Submitted by: Tracy McGarrity, tracym@uca.edu on 12/17/2025
During UCA’s hybrid operations and Winter Break, the Bear Essentials Food Pantry will be closed 12/15/25 – 1/9/26. Before the Spring Semester begins, the Food Pantry will undergo cleaning and restocking the week of 1/5 – 1/9/26.
We will reopen with Spring Semester hours of Monday thru Thursday 11 am – 5 pm on January 12, 2026.
https://uca.edu/foodpantry/home/news/
Submitted by: Madeline Kimbrell, ucabewell@uca.edu on 12/16/2025
Kick off the new year with a renewed focus on your well-being. This session, hosted by BeWell in partnership with the Community Care Clinic, will demonstrate how to utilize on-campus services designed to support whole-person health. Whether you’re looking to manage a chronic condition, improve mobility, build healthier habits, or support your mental health, their experts—from dietitians to physical therapists to mental health counselors—are here to guide you. This presentation is on January 14th from 12:15 – 1:00 pm in the Community Care Clinic Teaching Kitchen and via Zoom. Click the link to register.
https://uca.edu/hr/protectedcontent/bewell-community-care-form/
Submitted by: Doris Pierce, dpierce@uca.edu on 12/15/2025
Choose to attend all or one of the following additional Digital Accessibility Sessions for Spring 2026:
Document Accessibility Walk-In Session:
When: Monday, January 5th from 9-12 & 1-3
Where: Burdick 313
Session Assistants:
– Jenny Brewer, CETAL Instructional Designer
– Doris Pierce, OARS Director
– John Ortigo, OARS Assistive Technology Specialist
Receive direct one-on-one assistance on how to create accessible documents. Allow us to briefly look over your syllabi, flyers or documents provided through your website.
Website Accessibility Walk In Session:
When: Thursday, January 22nd from 9-12 & 1-3
Where: Burdick 313
Your Session Assistants:
– Mark Heffington, Executive Director, University Marketing and Communications (UMAC)
– Doris Pierce, OARS Director
– John Ortigo, OARS Assistive Technology Specialist
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.
Social Media Accessibility Walk In Session:
When: Thursday, February 5th from 9-12 & 1-3
Where: Burdick 313
Your Session Assistants:
– Alyssa Sparks, UMAC Digital Media Specialist
– Doris Pierce, OARS Director
– John Ortigo, OARS Assistive Technology Specialist
Description: Receive direct one-on-one assistance with your department or organizational social media page.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Dr. Darshon Reed, Associate Dean of CHBS & Interim Chair of Communication Sciences & Disorders, for allowing OARS to schedule the Digital Accessibility Walk-In Sessions!
Contact oars@uca.edu if you have any questions.
Submitted by: Rebekah Luong, rlindsey@uca.edu on 12/15/2025
Congratulations to Dr. Kathryn Carroll and Lisa McCoy of the Nutrition & Family Sciences (NFS) Department. Both recently earned the Certified Family and Consumer Sciences – Human Development and Family Studies national credential (CFCS-HDFS). The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) certification is used to prove mastery of the content related to the profession. Carroll and McCoy are the first two in the NFS Department to earn this particular credential.
For more information about AAFCS credentials, you may visit: https://www.aafcs.org/credentialing/professional-certifications
Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 12/15/2025
The UCA Men’s Basketball team will start conference play on January 1st! The Bears take on Florida Gulf Coast at 1 PM in the Farris Center! Help us bring the noise while students are away!
Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 12/13/2025
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/
Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 12/13/2025
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/
Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 12/13/2025
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
Please register at link provided
https://uca.edu/hr/protectedcontent/seminar-information/
