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Nominations for the Newman Civic Fellowship for Community-Engaged Students Open through December 8th

Submitted by: Lesley Graybeal, lgraybeal@uca.edu on 11/16/2023

UCA’s campus-wide nomination for the Newman Civic Fellows Award is now open through 11:59 pm on Friday, December 8th.

The Newman Civic Fellowship is an initiative of Campus Compact, and all member institutions have the opportunity to nominate one student to participate annually. This is our eighth year participating in the program, and we have received excellent feedback from our fellows, who participate in mentoring, professional development, and virtual networking with other fellows, as well as an annual in-person convening in Boston. The award recognizes community-committed students and focuses on addressing the root causes of social problems. Because the fellowship year will be 2024-2025, nominees must have at least one year of education remaining (either here at UCA or at another institution).

All nominees will be notified after the nominations process closes and invited to submit a few additional application materials due January 31st at 11:59pm.

The nomination form is available on CubConnect Explore Forms or at https://uca.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/271848, is simple to complete, and can be completed by faculty, staff, or students.

https://uca.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/271848

National Student Exchange Information Session

Submitted by: Haydyn Hudnall, hhudnall@uca.edu on 11/16/2023

What is NSE?
National Student Exchange offers study away to colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can spend a semester or academic year on exchange. If you are interested in new challenges or just need a change of pace, NSE may be for you.
Why NSE?
1. NSE is affordable. Most students continue to pay tuition to their home campus while on exchange and most financial aid applies.
2. NSE is accessible. Beyond being affordable, NSE is also accessible. No passport is required (other than Canada-U.S. exchange) and our eligibility requirements allow most students in good academic standing to participate.
3. NSE enhances academics. NSE students take classes that apply to degree requirements and/or take classes not available at your home campus. Find campuses with your major.
4. NSE offers adventure. Exchange to a campus completely different than your own. Explore a big city campus like those near New York City or Boston. Exchange to a campus near the beach or in the mountains. Exchange to a Multicultural Serving Institution (MSI) including HBCUs or HSIs. Be sure to also check out Puerto Rico or Canada.

NSE can offer a wide array of opportunities for our UCA students! If you or your students are interested in learning more, attend one of the virtual information sessions!

Information session dates:

Tuesday, November 21 from 11am-noon (Central)
https://bit.ly/46Buy0O

Friday, December 1 from 1-2pm (Central)
https://bit.ly/3ZR9mSg

Thursday, December 7 from noon-1pm (Central)
https://bit.ly/45tyuQj

Wednesday, December 12 from 10-11am (Central)
https://bit.ly/3RU9QVC

https://nse.org/exchange/info/

Diversity Strategic Plan Reporting Due December 4

Submitted by: Lyn Gayfield, egayfield@uca.edu on 11/16/2023

Reporting Due Date – No Later Than December 4
The reporting system will be open from 10/31/23 – 12/4/23
Please see the DSP Reporting Prep Outline link below.

Report your most impactful 2022 – 2023 DBIE activities.
Vice Presidents, Associate Provosts, Assistant & Associate Vice Presidents, and Deans
provide contact information of the liaison(s) who will submit reports.

College Diversity Committee liaison(s) submit no more than 10 diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity (DBIE) activities that represent the college.

Academic Affairs liaison(s) (outside of colleges) submit no more than 10 DBIE activities .

Liaison(s) from other Divisions submit no more than 10 DBIE activities.

No later than 10/27, please provide the names of reporting liaisons to Dr. Angela Webster at awebster@uca.edu or Dr. Jacob Held at jmheld@uca.edu.

https://uca.edu/go/dsp-report-prep

Miss UCA 2024 Crowned

Submitted by: Stephanie McBrayer, smcbrayer@uca.edu on 11/16/2023

The Miss University of Central Arkansas Scholarship competition was held on November 12, 2023 in Reynolds Performance Hall. There were fourteen UCA students vying for the title and over $10,000 in scholarships and in kind gifts. Kennedy Holland was crowned the new Miss UCA 2024 and will compete in Miss Arkansas this summer. Kennedy is a sophomore Communications major on the Pre-Occupational Therapy track with the goal to obtain her doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy. She is the daughter of Sean and Katie Holland from Greenwood, Arkansas.

Kennedy is involved in Alpha Sigma Alpha, Students of Pre-Occupational Therapy, StuMo, and Public Relations Student Society of America. She is also the founder of a nonprofit organization, Compassion Legacy. Kennedy plans to spend her year of service as Miss UCA educating and advocating for the implementation of accessible playground equipment statewide.

Other award from the competition include:
Producer’s Award-Abigail Wells
Photogenic Award-Ana Brandon
Bear Spirit Award-Paige Goodwin
Academic Achievement Award-Grace Wagner
Congeniality Award-Helena Rawlings
Overall Vocal or Instrumental-Kennedy Holland
Overall Dance-Helena Rawlings
Evening Gown-Kennedy Holland
On-stage Interview-Kennedy Holland
4th runner up-Tori Lane Kiser
3rd runner up- Helena Rawlings
2nd runner up-Shalexis Shelton
1st runner up-Abigail Wells

Thank you and congratulations to all of the contestants!

Photographer: Matthew Sewell Photography

https://uca.edu/missuca/

Doris Pierce Appointed to AHEAD Board of Directors

Submitted by: Kelly Owens, kowens9@uca.edu on 11/16/2023

Doris Pierce, OARS Director, recently attended the Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD) Board of Directors’ training as part of her new role as AHEAD Secretary. AHEAD is the premier organization for disability resource professionals, student affairs personnel, ADA coordinators, diversity officers, faculty and other instructional personnel, and colleagues who are invested in creating welcoming higher education experiences for disabled individuals.

AHEAD boasts a membership of over 5,000, representing all 50 states and over 10 countries. In addition to its direct memberships, AHEAD has formal partnerships with 37 Regional Affiliates and numerous professional organizations. AHEAD members are actively engaged in service provision, consultation and training, and policy development on their campuses and promote accessibility across the field of higher education and beyond.

 

Sorbet Elected at Vice-President/President-Elect of MSERA

Submitted by: Michael Mills, mmills@uca.edu on 11/17/2023

The UCA College of Education is pleased to announce that Dr. Stefanie R. Sorbet, Assistant Professor in the Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education, has been elected as the Vice President/President-Elect of the Mid-South Educational Research Association (MSERA) for 2024. She will assume the role of President in 2025.

Dr. Sorbet brings over two decades of experience in elementary and higher education to this position. In her role at UCA, she coordinates the K-6 elementary program, teaches positive classroom management, and oversees interns in their field placements.

Her research focuses on mentoring novice teachers, with an emphasis on classroom management, social and emotional learning, and community building in classroom settings. Dr. Sorbet’s educational background includes degrees in Elementary Education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Since joining MSERA in 2018, Dr. Sorbet has served as Arkansas State Director and has been involved in various committees and review processes within the organization.

 

UCA Observatory Night

Submitted by: SCOTT AUSTIN, saustin@uca.edu on 11/20/2023

Weather permitting, the UCA Observatory will be open Tuesday November 28 between 5:30pm to 7:30pm to the public for observing Jupiter and Saturn through the 14-inch aperture telescope. Stairs to the observatory are located in the front lobby of Lewis Science Center.

https://uca.edu/physics/observatory/

Purple Society Applications Now Open!!

Submitted by: Jaclyn Austin, jaustin@uca.edu on 11/14/2023

Encourage your students to apply!

Purple Society at UCA recognizes students each year that excel academically, socially, and philanthropically. Each year, the top 2% of upperclassmen will be recognized. Selections are based on academic achievement, student involvement, and contributions to the UCA community and beyond while enrolled as a student at UCA.

Applications open November 15th and close at 11:59 PM on January 19, 2024. Make sure they don’t miss out!!

Applicants must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA, have completed at least 90 hours by December 2023, must be enrolled in Spring 2024 classes, and have not previously been named to the Purple Society or National Who’s Who Among Students award are eligible to apply. No late submissions will be accepted, and all GPA and enrollment information will be verified.

https://uca.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/615557