Submitted by: Jennifer Bell, jbell15@uca.edu on 11/05/2025
Thursday, November 13, 2025
12:00 pm

Submitted by: Scott Austin, saustin@uca.edu on 11/05/2025
Griffin Planetarium shows this Friday November 7 and Saturday November 8 at 7:00pm: The one-hour shows this week include a tour of the current sky, a flight around the universe, and the full-dome movie “Supermassive Black Holes: Uncovering the Invisible”. The planetarium is located in the Conway Corporation Center for the Sciences. Seating starts 10 minutes before show time. Admission is free. Seating limited to the first 94. No admission after the shows begin. No food or drink allowed.
Submitted by: Jennifer Deering, jdeering@uca.edu on 11/05/2025
Included in this month’s issue:
*Nominations for the Award for Excellence in Grant Impact, Seeking, and Stewardship (AEGISS) Open
*What Is the Difference between Salaries and Wages and Professional Services?
*Compliance Corner | Cost-Sharing
*The Write Track | Aristotelian Rhetoric: Hidden Gems
*Funding Opportunity Highlight: The Mellon Foundation
*Deadlines and Events
*The Newsletter Challenge: Win a Prize!
Submitted by: Jennifer Deering, jdeering@uca.edu on 11/06/2025
Ready to move your grant proposal from idea to action? Join us for a focused, distraction-free grant-writing retreat at Camp Mitchell on beautiful Petit Jean Mountain—a dedicated space where faculty and staff can dive deep into writing, revising, and refining their grant proposals with expert support close at hand.
This retreat is designed to help you:
*Make real progress on your proposal in a supportive, low-pressure environment
*Get one-on-one feedback from an experienced grant professional
*Ask questions about budgets, submission systems, or funder guidelines as they arise
*Stay motivated and energized by working alongside others with similar goals
Whether you’re starting from a rough draft, a blank page, or a half-finished narrative, this retreat offers structured time, practical help, and quiet encouragement to keep you moving forward.
Let’s write. Together!
The retreat begins with lunch at 12:00 at Camp Mitchell on Friday, May 8, 2025 and ends with lunch on Sunday, May 10 2025. Space is limited to the first nine respondents. Meals and lodging are provided; however, you will need to arrange your own transportation.
This is a selective opportunity designed for faculty and staff who are serious about developing a competitive grant proposal. We’re offering dedicated time, expert support, and structured guidance to help you succeed.

Submitted by: Leslie Coger, lcoger1@uca.edu on 11/05/2025
You’re invited to Arkansas Coding Academy to get to know the team!
Join us for an exciting event hosted by ArCA, where you’ll get an insider’s look at how we’re helping students transform their futures through cutting-edge tech education.
Whether you’re considering a career in tech, want to level up your current skills, or want to learn more, this is a perfect opportunity to explore, connect, and get inspired.
What to Expect:
Learn more about our programs — including current and upcoming full-stacks.
Meet the team behind Arkansas Coding Academy who help the ArCA community thrive.
Ask questions in real time and get personalized guidance on how to take your next steps in tech.
Who Should Attend:
Anyone who would like to learn more about our bootcamp, and how it delivers expert-led training in the technical skills companies need.
Prospective students exploring tech education options
Career changers interested in programming and web development
Current students, alumni, mentors, and partners of Arkansas Coding Academy — come reconnect, enjoy complimentary snacks, and see what’s new!
Register Below!

Submitted by: Robin Williamson, rwilliamson@uca.edu on 11/05/2025
Wendy Holbrook, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, was recognized by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance as their 2025 Star Collaborator Award recipient. This award honors an individual who exemplifies partnership, compassion, and leadership in addressing food insecurity across Arkansas. Wendy has been a consistent champion for ensuring students’ basic needs are met, fostering cross-campus collaboration, and helping shape supportive, welcoming pantry environments.
Wendy has participated in panels and presentations at the College Hunger Summit for the past two years, and the Bear Essentials Food Pantry has participated the Nutrition Pantry Program, working towards goals that center around neighbors, trauma-informed care, and healthy food prioritization. Her commitment to student well-being and her collaborative spirit have strengthened the statewide network of college pantries and advanced the shared vision of a hunger-free Arkansas.
Laken Ross from the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance said, “Wendy’s work serves as an example of what it looks like when student support is rooted in dignity, empathy, and collaboration. Thank you, Wendy!”
Submitted by: Adam Hensley, AHENSLEY@UCA.EDU on 11/04/2025
To All,
You’re invited to the 2024 Annual Operation Safe Walk on Tuesday, November 4, at 5:00 p.m. This event is hosted by the BTĚěĚĂPhysical Plant with assistance from the BTĚěĚĂPolice Department. We will meet in the parking lot just east of University Police. We will have 6 routes that will be assigned. Groups will start their assigned route around 5:20pm-5:30pm. Routes will typically take 45 mins to 1.5 hours to complete.
All campus community members—students, staff, faculty, and local community members—are welcome to join. Please arrive a few minutes early if you’d like to choose a specific area to walk or inspect.
This event is an open forum for any safety ideas or concerns. Feel free to speak up as we walk—no concern is too small, and every idea is noted and discussed.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Submitted by: Sarah Brackett, sbrackett1@uca.edu on 11/04/2025
Bessie Flores ZaldĂvar is a writer from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, whose work explores themes of identity, belonging, and liberation. With an MFA in fiction from Virginia Tech, ZaldĂvar brings a rich, transnational perspective to writing and teaching. Currently based in New Haven, Connecticut, ZaldĂvar teaches creative writing at Quinnipiac University, where the writer mentors emerging voices with insight and empathy. ZaldĂvar’s debut publication, Libertad, marks a bold and lyrical entrance into contemporary literature, blending narrative innovation with emotional depth. As an artist in residence, ZaldĂvar invites communities to engage in dialogue, memory, and imagination. For more information, contact Professor Acie Clark, Dept. of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing, kclark27@uca.edu.
Student Event: Craft Talk with Creative Writing students
Nov. 6 | 12:15–1:30 pm | Win Thompson 331
Student Event: Conversation with students from multiple disciplines (Creative Writing, Gender Studies, Spanish, etc.)
Nov. 6 | 1:40–2:30 pm | Win Thompson 331
Student Event: Masterclass with MFA Creative Writing students
Nov. 6 | 4–5 pm | Win Thompson Hall 104
Public Event: Reading/Keynote and Book Signing (C. D. Wright Writers Conference)
Nov. 7 | 6 –7 pm | McCastlain Hall Ballroom
Submitted by: Sarah Brackett, sbrackett1@uca.edu on 11/04/2025
Nita Mendoza is a proud Chicana lighting designer based in Southern California. Originally from El Paso, TX, she brings warmth, energy, and a deep love of storytelling to every project. Mendoza holds an MFA in Lighting Design from UC Irvine and a BA in Technical Theatre from UT El Paso, with a concentration in lighting and a minor in graphic design. Her work blends strong technical foundations with creative expression, shaped by her cultural roots and commitment to collaboration. Whether illuminating a stage or crafting visual elements as a graphic designer, she thrives in creative spaces where artists come together to make meaningful work. Her designs reflect her belief in light as a powerful storytelling tool—one that can evoke emotion, shift perspective, and deepen connection. Grounded in family, community, and culture, Mendoza is dedicated to creating bold, beautiful work that resonates with audiences and collaborators alike.
Student Event: Meet with Digital Design class
Nov. 3 | 10:30–11:45 am | Snow Fine Arts 217
Student Event: Meet with Fundamentals of Theatrical Design class
Nov. 4 | 9:25–10:40 am | Snow Fine Arts 217
Student Event: Lighting Design Master Class
Nov. 4 | 1:40–2:30 pm | Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts James Bridges Black Box Theatre
Student Event: Meeting with Drama-Teatro: Staging Spanish One-Act Plays class
Nov. 6 | 12:15–1:15 pm | Irby 205
Public Event: The Art of Lighting Design with Demonstration by Nita Mendoza
Nov. 6 | 1:40–2:30 pm | Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts James Bridges Black Box Theatre
Submitted by: Jennifer Brewer, jbrewer1@uca.edu on 11/03/2025

You’re Invited to Bear Bites!
Are you looking for new ways to support your students and enhance their learning outcomes?
As educators, we know that student success extends beyond the curriculum itself. It involves how we structure our courses, communicate expectations, and integrate practices that support student learning, retention, and engagement. This session is designed to provide practical, actionable insights to help you do just that.
Join us to listen and learn from a panel of seasoned educators who will share their valuable perspectives. This is a unique opportunity to explore how to successfully and seamlessly embed vital student success tips, strategies, and best practices directly into your classroom instruction.
Come listen and learn as Adriian Gardner, Julia Winden-Fey, and Carl Olds share their insights.
You’ll leave with new ideas and concrete takeaways that you can implement immediately, supporting the campus-wide Faculty for Successful Students Campaign.
When & Where:
All faculty are welcome. Come enjoy a complimentary lunch and a fantastic conversation!
Space may be limited, so please register today to secure your spot.
👉 for this Bear Bites event!
