Submitted by: Deanna Farney, dfarney@uca.edu on 01/21/2026

Keep up with Group Exercise classes and descriptions at the Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center (T-Rec) by visiting https://uca.edu/campusrecreation/group-exercise/

Submitted by: Adam Frank, afrank@uca.edu on 01/20/2026

Research Empowerment Grant
Faculty Senate Research Empowerment Grant
Description: The UCA Faculty Senate will administer a $40,000 fund to support the establishment of Faculty Senate Research Empowerment Grants, to be henceforth administered by the Academic Affairs Committee in amounts of up to $1,500 per application. The committee plans to fund the equivalent of 2-3 full $1,500 grants per academic year.

Applications will be evaluated according to this rubric: Faculty Senate Research Empowerment Grant – Application Assessment Rubric

Dues dates for applications is: February 1, 2026

Please apply via the following form: Research Empowerment Grant application form

Please direct all questions to the Chair of the Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee, for 2025-22026, Adam Frank (Honors College) afrank@uca.edu (501) 450-3198.

https://uca.edu/facultysenate/research-empowerment-grant/

Submitted by: LeSha Smith, lsmith90@uca.edu on 01/20/2026

Faculty and Staff Recognition Celebration on April 14th during X-period.

https://uca.edu/hr/degree-or-certification-completed/

Submitted by: Jessica Underwood, jessicau@uca.edu on 01/19/2026

A Faculty Guide to a Smooth(ish) Transition to D2L Brightspace

The great Blackboard-to-Brightspace migration is officially underway! Starting late-February, the LMS admin team will begin migrating courses to our new platform. Here’s what’s making the move:

• Recent course offerings (AY 25-26) are automatically coming along for the ride
• Earlier courses will be archived (translation: packed away for safe keeping)
• Rotation courses can join the migration party too—stay tuned for details

The Pre-Migration Audit (And Why Now?)

To ensure a smooth and efficient transition, we’re asking faculty to conduct a course audit before migration begins. Here’s why this matters:

Years of course copies, file updates, and “I’ll organize this later” moments have a way of accumulating. We’re talking duplicated files hiding in mysterious folders, content from 2017 that you swear you deleted, and links that lead absolutely nowhere. Left unchecked, all of this digital archaeology will migrate right along with your current content.

A course audit now means only your current, intentional materials make the trip to Brightspace. Translation: no post-migration scrambling and no hindsight regrets.

The Course Audit: Bite-Sized and Manageable

We get it—auditing an entire course sounds overwhelming. That’s why CETAL has broken it down into a four-week plan. Think of it as a gentle spring cleaning, one drawer at a time:

• Phase 1: Toss the old stuff (outdated materials, announcements from 2019)
• Phase 2: Review assessments and gradebook (do you really need three copies of Quiz 7?)
• Phase 3: Organize your content (future-you will be so grateful)
• Phase 4: Check accessibility compliance (make sure everyone can access your materials)

Each week, we’ll send detailed steps and resources to guide you through the process. You’ve got this, and we’ve got you.

The Easy Part (for You)

You won’t be doing the actual migration yourself—we’re handling that part! Your job is just tidying things up. Consider us your moving company; you’re just deciding what makes the trip.

Questions? Concerns? Existential dread about change? We’re here to help every step of the way. Let’s make this transition as painless as possible—together!

https://uca.edu/cetal/

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 01/17/2026

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

Please register at link provided

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

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 01/17/2026

Description: Receive direct one-on-one assistance on how to check for correct headings, alt text, captioning and meaningful information on your UCA webpage. Please have your SiteImprove report available either by email or in print.

January 22, 2026 (Thursday)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Burdick 313

Session Assistants: Mark Heffington, Executive Director, University Marketing and Communications (UMAC), Doris Pierce, OARS Director, John Ortigo, OARS Assistive Technology Specialist

 

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 01/17/2026

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/

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 01/17/2026

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/

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 01/17/2026

Overview: Feel like you’re already struggling with your New Year’s resolutions? Join us for an exciting time dreaming about the future you want to create. Through guided exercises, you’ll learn to dream bigger, set realistic timelines, and discover why accountability matters when pursuing your dreams. This interactive session will help you understand yourself better and take practical steps toward becoming the-best-version-of-yourself®.

February 3, 2026 (Tuesday)
X-Period (1:40-2:30 pm)
Ronnie Williams Student Center 213
Presenter: Heather Somervell, Certified Dream Manager®

Please register at the link provided.

https://uca.edu/hr/protectedcontent/dream-storm-february-3-2026/

Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 01/16/2026

Another chance to watch the Sugar Bears play! They take on North Alabama at 1 PM in the Farris Center. Click below to claim your free faculty/staff tickets!

https://ucasports.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1796