Kennedy Holland, 21, was crowned Miss Arkansas 2025 in June at the Robinson Center in Little Rock. The Greenwood native was Miss University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in 2024 and competed in this year’s Miss Arkansas Pageant as Miss Metro 2025. She is the daughter of Katie and Sean Holland and a senior communication major at UCA with plans to pursue a master’s degree in nonprofit management.

Arcs of water sprayed across the taxiway at Conway Regional Airport Friday, Aug. 22, as the water cannon salute – a time-honored aviation tradition – marked the grand opening of the Bill Cope Memorial Hangar, which is home to the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Aviation Academy.

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) celebrated Homecoming the week of Oct. 27-Nov. 1 with a full schedule of campus and community events. Students, alumni and friends returned to Conway to reconnect, take part in campus traditions and show their UCA spirit. The week concluded with the crowning of Kyle Payne as Homecoming King and Abby Holycross as Queen.

Launching a trash can 20 to 30 feet in the air using liquid nitrogen in front of the oldest building on campus sounds like a college prank, but it is just one of many engaging activities offered by the STEM Institute. The STEM Institute, housed on the second floor of Old Main, is a hidden gem of supplies for K-12 science and math classrooms in Central Arkansas. Stocked with microscopes, learning materials, lesson plans and much more, this institute’s mission is to enrich STEM education with an emphasis on supporting and resourcing K-12 STEM teachers and students.

Having two young children at home, Executive Director of Alumni Relations Alison Taylor was more than excited when Vice President of University Advancement Mary Bane Lackie brought her the idea for a children’s book. Taylor took this idea and began work on UCA’s children’s book “B Is for Bears: The UCA Alphabet.”

At the University of Central Arkansas, loyal giving builds the foundation for everything we do. Whether it’s a student scholarship, a classroom renovation or a Saturday night at Estes Stadium, the university thrives because of those who give year after year.

The University of Central Arkansas has undergone numerous changes since its establishment in 1907, from its beginnings as a teacher training college to its current status as a premier destination institution offering more than 140 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. UCAʼs campus continues to build, grow and inspire – learning from the past and changing the future.