The Conway Area Youth Leadership Institute (CAYLI) is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Applications are available at uca.edu/outreach/youthleadership. Faulkner County students currently in 10th and 11th grades are eligible to apply. The application deadline is Monday, March 2. Since its founding in 1995, CAYLI has prepared more than 500 students to become engaged … [Read more...]
University of Central Arkansas receives 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
Renewal signals university’s deep commitment to community engagement The University of Central Arkansas has received the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement (CE) Classification, an elective designation awarded by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching that highlights an institution’s commitment to community engagement. UCA was first … [Read more...]
UCA Aviation Academy celebrates first graduate
Zane Harris completes private instrument, commercial pilot certificates in just 18 months Zane Harris, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, has become the first graduate of the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Aviation Academy. Harris successfully earned both his private instrument and commercial pilot certificates as a member of the inaugural class, completing the program in just 18 … [Read more...]
Graybeal chosen to lead outreach, community engagement at UCA
Dr. Lesley Graybeal has been selected as executive director of the University of Central Arkansas Office of Outreach and Community Engagement (OCE). She most recently served as director of Living Learning Communities at UCA. “I am deeply grateful for Lesley’s willingness to take on this important leadership role, and I am excited about the fresh perspective and innovative vision she will bring … [Read more...]
UCA hosts Poulter Commons dedication ceremony
A space in the Student Success and Veterans Resource Center at the University of Central Arkansas will now be known as the Poulter Commons, named in honor of former provost and executive vice president Patricia Poulter. A dedication ceremony was held Tuesday, March 18, before a crowd of at least 100 well-wishers. During her remarks, Poulter thanked everyone for attending, but she also … [Read more...]
UCA Downtown to host exhibit featuring UCA retiree Sally Roden
When Sally Roden retired from the University of Central Arkansas after 42 years as an educator and administrator, she planned to travel often, read a lot and sleep in. What she didn’t plan was to discover a calling as an artist. That discovery, and her resulting artwork, will be celebrated by UCA’s Division of Outreach and Community Engagement when they host an artist reception for Roden. The … [Read more...]
Inaugural cohort of Women’s Leadership Academy opens mini food pantries
The inaugural cohort of the Women's Leadership Academy has installed three community pantries in Faulkner County. Community pantries are wooden boxes mounted on a post and are large enough to hold canned goods, cereal boxes, bags of pasta and other necessities. They are placed throughout the community near nonprofits, schools, businesses and residential neighborhoods and stocked by members of … [Read more...]
UCA alum receives community impact award
When Kristy Carter initially received an invitation to the inaugural Delta Impact Awards in Jonesboro, Arkansas, she did not know she would be one of the recipients. “I just wanted to be there with them to celebrate the accomplishments of the Delta Population Health Institute because they have done so much meaningful work for the community,” Carter said. “I was looking forward to supporting … [Read more...]
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE AT UCA APPOINTS NEW ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
The University of Central Arkansas Community Development Institute (CDI) has announced the appointment of six new advisory board members. The six new members include Lisa Johnson, president of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce in Louisiana; Bill Luther, president and CEO of the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce; Talicia Richardson, executive director of 64.6 … [Read more...]
CITY OF VAN BUREN, THRIVE, UCA PARTNER ON COMMUNITY BRANDING INITIATIVE
The University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED), in partnership with nonprofit design firm Thrive, will assist the city of Van Buren with a branding initiative. The branding development process will kick off with a workshop that engages leaders at the city, the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce, the Van Buren Advertising and Promotion (A&P) Commission and … [Read more...]
