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Archives for April 2025

Griffin Planetarium Shows

Submitted by: SCOTT AUSTIN, saustin@uca.edu on 04/02/2025

Griffin Planetarium shows this Friday April 4 and Saturday April 5 at 7:00pm: The one-hour shows this week includes a tour of the current sky, a flight around the universe, and the full-dome movie “Out There: The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds”. 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.

https://uca.edu/physics/planetarium/

GUIDE Training: Don’t miss out!

Submitted by: Jessica Underwood, jessicau@uca.edu on 04/02/2025

Research shows a significant number of students are experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties that impact their academic performance. As educators, we recognize the importance of supporting student well-being—61% of faculty believe all instructors should receive basic training to assist students in distress.

That’s why we’re excited to announce GUIDE (Guiding Universities in Demonstrating Empathy) training! This three-hour session equips faculty and staff with practical, compassionate communication skills to support students while maintaining professional boundaries.

What You’ll Learn:
– Identify and contextualize student needs
– Develop empathic communication skills
– Navigate student support conversations
– Recognize when to engage campus services

Two GUIDE sessions will be offered and held in Student Health Clinic (SHC) 307.

APRIL 9th
Session 1: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session 2: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

GUIDE training is designed to empower you to support student well-being while maintaining healthy professional boundaries. Explore our website for updated details and resources on how GUIDE can make an impact in your classroom.

Register for a GUIDE session today!

https://uca.edu/cetal/guide-training

AURS STEM Communicator Award

Submitted by: Treci Buchanan, Tbuchanan@uca.edu on 04/01/2025

AURS STEM Communicator Award
The Advancement of Undergraduate Research in the Sciences (AURS) endowment was started in 2008 to support undergraduate research in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Central Arkansas. The AURS STEM Communicator award is to encourage the communication of science to the public in an informative and compelling manner. Public understanding of science is critical for shared democracy, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the United States and Arkansas.
Undergraduate student or team presenters will be evaluated at the College of Science and Engineering STEM Poster Symposium on April 18th, 2025. The STEM Communicator award amount is as follows: first place ($500), second place ($250), third place ($125). The award amount is divided among a team or group of students if the poster/research is presented by more than one student. Please note due to stacking limits it is possible that an awardee may not be able to accept the financial portion of the award.

Undergraduate presenters only are eligible for the award.
Teams are evaluated as a group.
Time limit of 3 minutes.
Deadline to sign up: April 11, 2025

https://uca.edu/cose/cose-annual-symposium/

College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Student Research Symposium

Submitted by: Kalista Pettus, kpettus@uca.edu on 04/01/2025

The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Student Research Symposium will take place April 15th from 1:30pm to 3:30pm in the Farris Center Gym. Over 100 students across CHBS disciplines will present current research and ongoing projects. We invite students, faculty, and staff from across campus to attend and learn about research and interdisciplinary projects happening in CHBS.

 

UCA Campus & Symphonic Band Concert

Submitted by: Derek Stoughton, dstoughton@uca.edu on 04/01/2025

Join the UCA Campus and Symphonic Bands for their final concert of the year on Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 PM in the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts! It will be a wonderful evening of music-making, celebrating the accomplishments of our wonderful student musicians over the course of the year.

The concert will feature a piece by UCA student composer Trenton Rhodes! Additional composers on the program include Brian Balmages, Percy Grainger, Elena Specht, William Grant Still, and more.

You won’t want to miss this concert! Tickets are free for students and faculty.

uca.edu/bands

Cheer and Dance Nationals Send-Off!

Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 04/01/2025

Come out to the Farris Center at 6:30 PM on Monday, April 7th, to support our cheer and dance teams before they head off to Nationals! They will honor their seniors before the performance and then debut their routines for Nationals!

 

Community Language School Bear Camps

Submitted by: Deanne Murphey, dmurphey@uca.edu on 04/01/2025

European Folklore Bear Camp: July 21-25, 2025, 8:30 am-3:00 pm (drop off begins at 8:00 am)
Join the European Folktales Bear Camp for an adventure into the captivating origins and mysteries of beloved folktales and fairytales from Germany, France, Italy, and other corners of Europe. Discover how stories are passed down through generations, why similar tales appear across different cultures, and what timeless lessons these stories can teach us.

Through engaging activities, children will explore the power of storytelling, weave their own tales, learn more about European history and culture, and bring stories to life with fun, hands-on crafts. Spark your child’s imagination and curiosity in this unforgettable journey through the magical world of European folktales and fairytales!

la Dolce Vita Bear Camp: August 4-8, 2025, 8:30 am-3:00 pm (drop off begins at 8:00 am)
Let your child embark on an unforgettable journey through the magic of Italy! Kids will explore the sights, sounds, and flavors of this beautiful country through fun activities like learning basic Italian phrases, hearing exciting folktales, and creating stunning crafts like mosaics and frescoes. Each day is packed with hands-on adventures that bring Italy’s art, history, and delicious food to life. Perfect for ages 7-12. Spots are limited—sign up today and give your child a taste of la dolce vita!

https://uca.edu/sll/community-language-school/

Realigning with Resiliency-Guest Speaker

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 03/31/2025

A lifetime of learned coping patterns leads us to reactive responses in moments of stress and chaos. However, there are lots of small steps we can take to help turn that chaos to calm, the panic into peace. Realigning with Resiliency offers an interactive discussion and exploration of thought-stopping, grounding, and reflection techniques to build our resiliency, helping to move through those tough or tender moments that can weigh so heavily.

Trace Henley, Associate Director at Health Partners Inc.
She earned a bachelor’s in communication and a master’s in organizational leadership and holds certifications as a Society for Human Resources Senior Certified Professional and as a group facilitator. Trace travels the country speaking on leadership, team building, employee experience, and boundaries, and serves on multiple state and local boards in her community.

April 17, 2025 (Thursday)
3:00-4:15 PM McCastlain Ballroom
Sponsored by Staff Senate

 

APRIL is for CELEBRATING UCA EMPLOYEES!!

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 03/31/2025

MONDAY APRIL 14
Aramark: Executive Coffee at Einsteins (Discount $1.69)
Bookstore Employee Appreciation 35% Discount with ID
Lost Pizza (2600 College Ave) Dine-In, 20% Faculty/Staff with ID
Bear to Bear – Drop by the Student Center lobby table and write a note of appreciation to a fellow UCA employee 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Podcast- Bear to Bear on Air! 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Steve Owens, Leigh Ann DenHartog)
Drop by KUCA in the Student Center and grab the microphone. Share a story about a fellow colleague
and/or someone you wish to thank for their impact while working at UCA!

Pickle Ball tournament – FREE, HPER Center Gym, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Grab a fellow employee and play in the pickleball tournament. Wear athletic gear and bring a pickleball paddle. Questions? Contact Logan Wylie, lwile@uca.edu. Register at this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSems6Gq91EJjeMcahU-R10FNp05tVpHm5PZnIj_IHNR7w1uLQ/viewform?usp=sharing

TUESDAY APRIL 15
Aramark: Free regular sized fountain drink with purchase of meal – Twisted Taco
Bookstore Employee Appreciation 35% Discount with ID
Lost Pizza (2600 College Ave) Dine-In, 20% Faculty/Staff with ID
Retiree Luncheon, Noon
Faculty & Staff Recognition Celebration, X-Period (Ronnie Williams Student Center Ballroom)
Drawings for giveaways
Aramark provided Starbucks gift cards
Aramark provided Chik-Fil-A gift cards
Lost Pizza provided gift cards
Bear to Bear – Drop by the table at the Celebration and write a note of appreciation to a fellow UCA employee
*UCA Women’s Softball – UCA vs. Arkansas 5:00 p.m.
*UCA Men’s Baseball – UCA vs. Memphis 6:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 16
Bookstore Employee Appreciation 35% Discount with ID
Lost Pizza (2600 College Ave) Dine-In, 20% Faculty/Staff with ID
Administrative Professionals Reception, 3:00- 4:00 McCastlain Hall
Bear to Bear – Drop by the table at the Administrative Professionals reception and write a note of appreciation to a fellow UCA employee

THURSDAY APRIL 17
Bookstore Employee Appreciation 35% Discount with ID
Lost Pizza (2600 College Ave) Dine-In, 20% Faculty/Staff with ID
Forever Bear Ceremony X-Period, Amphitheater

Guest speaker Trace Henley: Realigning with Resiliency
3:00 – 4:15 p.m. McCastlain Hall Ballroom
Speaker Sponsored by Staff Senate

Bear to Bear – Drop by the table at the special presentation and write a note of appreciation to a fellow UCA employee

FRIDAY APRIL 18
Aramark: Friday lunch in Cafeteria with ID (Discount $6)
Bookstore Employee Appreciation 35% Discount with ID
Lost Pizza (2600 College Ave) Dine-In, 20% Faculty/Staff with ID
Zip Lining and Climbing Tower – FREE, Sponsored by Campus Recreation and Wellness, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Questions? Contact Robert Stine in Campus Outdoors at rstine@uca.edu.

*UCA Women’s Softball – UCA vs. Lipscomb 3:00 p.m.

*UCA Athletics
1. Visit ucasports.universitytickets.com
2. Register under student/faculty/staff
3. Login using your UCA Credentials
4. Create an account (if you have not already)
5. Select a game & secure your tickets

https://uca.edu/hr/protectedcontent/newsletter-archives/