The University of Central Arkansas will hold spring commencement on Thursday and Friday, April 30 and May 1, 2026. All ceremonies will be held at the Farris Center and will be livestreamed.

The university will confer 986 undergraduate degrees and certificates and 324 graduate degrees and certificates from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; College of Business; College of Education; College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; College of Science and Engineering; and the Graduate School.

Commencement ceremonies will be held at the following times:

Thursday, April 30

• Graduate School Spring Commencement Ceremony (all colleges) – 5 p.m.

Friday, May 1
Undergraduate Spring Commencement Ceremonies

• College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences – 9 a.m.
• College of Business and College of Education – noon.
• College of Health and Behavioral Sciences (Exercise Science, Health Sciences, Nutrition and Family Sciences, Psychology and Counseling) – 3 p.m.
• College of Health and Behavioral Sciences (Nursing, Communications Sciences and Disorders) & College of Science and Engineering – 6 p.m.

Students receiving the President’s Medallion for Outstanding Student of the University for 2025-26 are:

• Connor Atkinson from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Atkinson, a native of Harrison, is completing a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and will be attending graduate school to continue his education. He is the son of Terra and Richard Atkinson.
• Mason Smith from the College of Business. Smith, a native of Harrison, is completing a Bachelor of Business Administration with double majors in Finance and Insurance & Risk Management, and will begin a full-time position with Simmons Bank’s Banker Foundation program in May. He is the son of Don and Brenda Smith.
• Cicely Verzani from the College of Education. Verzani, a native of Pea Ridge, is completing a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and plans to return to Pea Ridge and teach at a primary school in the area. She is the daughter of Jason and Renee Verzani.
• Abigail Simpson from the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. Simpson, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is completing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science and plans to attend the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at the University of Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Bret and Teri Simpson.
• Cole Morrison from the College of Science and Engineering. Morrison, a native of Conway, is completing a Bachelor of Science in Physics and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Medical Physics. He is the son of James and Angela Morrison.

More information about spring commencement is available at .

Tom Gordon, co-founder and CEO of Slim Chickens

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) College of Business has announced Tom Gordon, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Slim Chickens, as this year’s Davis Lecture Series Speaker. Gordon will present Tuesday, April 7, at 1:40 p.m. in the BTĚěĚĂCollege of Business Auditorium in Conway, Arkansas.

Gordon provides personal and tailored support for franchisees in a rapidly growing system, and he is the driving leader behind the brand’s goal to have a 600-unit footprint by 2028.

“Tom and his co-founder began their journey in 2003 with one Arkansas store, and because of Tom’s leadership, Slim Chickens has expanded into a global brand,” Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the BTĚěĚĂCollege of Business, said. “We are privileged to have the support of the Davis Family to bring an exceptional leader like Tom Gordon to share his entrepreneurial vision and strategic focus with our students, faculty and community partners.”

The BTĚěĚĂcampus is invited to attend, and the event is free and open to the public.

The Davis Family Lecture Series was established in 2010 through a gift from Granger and Jan Davis, and Milton and Claudia Davis. The series features prominent business leaders who have made a significant impact in an industry. As pillars of the BTĚěĚĂand Conway community, the Davis Family’s gift to the BTĚěĚĂCentennial Campaign: New Vision, New Century inspired a lecture series open to all students, faculty, staff and business community who wish to attend.

More information about the BTĚěĚĂCollege of Business and this special event is available at .

Herron Horton Architects principals Jeff Horton, AIA, LEED AP, and Jennifer Herron, AIA.

The University of Central Arkansas will host Herron Horton Architects, a Little Rock-based architecture and interior design firm, for a multiday residency April 10 and April 13-17, with events that showcase the intersection of art, architecture and human-centered design.

The residency will feature a public exhibition, panel discussion and keynote-style conversation highlighting Herron Horton Architects’ approach to design, craft, and the relationship between people and place. The exhibition “Art + Architecture: Sculpture + Scale” will be on view daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Carmen Thompson Gallery at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Additional public events include a panel discussion and a Keystone Conversation exploring the firm’s design process and residency experience. All events are located on the BTĚěĚĂcampus and are open to the public and free of charge, with no tickets required for entry.

The full schedule for the Herron Horton Architects residency is as follows:

• Friday, April 10, and Monday-Friday, April 13-17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Public Event: “Art + Architecture: Sculpture + Scale” exhibition, Carmen Thompson Gallery, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce Street, Conway.
• Tuesday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Public Event: Panel Discussion with Herron Horton Architects, Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
• Wednesday, April 16, 1:40-2:30 p.m. – Public Event: Keystone Conversation, “Learning by Design: Inside the Herron Horton Residency Experience,” Keystone Steps, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Herron Horton Architects is led by principals Jennifer Herron, AIA, and Jeff Horton, AIA, LEED AP, whose complementary passions for people, place, craft and creativity shape the firm’s human-centered work. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, they approach architecture as a practice that is rooted in both artistic expression and functional design.

Jennifer Herron, a Little Rock native, earned her architecture degree from the University of Kansas, where she also studied fine art photography. Her experience in the San Francisco Bay Area and Little Rock led her to co-found Herron Horton Architects from a belief that architecture begins with people. Her background in photography informs her sensitivity to light, environment and the emotional qualities of space.

Jeff Horton, originally from the Kansas City area, earned his architecture degree from the University of Kansas and continued his studies at the University of Dortmund in Germany. His curiosity about how buildings are made informs his detail-driven approach to design and his commitment to evolving materials and technologies. In addition to his architectural work, Horton is also a painter through which he explores space and color.

Additional information about the residency is available by contacting Toni Gocke Wyre at awyre@uca.edu.

Leah Fimple playing Jo March.

The University of Central Arkansas Theatre Department has announced its upcoming production of a heartfelt and timeless story of family, ambition and resilience. Based on the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott, this musical adaptation brings the March sisters to life through soaring music and deeply human storytelling.

Performances are scheduled for April 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7 each night and April 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. at the James M. Bridges Black Box Theatre in the Windgate Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce St., Conway.

Audiences will follow Jo March and her sisters Meg, Beth, and Amy as they navigate the challenges of growing up during the Civil War era, each striving to define their own paths while bound together by love and loyalty. With a sweeping score and poignant narrative, “Little Women: The Broadway Musical” celebrates the enduring power of dreams, creativity and sisterhood.

Directed by Assistant Professor Lauren Carlton, with music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and book by Allan Knee, the production showcases the talent and dedication of UCA’s student performers, designers and technicians. This moving theatrical experience highlights both the strength of classic literature and the vibrancy of contemporary musical theatre.

BTĚěĚĂstudents, faculty and staff can receive free tickets at the door or at the Reynolds Performance Hall or Windgate box offices. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased online. Tickets may also be purchased at the Reynolds Box Office or Windgate Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by calling BTĚěĚĂTicket Central at (501) 450-3265 or (866) 810-0012.

Investigative journalist Jerry W. Mitchell

The University of Central Arkansas will host investigative journalist Jerry W. Mitchell for a two-day residency Tuesday, March 31, and Wednesday, April 1, with events that highlight investigative reporting, journalism ethics, and the pursuit of truth and accountability.

Mitchell’s residency will feature a series of student-focused conversations with journalism classes as well as the public presentation “Truth on Trial: An Evening With Journalist Jerry Mitchell.” Most events will take place on the BTĚěĚĂcampus and are open to the public and free of charge, with no tickets required for entry.

The full schedule for Mitchell’s residency is as follows:

Tuesday, March 31

• 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Student Event: Q&A with Beginning Reporting class, Stanley Russ Hall 102.
• 12:15-1:30 p.m., Student Event: Q&A with Media Law and Ethics class, Stanley Russ Hall 109.
• Time and venue TBD, dinner with journalism faculty and students from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Wednesday, April 1

• 11-11:50 a.m., Student Event: Q&A with International Reporting students, Stanley Russ Hall 102.
• Noon-12:50 p.m., Student Event: Q&A with News Editing students, Stanley Russ Hall 102.
• 3-3:50 p.m., Student Event: Q&A with Student Media Outlets (newspaper, yearbook, television station), Stanley Russ Hall 103.
• 7-8 p.m., Public Event: “Truth on Trial: An Evening With Journalist Jerry Mitchell,” Stanley Russ Hall 103.

Jerry W. Mitchell is a Pulitzer Prize finalist, MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient and author of “Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder Cases of the Civil Rights Era.” During his distinguished career at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, Mitchell’s relentless and meticulous reporting helped lead to the long-overdue convictions of notorious Ku Klux Klansmen responsible for some of the most notorious racially motivated crimes in American history, including the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, the assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers and the Mississippi Burning murders.

Mitchell is also the founder of the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and training a new generation of investigative journalists. Guided by a deep commitment to justice, his work combines rigorous reporting with powerful storytelling to uncover truths long buried by silence and indifference.

More information about the residency is available by contacting Dr. Donna Stephens at donnals@uca.edu.

The contest invites high school students from across the Central Arkansas region to test their mathematical skills in a competitive academic setting. Students enrolled in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus and Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics are eligible to participate.

Top-scoring students from regional contests held across the state will advance to the ACTM Invitational State Mathematics Contest, which will also take place on the BTĚěĚĂcampus Saturday, April 25.

Contest activities will begin at 9:30 a.m. with check-in at the Mathematics and Computer Science Building on the BTĚěĚĂcampus. The exam will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 11 a.m. Following the competition, participants will be guided to the Student Center for lunch before an awards ceremony at 1 p.m. in Doyne Auditorium, located next to the Math Building.

The registration fee for the regional contest is $5 per student. Students and sponsors can register at .

The Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ACTM) is a professional association that supports and encourages good mathematics teaching. ACTM conducts annual regional and state mathematics contests that provide an opportunity for high school students to compete academically. Following the regional contest, teachers may access the regional tests and use them as teaching tools.

More information about the BTĚěĚĂregional contest is available by contacting Travis Chism at tchism1@uca.edu. More information about statewide contests is available by contacting ACTM State Contest Director Garth Johnson at garthj@uca.edu. More information about ACTM is available at .

“Dr. Dailey has guided the College of Education through a period of significant transition, bringing steady leadership to the complex work of educator preparation, state-level policy and accreditation,” BTĚěĚĂProvost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Hargis said. “As dean, she will continue to build on that foundation by championing student success, supporting faculty, strengthening partnerships and advancing the quality and reach of the college.

“Her vision for the college is rooted in people, and in creating the conditions where both educators and students can thrive.”

Over the past 13 years, Dailey has served BTĚěĚĂas a faculty member, chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning, interim associate dean and interim dean. Before entering higher education, she spent 20 years in K-12 classrooms and schools. Those experiences continue to shape her deep commitment to educators and the students they serve.

Dailey earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Biology and a Master of Science in Education in Biology from Arkansas State University, a graduate certificate in Gifted and Talented Education from Harding University, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

The University of Central Arkansas College of Education has completed the Arkansas Science of Reading audit conducted by Teacher Prep Inspection-US (TPI-US) as directed by the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. The review concluded that BTĚěĚĂmeets expectations across the three review areas and pathways evaluated, affirming the strength of the university’s literacy preparation programs.

The comprehensive review examined four separate programs: Undergraduate Special Education K-12; Undergraduate Elementary Education K-6; Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary; and MAT Special Education programs. Across Review Area 1 (Quality of Literacy Instruction), Review Area 2 (Quality of Field-Based Experiences) and Review Area 3 (Quality of Performance Management and Continuous Improvement), all pathways received overall ratings of Meets Expectations.

Originally scheduled as an on-site review, the audit was moved to a fully virtual format with only a few days’ notice due to severe weather across the state. Despite the shift, the College provided complete documentation, observation recordings, and access to materials to ensure a comprehensive and uninterrupted review process.

Validation of Program Quality

Reviewers identified a strong commitment to structured literacy and evidence-based instruction aligned with the Arkansas Literacy Framework.

Program strengths cited in the report include:

Systematic, explicit preparation in phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, encoding and multisyllabic word instruction.

• Comprehensive training in literacy assessment, including the use of tools such as the PAST and CORE Phonics Assessment.
• Integration of high-quality instructional materials within coursework and clinical experiences.
• Strong partnerships with school districts to support candidates’ application of structured literacy practices.
• A robust Quality Assurance System that uses multiple data sources to monitor and improve program effectiveness.

The review also confirmed that UCA’s performance management and continuous improvement systems meet expectations across all evaluated indicators

Leadership in Literacy and Dyslexia Preparation

The successful audit reinforces UCA’s longstanding role as a leader in educator preparation. Founded in 1907 as a teacher training institution, BTĚěĚĂcontinues to prioritize early literacy and preparation aligned with current research.

The College of Education holds accreditation from the International Dyslexia Association, reflecting alignment with nationally recognized standards in dyslexia preparation. In addition to undergraduate preparation, BTĚěĚĂoffers advanced graduate programs in literacy and dyslexia, providing continued professional development for practicing educators.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

The audit also identified targeted areas for program enhancement. In response, the College has developed a Prioritized Quality Program Blueprint outlining specific action steps, including:

• Aligning and spiraling literacy coursework across undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Expanding structured modeling and applied practice in vocabulary, comprehension and writing.
• Enhancing mentor and university supervisor training focused on evidence-based literacy instruction.
• Strengthening partnership agreements to ensure consistent exposure to high-quality instructional materials in clinical placements.

The College views the audit as part of an ongoing cycle of accountability and improvement rather than a terminal milestone.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ben to campus,” Dr. Paige Reynolds of the School of Language and Literature said. “With authenticity, vulnerability and sensitivity, Ben’s work – both on and off stage – confronts how the complexities of war cause individual trauma and contribute to mental health challenges.

“His solo show, ‘Death of Kings,’ creatively weaves together insights from Shakespeare, neuroscience and drama therapy, resulting in a uniquely powerful performance piece. Originally from Arkansas, with interdisciplinary investments and a commitment to advocacy, Ben is an inspiring artist we are deeply excited for our students to engage.”

Grimes’ residency will feature two public performances of “Death of Kings,” a post-performance talkback, and a series of student-focused class visits and workshops. Additional events throughout the residency will include classroom visits and a workshop with the BTĚěĚĂVeterans and Military Resource Center. Most events are located on the BTĚěĚĂcampus and are open to the public and free of charge, with no tickets required for entry.

Grimes, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, received a BFA in Regional Theatre from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University and has appeared in stage productions in regional theaters across the country. He was a founding member of Moment to Moment Productions in Little Rock and served as co-artistic director of Drove Theater Company in New York City. He currently serves as the managing artistic director at Market House Theatre in Paducah, Kentucky.

After more than a decade working professionally on stage, Grimes joined the U.S. Army in 2006. As an Airborne Ranger in the 82nd Airborne Division, he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, and later deployed again in 2017 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Following his military service, Grimes returned to theatre and enrolled in the Clinton School of Public Service, earning a Master’s in Public Service. His research and studies inspired him to launch Riverside Actors Theatre, a company that uses theatre and storytelling to address trauma and the struggles that veterans and other at-risk populations commonly face.

The full schedule for Grimes’ residency is as follows:

Tuesday, March 10

• 7-8 p.m. – Public Event: “Death of Kings,” Performance #1, Lecture Hall 143, McCastlain Hall.
• 8:30-9:30 p.m. – Public Event: “Death of Kings,” Performance #2, Lecture Hall 143, McCastlain Hall.
• 9:30-10 p.m. – Public Event: “Death of Kings” Post-Performance Talkback with Ben Grimes, Lecture Hall 143, McCastlain Hall.

Wednesday, March 11

• 10-10:50 a.m. – Student Event: Visit with “Theatre for Community Change” class, Jefferson Farris Hall 114.
• Noon-12:50 p.m. – Student Event: Visit with “Theatre History II” class, Snow Fine Arts 215.
• 2 p.m. – Student Event: The Breach Mini-Workshop with Ben Grimes, BTĚěĚĂVeterans and Military Resource Center (closed event limited to veterans).

Thursday, March 12

• 9:25 a.m. – Student Event: Visit with “Intro to Drama: Making Meaning on Stage” class, Irby Hall 313.
• 10:50 a.m. – Student Event: Visit with “Intro to Drama: Making Meaning on Stage” class, Irby Hall 313.
• 12:15 p.m. – Student Event: Visit with “Shakespeare in Action” class, Irby Hall 313.

Content Advisory – “Death of Kings”

This production contains mature themes, including depictions of violence, war, trauma and emotional distress. It includes references to death, loss, moral conflict and suicide, as well as moments of intense language and imagery. Viewer discretion is advised. Recommended for mature audiences.

Anyone in crisis and experiencing thoughts of suicide should call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

Seating is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

More information about the residency is available by contacting Dr. Paige Reynolds at preynolds@uca.edu.

The BTĚěĚĂArtists in Residence program is funded by the Fine and Performing Arts Fee paid by all students, with additional support from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing. More information about the Artists in Residence program is available at or by contacting Dr. Gayle Seymour, associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, at gayles@uca.edu.

Amir Deylami, COO of NASA’s Ames Research Center

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) College of Business will host Amir Deylami, chief operating officer (COO) of NASA’s Ames Research Center, Tuesday, Feb. 17, for the first of three Executive in Residence Leadership Series presentations. The BTĚěĚĂcampus is invited to attend, and the events are free and open to the public.

Deylami is the COO of NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, where he oversees $8B in assets and leads enterprise operations, infrastructure modernization and strategic transformation across a $1B annual portfolio supporting more than 3,200 employees, 160 NASA projects and 100 partner agreements.

Deylami’s BTĚěĚĂLeadership Series will include:

• Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 1:40 p.m.: Lessons in Leadership, Purpose, and Resilience.
• Tuesday, March 31, at 1:40 p.m.: Building People-Centric Cultures of Innovation and Trust.
• Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m.: Leading Transformative Vision in Complex Organizations.

All events will be held in the BTĚěĚĂCollege of Business Auditorium in Conway, Arkansas.

“Amir Deylami is recognized as one of NASA’s top-performing executives,” Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the BTĚěĚĂCollege of Business, said. “We are thrilled he will engage with our students, faculty and staff, and community partners and share his successful strategies on innovation, operations and technology.

“We asked Amir to serve as our Executive in Residence because he is deeply committed to mentorship and leadership development. He is a successful Arkansan with two decades of executive experience at NASA, and we look forward to his visits to our campus.”

The Executive in Residence program connects successful industry experts with students, faculty and local business professionals. The college maintains an innovative curriculum that provides real-world experiences and engagement to prepare BTĚěĚĂstudents for the global business environment.

More information about the BTĚěĚĂCollege of Business and Deylami’s Leadership Series is available at .