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Features

Up Close: Officer Nicole Sumner-Wheeler ’24

Up Close: Officer Nicole Sumner-Wheeler ’24

Upon joining the University of Central Arkansas’ Police Department (UCAPD) in October 2020, Officer Nicole Sumner-Wheeler ’24 knew she had found a special place to continue her law enforcement career, finish her education and serve her community.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Features, Spring/Summer 2025

Up Close: Jeremy Horpedahl

Up Close: Jeremy Horpedahl

Jeremy Horpedahl stays busy in the University of Central Arkansas’ College of Business (COB) – from serving on Faculty Senate to director of the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE) to associate professor to public appearances in varying forms of media – which makes his impact in the community noteworthy through his many accomplishments as he strives to help students, citizens and policymakers understand Arkansas’ economy.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Features, Spring/Summer 2025

Up Close: Graham Mynatt ’20, ’21

Up Close: Graham Mynatt ’20, ’21

Graham Mynatt ’20, ’21 honed his skills while studying music at the University of Central Arkansas and is further elevating his craft as the Bass Trombone Fellow at the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Features, Spring/Summer 2025

Up Close: Rhiannon Umfleet

Up Close: Rhiannon Umfleet

When Rhiannon Umfleet considered her future, she never imagined it would lead her to the cockpit of a plane. Now a student at the University of Central Arkansas Aviation Academy and a finance major in UCA’s College of Business, she is fully embracing her passion for aviation.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Features, Spring/Summer 2025

Playing for Keeps

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.

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Article by Jennifer Mccune ’02, ’03, ’23 / Fall/Winter 2024, Features

Beth Helms ’13, ’15

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.

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Article by Jennifer McCune ’02, ’03, ’23 / Fall/Winter 2024, Features, Profiles

Jordan Bellew ’20

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.

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Article by Jennifer McCune ’02, ’03, ’23 / Fall/Winter 2024, Features, Profiles

Creating Opportunities within the Therapy Industry

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.

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Article by Haley Helton '24 / Fall/Winter 2024, Features, Profiles

A Natural Fit

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.

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Article by Jennifer Mccune ’02, ’03, ’23 / Fall/Winter 2024, Features, Profiles

Living Our Best Bear Life

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.

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Article by Jennifer Mccune ’02, ’03, ’23 / Fall/Winter 2024, Features

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President’s Message

I am always excited to bring you the latest edition of UCA Magazine, and this issue continues our trend of bringing you more stories of new and exciting initiatives on our campus.

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About This Issue

Volume 115, Issue 1

Spring/Summer 2025 CoverUCA Magazine is published two times annually by the University of Central Arkansas, from the Division of Advancement.
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UCA Magazine Archive

Past Issues

Fall/Winter 2024
Spring/Summer 2024
Fall/Winter 2023
Spring/Summer 2023
Fall/Winter 2022
Spring/Summer 2022
Fall/Winter 2021
Spring/Summer 2021
Fall/Winter 2020
Spring/Summer 2020
Fall/Winter 2019
Spring/Summer 2019
Fall/Winter 2018
Spring 2018
Fall 2017
Spring 2017
Fall 2016
Spring 2016
Fall 2015
Spring/Summer 2015
Fall/Winter 2014

Opinions expressed in UCA Magazine are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or the university administration.

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