CHANCELLOR’S REPORT • 2018
FROM THE DESK OF THE CHANCELLOR
SHAPING THE FUTURE
Ninety years ago this fall, 18 men and 16 women began taking classes at Fort Smith Junior College, then housed at the city’s high school.
Following a year’s worth of discussions by deans, faculty, staff, and students, the university focused its vision and set its sights on becoming a national model for innovative and career-directed learning while contributing to the regional economy and quality of life.
Less than a year ago, 6,608 students started their fall semester at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, and it’s a good bet that the original 34 students would be amazed by what first-year students experienced in August. The location, facilities, and courses all changed, as did the institution’s name. What has not changed is the commitment to providing an excellent, affordable education, although today’s students may challenge some ideas about who goes to college. While most of our students are recent high school graduates, we also have many nontraditional students. More than 1,000 of our fall enrollees were high school students earning concurrent credit either on the university’s campus or at their high schools. This fall we will have high school students gaining college credits in robotics and cyber systems at ABB and ArcBest.
VISION STATEMENT UAFS will be a national model for preparing students for workforce mobility through education and professional development while serving as the thought leader for the region.
MISSION STATEMENT UAFS prepares students to succeed in an ever-changing global world while advancing economic development and quality of place.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES 1. Increase the enrollment, retention, and graduation rates of UAFS students. 2. Provide an innovative and holistic educational experience for students with a focus on academic opportunities supporting economic growth and development. 3. Increase workplace productivity, collaboration, and innovation by fostering and championing professional growth and development. 4. Strategically align resources to support university objectives.
This opportunity is emblematic of the strong relationships we have forged with the area’s best employers. Our partnerships guarantee students in the STEM fields – science, technology, engineering, and math – have the chance to learn cutting-edge technologies on the most advanced equipment. UAFS students in any major have the chance to intern with local and regional employers including Gerdau, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, and Tyson Foods, and with federal agencies like the FBI and NASA.
51 or older 95 25-50 years 1,357
High School students taking current credit courses 1,093
All of this is in pursuit of our vision for the university and the greater Fort Smith region. Our endeavors are designed to give students the ability not just to succeed today, but to adapt to changing conditions and thrive tomorrow. If they can do that, we know we will be advancing the economic development and quality of place around us. Gov. Asa Hutchinson is committed to increasing the number of Arkansans who complete degrees. In west-central Arkansas, UAFS offers a variety of degrees aimed at achieving this worthy goal for traditional students and those who may be coming back to college to further their careers.
“Our job as educators is to prepare students for the jobs and careers of today, and to equip them for the jobs that do not yet exist.”
This publication highlights some of our efforts. If you have questions or if I can provide more information about UAFS, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Traditional students (17-25) 4,063
– Dr. Paul B. Beran, Chancellor University of Arkansas – Fort Smith