For the second consecutive year, the University of Central Arkansas has welcomed a freshman class of more than 2,000 students, with 2,079 being the preliminary census number. This achievement is expected to make UCA’s entering freshman class the second largest class in the state for the 10th year in a row.

“At UCA, we are proud to see the positive momentum in our enrollment trends once again,” BT����President Houston Davis said. “For the second year in a row, our freshman class has topped 2,000 and continues to be an outlier among universities.

“Our last two strong freshman classes – plus another 1,000 new transfer and graduate students this fall – are allowing us to manage an overall headcount of approximately 10,000 students and set up a strong enrollment base for the future.”

The preliminary census enrollment of 9,962 is comprised of 8,011 undergraduate students, 1,724 graduate students and 227 high school concurrent students. Overall undergraduate enrollment increased by 2% this fall, reflecting UCA’s continued strength in attracting and retaining students. Retention remains excellent among continuing undergraduate degree-seeking students, with an increase of 5%, and transfer enrollment also experienced significant growth with a 9% increase in new transfer students joining the Bear community.

The university welcomed the second cohort of students participating in the BT����Commitment program, a landmark initiative that provides a debt-free tuition pathway to qualifying Arkansas students. The first cohort achieved a strong retention rate of 78%, underscoring the program’s effectiveness. In its first two years, BT����Commitment has already supported over 1,300 Arkansas families.

“We are also excited that initiatives like BT����Commitment are inspiring more full-time, degree-seeking freshmen to take the next step in higher education, and we are proud to be a destination university for all of Arkansas and beyond,” Davis said.

The average ACT score and GPA for the incoming freshman class are 22 and 3.63, respectively. Incoming students hail from 71 of 75 counties in Arkansas and 19 other states. First-generation students are 40% of the entering class, up 1% from last year.

In addition to these enrollment successes, BT����now serves more than 500 military-connected students, reinforcing its commitment to those who serve the country and their families.

One notable, but intentional, change occurred in UCA’s concurrent enrollment, which decreased by approximately 165 students due to a planned shift in those concurrent needs in Faulkner County being met by community college partners.

“We are pleased that local students are being served in this way and see it as a win for college access in our community and the right way for higher education partners to work in the region,” Davis said. “Staying true to our mission, BT����remains focused on serving degree-seeking students.

“We are thrilled to see growth of over 5% in our continuing undergraduate students because that speaks directly to our commitment to student success and doing all we can to support our students as they progress toward graduation. During the last two years, we have seen a combined increase of 15% in the number of freshman and sophomore students on our campus. The future is indeed bright for these students and our university!”

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Founded in 1907, the University of Central Arkansas is a premier student-focused public university located in Conway, Arkansas. BT����has nearly 150 academic programs and certificates within the colleges of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Behavioral Sciences; and Science and Engineering; and the Graduate School. To learn more about UCA, visit , or through social media at , , or .

Students using new outdoor solar-powered table.

The University of Central Arkansas has added one outdoor solar-powered table to its campus inventory.��

The table allows individuals sitting at or near the table to charge phones, laptops, tablets, or other devices. It was installed recently by personnel in the Physical Plant.

“We had talked about possibly adding some solar-powered tables to campus for some time, but we had an opportunity to work with our beverage service provider, Pepsi, to have one,” said Kevin Carter, associate vice president for facilities. “We look forward to seeing students’ reactions and usage behaviors, but we think it will be a great addition to campus.”

Branded with the Pepsi and BT����logos, the table was placed in front of the physical therapy building on Bruce Street. This location is heavily used by students in physical therapy and other health care-related classes during fall and spring semesters. With its proximity to Estes Stadium, the table is expected to be regularly used.��

BT����hopes to add more tables like these in the future.

2025 May Commencement

The University of Central Arkansas held spring commencement on Thursday, May 1, and Friday, May 2, 2025, in the Farris Center on campus.

The university conferred undergraduate and 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 Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and the Graduate School.

Graduates are listed below:

In a briefing by BT����President Houston Davis, he presented current statistics indicating a freshman class that will top 2,100 students for a second consecutive year. Additionally, it was noted that early registrations for fall semester are robust and that overall enrollment for all levels is approximately 3.2% ahead of this same time last year.��

Registration for  Summer Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) sessions is on track with last year’s record numbers, and while the sessions have already begun, those interested in attending some of the remaining, open sessions may still apply at SOAR.

During the meeting, board members voted to approve several campus projects, including updates to Arkansas Hall, a residential facility for female freshman students. Also approved was the buildout of the BT����Aviation Academy Hangar, which encompasses furniture, flight simulators and other equipment. With the board’s approval of the 2025-26 budget, BT����faculty and staff will receive a 2% cost-of-living adjustment effective July 1, 2025.��

“Facility upgrades and maintenance, faculty and staff salary increases, and a growth outlook for our overall enrollment are all indicative of the positive momentum at UCA. These are all signs of a healthy institution with a bright future,” Davis said.��

In other business, the Board of Trustees voted to increase mandatory tuition and fees by 3.96% for undergraduate and graduate students. This increase will result in undergraduate students taking 15 hours per semester, paying an additional $417 for the year; graduate students taking 12 hours would pay an additional $390 for the year.��

“This change in tuition and fees will help to support the campus and our initiatives beyond all of the other cost-effectiveness measures we have taken,” Davis said. “Increasing educational costs for students is never a decision taken lightly or without careful consideration of our stewardship of existing resources. We have worked to position the university to be able to invest in our people, facilities and programs through our Resource Optimization Initiative and other reallocation means and will continue to do so to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.”

Other board agenda items included:

• The 2028-29 academic calendar
• A new Bachelor of Science in Education in Science and Technology
• A new Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language

Arielis (Ariel) Rodriguez-Gutierrez

Arielis (Ariel) Rodriguez-Gutierrez was named the University of Central Arkansas Internships and Cooperative Education 2024-25 Intern of the Year.

She has also been awarded the national Intern of the Year distinction by the Cooperative Education and Internships Association (CEIA) and was honored at the national conference in Tucson this month.��

Rodriguez-Gutierrez is a senior chemistry major and will graduate in May 2025. She distinguished herself through academic achievement and research innovation. Originally unsure of her potential in STEM, her transformative summer internship at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), dramatically reshaped her academic and professional trajectory.

“I’m incredibly grateful to receive these awards, and I hope it serves as a reminder to women of color in STEM that our voices and contributions truly matter. I want to thank my mentors, who gave me the push I needed to take on new challenges. Research is a journey of discovery that extends beyond the lab. It is an amazing opportunity to grow professionally and learn how to communicate science to others. Likewise, I encourage others to take a chance, put themselves out there, and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Rodriguez-Gutierrez.

The internship was a pivotal moment in Rodriguez-Gutierrez’s academic journey. What began as a hesitant opportunity evolved into a profound personal and professional transformation. She said that she discovered her passion for research and teaching, and has begun to see herself as a future university professor who can inspire and support fellow Latinas in STEM fields.

Marsha Massey and Arielis (Ariel) Rodriguez-Gutierrez

Through her research and testing during her internship at UCI’s Center for Closing the Carbon Cycle, Rodriguez-Gutierrez developed a catalytic system to convert carbon dioxide into a valuable chemical feedstock, achieving a breakthrough that is being prepared for publication. This is an exceptional accomplishment for an undergraduate researcher. According to her site supervisor, Rodriguez-Gutierrez’s work demonstrated remarkable scientific acumen, stating, “It is a rare accomplishment for an undergraduate student to perform enough quality research to gain authorship on a peer-reviewed publication, let alone as a lead author!”

Rodriguez-Gutierrez was nominated for BT����Intern of the Year by Marsha Massey, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

As a recipient of the Arkansas Talented Optimistic Motivated (ATOM) Scholars program and an undergraduate research student at UCA, she has demonstrated leadership and commitment to her discipline. She has presented four research projects and has applied to graduate school and the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Faculty excellence awards were presented in the following areas:

Stephanie Rose, Department of Health Sciences, received the Public Service Award. The Public Service Award recognizes individuals whose service contributions to the BT����community, professional community and other communities outside the university have been outstanding. It is expected that individuals will have contributed both within and outside the university. Through service work such as volunteering for charitable organizations, serving on advisory boards, donating professional expertise, serving on committees and conducting outreach programs, these individuals have improved conditions within the community and enhanced the quality of life for all citizens.��

BT����President Houston Davis and Stephanie Rose

Kerry Jordan, School of Nursing, and Jason Trumble, Department of Teaching and Learning, were finalists for this award.��

Debbie Dailey, Department of Teaching and Learning, received the Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award. The Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award recognizes individuals whose contributions to their disciplines have been exemplary. Through original work in research, scholarship or creative activities — such as performances and artistic productions — they have expanded human knowledge, interpreted the human experience or enhanced the quality of our lives.

The finalist for the Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award was Matthew Moore, Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology.

Michael Rosenow, Department of History,  received the Teaching Excellence Award. Faculty who have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in teaching are eligible for the Teaching Excellence Award. Recipients of this award strive to enhance student learning as they continually seek ways to improve their teaching.��

BT����President Houston Davis and Michael Rosenow

The finalists for the Teaching Excellence Award were Jessica Herring Watson, Department of Teaching and Learning, and Anna Park, Department of Psychology and Counseling.��

Other awards to outstanding faculty and staff were presented to the following individuals: 

Maria Negrete Padron, Office of Student Advocacy and Community,  received the Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity Award. This award recognizes individuals whose commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence on and/or off campus has made a significant impact on various ethnic groups and diverse populations in a positive way. These individuals have improved conditions at BT����and within the community.

BT����President Houston Davis and Maria Negrete Padron

Finalists for the award were Juan Maefield, Department of History, and Greg Pelts, Veteran and Military Resource Center.

Stephanie Rose, Department of Health Sciences, received the Excellence in Grants Impact, Significance, and Stewardship award. The award promotes a culture of grant writing among faculty and staff and encourages grant recipients to track the impact of their grant work on individuals, the university, the community and their disciplines or fields of study.

BT����President Houston Davis and Stephanie Rose

Patrick Desrochers, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was honored with the Shumaker-Wright Undergraduate Mentorship Award. The University Honors Council created the award in 2022 in recognition of the importance of supporting undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity. Supporting student participation in mentored research is an important component of the university’s mission. Furthermore, the undergraduate award is named in honor of Conrad Shumaker and Terry Wright, who had each mentored more than 20 undergraduate student capstone/thesis projects at the time of their retirements. The implementation of this mentorship award conveys the campus’s high regard for outstanding contributions made to the academic and research community.

BT����President Houston Davis and Patrick Desrochers

Ginny Adams, Department of Biology, Pamela Ashcraft, School Nursing, and Thomas Snyder, Department of Economics, Finance, and Insurance and Risk Management, were finalists.

Other presentations included the recipient of the Employee of the Year for 2024-25. The Employee of the Year is Treci Buchanan, College of Science and Engineering.��

BT����President Houston Davis and Treci Buchanan

Amanda Horton, executive director of Public Appearances, and Vicky Summers, university registrar, were finalists for the Employee of the Year award.��

The Employee of the Year is presented to a full-time staff member who has shown extraordinary performance to the university community over the past year. This person is a well-rounded employee who goes above and beyond and truly cares about students, colleagues and UCA. Any full-time staff member with two or more years of continuous service to the university prior to January 1 of the award year is eligible for this award.

Here are images from the ceremony:

The University of Central Arkansas will hold spring commencement on Thursday and Friday, May 1 and May 2,

The university will confer 1,042  undergraduate degrees and certificates and 274 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.��

The times for commencement are:

Graduate Ceremony
Thursday, May 1, 2024
5 p.m.

Undergraduate Ceremonies
Friday, May 2, 2024

9 a.m.
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

12 p.m.
College of Business & College of Education

3 p.m.
College of Health and Behavioral Sciences (Exercise Science, Health Sciences, Nutrition and Family Sciences, Psychology and Counseling)

6 p.m.
College of Health and Behavioral Sciences (Nursing, Communication Sciences and Disorders) & College of Science and Engineering

Students receiving the President’s Medallion for Outstanding Student of the University for 2024-25 are:

• 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

The university will award Distinguished Professor Emeritus designations to John Murphy and Michael Rubach. Murphy served as a professor of school psychology from 1995 to 2022. Rubach served as a professor of marketing and management from 1997 to 2023.

Upon approval by the BT����Board of Trustees, the designation of Distinguished Professor Emeritus can be granted to a tenured faculty member one year after retirement from active service with the university at or after age 62 who served the university with extraordinary distinction.��

More information about spring commencement can be found here.��

Patricia Poulter

A space in the Student Success and Veterans Resource Center at the University of Central Arkansas will now be known as the Poulter Commons, named in honor of former provost and executive vice president Patricia Poulter.

A dedication ceremony was held Tuesday, March 18, before a crowd of at least 100 well-wishers.��

During her remarks, Poulter thanked everyone for attending, but she also recognized the significance of the space to students visiting the building.��

“Your name matters. Your name matters, and being seen matters, and that’s what a place like this does. It tells every student that comes in that you are welcome here,” Poulter said.��

Poulter served from 2018 until her retirement in 2024. The plaque that will be placed in the Poulter Commons includes this excerpt: “Under her leadership, BT����expanded innovative academic programs, broke down barriers for students, and strengthened institutional accreditation efforts. She played a pivotal role in advancing student success initiatives, ensuring that BT����remained a leader in higher education within Arkansas and beyond. Her advocacy for faculty and staff development contributed to a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation. The renovation of this facility into the Student Success and Veterans Resource Center is a staple of her vision, leadership, and impact on this campus.”

By Dr. Fredricka Sharkey

Kay Hinkle

Kay Hinkle has been reappointed to the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees for a fourth term by Gov. Sarah Sanders. Her new term expires in 2032.

Hinkle was first appointed to the board in 2004 by former Gov. Mike Huckabee, again in 2011 by former Gov. Mike Beebe and a third time in 2018 by former Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

“Ms. Hinkle’s longstanding commitment to BT����has benefited our students, faculty, staff and entire BT����community. We are excited to continue working together, building a positive momentum for our campus,” said BT����President Houston Davis.��

A 1970 graduate of UCA, Hinkle is a charter member and past president of the Stone County Scholarship Foundation. A native of Malvern and resident of Conway, she served on the Mountain View School Board for 11 years and has been a member of the Committee of 100 for the Ozark Folk Center. Hinkle and her husband, Jim, also a BT����alumnus, are longtime active participants in business and civic affairs in Mountain View. They are active members of Flatwoods Baptist Church in Mountain View and have two daughters, both BT����graduates, and four grandchildren.

“I am both pleased and honored to be reappointed by Gov. Sanders to UCA’s Board of Trustees for a fourth term,” Hinkle said. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve my state and alma mater, and I look forward to working with President Davis and the board to continue to move BT����forward.”

The university’s board has seven members who are appointed by the governor and approved by the Arkansas Senate. Board members serve seven-year terms, with one member’s term expiring Jan. 15 of each year.

BT����President Houston Davis helps to celebrate 2025 Day of Giving totals while students hold results cards.

The University of Central Arkansas raised $1.51 million in its 11th annual Day of Giving. The total is the fourth time the university has topped $1 million since 2020.

“We are ever grateful for the generosity of our students, faculty, staff, donors, friends and community. I continue to be humbled by their participation and support,” BT����President Houston Davis said. “Each year, I find Day of Giving to be an exceptional expression of the dedication that all have for UCA, and this Day of Giving is no exception.”

Day of Giving is a 24-hour fundraising drive that provides an opportunity to rally the university community and connect donors with specific programs and giving opportunities at UCA. The event was held March 13.��

The total was announced today during a campus celebration at Buffalo Alumni Hall. Marking the fourth time the university raised more than $1 million, the amount also marks another record-breaking total for the university’s Day of Giving with a 2% increase over last year’s record of $1.47 million.

“We are absolutely thrilled that we have broken another record for Day of Giving. This is a testament to the incredible generosity of everyone who gave—our alumni, friends, students, faculty, staff, and parents. This just proves that every gift, no matter the size, adds up to a big impact. Together, we are not only setting a new benchmark but also ensuring that our students have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed,” said Vice President for University Advancement and BT����Foundation President Mary Lackie.

More than 2,500 donors from 33 states and 78 countries participated in Day of Giving.��

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.��

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 the local, regional and global economies.

To see more details about the results and the breakdown of individual funds, visit the website.

By Dr. Fredricka Sharkey