Academic Affairs

Submitted by: Jessica Underwood, jessicau@uca.edu on 03/12/2025

The application deadline for the fifth annual Summer Teaching Excellence Institute has been extended to Monday, April 14, 2025.
The institute will be held June 9-10 and 12-13, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily on campus, with pre-work conducted asynchronously via Blackboard.

Participants will:

> Gain valuable insights into UCA’s student population
> Explore the science of learning and memory
> Develop strategies for supporting executive function skills

Benefits include:

> $250 stipend for participation
> Enhanced teaching effectiveness
> Collaboration with peers across disciplines
> Daily lunch provided

Space is limited, so we encourage you to take advantage of this extended deadline and apply today.
For questions or to submit your application, please visit the TEI webpage.

https://uca.edu/cetal/teaching-excellence-institute/

Submitted by: Jessica Underwood, jessicau@uca.edu on 03/12/2025

There’s a new LMS on the horizon! Whether you’re eagerly awaiting Blackboard Learn’s replacement, feeling a bit anxious about change, or somewhere in between—there are plenty of opportunities for you to try out each LMS in consideration. In doing so, the Teaching with Technology Advisory Committee (TTAC) has scheduled regular office hours for Blackboard Ultra, Canvas, and Brightspace so you can explore these potential replacements at your own pace, with expert guidance just a click away.

OFFICE HOURS SCHEDULE

Blackboard Ultra
Dates and times to be announced.

Brightspace
Weekly on Thursdays, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Beginning March 13, 2025

Canvas
Tuesdays, 2:00-2:45 p.m.
Fridays, 9:00-9:45 a.m.
Beginning Friday, March 14, 2025

OFFICE HOURS ARE FOR EVERYONE!
> First-timers: Never clicked around in Blackboard Ultra, Canvas or Brightspace? They’ll help you get your bearings.
> Technical support: Stuck on something? That’s what office hours are for!
> No stupid questions: Whether you’re wondering how to post an announcement or trying to figure out complex grading options, they’re here to help.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
TTAC needs your input to make sure we choose the right LMS platform. These office hours are your opportunity to ask questions during your test-drive and let us know what you think. Even if you’re hesitant about new technology, we encourage you to drop in. Sometimes the most important feedback comes from those who find technology challenging!

ATTENDING OFFICE HOURS
These office hours will be held virtually. You’ll find the links listed on the lms review website. No appointment needed, no preparation required. Just bring your questions, concerns, and honest opinions.

We appreciate your willingness to participate in this important evaluation process. Visit the LMS review website for more details regarding the review process.

uca.edu/lmsreview

Submitted by: Haydyn Hudnall, hhudnall@uca.edu on 03/11/2025

The National Student Exchange (NSE) Program has become an integral part of higher education, with member campuses reporting domestic study away as a high-impact practice that supports student satisfaction, persistence, and personal growth. By offering unique opportunities for students to explore different regions of North America, NSE fosters academic enrichment and personal exploration, and it aligns closely with university initiatives for global engagement.

As stated in the mission of NSE, “National Student Exchange inspires academic enrichment, personal exploration, and student development by facilitating collegiate study away among our member campuses.” This statement is particularly evident in light of a recent UCA student, Alex Smith, who graduated with his B.S. in Environmental Science and recently completed the Alaska Aquaculture Semester in Fall 2024.
Through the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), the Alaska Aquaculture Semester is a distinctive study away program that combines fieldwork and classroom learning in Sitka, Alaska. The small cohort size of approximately 12 students per semester fosters a collaborative and interactive learning environment that includes undergraduate students, master’s students, and professionals in the tourism industry in order to create a diverse mix of experiences and perspectives. During the duration of the program, students gain a deeper understanding of Alaska’s aquaculture industry while working directly with UAS faculty and local industry partners. Students gain insights into the history and policies surrounding Alaskan aquaculture, while also acquiring practical skills such as skiff handling and small engine maintenance.

During Alex’s semester, he completed the “Introduction to Aquaculture” course that explored Alaska’s fishing industries, including daily field trips to local hatcheries and other experiential learning environments.

Additionally, he completed 240 internship hours—far exceeding the program’s requirement of 100 hours. One particularly memorable internship opportunity included working at a remote hatchery at Deer Lake. During this time, UAS covered travel expenses for Alex and connected him with industry professionals that ultimately offered him a full-time position after graduation.

The program also placed emphasis on practical skills, such as the “Outboard Motor Course,” which required students to build and test outboard motors as part of a hands-on project. To further enhance his professional credentials, Alex graduated with two certifications: an Alaska boating safety certification and an Alaska aquaculture occupational endorsement certification.

Alex’s time in Sitka led to several professional connections that have already influenced his career trajectory. By the end of the program, Alex had secured a job at the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA), an accomplishment that underscores the effectiveness of the program in facilitating career development. In fact, Alex noted that by the end of the semester, every student had an employment opportunity lined up.

In reflecting on his time in Alaska, Alex Smith expressed how the experience has inspired a newfound passion for aquaculture and saltwater studies. Although his academic background was focused on freshwater studies, the professors at UAS helped him bridge the gap and gain a solid foundation in marine aquaculture. The diversity within the cohort, including students from across the U.S. and those studying different fields like tourism, contributed to a rich learning environment where everyone had something to offer.

Overall, the National Student Exchange (NSE) program, particularly through programs like the Alaska Aquaculture Semester, plays a significant role in shaping students’ futures. By offering immersive, hands-on learning experiences and fostering a strong sense of personal and academic growth, NSE supports students in discovering new academic passions, expanding their professional networks, and preparing them for careers after college. Alex Smith’s experience serves as a testament to the transformative potential of the NSE program.

UCA is incredibly proud of Alex’s accomplishments and the continued growth of the National Student Exchange program. Currently, eight students are on exchange in Hawaii, Alaska, North Dakota, and California, with five more students placed at host universities for the 2025-2026 academic year. UCA’s commitment to supporting its students’ personal and academic journeys through opportunities like NSE ensures that more students will be able to have life-changing experiences that enhance their education.

https://nse.org/exchange/special-programs/727/

Submitted by: James Wages, jwages3@uca.edu on 03/04/2025

We are excited to announce the offering of a special new course on the science of close relationships as explored through the music of artist and icon Taylor Swift. Students will delve into the emotional depth of Swift’s lyrics and discover scientific insights into intimate relationships. This course will be perfect for music lovers, Swifties, and those interested in improving their relationship skills. The course will be offered online and asynchronous in the Summer II session (July 7 to August 8). See the flyer for more details!

 

Submitted by: Michelle Wynn, mwynn@uca.edu on 02/28/2025

The Center for Global Learning and Engagement invites all UCA faculty to participate in the fifth Annual Global Learning Institute, May 19-20, 2025. The first day’s training is on COIL, or Collaborative Online International Learning, and will be led by Dr. Riva Brown, former UCA Professor of Public Relations and Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas. Dr Brown completed numerous COIL collaborations while at UCA. The second half-day will include a faculty panel on integrating the UN SDGs in the classroom. Faculty who register receive a stipend of $100. COIL truly is a powerful methodology for engaging students with other cultures in a 5 week collaboration. The target semester for your COIL collaboration would be spring 2026, although fall 2025 is also possible if we can find you a partner before the end of May. You can either ask an international colleague whom you know to work with you, or CGLE will help you look for a partner. COIL courses offer a great opportunity to enrich UCA students’ learning by asking students to collaborate with students from another country.

See this online list of COIL universities: https://coilconnect.org/

Read more about the UCA COIL initiative and previous Global Classrooms at UCA: https://uca.edu/global-learning/coil/.

Apply for the Global Learning Institute at: https://uca.edu/cetal/global-learning-institute/

Deadline March 14, 2025

For more info. contact Phil Bailey at phillipb@uca.edu

https://uca.edu/global-learning/coil/