Features

Playing for Keeps

When biology professors Ginny and Reid Adams came to the University of Central Arkansas in 2003, they had already established an impressive network of partnerships with governmental, private and public agencies, laying the groundwork for what would be The Adams Fish Ecology Lab.

Beth Helms ’13, ’15

University of Central Arkansas alumna Beth Helms ’13, ’15 hadn’t considered pursuing a career in speech-language pathology (SLP) when declaring a major. Still, an early fascination with American Sign Language and a summer job led her to a career she loves.

Jordan Bellew ’20

Jordan Bellew ’20 endured a life-changing ordeal from ninth grade to his first year of college, marked by 24 hospital admissions due to a severe and progressive paralysis. This condition left him unable to perform even basic tasks like lifting a fork or spoon, despite his background as a young, healthy athlete.

Creating Opportunities within the Therapy Industry

LaTeasha Davis ’06, ’08, the CEO and founder of Therapeutic Focus in West Memphis, Arkansas, continues to impact individuals seeking help and to mentor those seeking a career in therapy.

A Natural Fit

Chance Garrett ’18, ’23 grew up near Conway and has always loved the outdoors. Still, it wasn’t until a chance meeting at the University of Central Arkansas that he knew his passion was conservationism for fish species in the southeast.

Living Our Best Bear Life

The BEAR (Bridging Economic and Academic Resources) Life freshman transition program celebrated its first cohort this year, with 80 students successfully completing the program with an average GPA of 2.8.

Stephanie Rose

Stephanie Rose was the first in her family to go to college. For her, pursuing higher education also meant she could help her family. Rose chose to focus on addiction studies and currently serves as director of UCA’s addiction studies program. She started in this role in 2018.

Paul Gatling

Northwest Arkansas has become a prime destination for residents, tourists and businesses alike. President Houston Davis decided to close the two-and-a-half-hour gap between UCA’s campus and this dynamic, growing metro by investing in a full-time employee to represent the university. He found the perfect fit with Paul Gatling.

Michael Hargis, UCA Provost

When he joined the University of Central Arkansas in 2006 as an assistant professor in management for the College of Business (COB), central Arkansas native Michael Hargis felt that it was an opportunity to rejoin the community after earning his graduate degrees in Michigan and teaching at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Putting Service First

Riva Brown, an award-winning associate professor of public relations and global learning specialist at the University of Central Arkansas, is transforming the campus experience. Through service-learning projects and globally focused activities, she is empowering students and fostering a culture of engagement and innovation.