Resolutions recognize past chair Dr. Michael Stanton, Distinguished Faculty Emeritus Dr. John Passe-Smith
UCA President Houston Davis (left) presents the February Bear C.L.A.W.S. Award to senior Mason Smith.
In its regular meeting Friday, Feb. 20, the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees honored university leadership and faculty, approved a new academic calendar and authorized a property acquisition adjacent to campus.
President Houston Davis gave an update on the recently announced UCA Innovation Campus and provided the latest information regarding recent incoming freshman classes and higher retention rates to sophomore year.
“As demographic pressures are impacting the outlook for higher education enrollments in Arkansas and nationally, UCA is seeing the strength of our undergraduate enrollment, our strategies for providing high-quality student supports while maintaining our high academic standards, and the sustainability of and room for expansion for programs such as UCA Commitment,” Davis shared. “We are really excited about the next few years and the opportunities for this university.”
In other actions, Dr. Michael Stanton was recognized with a Resolution of Appreciation for his service as chair of the UCA Board of Trustees in 2025. Stanton was commended for his leadership during a year marked by continued enrollment strength, advancement of major campus initiatives and numerous academic and athletic achievements.
Trustees also approved the Distinguished Faculty Emeritus designation for Dr. John Passe-Smith, professor of political science from 1993 to 2023. Passe-Smith was recognized for his excellence in teaching, scholarship and service, as well as his mentorship of students and faculty in the Department of Government, Public Service and International Studies.
Updates to the academic calendar for fall 2026 through summer 2027 and fall 2027 through summer 2028 were approved. Proposed changes include delaying the start of the spring 2027 semester by one week, with corresponding adjustments to summer and fall 2027 terms.
Trustees authorized the purchase of property located at 113 Baridon Street in Conway for $360,000. The approximately 2,682-square-foot home is adjacent to university-owned property and supports UCA’s long-term campus planning efforts.
The board also approved private extracurricular camps, determining that the camps align with the university’s mission, attract prospective students to campus and generate auxiliary revenue in support of university operations.
Trustees were informed of several academic program developments, including the intent to reconfigure existing degrees to offer the BS in Electrical Engineering and a BS in Robotics Engineering. Both programs build upon the rapidly growing and ABET-accredited Engineering Physics program. The degrees are designed to meet documented state and national workforce demand in electrical engineering, automation and robotics, industries that are critical to Arkansas’s economic growth.
The Department of Economics, Finance, Insurance and Risk Management will replace the BA in Economics with a new BA in Applied Economics. The new degree will emphasize real-world application of economic principles while allowing current students to complete their existing program of study.
Additionally, Provost Michael Hargis provided an update on the work of the university and its various committees to ensure alignment with the Arkansas ACCESS Act.
The February Bear C.L.A.W.S. (Celebrating the Lofty Achievements of our Wonderful Students) honoree was Mason Smith, a senior double major in finance and insurance/risk management, recognized for his exceptional academic achievement, leadership and service to the campus community. Smith maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA and has distinguished himself as a student leader, serving as president of the Finance Club and Gamma Iota Sigma while helping expand opportunities and industry partnerships for fellow students.
The next meeting will be held Thursday, May 21, at 10 a.m.