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Archives for December 2025

We’ve Hit Week 15, and Honestly? You Deserve a Trophy. Faculty for Successful Students

Submitted by: Jennifer Brewer, jbrewer1@uca.edu on 12/01/2025

Ah, Week 15 — when syllabi are checked like treasure maps and calculators become emotional support objects. All semester, you’ve helped students feel capable, connected, and confident. Whether you implemented every strategy or just a few that resonated with you, your impact has been real and meaningful. Thank you for sticking with us and cheering students toward the finish line!

This week, for the final time in 2025, we continue the Faculty for Successful Students focus: Help Students Form Peer Connections.

Slide:
Weeks 14 & 15 Slide to support the faculty for successful student campaign - FIND Your Communities.

Establishing peer connections in college significantly impacts students by enhancing their sense of belonging and support network. Strong relationships with peers provide emotional support, academic collaboration, and social engagement, all of which contribute to improved retention and academic performance.

Faculty Tips to Reinforce Success

Here are a few simple ways you can encourage these habits in your classes:

  • Bring your class or group to a Game Night at the Student Success Center (contact Student Success for more information, dates, and times)
  • Promote study groups/Study Buddies
  • Recommend the StudentLingo workshop on group work
  • Incorporate brief opportunities to engage with a partner or small group in class, even if your class does not include collaborative assignments.For example, Pairing and sharing answers to practice problems, discussing assigned readings in pairs or small groups, or formulating questions about lecture material in pairs all provide ways to connect and get to know classmates that can open the door to more substantial peer support.

Resources for You:

Thank you for everything you’ve done this semester to guide, support, and champion our students. Your care, creativity, and consistency make all the difference — especially in these final weeks. We’re grateful to work alongside you at UCA. Thanks for finishing strong with us — and for being the kind of faculty who help students believe they can finish strong, too.

✨ If there’s a colleague who’d appreciate being part of this community, feel free to pass this along and invite them to join us next time.

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership & Student Success Services

https://uca.edu/cetal/faculty-for-successful-students/

Dr. Lisa VanHoose Elected to APTA Board of Directors

Submitted by: Stacey Stephens, staceys@uca.edu on 12/01/2025

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has announced newly elected members of the Board of Directors. Congratulations to Dr. Lisa VanHoose, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA, who was elected as a Director to the APTA Board of Directors for a four-year term beginning in 2026. Dr. VanHoose is a UCA physical therapy alumnus (’96) and former Department of Physical Therapy Faculty member (2016-2019). Currently, she is Professor of Physical Therapy and Director of the DPT Program at the University of Louisiana Monroe. Dr. VanHoose is a Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Therapy and a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy. She received her PhD in Rehabilitation Science and Master of Public Health from the University of Kansas Medical Center. Her BS in Health Science and MS in Physical Therapy are from the University of Central Arkansas.

The APTA Board provides strategic direction for the organization and advocates on behalf of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, students of physical therapy, and patients nationwide to advance the profession of physical therapy and improve the health of society. Speaking on behalf of APTA, CEO Justin Moore, PT, DPT, said, “It is my honor to welcome our newly elected and returning members and officers of the APTA Board of Directors, and to extend sincere gratitude to our departing leaders for their years of dedicated service to advancing the physical therapy profession. This 2026 Board brings diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to advancing APTA’s strategic priorities, including improving payment, empowering our members, and evolving our practice. Their leadership will be instrumental in driving progress for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and the patients they serve.”

 

Poverty Workshop

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 12/01/2025

The Poverty Workshop is an interactive learning experience designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the decision-making processes, structural barriers, and daily challenges faced by individuals and families living in poverty. Through guided activities such as Poverty Survival Skills, Living Picture, Paying the Bills, and Test Your Knowledge, participants explore the realities of limited resources, the impact of systems, and common misconceptions about poverty. The workshop emphasizes respectful dialogue, encourages reflection, and equips participants with knowledge to better support ALICE and low-income individuals in their communities.

December 9, 2025 (Tuesday)
1:30-3:30 pm
Ronnie Williams Student Center 214
Presenters: Tracie Spivey and Tabatha Duvall

Sponsored by HR-Employee Engagement and Enrichment and the Center for Community & Economic Development

Please register at the link provided.

https://uca.edu/hr/protectedcontent/poverty-simulation-december-9-2025/

Service Excellence Seminar

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 11/30/2025

Do you have a student worker, graduate student, or employee that could use information on what it means to professionally serve students, family members, and/or UCA colleagues? Then this one-hour session is for them. The session presents components of Service Excellence (Communication, Attitude, Respect, Enthusiasm) and reinforces the ability to influence in each one of these areas.

January 27, 2026 (Tuesday)
X-Period (1:40 pm-2:30 pm)
Ronnie Williams Student Center 215

Presenters: LeSha Smith, HR and Charlotte Strickland, HR-Employee Engagement and Enrichment

Please register at the link provided!!

https://uca.edu/hr/protectedcontent/service-excellence-january-27-2026/

Digital Detox Seminar

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 11/30/2025

Digital Detox. Disconnect to Reconnect…A Conversation on Digital Well Being

In an always-on world, our devices keep us constantly connected — but often at the expense of focus, rest, and genuine human connection. This interactive session explores the impact of digital overload and offers practical strategies to regain balance. Drawing on insights from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, we’ll examine how technology shapes life on a college campus. A panel of faculty and staff will share their perspectives on screen habits, reflect on personal digital behaviors, and discuss simple ways to unplug with purpose. Join us to discover how stepping away from technology can help you reconnect with what truly matters — your wellbeing, relationships, and peace of mind.

January 22, 2026 (Thursday)
1:40-2:30 pm (X-Period)
Ronnie Williams Student Center 214

Presenters: Sandy Longhorn, Lindsey Osbourne, LeSha Smith, Vergie Jackson, Charlotte Strickland, Olivia Bundrick, Sarah Lunsford

Please register at link provided!!

https://uca.edu/hr/protectedcontent/digital-detox/

Spring 2026 Employee Book Club

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 11/30/2025

Atomic Habits By James Clear
Facilitator: Charlotte Strickland, HR-Employee Engagement and Enrichment

A guide to building good habits, breaking bad ones, and making small changes that lead to remarkable results over time. Clear argues that success doesn’t come from big, dramatic actions but from tiny, consistent improvements—“atomic habits.” The book emphasizes focusing on systems rather than goals—by improving your daily processes, success becomes a natural outcome.

Drawing for a free book to early registrants provided by the UCA Bookstore.

There are two options for participation – zoom or onsite.

January 29, February 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2026 (Thursdays)
3:00-4:00 pm
Ronnie Williams Student Center 226

January 30, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2026 (Fridays)
9:00-10:00 am
ZOOM

https://uca.edu/hr/protectedcontent/seminar-information/

Volleyball NCAA Selection Show Watch Party Sunday

Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 11/25/2025

The Sugar Bears are going dancing! Join us Sunday in Buffalo Alumni Hall CAEP Lobby at 5 PM for the NCAA Volleyball Selection Show! The show begins at 5 PM and we will find out where the Sugar Bears will be at in the first round of the tournament! Refreshments and snacks will be available! We hope you’ll be there!