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SLANT & Vortex Host Student Poetry Contest

Submitted by: Michael Blanchard, mblanchard@uca.edu on 11/04/2025

For the third consecutive year, SLANT and Vortex will co-sponsor a poetry contest open to UCA undergraduate students in any field of study.

Entries will be received from November 15 through February 15. Cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 will be awarded for the top three entries and will be presented at the School of Language & Literature’s spring honors reception in April.

Judging will be conducted by a panel of published poets who are also former UCA students, plus one member of the Vortex editorial staff.

SLANT is the School of Language & Literature’s international journal of contemporary poetry, and Vortex is the award-winning UCA student literary and arts magazine, now in its 50th year.

Requests for a copy of the contest guidelines should be addressed to Michael Blanchard, Adjunct Professor of Literature and editor of SLANT, at mblanchard@uca.edu.

 

BeWell 2025-2026 Kick-Off Presentation

Submitted by: Madeline Kimbrell, ucabewell@uca.edu on 11/04/2025

We are thrilled to kick off the 2025-2026 BeWell Cycle! As we gear up for an inspiring year ahead, our commitment to enhancing your health and wellness remains stronger than ever. We can’t wait to share all the exciting opportunities, resources, and achievements planned for this cycle. You can find the 2025-2026 program guide on our website, packed with all the essential information to help you make the most of this year’s offerings. If you’re curious to learn more about BeWell, be sure to also check out the Get Started Guide on the BeWell website.

Join us on Wednesday, November 19th, from 12:15 – 12:45 pm via Zoom for our program kickoff! During this session, we’ll celebrate last year’s incredible milestones and unveil what’s coming up in the months ahead. Don’t miss this chance to get inspired and engaged—Click the link to register for the program kickoff!

*Please note: If you enrolled in UCA health insurance during open enrollment, your participation in BeWell will begin once your coverage starts on 1/1/2026.*

https://uca-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/3XiG4JHLRViZqWQtRvKl-Q

Griffin Planetarium Shows

Submitted by: Scott Austin, saustin@uca.edu on 11/05/2025

Griffin Planetarium shows this Friday November 7 and Saturday November 8 at 7:00pm: The one-hour shows this week include a tour of the current sky, a flight around the universe, and the full-dome movie “Supermassive Black Holes: Uncovering the Invisible”. 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/

November Issue of the Grants Gazette

Submitted by: Jennifer Deering, jdeering@uca.edu on 11/05/2025

Included in this month’s issue:
*Nominations for the Award for Excellence in Grant Impact, Seeking, and Stewardship (AEGISS) Open
*What Is the Difference between Salaries and Wages and Professional Services?
*Compliance Corner | Cost-Sharing
*The Write Track | Aristotelian Rhetoric: Hidden Gems
*Funding Opportunity Highlight: The Mellon Foundation
*Deadlines and Events
*The Newsletter Challenge: Win a Prize!

https://mailchi.mp/fe42b654f139/grants-gazette-november-17596872

Rise, Write, Refine, a Grant-Writing Retreat | Deadline to Apply: January 15

Submitted by: Jennifer Deering, jdeering@uca.edu on 11/06/2025

Ready to move your grant proposal from idea to action? Join us for a focused, distraction-free grant-writing retreat at Camp Mitchell on beautiful Petit Jean Mountain—a dedicated space where faculty and staff can dive deep into writing, revising, and refining their grant proposals with expert support close at hand.

This retreat is designed to help you:
*Make real progress on your proposal in a supportive, low-pressure environment
*Get one-on-one feedback from an experienced grant professional
*Ask questions about budgets, submission systems, or funder guidelines as they arise
*Stay motivated and energized by working alongside others with similar goals

Whether you’re starting from a rough draft, a blank page, or a half-finished narrative, this retreat offers structured time, practical help, and quiet encouragement to keep you moving forward.

Let’s write. Together!

The retreat begins with lunch at 12:00 at Camp Mitchell on Friday, May 8, 2025 and ends with lunch on Sunday, May 10 2025. Space is limited to the first nine respondents. Meals and lodging are provided; however, you will need to arrange your own transportation.

This is a selective opportunity designed for faculty and staff who are serious about developing a competitive grant proposal. We’re offering dedicated time, expert support, and structured guidance to help you succeed.

https://forms.gle/BXw4Z294ustZizmPA

Get to Know ArCA

Submitted by: Leslie Coger, lcoger1@uca.edu on 11/05/2025

You’re invited to Arkansas Coding Academy to get to know the team!

Join us for an exciting event hosted by ArCA, where you’ll get an insider’s look at how we’re helping students transform their futures through cutting-edge tech education.

Whether you’re considering a career in tech, want to level up your current skills, or want to learn more, this is a perfect opportunity to explore, connect, and get inspired.

What to Expect:
Learn more about our programs — including current and upcoming full-stacks.
Meet the team behind Arkansas Coding Academy who help the ArCA community thrive.
Ask questions in real time and get personalized guidance on how to take your next steps in tech.

Who Should Attend:
Anyone who would like to learn more about our bootcamp, and how it delivers expert-led training in the technical skills companies need.
Prospective students exploring tech education options
Career changers interested in programming and web development
Current students, alumni, mentors, and partners of Arkansas Coding Academy — come reconnect, enjoy complimentary snacks, and see what’s new!

Register Below!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/get-to-know-arca-tickets-1925594849029

Wendy Holbrook honored by Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance

Submitted by: Robin Williamson, rwilliamson@uca.edu on 11/05/2025

Wendy Holbrook, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, was recognized by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance as their 2025 Star Collaborator Award recipient. This award honors an individual who exemplifies partnership, compassion, and leadership in addressing food insecurity across Arkansas. Wendy has been a consistent champion for ensuring students’ basic needs are met, fostering cross-campus collaboration, and helping shape supportive, welcoming pantry environments.

Wendy has participated in panels and presentations at the College Hunger Summit for the past two years, and the Bear Essentials Food Pantry has participated the Nutrition Pantry Program, working towards goals that center around neighbors, trauma-informed care, and healthy food prioritization. Her commitment to student well-being and her collaborative spirit have strengthened the statewide network of college pantries and advanced the shared vision of a hunger-free Arkansas.

Laken Ross from the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance said, “Wendy’s work serves as an example of what it looks like when student support is rooted in dignity, empathy, and collaboration. Thank you, Wendy!”

 

UCA Safe Walk 2025

Submitted by: Adam Hensley, AHENSLEY@UCA.EDU on 11/04/2025

To All,

You’re invited to the 2024 Annual Operation Safe Walk on Tuesday, November 4, at 5:00 p.m. This event is hosted by the UCA Physical Plant with assistance from the UCA Police Department. We will meet in the parking lot just east of University Police. We will have 6 routes that will be assigned. Groups will start their assigned route around 5:20pm-5:30pm. Routes will typically take 45 mins to 1.5 hours to complete.

All campus community members—students, staff, faculty, and local community members—are welcome to join. Please arrive a few minutes early if you’d like to choose a specific area to walk or inspect.

This event is an open forum for any safety ideas or concerns. Feel free to speak up as we walk—no concern is too small, and every idea is noted and discussed.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

UCA Welcomes Artist-in-Residence Bessie Flores Zaldívar

Submitted by: Sarah Brackett, sbrackett1@uca.edu on 11/04/2025

Bessie Flores Zaldívar is a writer from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, whose work explores themes of identity, belonging, and liberation. With an MFA in fiction from Virginia Tech, Zaldívar brings a rich, transnational perspective to writing and teaching. Currently based in New Haven, Connecticut, Zaldívar teaches creative writing at Quinnipiac University, where the writer mentors emerging voices with insight and empathy. Zaldívar’s debut publication, Libertad, marks a bold and lyrical entrance into contemporary literature, blending narrative innovation with emotional depth. As an artist in residence, Zaldívar invites communities to engage in dialogue, memory, and imagination. For more information, contact Professor Acie Clark, Dept. of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing, kclark27@uca.edu.

Student Event: Craft Talk with Creative Writing students
Nov. 6 | 12:15–1:30 pm | Win Thompson 331

Student Event: Conversation with students from multiple disciplines (Creative Writing, Gender Studies, Spanish, etc.)
Nov. 6 | 1:40–2:30 pm | Win Thompson 331

Student Event: Masterclass with MFA Creative Writing students
Nov. 6 | 4–5 pm | Win Thompson Hall 104

Public Event: Reading/Keynote and Book Signing (C. D. Wright Writers Conference)
Nov. 7 | 6 –7 pm | McCastlain Hall Ballroom

https://uca.edu/cahss/artists-in-residence/