UCA earns housing honors

The University of Central Arkansas recently competed with three other regional schools for the Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers? Frank Cloud Award of Excellence and came away with top honors.At the annual conference held in Houston, UCA went up against the University of Tulsa, Texas Tech University and Texas A&M to win this year?s award. The Frank Cloud Award of Excellence is awarded each year to an institution demonstrating excellence in a designated area of student housing operation. This year?s designated area was Themed Housing and Learning Communities.

UCA?s bid for the award focused on the partnership between Undergraduate Studies and Housing and Residence life with the Sophomore Year Experience (SYE) program. The bid highlighted the ways the SYE program addresses specific needs of sophomores through programming, staffing, and service learning.

This award brings UCA regional recognition through SWACUHO.

In addition to this award, UCA staff members Michelle Anderson and Charlotte Strickland received recognition.

Anderson, Area Coordinator for Housing and Residence Life, received this year?s New Professional of Distinction Award. This award is given annually to an individual who has created programs and initiatives that have had a positive impact on their school?s housing program and its students, has gone beyond the call of duty to be of service to students as a supervisor, advisor and mentor. In addition, this new professional has enhanced their skills through training, educational opportunities, and from learning on the job.

Strickland meanwhile received SWACUHO?s Individual Diversity Award for her contributions to the institution in cultural diversity, quality programming and achievements leading to the betterment of the institution.