Announcement/Events

Submitted by: Michael Mills, mmills@uca.edu on 04/17/2025

As we wrap up a successful Graduate Student Appreciation Week, I wanted to take a moment to share some exciting news with our campus community. This past week, the Graduate School partnered with UMacc to provide professional headshots for our graduate students, hosted pop-up events distributing stress-relief gear and encouragement, and organized our Barkanalia event where programs showcased their graduate offerings while we all enjoyed an afternoon with our canine companions.

Building on this celebration of our graduate students, I’m ​e​xcited to announce the recipients of this year’s Outstanding Graduate Assistant Awards:

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant ​- Bridgette Hearne Nominated by Dr. Sunjung Kim Thao and Dr. Brent Gregg

Bridgette established the CUBsREAD (Reading Enrichment and Development) program in collaboration with UCA Outreach and Dr. Thao, creating a literacy and diversity initiative that has flourished each semester. She trained approximately 120 undergraduate students to teach children, while also presenting her work at three major conferences and co-authoring research based on program data.

Outstanding Graduate Research Assistant ​- Haley Racioppo Nominated by Dr. Hal Halvorson and Dr. Brent Hill

Haley has made exceptional contributions to water quality research, expanding the long-term monitoring project on Conway’s Brewer Lake drinking water reservoir. Her research has directly impacted Conway Corporation’s water quality management while she maintained partnerships with multiple institutions. Haley has presented her findings at six conferences, including two international venues, demonstrating remarkable initiative and scientific leadership.

Outstanding Graduate Administrative Assistant ​- Maggie McGowen Nominated by Garth Clayborn and Lindsey Shurley, First Year Experience

Maggie revolutionized several key programs including Conway Daze, Stress Less Fest, and the New Bear Bucket List Kickoff. She established the department’s social media presence while coordinating with numerous campus departments and mentoring undergraduate students. Maggie managed nearly 200 business relationships for the Conway Daze Business Expo, setting new standards of excellence.

​We celebrate these outstanding graduate assistants​, who exemplify the dedication, innovation, and excellence we value at UCA. Their contributions have made a significant impact on our campus community and beyond.

 

Submitted by: Céline Evans-Kennard, ckennard@uca.edu on 04/16/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Kristi Fraley has been selected as the 2025 Student Worker of the Year! Kristi serves in the Living Learning Communities department and holds the unique role of community mentor for the Minton Commuter College.

In a position that requires both initiative and independence, Kristi has demonstrated exceptional dedication in supporting nearly 500 first-year commuter students. From building meaningful connections with students in the commuter lounge to promoting campus resources and events both in-person and on digital platforms like Discord, Kristi consistently ensures that commuter students feel included and informed.

Her leadership has extended beyond the boundaries of her primary responsibilities. Whether it’s helping organize programs, maintaining the welcoming environment of the Minton Commuter College spaces, or coordinating with the Lavender Library, Kristi approaches every task with enthusiasm and care. She is known not just for her reliability and initiative but for the empathy and integrity she brings to all she does.

Despite a demanding academic schedule as a Communication Sciences and Disorders major and her involvement in the marching band, Kristi never hesitates to say “yes” when the department needs an extra hand. Her support of the broader Living Learning Communities program has been invaluable, and her willingness to go above and beyond makes her a true standout.

Please join us in celebrating Kristi Fraley for her remarkable contributions to UCA. We are honored to recognize her with this well-deserved award!

 

Submitted by: Donna Stephens, donnals@uca.edu on 04/15/2025

Journalism Lecturer Rob Moritz has been named Journalism Educator of the Year by the Arkansas Press Association. The award will be presented at the APA’s Press Freedom Gala on Oct. 23 at the Clinton Presidential Center. Moritz has taught at UCA for 10 years. He also serves as chairman of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Task Force and is treasurer of the Society of Professional Journalists Arkansas Chapter.

 

Submitted by: Vicki Parish, vparish@uca.edu on 04/15/2025

Campus buildings were challenged this spring to meet or exceed donations brought in by the 2024-2025 LEAD Program cohort (one-time fall donation). While the following buildings got close, no one building beat the LEAD cohort’s donations. We still want to give kudos to the following buildings who donated over 100 pounds to the Bear Essentials Food Pantry (BEFP):
⭐️ College of Business – donated 100 pounds
⭐️ College Square – donated 145 pounds
⭐️ Manion Hall – donated 360 pounds
⭐️ Torreyson Library & Torreyson West – donated 124 pounds

We also want to give a special thanks to the CAHSS Artists in Residence Program for partnering with the Feed the Den Food Drive to also donate 1500 cans of soup from the labyrinth on display for their 25th anniversary celebration to the BEFP, averaging to around 938 pounds! 🥫

Altogether, our campus community came together with this food drive to collect a grand total of 2,381 pounds of food! And that doesn’t even include any one-time or new payroll deduction donations given to the BEFP Foundation account.

We would like to give a special shout-out to a couple of people that made this food drive possible: Gary Broyles in the Physical Plant & Will Baker in the BEFP/OARS. Thank you also to all of the LEAD building coordinators and building administrators for helping to maintain the boxes and encourage colleagues to give their best.

Will Baker shares his sentiment from the BEFP perspective, “let me start by thanking Emily Hall, Vicki Parish and everyone else who had something to do with this project. I would like to thank everyone who donated, we couldn’t do what we do without you. Food drives like this help us keep our shelves stocked with a minimum impact on the money we have to spend. We will forever be grateful knowing that we all played a part in helping our UCA community thrive.”

While the Feed the Den food drive is over, the need is great and does not have an end date. Would you consider committing to a monthly donation to the BEFP fund? Every little bit helps: $2, $5, $10, $25, or more!

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