Submitted by: SCOTT AUSTIN, saustin@uca.edu on 07/16/2024
Griffin Planetarium shows this Friday July 19 at 3:00pm and 7:00pm: The one-hour shows this week includes a tour of the current sky, a journey around planet Earth, and the full-dome movie “River of Bears”. The planetarium is located in the Conway Corporation Center for the Sciences. Seating starts 10 minutes before show time. Admission is free. Seating limited to the first 94. No admission after the shows begin. No food or drink allowed.
Submitted by: April Gunn, agunn@uca.edu on 07/17/2024
Reuel Shepherd, Director of Community Learning and Workforce Services, will be stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director for Outreach and Community Engagement at UCA, effective July 16, 2024. We are truly grateful for Reuel’s willingness to take on this important role. His leadership and vision will not only help us achieve our shared goals but also open up new opportunities for our team.
Reuel’s commitment to education runs deep, being the son of secondary school English and Science teachers. Born and raised in Conway, Arkansas, Reuel graduated from Conway High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from Murray State University, where he was recognized as the Outstanding Senior Man of his graduating class.
After gaining valuable experience in various industries in Terre Haute, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois, Reuel returned to Conway and found his passion in the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement. He will continue his role as Director of the Community Learning and Workforce Services team, where he leads impactful programs such as CubsREAD, CAYLI (Conway Area Youth Leadership Institute), and the Faulkner County Imagination Library. Reuel is also a Certified Program Planner, a Certified Group Facilitator, and a recent graduate of the Conway Area Leadership Institute. He is the proud father of Ana Brandon, a sophomore at UCA.
We are confident that Reuel’s extensive experience and dedication will greatly benefit the Division of Academic Affairs and the university.
Submitted by: Jessica Underwood, cetal@uca.edu on 07/15/2024
Discover the impact of generative AI in higher education at our two-day Teaching with AI mini-conference. Learn from your colleagues about large language models, ethical considerations, and practical AI applications for your courses. You’ll develop strategies for AI prompting, explore research uses across disciplines, and create tailored syllabus policies. Our facilitators will guide you through hands-on sessions to integrate AI into your teaching practices effectively.
The conference covers essential topics from AI basics to advanced applications. Day one explores AI tools, ethical implications, and teaching applications with a faculty panel. Day two focuses on creating AI-enhanced course materials and teaching students to use AI responsibly. You’ll leave with concrete plans for implementing AI in your courses, positioning you at the forefront of educational innovation.
A catered lunch will be provided each day. You don’t want to miss this transformative experience and hear a preview of other AI-related initiatives offered this fall.
Join us August 13th and 14th to transform your teaching in the AI era!
https://uca.edu/cetal/conferences/
Submitted by: Jennifer Brewer, jbrewer1@uca.edu on 07/12/2024
Instructors may use the delegated grading option to allow grading privileges to more than one user (another instructor, teaching assistant, or grader). This can promote reliability and remove bias.
Examples of how delegated grading can be used:
Delegated grading may require the reconciling of grades – the determination of the final grades by the instructor.
Using delegated grading is an option an instructor would set for each assignment individually. Of course, not all assignments need to be graded in this method. However, there may be one of two assignments in a semester where it can be beneficial to have input from other graders.
Note:
In the rare occurrence that a delegated grader may need to be removed, please contact Instructional Technology (desupport@uca.edu). It’s important that the grader’s access to the course be removed rather than removing the grader from the course itself.
Submitted by: Sherita Kern, staffsenate@uca.edu on 07/09/2024
Volunteers Needed for August Commencement
The Graduate School will hold two commencement ceremonies on Saturday, August 10th at 9am and 12pm, and the university relies on the support of employees across campus to ensure that this event goes smoothly! If you would like to assist with August Commencement ceremonies as a volunteer, please see the information below and sign up here: https://uca.givepulse.com/event/461017
Location for August Commencement: Reynolds Performance Hall (Volunteers report to Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center Room 101)
Commencement Ceremony Times:
Saturday, August 10th at 9:00 am (Volunteers arrive at 7:30 am)
Saturday, August 10th at 12:00 pm (Volunteers arrive at 10:30 am)
More information about which graduates will attend each ceremony and their ticketing process is available at https://uca.edu/commencement/.
Volunteer Information
Attire for volunteers is business casual (no jeans). Please wear your UCA name badge if you have one. If you do not have one, a commencement volunteer name tag will be provided for you.
Duties include passing out programs, scanning tickets, welcoming visitors, giving directions, assisting with accessible and VIP seating, answering questions, and assisting graduates, faculty and visitors.
Volunteers will need to report to Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center Room 101 to check in 1 hour and 30 minutes before the ceremony. Part-time volunteers will be dismissed 30 minutes after the start of the ceremony, and full-time volunteers will be asked to stay until the ceremony concludes (expected ceremony time is 1 hour and 30 minutes).
UCA employees may choose to receive holiday time (reported and tracked through Staff Senate) or flex time, if approved by their supervisor.
Thank you for assisting with this important campus celebration and momentous occasion in the lives of our students! We appreciate you helping ensure that we have a safe and enjoyable event!
For more information, contact Dr. Lesley Graybeal at lgraybeal@uca.edu or (706) 825-5231.
Submitted by: Teresa Murphy, teresam@uca.edu on 07/09/2024
All on-campus employers who plan to hire student employees will need to participate in the On-Campus Student Employment Fair.
Date of Fair: August 20
Time/Location: 10 am – 12 pm / Ronnie Williams Center Ballroom
How to Register: https://forms.gle/9JaKVruxDRm5vudf9
Deadline to register: August 16
https://forms.gle/9JaKVruxDRm5vudf9
Submitted by: Lyn Gayfield, egayfield@uca.edu on 07/09/2024
Institutional Diversity and Inclusion is updating its website to highlight diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity (DBIE) dissertations, publications, presentations, and creative activities.
If you would like your DBlE-related scholarly work mentioned on the website, please send the APA style citation to idi@uca.edu.
For examples, please visit the following link.
HAPPY SUMMERTIME!
Submitted by: KRISTY CARTER, kcarter@uca.edu on 07/09/2024
Join the Women’s Leadership Network on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Willow Event Center in Conway, for an unforgettable evening of empowerment and celebration at the 2024 Women’s Leadership Academy Graduation Celebration. Let’s celebrate the incredible achievements of these remarkable women who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to service over the past 7 months.
Hear from the graduates on how their time in the academy has influenced their leadership development. Honorees will receive prestigious awards to recognize outstanding accomplishments and contributions, making this a memorable occasion for these phenomenal leaders. Make plans to support these 21 women on the next chapter of their leadership journey. Tables are $250 and individual tickets are $20. Secure your spot today and be part of an evening you won’t forget!
Submitted by: KRISTY CARTER, kcarter@uca.edu on 07/09/2024
Join the Women’s Leadership Network on Wednesday, July 10th from 4-6 p.m. at the Studio Downtown for Wind Down Wednesday. Appetizers and Mocktails by Rogue Roundabout will be available for purchase. This networking event is alcohol-free. No cost or registration is required. Please plan to attend and bring a friend.
https://uca.edu/outreach/women/wln-events/
Submitted by: SCOTT AUSTIN, saustin@uca.edu on 07/09/2024
Griffin Planetarium shows this Friday July 12 at 3:00pm and 7:00pm: The one-hour shows this week includes a tour of the current sky, a journey around planet Earth, and the full-dome movie “Experience the Aurora”. The planetarium is located in the Conway Corporation Center for the Sciences. Seating starts 10 minutes before show time. Admission is free. Seating limited to the first 94. No admission after the shows begin. No food or drink allowed.
