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Submitted by: Leslie Coger, lcoger1@uca.edu on 08/25/2026

Use the link below to register for upcoming ArCA Events!

Submitted by: Jennifer Brewer, jbrewer1@uca.edu on 08/24/2026

Beat the Clock – Helping Students Plan for Success

When: Tuesday, September 1 at 12:15 p.m.

Where: Christian Cafeteria Executive Dining Room

Facilitator: Amy Baldwin

“I didn’t have enough time.”

If you teach, chances are good you’ve heard that sentence once. Or twice. Or 847 times.

For many students, managing their time is about more than remembering a due date. They’re learning how to balance classes, work, activities, relationships, sleep, and all the other things competing for a spot on an already crowded calendar. And sometimes, “I’ll do it later” turns into “Wait…that was due yesterday?”

The good news? Faculty can help students build better planning habits without adding a second job as their personal calendar manager.

Join us for lunch and conversation about practical ways to help students plan their time, manage priorities, estimate how long coursework will actually take, and make more realistic decisions about their schedules.

We’ll explore simple strategies you can use in your courses to help students. No elaborate new system required. No color-coded planner intervention necessary. (Although, color-coded planners can be fun.)

Bring your own ideas, hear what colleagues are doing, and leave with a few practical strategies you can put to work with students right away.

Lunch is provided, so the only thing you need to manage is the time on your own calendar.

 

Submitted by: Jennifer Brewer, jbrewer1@uca.edu on 08/24/2026

We’re back! The Faculty for Successful Students campaign is returning for its third year!

CETAL, in collaboration with Student Success Services, is once again sharing simple, practical ways faculty can help students develop the habits that contribute to academic success – especially during that sometimes bumpy first year.

And NEW this year: Brightspace tips! Each campaign message will include a quick Brightspace idea you can share with students or use in your own course. Because we’re all still getting acquainted with our new LMS, and a useful tip now may save a “Where do I find that?” email later. We make no promises, but we like the odds.

Throughout the semester, each message will include:

• The current çstudent success theme
• A few practical ways to reinforce that habit in your course
• A Brightspace Byte you can use or share with students
• Links to corresponding classroom slides and resources
• And, when the calendar cooperates, a Bear Bites lunch where we can continue the conversation (That’s a hint!)

The slides are designed to be easy: project the appropriate one as students arrive in class or include it in your weekly messaging in an asynchronous course.

(Students read these! I’m telling myself that as much as I’m telling you.)

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This Week’s Focus: Foster Engaged Attendance

The message students see:

This is a great time to establish that simply being there, physically and mentally, matters.

A few ways to Reinforce Success:

• Take attendance and briefly explain why attendance matters in your particular course.
• Create at least one opportunity for students to actively participate during each class.
• Help students see that their presence matters to their classmates, too – not just to their attendance grade.
• Try a quick exit ticket asking students for a takeaway, question, or reflection from the day’s class.

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Brightspace Bytes:

• Encourage students to turn on notifications for announcements, due dates, and feedback
• Remind students to check the Calendar regularly
• Ask students to take a quick look at Brightspace before class so they know what’s coming.

A 30-second reminder about Pulse during the first week may prevent at least a few future variations of “But I didn’t know that was due!”

Again: No promises. We’re instructional designers, not magicians.

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Speaking of time…join us for Bear Bites!
(This is the hint!)

Beat the Clock – Helping Students Plan for Success
When: Tuesday, September 1 | 12:15 p.m.
Where:Christian Cafeteria Executive Dining Room
Facilitator: Amy Baldwin

“I didn’t have enough time.”

If you teach, chances are good you’ve heard that sentence once. Or twice. Or 847 times.

Join us for lunch and conversation about practical ways to help students plan their time, manage priorities, estimate how long coursework will take, and make more realistic decisions about their schedules.

Bring your own ideas, hear what colleagues are doing, and pick up a few strategies you might want to try with your students.

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Keep These Handy

Faculty for Successful Students Webpage

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Thanks for all the small things you do to help students find their footing and become more successful at UCA. Those small things add up!

 

Submitted by: Tracy McGarrity, tracym@uca.edu on 08/24/2026

The Bear Essentials Food Pantry is now open from 11 am until 5 pm Monday through Thursday.

/foodpantry/

Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 08/24/2026

Join us at the Bill Stephens Complex for the home opener of the Men’s Soccer season! The Bears take on the Belmont Bruins on Friday at 7 PM. Admission is free – sit in the stands or next to the action on the sidelines!

Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 08/24/2026

The Bears are back at the Bill Stephens Complex on Thursday. Alabama State comes to town for a 7 PM kick off. You can sit close to the action on the sideline so bring a lawn chair or blanket. If you’d like a higher vantage point take up a spot in the stands! Admission is free!

Submitted by: Charlotte Strickland, chars@uca.edu on 08/24/2026

In today’s workforce, five generations collaborate under one roof—each with unique values, communication styles, and expectations of leadership. This session explores how modern leadership isn’t about picking sides; it’s about weaving generational wisdom into adaptive, inclusive, and future-ready strategies. This interactive session reveals how to harness the lived experience of seasoned professionals and the fresh perspectives of emerging talent to shape high-performing, resilient teams. Attendees will walk away with practical tools to navigate generational friction, build psychological safety, and reframe leadership as a shared, evolving practice.
September 22, 2026 (Tuesday) 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Ronnie Williams Student Center #214
Presenters: Steven Shook (ShakeItUp Consulting), Charlotte Strickland (BT����HR)

/hr/protectedcontent/seminar-information/

Submitted by: Charlotte Strickland, chars@uca.edu on 08/24/2026

BT����HR provides opportunities for employees to enrich their professional development and interact with their peers on campus. The attachment includes the 2026-27 programs. Register today!

Compliance Seminar
Title IX/Harassment (includes discussion of Sexual Harassment, Title IX and Clery Act)

BT����requires all employees to be familiar with its Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, along with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and the Clery Act. The BT����Title IX Sexual Harassment policy focuses on Sexual Harassment but also addresses general harassment in the workplace. This not only protects the University employees from liability but helps to provide a positive and safe work environment on campus. This session will discuss the recent changes to the Title IX policy and how it impacts our campus. Content will include sexual harassment and the Clery Act. Title IX/Harassment credit is provided for all attendees. You have the option of completing this training online or onsite. The online course equivalent is entitled RespectEdu for Non-Supervisors: Preventing Harassment and Discrimination.

September 10, 2065 (Thursday) 1:40-2:30 pm (X-Period) RWSC 214
Presenter: Jennifer Craun, Associate General Counsel and Compliance Officer
Registration Link for Title IX/Sexual Harassment Seminar /hr/protectedcontent/title-ix-harassment-sept-10-2026/

Employee Orientation

New Faculty Orientation

August 17, 2026 (Monday)
8:30 am-4:30 pm
Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center

For further information, contact CETAL, 450-5240, cetal@uca.edu, Torreyson West #305 Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership

New Staff Orientation

September 23, 2026 (Wednesday) 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Student Success/Veterans Resource Center #109

March 17, 2027 (Wednesday) 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Student Success/Veterans Resource Center #109

July 21, 2027 (Wednesday) 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Student Success/Veterans Resource Center #109

For further information contact Human Resources, Debbie Brigham, 450-3181, dbrigham@uca.edu

BT����Soon-to-be-Retiree Information Meeting

Are you thinking about retirement? Maybe within the next two years? Next year? This spring? Whether you are two years out or one semester out, this meeting is for YOU. Speakers on how to prepare for retirement will share content on what to be doing NOW in order to take care of your affairs.

September 24, 2026 (Thursday)
2:00-4:30 pm
McCastlain Hall
Speaker: Stephen Barns, Medicare & Social Security

Professional Development Seminars
Voluntary educational seminars open to ALL employees to develop, encourage, and equip!

From Typewriters to TikTok: The Power of Generational Wisdom within Modern Leadership
In today’s workforce, five generations collaborate under one roof—each with unique values, communication styles, and expectations of leadership. This session explores how modern leadership isn’t about picking sides; it’s about weaving generational wisdom into adaptive, inclusive, and future-ready strategies. This interactive session reveals how to harness the lived experience of seasoned professionals and the fresh perspectives of emerging talent to shape high-performing, resilient teams. Attendees will walk away with practical tools to navigate generational friction, build psychological safety, and reframe leadership as a shared, evolving practice.
September 22, 2026 (Tuesday) 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Ronnie Williams Student Center #214
Registration Link for From Typewriters to TikTok: The Power of Generational Wisdom within Modern Leadership
Presenters: Steven Shook (ShakeItUp Consulting), Charlotte Strickland (BT����HR)

Fall 2026 Employee Book Club
Strong Ground by Brene Brown
#1 New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown returns with an urgent call to reimagine the essentials of courageous leadership. In a time when uncertainty runs deep and bluster, hubris, and even cruelty are increasingly framed as acceptable leadership, Brown delivers practical, actionable insights that illuminate the mindsets and skill sets essential to reclaiming focus and driving growth through connection, discipline, and accountability. This is a vital playbook for everyone from senior leaders developing and executing complex strategies to Gen Z-ers entering and navigating turbulent work environments. It is also an unflinching assessment of what happens when we continue to perpetuate the falsehood that performance and wholeheartedness are mutually exclusive.
NOTE: The BT����Bookstore has kindly donated several books as door prizes for the employees. Thank you, TJ McDonald and team! Your registration will place you in the drawing. Notification will be made to winners via email by September 11th. If you do not receive an email notification, you will need to purchase the book via the BT����Bookstore or business of your choice.
There are two options for participation – onsite or zoom.
Onsite
September 24, October 1,8, 22, 29, and November 5, 2026 (Thursdays)
3:00-4:00 pm
Ronnie Williams Student Center 207E
Registration Link for Fall 2026 Employee Book Club-Onsite
ZOOM
September 25, October 2, 9, 23, 30 and November 6, 2026 (Fridays) 9:00-10:00 am
Registration Link for Fall 2026 Employee Book Club-ZOOM
Facilitator: Charlotte Strickland, UCA-HR

Admin Support Employee Resource Group
Do you serve in an administrative assistant position or as an office manager? Are you aware of the multiple resources available to you? Participate in this group to receive helpful information, network, and share valuable tips to make your job easier! No registration required.

September 23rd 2026 Kick off Event: Tour of the T-Rec
10-11am – Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center

November 18th 2026 Potluck Event
12:00 – 1:00pm – Ronnie Williams Student Center 223/224

January 20th 2027: Website ADA Compliance
10-11am – Zoom

Information for October, December, February, March and May professional development sessions coming soon!
*All ZOOM meetings have the option of either ZOOM attendance or in-person attendance.
Zoom Meeting Link:
Meeting ID: 834 6768 8516

Facilitator: Lindsey Bates, Human Resources and Risk Management Fiscal Support
Specialist. lbates5@uca.edu

Employee Appreciation Day
March 5, 2027 (Friday)
Further information provided Spring 2027
Questions? Contact LeSha Smith, lsmith90@uca.edu

Faculty & Staff Recognition Celebration
April 13, 2027 (Tuesday)
1:40-2:30 PM (X-Period) RWSC Ballroom

Administrative Professional Staff Reception
This program provides food, door prizes, and socialization for BT����employees who serve as professional administrative staff. A short inspirational presentation is provided to remind individuals of the impact they have on UCA’s campus.
Date and time for 2027: May 12th, 2027, Time to be determined.

Submitted by: Joanna Warren, jewing@uca.edu on 08/24/2026

The BT����Library hosts a blog to share research tips, feature library collections, and inform about library events, including relaxing finals week activities. Our new post “See You Soon at the BT����Library!” shares information about a new library front desk and online library maps, helpful library hints, how to get library help, and items available for checkout, including textbooks. Subscribe to the BT����Library Blog to stay up-to-date on library information and news!

Submitted by: Charlotte Strickland, chars@uca.edu on 08/24/2026

Fall 2026 Employee Book Club – register now!
/hr/protectedcontent/fall-2026-book-club-in-person/ – – -Onsite Thursday
/hr/protectedcontent/fall-2026-book-club-zoom-fridays/ — Zoom Friday

Early registrants are eligible for free book drawing – courtesy of TJ McDonald and the BT����Bookstore!
Unless selected, participants are responsible for purchasing their own book.

Strong Ground by Brene Brown

Over the past six years, Brené Brown, along with a global community of coaches and facilitators, has taken more than 150,000 leaders in 45 countries through her Dare to Lead courage-building work. In Strong Ground, Brown shares the lessons from these experiences along with wisdom from other thinkers. This is a vital playbook for everyone from senior leaders developing and executing complex strategies to Gen Z-ers entering and navigating turbulent work environments. It is also an unflinching assessment of what happens when we continue to perpetuate the falsehood that performance and wholeheartedness are mutually exclusive.

ONSITE Participation
All onsite sessions are in the RWSC (Ronnie Williams Student Center) 207E – 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Sept 24, Oct 1, 8, 22, 29, Nov 5 (6 sessions)

ONLINE Participation
Zoom dates (Friday mornings 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.)
Sept 25, Oct 2, 9, 23, 30, Nov 6 (6 sessions)
Zoom link – https://uca-edu.zoom.us/j/83526196793?pwd=J4OD1q37JB4JHc1iXhacAgDNHjs1Tb.1