs.