Submitted by: Deanna Farney, dfarney@uca.edu on 01/21/2026
NEW Functional Area at the Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center (T-Rec). New equipment includes:
Tank MX Sled
Relentless Rope Resistance Trainer
Relentless Ripper Ski Machine
Plyo Boxes
Stealth Air Bike
PLS-700 Hip Thrust Machine
Submitted by: Deanna Farney, dfarney@uca.edu on 01/21/2026
Keep up with Group Exercise classes and descriptions at the Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center (T-Rec) by visiting https://uca.edu/campusrecreation/group-exercise/
Submitted by: Adam Frank, afrank@uca.edu on 01/20/2026
Research Empowerment Grant
Faculty Senate Research Empowerment Grant
Description: The UCA Faculty Senate will administer a $40,000 fund to support the establishment of Faculty Senate Research Empowerment Grants, to be henceforth administered by the Academic Affairs Committee in amounts of up to $1,500 per application. The committee plans to fund the equivalent of 2-3 full $1,500 grants per academic year.
Applications will be evaluated according to this rubric: Faculty Senate Research Empowerment Grant – Application Assessment Rubric
Dues dates for applications is: February 1, 2026
Please apply via the following form: Research Empowerment Grant application form
Please direct all questions to the Chair of the Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee, for 2025-22026, Adam Frank (Honors College) afrank@uca.edu (501) 450-3198.
Submitted by: LeSha Smith, lsmith90@uca.edu on 01/20/2026
Faculty and Staff Recognition Celebration on April 14th during X-period.
Submitted by: Jessica Underwood, jessicau@uca.edu on 01/19/2026
The great Blackboard-to-Brightspace migration is officially underway! Starting late-February, the LMS admin team will begin migrating courses to our new platform. Here’s what’s making the move:
To ensure a smooth and efficient transition, we’re asking faculty to conduct a course audit before migration begins. Here’s why this matters:
Years of course copies, file updates, and “I’ll organize this later” moments have a way of accumulating. We’re talking duplicated files hiding in mysterious folders, content from 2017 that you swear you deleted, and links that lead absolutely nowhere. Left unchecked, all of this digital archaeology will migrate right along with your current content.
A course audit now means only your current, intentional materials make the trip to Brightspace. Translation: no post-migration scrambling and no hindsight regrets.
We get it—auditing an entire course sounds overwhelming. That’s why CETAL has broken it down into a four-week plan. Think of it as a gentle spring cleaning, one drawer at a time:
Each week, we’ll send detailed steps and resources to guide you through the process. You’ve got this, and we’ve got you.
You won’t be doing the actual migration yourself—we’re handling that part! Your job is just tidying things up. Consider us your moving company; you’re just deciding what makes the trip.
Questions? Concerns? Existential dread about change? We’re here to help every step of the way. Let’s make this transition as painless as possible—together!
Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 01/17/2026
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/
Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 01/17/2026
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.
January 22, 2026 (Thursday)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Burdick 313
Session Assistants: Mark Heffington, Executive Director, University Marketing and Communications (UMAC), Doris Pierce, OARS Director, John Ortigo, OARS Assistive Technology Specialist
Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 01/17/2026
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 01/17/2026
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 01/17/2026
Overview: Feel like you’re already struggling with your New Year’s resolutions? Join us for an exciting time dreaming about the future you want to create. Through guided exercises, you’ll learn to dream bigger, set realistic timelines, and discover why accountability matters when pursuing your dreams. This interactive session will help you understand yourself better and take practical steps toward becoming the-best-version-of-yourself®.
February 3, 2026 (Tuesday)
X-Period (1:40-2:30 pm)
Ronnie Williams Student Center 213
Presenter: Heather Somervell, Certified Dream Manager®
Please register at the link provided.
https://uca.edu/hr/protectedcontent/dream-storm-february-3-2026/
