The University of Central Arkansas Foundation has received a $20,000 grant from the Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust in support of classroom renovations in the Department of Student Transitions (DST). The grant will fund much-needed upgrades to physical learning environments that serve some of UCA’s most academically vulnerable students.
The project, titled “Ensuring Success for UCA Students in Transition,” addresses long-standing concerns with aging classroom infrastructure that hampers student engagement and accessibility. With this funding, the department will fully refurbish one classroom and make significant updates to two others by painting walls, replacing chairs, and installing new tables designed to support both comfort and collaboration.
“Our faculty provide outstanding support to students, and the classroom space should be a reflection of the high quality instruction that happens in those rooms,” said Leslie Gomes, Chair of the Department of Student Transitions. “We are grateful for the Sturgis Charitable Trust for making it possible to enhance our students’ learning environment.”
DST plays a vital role at UCA, supporting nearly 40 percent of the freshman class each year through coursework in writing, literacy, and math. The department also offers innovative services like the Autism and Neurodiversity Transitional Program and is nationally recognized for its leadership in corequisite curriculum.
Students served by DST are primarily first-year and transitional learners. “These students often face barriers and are statistically at greater risk of dropping out,” Gomes added. “This investment affirms their worth and helps level the playing field.”
The Sturgis-funded project will be completed by July 2026.
