UCA graduate students show up big for inaugural Arkansas para track and field meet

Sarah Malakoff was not sure what to expect when she volunteered to help with the inaugural Meet in the Middle event. But by the time she left, the University of Central Arkansas doctoral student realized the experience had solidified her dreams of becoming a physical therapist.  “It was really encouraging to see all the support among the athletes, volunteers and parents,” said Malakoff, a … [Read more...]

UCA Honors College students conduct service-learning projects in Mississippi

Serving communities, promoting good citizenship and giving back is the thrust behind a trip for students of the University of Central Arkansas’ Honors at UCA program, who traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi, for several days of community-based, service-learning projects.   Students in the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College joined the efforts of Community Collaborations International, an … [Read more...]

UCA announces incoming Honors Scholars for Fall 2022

The University of Central Arkansas Honors College has selected more than 100 incoming first-year students to participate in the Honors at UCA program. Seventy-five incoming students have been selected as Norbert O. Schedler Honors College Scholars while a further 27 incoming students have been chosen as University Scholars. Collectively, the first-year students have an average high school grade … [Read more...]

Alumna chosen to lead Winthrop Rockefeller Institute

A University of Central Arkansas alumna has been selected as the new executive director and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Janet Harris was selected to lead the Institute by the organization’s board of directors. She had previously served as the institute’s chief strategy officer. “Carrying forward Winthrop Rockefeller’s legacy of convening on Petit Jean Mountain is a … [Read more...]

UCA alumna tapped as top teacher

A University of Central Arkansas alumna who also serves as an adjunct faculty member was recently selected as the 2022 Arkansas Computer Science Educator of the Year. Kimberly Raup, a three-time UCA graduate, received the award from Gov. Asa Hutchinson at the sixth annual Governor’s All-State Coding Competition. She had initially won $2,500 after being chosen as one of five finalists but … [Read more...]

Alumna chosen to lead DePauw’s equity efforts

A University of Central Arkansas alumna has been named to a leadership position at DePauw University. Dionne Jackson, who earned a master’s degree from UCA, will serve as DePauw’s vice president of institutional equity. She will be the first person in school history to hold the position. Jackson received her master’s degree in school leadership, management and administration from UCA’s … [Read more...]

Emeritus professor wins statewide book award

Kenneth Barnes ’77, a University of Central Arkansas emeritus professor of history, recently won the 2022 J.G. Ragsdale Book Award from the Arkansas Historical Association. Barnes earned the award for his book “The Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Arkansas: How Protestant White Nationalism Came to Rule a State.” The award is given each year to the best book about Arkansas history. “I am very … [Read more...]

Debate and forensics team claims awards at national competition

Four University of Central Arkansas students, all UCA Debate and Forensics team members, won individual awards at the International Public Debate Association (IDPA) championship tournament on April 9-11 in Abilene, Texas.  The tournament capped the 2021-22 season for the team and took place at the Abilene Christian University campus. The team is coached by Anthony McMullen, an associate … [Read more...]

Student Journalists Win Awards from Arkansas College Media Association

The University of Central Arkansas School of Communication netted multiple awards from the 2022 Arkansas College Media Association Contest (ACMA), covering work done by its student journalists during 2021.   The student-run newspaper, The Echo, along with its online version, uca.news.live, took home 23 awards, including newspaper of the year, reporter of the year, editorial cartoon, … [Read more...]

Film Students Attend SXSW Festival

Students from the Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing traveled to Austin, Texas, as part of South by Southwest (SXSW). The trip included 32 students majoring in film and five faculty members who took part in the conglomeration that brings media, film and music together.  The department’s annual trip is the first since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing students to an … [Read more...]