LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
With each new academic year, our university continues to excel in student achievement, academic success, and record-breaking fundraising, and 2024-25 was no exception. As we close another successful academic year, I want to share with you this compilation of milestones and accomplishments of our university.
As this report showcases, one of the most exciting announcements this academic year involved enrollment with two major brag points. First, our incoming freshman class of 2,172 in fall 2024 was one of the largest in university history and marked a 26% increase from the previous year. Second, our total enrollment again reached more than 10,000 students, with graduate students making up more than 1,900 of that total.
These enrollments are due, in part, to the first incoming class of our UCA Commitment program. When we announced this initiative in September of 2023, we knew the transformational role it could play for Arkansas students and their families, and our expectations were met with 765 freshmen benefiting in the first year.
Fundraising goals continued to be exceeded with annual giving surpassing the $10 million mark for the eighth consecutive year. We once again broke records with our Day of Giving fundraising effort, climbing to more than $1.5 million raised in a single day. This was the fourth time the university has surpassed $1 million for Day of Giving.
We also broke ground on a new hangar for the new UCA Aviation Academy and celebrated its grand opening in August. This exciting program is off to a great start in year one with more than 50 students enrolled in the program, and our partnership with the UCA Foundation demonstrates that private giving helps fund the margin of excellence and accelerate our work.
These are indeed exciting times for our beloved institution. All of these accomplishments would not have been possible without our outstanding students, friends, partners, and donors. By cheering on our sports teams, joining the UCA Alumni Association, attending events in the Reynolds Performance Hall or Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, having a meal or ice cream at the Donaghey Center, or even just liking a social media post, you have aided in the growth and success of our institution.
Thank you all for supporting us.
Go Bears!
Dr. Houston D. Davis President
ENROLLMENT BY COLLEGE
1,572
1,614
Source: Office of Institutional
1,052
1,358
2,939
1,255
ACADEMICS & ENROLLMENT
Enrollment numbers continue to impress at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
In fall 2024, 2,182 first-time undergraduate students enrolled at UCA with an average ACT score of 22.1 and an average high school GPA of 3.59.
143
DEGREES & CERTIFICATES
2,182
FIRST-TIME FALL 2024 ENROLLMENT
26%
INCREASE IN FIRST-TIME UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT
NEW PROGRAMS
1,844
GRADUATE FALL 2024 ENROLLMENT
526
RECORD HIGH DOCTORAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT
BACHEL OR OF SCIENCE (BS) IN SOFTWARE ENGINEER ING
14:1
STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO
Offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, the new BS in software engineering has replaced the BS in computer engineering to better meet student and employer demand.
GRADUAT E CERTIFICATE IN SPORT MARKETING AND COM MERCE
The Department of Exercise and Sport Science now offers an online Graduate Certificate (GC) in Sport Marketing and Commerce (SMC). Consisting of 12 credit hours, the certificate can be completed on its own or in combination with the master’s programs in exercise science or sport management. The new certificate program fills a niche for individuals who are currently working full-time and want to advance their careers in the field.
ASSOCIATE OF BUSIN ESS ADMINISTRATION (AB A)
Students seeking a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the College of Business may now apply for an Associate of Business Administration (ABA) after completing the first 60 credit hours towards the BBA. This new credential is designed to provide a valuable option for students who may need to leave the university or pause their academic pursuits, allowing them to exit with a recognized and meaningful credential.
JULIAN COOPER MARKETING SHERIDAN, AR
UCA COMMITMENT
The UCA Commitment provides a debt-free degree pathway by covering tuition and academic fees for incoming Arkansas first-time undergraduate students who are Pell eligible OR have an annual household income of $100,000 or less. This ground-breaking program is a last-dollar scholarship program. It combines various forms of financial aid to ensure more equitable access to higher education opportunities. This first academic year, the UCA Commitment program has already started opening doors for our students.
The fall cohort represented 69 out of 75 Arkansas counties, with the top ten counties being Benton, Boone, Faulkner, Garland, Lonoke, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Sebastian and Washington. In the first cohort, 765 first-time students enrolled at UCA with an average ACT score of 22 and average high school GPA of 3.60. Of this group, 54% were first-generation college students. The fallto-spring retention rate was 90.8% compared to 86.6% incoming freshman fall-to-spring retention rate. Within this academic year, these students completed 13,860 service hours.
“It is safe to say that UCA Commitment is a game changer for educational access and removal of debt barriers. UCA recognizes the vital role that education plays in shaping the future of our state and society,” President Davis said. “The UCA Commitment is another investment in our students and in the state of Arkansas.”
765
13,500+ FIRST-TIME COMMITMENT STUDENTS ENROLLED
SERVICE HOURS COMPLETED BY UCA COMMITMENT STUDENTS
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE, CRYSTAL WAGNER AND UCA’S DEPARTMENT OF ART AND DESIGN “RADICAL”
COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) had an especially exciting year celebrating anniversaries, showcasing amazing talent and hosting innovative artists-in-residence while providing transformative learning experiences for its students and wonderful performances for the community.
The mission of CAHSS is to provide UCA students with diverse learning opportunities to develop creativity, critical thinking and knowledge through artistic performance, professional support and research.
• The Artists-in-Residence program, coordinated by CAHSS, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a retrospective exhibit that showcased the impact of 345 residencies, 702 artists and more than 3,000 events. The year culminated with artist-in-residence Crystal Wagner, who, in collaboration with the Department of Art and Design, created a large-scale sculptural installation located in the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts atrium.
• The Department of History received funding from various agencies totaling more than $70,000 to become an inaugural partner site for ASIANetwork’s multi-year Asian American Pacific Islander Voices and Stories project. Funding from this grant will support the establishment of the Arkansas Chinese Heritage Project, a multi-disciplinary oral history archive that collects, preserves and showcases the rich history of Chinese communities in Arkansas.
• The Creative Writing program, which celebrated its 15th anniversary, comprises faculty who were awarded the prestigious Fine Art Works Center Fellowship in Provincetown, MA.
• The Department of Music presented more than 250 performances, including a concert by the Percussion Ensemble featuring artist-inresidence Valerie Naranjo, who has performed with the Saturday Night Live Band for 30 years. Additionally, the department’s Studio Jazz Ensemble performed with three-time Grammy nominee and UCA artist-in-residence, saxophonist Troy Roberts.
• The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies collaborated with the Department of Physics and Engineering to host an innovative AI Robotics and Ethics AEGIS Summer Camp for high school students, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics and ethics.
170
CAHSS STUDENTS COMPLETED INTERNSHIPS
45
CAHSS STUDENTS PRESENTED THEIR RESEARCH AT THE COLLEGE’S QUOINED CORNER RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY CONFERENCE
1st
THE DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES HAD FIRST- AND THIRDPLACE FINISHES AT THE INTERCOLLEGIATE ETHICS BOWL REGIONAL COMPETITION IN SAN ANTONIO, TX, WINNING A BID TO THE NATIONAL COMPETITION IN NORFOLK, VA
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
414
TAX RETURNS COMPLETED THROUGH THE IRS-CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP IN 2025
18
YEARS OF EXCELLENCE HAVE EARNED UCA’S BETA ALPHA PSI CHAPTER THE HIGHEST STATUS, ALONG WITH TWO HONORS AS ONE OF THE TOP CHAPTERS WORLDWIDE
The College of Business (COB) provides exceptional opportunities for its students by preparing them for leadership in a dynamic, diverse global marketplace.
To add to the success of its students, the inaugural investment of the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) was started. The students in the spring 2025 class selected and invested in the fund’s first portfolio, which is currently up more than 17%.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program was named to the Princeton Review’s 2025 list of Best Online MBA Programs and the College Consensus 2025 list for Most Affordable Online MBA.
• Abby Bounds, a senior information systems major and president of Girls Who Code, along with Computer Information Systems Analytics (CISA) Lecturer Susan Shaw, were invited to attend the Women Engineers Code (WECode) Conference at Harvard University.
• Associate Professor of Business Law Anthony McMullen was recognized as the 2024 Arkansas Bar Association Outstanding Lawyer-Citizen. He also received a Golden Gavel Award in 2025 to recognize his longstanding service and continued dedication to the Mock Trial Committee.
• For all of his extensive, impactful work in the field of economics, the Cato Institute named Associate Professor of Economics and Arkansas Center for Research in Economics Director Jeremy Horpedahl as Adjunct Scholar.
• Members of the Theta Lambda chapter of Beta Alpha Psi won Best Practices in “Impacting Your Profession,” first-place at the National meeting in 2025 by creating an exciting, fast-paced, high-energy “The Price is Right” game show to encourage students to major in accounting, to promote the accounting profession and to join Beta Alpha Psi.
ABBY BOUNDS
INFORMATION SYSTEMS SMACKOVER, AR
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
35 PAIRS OF SHOES DONATED TO LOCAL STUDENTS THROUGH THE 13TH ANNUAL SHOE AND SOCK DRIVE
The College of Education (COE) continues to grow and inspire leadership and excellence through its programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The COE houses four departments: Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education; Student Transitions; Leadership Studies; and Teaching and Learning. Graduates of the college are prepared for the challenging and rewarding world of education by practice in the classroom, experience through professional development and exposure to the latest instructional techniques.
• Notable events for the college this year include the Arkansas Imagination Library Partnership, recognition as an Apple Distinguished School for 2024-27, reaccreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the 13th Annual Shoe and Sock Drive for Anne Watson Elementary in Bigelow, AR.
JADA SIMPSON ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAUMELLE, AR
• Alumna Kendra James ’15 published her debut children’s book, “Charlie Horse.” She holds a master’s degree in Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership (ASTL) and a bachelor’s degree in middle level education.
• Abby Roberts ’21 was named a semi-finalist for the 2025 Arkansas Teacher of the Year. She holds a Master of Science in reading and dyslexia from UCA.
• Associate Professor Stefanie Sorbet was elected president of the Mid-South Educational Research Association.
• Interim Associate Dean and Associate Professor Jason Trumble was elected president of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE).
• COE is launching several new initiatives, including Residents in Service and Education RISE@Hughes, a hands-on service-learning program with veteran educators. Additionally, a new Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program partnership with Hendrix College lets students begin graduate coursework online while finishing their undergraduate degrees, then complete an internship post-graduation. In fall 2025, two new concentrations—higher education leadership and literacy leadership— will be added to the Change Leadership Ph.D. program, expanding its mission to develop transformative leaders.
COLLEGE
$124.8K
FUNDS RAISED BY CHBS DURING UCA’S DAY OF GIVING
$400K
PLANNED GIFT FROM JIM THURMAN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS
The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS) continues to demonstrate its commitment to academic excellence, community engagement and interprofessional collaboration. During the 202425 academic year, CHBS programs expanded services, secured vital funding, achieved major accreditation milestones and hosted impactful community events. These efforts reflect the college’s dedication to preparing students for leadership in healthcare and human services while enhancing the well-being of the communities it serves.
• The Department of Psychology and Counseling is launching a fully online Bachelor of Science degree completion program for students with at least 60 credit hours and the Arkansas general education requirements. Offering the same academic quality as the on-campus program, it emphasizes ethical decisionmaking and practical application, bringing the evidence-based insights of psychological science to more individuals, families and communities.
• The Department of Exercise and Sport Science now offers a 3+2 pathway to the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT). Incoming freshmen can declare the Athletic Training track, complete three years of Exercise Science coursework, then apply to the MSAT program in their junior year. The fourth year counts toward both degrees, allowing students to earn a BS in exercise science and MS in athletic training in five years.
• The Addiction Studies program partnered with central Arkansas agencies and Warner Brothers to host a well-attended community event addressing the opioid crisis, featuring a documentary screening at Ida Waldran Auditorium.
• The Interprofessional Teaching Center expanded its impact with programs such as I-TAP for dementia, partnerships with the Conway Ministry Center and the new Dr. Elaine McNiece Neurodegenerative Disease program, improving team care and health care access for underserved communities.
• The new Bridge2BSN track allows qualified pre-BSN students to dual enroll at Baptist Health College and UCA, earning an AAS and BSN on the same timeline as the traditional BSN program.
AMBER SCOTT DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
COLLEGE OF
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
1,200
COSE STUDENTS AND FACULTY LED OUTREACH EFFORTS, INCLUDING K–12 EVENTS, SCIENCE FAIR JUDGING, FISH CAMP SUPPORT AND 1,200 TREE GIVEAWAYS WITH THE CONWAY TREE BOARD
The 2024-25 academic year was the first year of operation for the College of Science and Engineering (COSE). The college has continued its efforts by offering state-of-the-art programs in science and engineering. With ABET-accredited programs in computer science, cybersecurity, and engineering physics, the school continues to grow innovative programs in engineering. This was also the first year of operation for the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Engineering.
• The Arkansas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society recognized the Fisheries and Wildlife Society and awarded it the Best Student Subunit Award for its community engagement and outreach efforts.
• Biology major Nathan Taylor received the 2025 COSE Outstanding Student of the Year Award. Mr. Taylor will begin medical school in fall 2025 at UAMS.
• Professor and Environmental Science Program Director Ginny Adams received the Graduate Mentor of the Year Award and was a finalist for the Shumaker-Wright Undergraduate Mentorship Award.
• Graduate student Jaclyn Reifeiss won the 2025 Graduate Teaching Assistant Award and Best Student Oral Presentation at the Arkansas Wildlife Society Meeting.
50+
ATTENDEES FOR THE FIRST ALUMNI EVENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM
• David Adams, an environmental science major, won the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and will begin his doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina this fall.
• Math students earned top honors this year: Harrison King (Outstanding GTA), Jessica Ortiz (Brenda Graham Service Award), Cody Maxwell (O.L. Hughes Award) and Jewel Fetterly (Dorothy Long Award).
• Chemistry professor Rob Mauldin was awarded Professor of the Year at the ACS banquet. Faith Yarberry was awarded the Henry North Outstanding Volunteer Award for her service to the local section of ACS. Additionally, Pat Desrochers received the ShumakerWright Undergraduate Mentor Award.
• Teams from the engineering physics program finished first and third in the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium’s annual Autonomous Robot competition. Students from the program also hosted the AI, Robotics and Ethics camp this summer which ADE funded.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR
ALEX SMITH
NORBERT O. SCHEDLER HONORS COLLEGE
19
12 COMMUNITY PARTNERS COLLABORATED WITH HONORS STUDENTS FOR SERVICE INITIATIVES
SERVICE-LEARNING COURSES OFFERED THROUGH HONORS LAST YEAR
The Norbert O. Schedler Honors College at UCA is home to the Schedler Honors College, Schedler Honors Program and Honors in the Major. Each program offers many unique opportunities to further the interdisciplinary understanding and leadership qualities of its scholars. This year UCA’s Honors College celebrated many notable occasions and achievements by faculty and students.
• The Honors College celebrated the Schichtl Honors Center’s grand opening, dedicating the Rick Scott Dean Suite and the Peace Pole in the Peace Garden. The Alumni naming challenge for the new honors center resulted in a faculty office being named in memory of honors faculty member, Phillip Melton.
• The Honors College joined Macaulay (CUNY), Barrett (ASU) and Frederick (Pitt) Honors Colleges in a year-long program that helps students connect personal values with societal goals, culminating in a summer experience in Washington, D.C.
• Leah Horton and Adam Frank were both recognized as Collaborative Online International Learning Distinguished Fellows.
• Angelica Thomas placed in the Sloane Prize for Undergraduate Research at the National Collegiate Honors Council conference.
• Honors College students achieved excellence this year earning awards, fellowships and publications. Recognized students include David Adams, Loren Cruse, Janie Gentry, Cooper Horton, Elowyn Howerton, Kevin Leal, Peyton Manry, Brenna Metts, Jane Nim, Alyssa Nolan, Seth Orvin, Eva Palmer, Dylan Silverman-Barnes and Nathan Taylor.
THE CENTER FOR GLOBAL LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT
The Center for Global Learning & Engagement (CGLE) works to promote intercultural understanding to enrich the academic and cultural environment of the university by promoting the exchange of people and ideas. Each year we send more than 100 UCA students abroad and support approximately 400 international students who study in almost every undergraduate and graduate degree program or participate in post-graduation OPT employment.
• “Teach the Shoah; The Holocaust Through Story” was presented by three UCA students Torrie Herrington, Cooper Horton and Brenna Metts. This powerful program is dedicated to keeping the stories of Holocaust survivors alive.
• The Office of Education Abroad and National Student Exchange supports language immersion, faculty-led short-term programs, semester exchange abroad and “Study Away” in North America through National Student Exchange (NSE), a consortium UCA joined in 2020. In 2024-25 UCA: sent 23 students to nine different universities in eight different countries for a semester exchange, sent 15 students to study Chinese, French and Spanish, had 60 students and 10 faculty members participate in faculty-led study abroad trips to four destinations, had 11 students spend a semester away through the NSE consortium in five different U.S. states and Canada. UCA President Houston Davis, Associate Vice President for Global Learning and Engagement Phillip Bailey and International Recruitment Specialist Jing Jing Li traveled to Taipei, Taiwan and Tokyo, Japan in October 2024 to meet with our international partner universities and officials at respective U.S. embassies.
• Leah Horton was recognized as the Global Learning Faculty Leader of the year for 2024-25.
362
CGLE STUDENTS FROM 72 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES ENROLLED FOR FALL 2024
52
UCA STUDENTS RECEIVE MORE THAN $89,000 IN TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING FROM THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION ABROAD
TANZANIA
SPAIN
MFA - FILM
POCAHONTAS, AR
CARLIE CRABTREE
GRADUATE SCHOOL
UCA’s Graduate School offers rigorous academic programs, abundant opportunities and a supportive community designed to help students thrive professionally. Whether aspiring to be an artist, business leader, educator, healthcare provider, or scholar, graduate students gain the advanced skills and expertise needed to achieve their career goals.
Enrollment in the Graduate School continued to hold strong during the fall 2024 semester, with 2,036 graduate and post-baccalaureate students. This enrollment was due, in part, to quality graduate programs, streamlined application procedures, an automated communication plan for applicants and interested students, increased external funding that provides tuition assistance for graduate students and flexibility of programs. The Graduate School continues its focus on four pillars that are the foundation for all graduate programs at UCA: innovation, leadership, expertise and opportunities.
• April 7–11, 2025, UCA celebrated Graduate Student Appreciation Week with professional headshots, stress-relief pop-ups and the Barkanalia event, where programs showcased graduate offerings and attendees enjoyed time with canine companions.
• The Robert M. McLauchlin Graduate Education Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Chelsea Kellett, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in mental health counseling.
• The Graduate School is offering a 4+1 program allowing students pursuing their Bachelor’s in Business Administration in computer information systems or Bachelor of Science in applied data analytics to earn their Graduate Certificate in data analytics and Master of Science in applied data analytics.
2,036
ENROLLMENT DURING FALL 2024 SEMESTER
SERVICE-LEARNING
101
STUDENTS EARNED GRADUATION CORDS FOR COMPLETING 100 OR MORE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AT UCA
Service-learning at UCA combines education with service to broaden students’ academic journeys. During the 2024-25 academic year, 51 faculty members offered 108 service-learning course sections across 28 programs, reaching 1,554 students. Additionally, four faculty members from across disciplines participated as faculty fellows in the Service-Learning Institute offered through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership (CETAL), participating in an intensive weeklong faculty development program for launching or redeveloping a service-learning course.
• Bear Boots on the Ground teamed up with the Arkansas Red Cross to assess tornado damage and supported spring break service days at the Arkansas Food Bank and Conway Cradle Care.
• The Big Event received a $10,000 Allstate Foundation grant to expand youth-led service, bringing a record 764 student volunteers together to complete 80 projects during UCA’s largest student-led service day and AmeriCorps Week.
• UCA’s AmeriCorps state program, BearsServe Leaders, concluded its sixth and final year in 2024–25. Twenty-one students served more than 5,464 hours with nine community partner host sites focused on tutoring, mentoring, food insecurity, financial empowerment and college access.
• In 2024-25, 2,409 students — including 550 in the UCA Commitment program — logged more than 60,133 service hours through UCA’s tracking platform, valued at $1.6 million based on the Independent Sector’s 2024 Arkansas rate of $27.74 per hour.
THE BIG EVENT
LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Designed to engage students in specialized environments to fit their unique interests, UCA’s Living Learning Communities (LLCs) promote academic success and provide developmental support all under one roof. Dedicated faculty, staff and student mentors help guide freshmen students on their career paths and help them discover opportunities to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.
LLC programs included the Minton Commuter Cookout, STEM@State Chalk Talks, WISH@Arkansas self-care seminars, a BUILD@Carmichael business meet-and-greet, HPAW@Conway’s cornbread bake, a RISE@ Hughes Homecoming tailgate, BEARS@Bear leadership council, Muse@ Bernard’s Oscar Night and EDGE@Baridon global culture workshops.
• More than 850 students in the LLCs participated in volunteer opportunities throughout the academic year, completing nearly 20,000 hours of service to the community.
• Students of the Year included Sophia Blackstrom (BEARS@Bear), Nick Self (BUILD@Carmichael), Cam Robinson (EDGE@Baridon), Emilia Chapman (HPAW@Conway), Xander Kennedy (MCC@Old Main), Kalinda Loomis (Muse@Bernard), Aden Elmore (RISE@ Hughes), Emanuel Iroabuchi (STEM@Arkansas) and Olivia George (WISH@Arkansas).
• Millie Goins (Community Care Clinic) was named LLCs’ Campus Partner of the Year; Louisa Moseley (BUILD@Carmichael), Faculty Associate of the Year; Renee Blankenship, Community Mentor of the Year; Cynthia Perez (Rise House), Nonprofit Partner of the Year; and Matthew Carpenter (Edward Jones), Business Partner of the Year for sharing expertise and resources as an LLC guest speaker.
SERVICE AWARDS
The University of Central Arkansas honored exceptional faculty and staff during the 2024 Fall Convocation.
TEACHING EXCELLENCE
Dr. James Fetterly Department of Mathematics
RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY
Dr. Reid Adams Department of Biology
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Kimberly Stubbs Office of Financial Aid Director
EXTERNAL FUNDING IMPACT
Dr. Gayle Seymour College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
PUBLIC SERVICE
Dr. Riva Brown School of Communication
SHUMAKER-WRIGHT UNDERGRADUATE MENTORSHIP
Dr. Lynne Rich Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology
BELONGING AND EQUITY AWARD
Dr. Zach Smith Department of History
BEAR CLAWS
Exemplary students or Recognized Student Organizations (RSO) are recognized by President Houston Davis with the CLAWS award during regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meetings. Short for Celebrating the Lofty Achievements of our Wonderful Students, the CLAWS award is given to those who exhibit distinction in academics, a commitment to excellence and the advancement of UCA’s campus community.
2024-25 BEAR CLAWS HONOREES
Student Orientation Staff (SOS)
August 2024
Grant “Bo” Cunningham
Allyson Loter
October 2024
UCA Model United Nations (MUN)
December 2024
Cooper Horton
Dylan Silverman-Barnes
February 2025
Relay for Life
May 2025
COMMENCEMENT
UCA held graduation ceremonies in August and December, as well as May 2025.
In total, the university conferred 1,671 undergraduate degrees and 721 graduate degrees for 2024-2025. The university welcomed more than 20,200 students and guests to the UCA campus.
During May’s ceremonies, the following students received the President’s Medallion for Outstanding Student of the University for the 2024-25 academic year.
Phoenix Vu
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Jane Nim
College of Business
Raven Guess
College of Education
Chaelann Vickers
College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Nathan Taylor
College of Science and Engineering
TORREYSON LIBRARY
1,205
VISITORS WELCOMED BY THE NEW SENSORY FRIENDLY SPACE
Since 1930, Torreyson Library has supported academic excellence with more than 290,000 books, 350,800 ebooks, 93,000 digital serials and 130 databases spanning diverse disciplines.
• Torreyson Library saw about 353,000 visits this year, averaging 13,000 per week. Staff served more than 5,000 students and completed nearly 35,000 service transactions. More than 325,000 resources were accessed through checkouts and downloads. The new Sensory Friendly Space welcomed 1,205 visitors, and wellness kits were added for in-library use.
• The Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust donated $15,000 to purchase a new microfilm machine, and a UCA alum donated a collection of 570 graphic novels, bringing the total collection to 1,656.
• Staff members Danielle Kraus, Seth Moravec and Kristi Romine completed their Paraprofessional Support Staff Certification.
EXPANSION
171
TOTAL CAMPUS BUILDINGS/ FACILITIES
FARRIS CENTER
We are currently engaging in a feasibility study to build a new multipurpose arena to replace the Farris Center.
A. E. BURDICK RENOVATION
The Burdick renovation was completed in August 2025. This renovation was due to a fire that occurred in May 2022. The remodel includes all new mechanical and electrical systems, new interior finishes and furnishings, as well as the relocation of the Interior Design program from McAlister Hall.
THE STONE DAM CREEK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
The Stone Dam Creek Pedestrian Bridge was completed in the spring of 2025. The bridge was partially funded through a grant provided by the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
THE STONE DAM CREEK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
REYNOLDS PERFORMANCE HALL
Featuring 1,200 seats and state-of-the-art facilities, the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall celebrated its 25th anniversary during the 2024-25 season and hosted an exciting array of events including musicians Larry Fleet, the Conway Symphony Orchestra with Ghostbusters in Concert and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Also presented were Broadway hits “SHREK,” “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” “Stomp” and holiday favorite “Ruldolph the Red Nosed Reindeer the Musical.” Patrons experienced a great night out with comedian Heather Land, Argentine dance group Malevo and percussive dance sensation Step Afrika!. A special 25th anniversary show was presented by crowd favorite Straight No Chaser.
MAIN STAGE EDUCATION
Reynolds hosted The Main Stage EdUCAtion Series, which exposes pre-K through 12th grade students across Arkansas to live performing arts. Productions, performed by national touring companies, are based on educational themes. Some of the shows presented this year were “Charlotte’s Web,” “Good Night Moon and the Runaway Bunny,” “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” and “Ada Twist Scientist and Friends.”
WINDGATE CENTER FOR FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS
The Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts offers Central Arkansas arts patrons a unique experience by combining visual art, theatre and music under one roof. The center features public art spaces, including a concert hall, black box theatre, art gallery and more. The facility’s cutting-edge design allows students and faculty to foster new collaborative partnerships across multiple academic disciplines. The Windgate Center held three of the season’s shows including “Some Enchanted Evening,” Vitamin String Quartet and country music legend Suzy Bogguss.
OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
UCA’s Division of Outreach and Community Engagement (OCE) offers the community a myriad of opportunities and resources through continuing education, customized and nontraditional training and event planning services.
OCE has had a longstanding commitment to seeing communities across our state grow and thrive through the work of the Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED). Providing technical training and assistance to community leaders since 1987, the Community Development Institute (CDI) continues to be one of OCE’s hallmark programs, providing technical training and assistance to community leaders across the state and region.
• OCE offers youth-focused programs like the Conway Area Youth Leadership Institute (CAYLI), which annually engages 20–30 high school juniors and seniors in community-based leadership training. Participants explore local services and industries vital to Conway and Faulkner County, preparing them as future leaders.
• The Faulkner County Imagination Library (FCIL) has been an OCE initiative since 2022. An affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the FCIL provides one free book each month to children between the ages of 0 and 5 who have registered for the program. Approximately 4,000 children currently receive books, which is slightly more than half of the county’s eligible children.
• To support literacy and language development, OCE partnered with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders to create CubsREAD, an after-school program where UCA students tutor kindergarten through second-grade students in fun, engaging reading activities.
6,500+
PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE ARKANSAS STUDENTS SERVED BY MAIN STAGE EDUCATION SERIES
4,000
CHILDREN RECEIVING BOOKS THROUGH FCIL
CAYLI
CAMPUS LIFE
At UCA, student involvement provides great opportunities for community awareness, connection and avenues to pursue areas of interest and leadership while building lasting friendships. With more than 150 student organizations, clubs and recreational groups, students enjoy meeting new people and experiencing an active and impactful campus community. In addition to academic and cultural clubs, Greek Life enhances the academic experience.
Students also benefit from amenities including the newly renamed Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center, which offers fitness training and equipment, and the Student Health Center, which provides assistance and care for UCA’s diverse student population.
FAMILY WEEKEND
UCA hosted its annual Family Weekend Fun Fair from September 27–29, 2024, welcoming families of students, faculty and staff to campus. The event, organized by Student Life, drew more than 1,200 attendees.
GREEK LIFE
UCA has 19 fraternities and sororities. In fall 2024, UCA had 1,058 Greek students, which is 12.7% of the undergraduate student population affiliated with Greek Life at UCA.
ORGANIZA TIONS AND STUDENT INVOLVEM ENT
The Student Involvement Awards Reception took place on April 26. There were more than 29 unique nominees across eight categories. These awards acknowledge the outstanding efforts of students, advisors and RSOs during the current academic year and recognize the leadership achievements of our students in their academics and co-curricular activities.
150+
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, CLUBS AND RECREATIONAL GROUPS
29
ROYALTY NOMINEES AND MORE THAN 1,800 VOTES WERE CAST FOR UCA’S HOMECOMING ON OCT. 26, 2024
1,900
RECOGNIZED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS (RSO) MEETINGS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES WERE REGISTERED ON CUBCONNECT
ATHLETICS
The Central Arkansas Bears and Sugar Bears had another successful year in their fourth season in the ASUN Conference. UCA student-athletes won both individual and team championships during the 2024-25 academic year and continued to excel in the classroom and in the community.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
• The Bears advanced to the second round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, beating Stetson University before losing to top-seeded Lipscomb University in the quarterfinal round.
• Layne Taylor was named to the 2024-25 ASUN All-Freshman team after leading the Bears in scoring and three-pointers before missing the final 13 games with an injury.
• The Bears played a pair of games in the state of Utah for the first time, taking on Brigham Young and the University of Utah in November.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
• The Sugar Bears reached a second consecutive ASUN Championship Final and earned a second WNIT berth in as many seasons.
• Senior Bree Stephens became the program’s Division I single-season and career block leader with a record 79 blocks this season, giving her the new career record of 125 blocks.
BASEBALL
• The Bears reached the ASUN Tournament for the second consecutive season.
• Senior third baseman Bryce Cermenelli was named to the ASUN All-Academic team. He graduated summa cum laude.
• Three Bears were named to All-ASUN teams, including Cermenelli and sophomore outfielder Zeb Allen to the third team and freshman shortstop Nathan Negre on the ASUN All-Freshman Team.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
• First-year Head Coach Avery Thibodeaux led the Beach Bears to 12 wins, the most in three seasons.
• The team was awarded with an Academic All-ASUN Selection, Madelyn White, a Second Team All-ASUN nod, Anna Linskey and two ASUN All-Freshman Honors, Ella Layzell and Reegan Siewert.
CROSS COUNTRY
• UCA’s women’s team placed third at the 2024 ASUN Championship, led by top-20 finishes from seniors Madeline Hill and Ali Nachtigal and sophomore Kayleigh Wagnon, who all earned All-ASUN honors.
• UCA’s men’s squad, led by senior Pete Johnson, finished sixth overall. Johnson earned All-ASUN honors.
• The women’s team finished a program-best 10th at the NCAA South Central Regional held in College Station, Texas.
FOOTBALL
• Four Bears earned All-America honors: David Walker, Shunderrick Powell, TaMuarion Wilson and Malachi Henry.
• Henry was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the national Freshman of the Year at the FCS level.
• Harold Horton, a legendary University of Central Arkansas coach and member of the UCA Sports Hall of Fame, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and University of Arkansas Hall of Honor, died Saturday, May 3, 2025.
DAVID WALKER HEALTH PROMOTION
STUTTGART, AR
NFL DRAFT
Senior defensive end David Walker of Stuttgart, Arkansas, became UCA’s highest NFL draft pick on April 26, 2025, going 121st overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also won the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award as the top FCS defensive player.
MEN’S GOLF
• The Bears claimed the first conference team championship in program history, winning the ASUN Tournament thanks to top–10 finishes by junior Noak Blaickner and junior Jack Wilson.
• The Bears advanced to the program’s first NCAA Regional as a team, earning an automatic bid to the Reno Regional.
WOMEN’S GOLF
• The Bears claimed three All-ASUN selections with senior Madison Holmes and junior Valeria Ramirez earning Third Team All-ASUN honors, and freshman Emma Leroy Fabry being named an ASUN All-Freshman.
• Ramirez and Fabry both finished in the top–15 at the ASUN Championships.
MEN’S SOCCER
• The Bears reached the ASUN Championship Final for the third time in four seasons, losing in penalty kicks after Devonte Richards’ hat trick.
• Four Bears were named United Soccer Coaches All-Region Players, and five were named to AllASUN teams.
• Head Coach Frank Kohlenstein retired after a storied 38-year career, finishing with 465 wins.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
• The Bears earned ASUN’s No. 2 seed for the second year in a row and claimed eight All-ASUN awards.
• Senior Kelly Van Gundy was named a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American, USC AllRegion, the ASUN Scholar Athlete of the Year and First Team All-ASUN.
SOFTBALL
• The Bears claimed a top-three seed in the ASUN Championship for the fourth straight year, having done so in all four seasons in the league.
• Senior Kylie Griffin finished her playing career with the second-most hits in program history, 251.
• Head Coach Jenny Parsons retired after 14 seasons at Central Arkansas, after guiding the program to two NCAA Regionals, including one as head coach, a program record 25 wins in 2023 and 28 All-ASUN athletes.
STUNT
• The Bears advanced to the Mid-America West Conference Tournament and finished the year with a final national ranking of 6th.
• They also finished year two as a program with four victories, with wins over Division I programs Missouri State and Northern Kentucky.
TENNIS
• The Bears won double-digit matches for the 10th straight season and finished 4-5 in ASUN matches.
• Junior Vichitraporn Vimuktananda was named to the Academic All-ASUN.
TRACK AND FIELD
• UCA’s men’s and women’s track and field teams swept both the ASUN Indoor Championship and the ASUN Outdoor Championship for the first time in school history. UCA dominated both championships, with the men taking the indoor title by 70 points and outdoor title by 118 points. The women’s team won the indoor by 7.5 points and the outdoor by 60 points.
• Freshman Jeremiah Boudreaux was named Most Valuable Performer at both the indoor and outdoor championships, scoring 26 points at the indoor meet and 27 at the outdoor.
• UCA Head Coach Josey Weaver was named the ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Coach of the Year after leading the Bears to their four titles.
VOLLEYBALL
• The Sugar Bears reached the ASUN Semifinals after earning the conference’s No. 3 seed, the highest seed for the Sugar Bears since joining the ASUN in 2021.
• Head Coach John Newberry was named the ASUN Coach of the Year with junior Caylan Koons being named the ASUN Setter of the Year.
ADVANCEMENT
A record 7,256 donors supported the University of Central Arkansas with nearly $11 million in gifts to the UCA Foundation during fiscal year 2025. This was the eighth consecutive year that the university has surpassed its fundraising goal and raised more than $10 million.
The number of donors was a 4% increase over fiscal year 2022 when a record 6,969 donors gave during the UCA NOW Campaign. This year was the first full fiscal year since the campaign concluded.
Private gifts to the UCA Foundation play a vital role in supporting the university’s margin of excellence. This includes needs and opportunities that are not funded by the state of Arkansas or any other resource, but make a difference in the quality and impact of UCA.
Gifts to the UCA Foundation have enabled the university to launch and support transformational programs such as UCA Commitment, the university’s debt-free degree pathway; the UCA Aviation Academy; and the
renovation of Burdick Hall, which is being repurposed with innovative learning spaces for programs like interior design and geography.
The largest gift recorded this fiscal year was a $2.25 million estate gift that will support both athletic and academic initiatives. Legacy gifts to the university reached $3.3 million this year, reflecting a growing trend among donors to create lasting impact with a future-focused commitment that costs nothing today but will benefit Bears for years to come.
Another record in fiscal year 2025 came during UCA’s 11th annual Day of Giving, where more than $1.5 million was raised during the 24-hour event from 2,518 donors.
Additionally, UCA received generous support from 765 members of the prestigious President’s Society, the leadership annual giving society. Finally, the UCA Alumni Association boasted a record high of 1,603 annual members, combined with 1,091 life members for a total of 2,694 members.
TOTAL DOLLARS RAISED
$10,906,012
AMANDA AZUBUIKE ’93 2025 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
LAURELS AND STRIPES
A total of 17 newly established scholarships and more than $4.5 million in scholarship support was announced at the 2025 Laurels & Stripes Gala.
Vice President of University Advancement and UCA Foundation President Dr. Mary Lackie expressed heartfelt gratitude for these scholarships and all who invest in UCA.
“Your generosity gives us all hope that the future is bright with these talented, enthusiastic young men and women preparing and educating themselves to take the reins of leadership,” she said. “Never underestimate the ripple effect of a single act of generosity.”
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS BLITZ
The University of Central Arkansas took Bear Country to Washington and Benton counties in northwest Arkansas in the spring for UCA’s Northwest Arkansas Blitz.
With more than 4,000 alumni in the two-county area, UCA President Houston Davis, along with representatives from Academic Affairs including deans from all five academic colleges, advancement, admissions, athletics, student affairs, outreach and more connected with local leaders, alumni and future students to celebrate UCA’s growing impact on the region through a variety of events and activities.
Last summer, UCA hired Paul Gatling as the senior director of northwest Arkansas engagement and began planning the Blitz as a way to “reinforce ties to the area, opening doors for more meaningful partnerships and ensuring that UCA graduates are part of the next chapter of northwest Arkansas’ success,” President Davis said.
DAY OF GIVING
The University of Central Arkansas raised $1.51 million on its 11th annual Day of Giving, marking the fourth time the university raised more than $1 million. This is another recordbreaking total for the university’s Day of Giving, with a 2% increase over last year’s record of $1.47 million.
Day of Giving raised $1.12 million in 2020, $1.29 million in 2023 and $1.47 million in 2024. Since its inception in 2015, the event has raised more than $8.17 million.
More than 2,500 donors from 33 states and 76 countries participated in Day of Giving.
Funds raised during Day of Giving support a wide range of needs including scholarships, state-of-the-art equipment, research and experiential learning opportunities that equip students to be leaders in local, regional and global economies.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The UCA Alumni Association hosted 42 events during the 2024-25 fiscal year. During the Homecoming Alumni Awards Celebration, Darryl J. Arbor ’83 was honored as the Karen S. Sullards Alumni Service Award recipient. Drew Spurgers ’11, ’17 received the Young Alumni Award, and Carolyn Floyd Ishee ’75 was honored as the recipient of the Alumni Volunteer of the Year. In June, the Alumni Association celebrated the launch of “B Is for Bears: The UCA Alphabet,” a children’s book written and designed by members of the UCA Advancement staff. Proceeds from the book support the General Alumni Fund. The UCA Alumni Association is an organization that serves as a link between the university and its graduates. Its primary purpose is to foster strong, ongoing relationships with alumni and friends by providing a range of services, benefits and programs.
GIFTS OF $1 MILLION AND ABOVE
Chaney and Susie Floyd*
GIFTS OF $100,000-$999,999
Bill and Jane Arthurs
CHI St. Vincent
Conway Corporation
Larry P. Crain
Sandy K. DeSalvo
Rush and Linda Harding Jimmie Ishee
Simmons Bank
Jim Thurman*
Walton Family Foundation, Inc.
GIFTS OF $25,000-$99,999
Bunny and Carol Adcock
J. Zane Akers
Anonymous*
ARAMARK Services, Inc.
Baxley Family Foundation
Dr. Linda L. Beene
Bioventures, LLC
Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas
Bridges-Larson Foundation
Allen and Sherry Buckler
Theda S. Carroll
Centennial Bank
Conway Advertising and Promotion Commission
Larry and Carlene Davis
Destination Band Camp
Darcy L. Downey*
Carolyn Eidson
First Security Bank
Lucy J. Fong
Curt and Deb Fordham
Darren and Sarah Freeman
Sue Griffin
Tremayne and Lakeisha Harris
Linda and Grady Harvell
GIFTS OF $10,000-$24,999
Micah L. Abrams
Acxiom Corp.
Anonymous Anonymous
Arkansas Aviation Historical Society
AWN, LLC.
Lisa L. Birdwell Anderson and Phillip Anderson
Broker Solutions
Wesley and Janet Burks
Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity
Conway Regional Health System
Tina R. Cope
Cousins’ Office Furniture, Inc.
Houston and Jenny Davis
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Hayden-McNeil Publishing, Inc.
Roofing and Construction, LLC
Joshua R. Hicks
Andrew P. Hiegel
Hugg & Hall Equipment
Debra McNamee
Elaine McNiece
Nabholz Construction
Stephanie Watson*
Barbara and Brad Williams*
Pamela E. Woodard George*
Don Jones
Phillip and Carol McMath
Bradley R. Mullins
Mike and Maria Norvell
Oaklawn Jockey Club Inc
John and Jennifer Parrack*
Patterson Food Services, Inc.
Peak Sports Management
Donna L. Roetzel
Michael Rubach and Patricia Vance
Johnnie and Larry Taylor
Judy and Philip Willcoxon*
Chris and Merrily Wyrick
Karen A. Newland
Tom and Joanie Roberts
The Roy and Christine Sturgis
Charitable & Educational Trust
Gene and Dona Scott
Slim Chickens, LLC
Deborah J. Smith
Snap-On
Charlie and Vicki Strong
Textbook Brokers, Inc.
Winfred and Carmen Thompson
Toad Suck Daze
Turner Holdings/Hiland Dairy
Virco Manufacturing Corporation
Weaver-Bailey Contractors, Inc
Westrock Coffee Company
Karen S. Yezzi
GOVERNING BODIES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The seven Board of Trustees are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Arkansas Senate. The board members serve seven-year terms, with one member’s term expiring each year on January 15.
Chair 2029
Vice Chair 2030
EXECUTIVE STAFF
DR. MICHAEL HARGIS Provost & Executive VP for Academic Affairs
TERRI CANINO VP of Finance & Administration
JEREMY GILLAM Director of Governmental Affairs & External Relations
DR. MARY BANE LACKIE VP of University Advancement & UCA Foundation President
Secretary 2031
WARREN READNOUR General Counsel
TREVOR SEIFERT Chief Information Officer
DR. FREDRICKA SHARKEY Director of Media Relations
DR. KEVIN THOMAS VP for Enrollment Services & Student Success
DR. ANGELA WEBSTER Associate VP for Student Affairs
AMY WHITEHEAD Chief of Staff
MATT WHITING Director of Athletics
DR. ROBIN WILLIAMSON VP of Student Affairs
MS. AMY DENTON 2028
DR. TERRY FIDDLER 2026
MR. CURTIS BARNETT 2027
MS. KAY HINKLE 2032
DR. MICHAEL STANTON
MR. JIM RANKIN, JR.
MR. KELLEY ERSTINE
FACULTY SENATE
The Faculty Senate accomplished several lofty goals this year. A Faculty Senate Foundation account was established this spring in time for UCA’s Day of Giving to support faculty development. Additionally, the Faculty Research Empowerment Grant program was launched in 2025, allowing faculty an additional source of support for collaborative research and presentation expenses. The first four awards were announced in March, and they included faculty representing 11 departments across the university. The grants will be awarded every fall and spring semester. Important internal processes were also studied and improved with Faculty Senate bylaws being updated to reflect actual practice and align better with the Senate’s constitution. Throughout the year, the Faculty Senate and Staff Senate followed through on a regular schedule of collaborative executive meetings, sharing ideas and continuing an intentional effort to foster clear communication and a greater sense of community.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
The Student Government Association (SGA) focused on collaboration and accessibility this year, allocating a record $300,000 to Recognized Student Organizations (RSO) through the Student Activity Fee Allocation (SAFA) for events, conferences, professional development, speakers and more. SGA hosted events connecting students with UCA leadership, sponsored campus-wide initiatives and led service efforts like the Farris Road Cleanup. Their work resulted in a new ADAaccessible ramp installation at the Bear Essentials Food Pantry, added outdoor seating and academic support resources, while also improving transparency through a student fee audit and services guide.
STAFF SENATE
This year, 32 staff senators from all administrative divisions of the university represented UCA. Staff members logged more than 1,400 volunteer hours, with 124 staff members assisting with campus initiatives. The Staff Senate Winter Feast Committee raised $2,920 in ticket sales and donations to help support the Angel Bear initiative, which sponsored 83 children and provided meal assistance to 29 families. Staff Senate also provided more than $1,200 to help employees who experienced unforeseen circumstances. More than $32,000 was awarded to staff members for professional development assistance. During the Spring Social, more than 400 faculty and staff joined together to raise more than $3,700 for various campus initiatives. The senate also hosted a Homecoming Food Truck Fest, continued the “Focus Fridays” initiative, hosted free line dancing classes, a “W(h)ine & Cheese” event and two “Dining with Staff Senate” events, transitioned volunteer logistics to GivePulse and streamlined various operational, constitutional and bylaw updates.
11
DEPARTMENTS ACROSS CAMPUS REPRESENTED IN FACULTY SENATE
$300K
ALLOCATED TO RSO s THROUGH STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE ALLOCATION
120+
STAFF MEMBERS ASSISTED WITH CAMPUS INITIATIVES
