“Being selected for this work demonstrates the trust the state has placed in the Arkansas Research Center and reflects the University of Central Arkansas’s longstanding commitment to serving Arkansas through high-quality research and evaluation,” Dr. Debbie Dailey, dean of the BT天堂College of Education, said.

CLASS is Arkansas’s primary tool for assessing the quality of teacher-child interactions in licensed early childhood classrooms. Through this contract, ARC will conduct independent CLASS verification observations in licensed early childhood programs across all 75 Arkansas counties, providing objective, evidence-based verification of classroom quality data to support the state’s early childhood quality improvement efforts.

The project is led by Dr. Sarah Argue, managing director of the Arkansas Research Center, and Amy Pinkston, project director. Together, they will oversee a team of 12 Teachstone-trained Regional CLASS Observers who will conduct verification observations throughout the state.

“This appointment highlights the important role universities play in supporting statewide initiatives through independent research and evaluation,” Dailey said. “We are proud of the ARC team and the meaningful contributions they continue to make to early childhood education in Arkansas.”

The award extends ARC’s 13-year research partnership with ADE-OEC and reflects the department’s confidence in the center’s research expertise, professional integrity and commitment to objective evaluation. ARC’s independence from CLASS coaching and professional development activities is a key requirement of the contract and ensures the credibility of the verification process.

The Arkansas Research Center is one of the research and service units housed within the BT天堂College of Education. The center partners with state agencies, school districts, and community organizations to conduct research, program evaluation, and technical assistance that informs educational policy and practice across Arkansas.

The University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development will celebrate its 40th annual Community Development Institute (CDI) July 27-30. CDI is a national, three-year community and economic development training program with one week of training per year. Community leaders from across Arkansas, the Mid-South and the nation participate in CDI.

The 40th annual Institute will feature keynote speaker Dr. Richard V. Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men. The public is invited to attend Reeves’ keynote address Wednesday, July 29, from 3-5 p.m. at the Windgate Center for Fine & Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce Street. Registration is free but required at .

Reeves is a nationally recognized researcher, author and speaker. He is a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and Chair of the UK Institute for Boys and Men. Reeves鈥� career has encompassed roles in national journalism, think tank leadership, government and public policy, making him a leading voice on the topic of boys鈥� and men鈥檚 well-being.

His presentation 鈥淭he Silent Crisis: Addressing the Modern Challenges of Boys and Men鈥� will explore the growing challenges facing boys and men in today’s changing economy and society.

From workforce shifts and educational disparities to increasing social isolation and mental health concerns, the presentation examines how these trends affect not only individuals, but also the long-term economic vitality and resilience of communities.

鈥淥ur team finds this topic critical to the vitality of our communities,鈥� Director of CDI Shelby Fiegel said. 鈥淭hese challenges boys and men are facing in our society have effects on their quality of life, their families and the economy.

鈥淯nderstanding the research to create solutions is something we all need to engage in to make our communities better places to live, work and play.鈥�

Registration and more information can be found at .

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) College of Business has successfully achieved the extension of its business program accreditation by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.

Widely considered the gold standard in business education accreditation, the AACSB accredits fewer than 6% of business colleges worldwide, which places the BT天堂College of Business in an elite category of business colleges.

The College of Business received AACSB accreditation in 1984, and this extension earns continued accreditation for its 21 undergraduate business degrees and Master of Business Administration for another six years.

鈥淭he BT天堂College of Business delivers transformational, educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact our community,鈥� Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the BT天堂College of Business and professor of economics, said. 鈥淎ACSB accreditation places us among a premier group of business schools worldwide, reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence in business education.鈥�

To earn AACSB accreditation requires a rigorous process that includes an in-depth assessment of internal activities and an on-site, peer-reviewed evaluation that focuses on continuous improvement. AACSB鈥檚 principles-based standards require excellence in areas relating to teaching, learning, strategic management, innovation, research and service.

鈥淥ur College is committed to providing our business students with the highest quality business education through a relevant curriculum to meet today鈥檚 workforce demands, hands-on learning experiences and active engagement in the business community,鈥� Bisping said. 鈥淎s we continue to elevate our programs, we look forward to shaping future leaders and making a lasting impact in the lives of our students, alumni, faculty, staff and the communities we serve for many years to come.鈥�

Rhiannon Umfleet, a native of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, has become the first woman to graduate from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Aviation Academy with her Private, Instrument, and Commercial Pilot certificates. She is now pursuing certification as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) with plans to work as a pilot instructor for UCA.

鈥淩hiannon was one of our first students,鈥� BT天堂Aviation Academy Director Brad Teague said. 鈥淪he has always been fully engaged in everything we do at the academy.

鈥淪he started with no background or experience in aviation and has thrived. I am thrilled that she is one of our first graduates and the first female.鈥�

As the only woman in the first cohort of the BT天堂Aviation Academy, Umfleet has embraced her role as a trailblazer. She was honored with the Annie Fitzgerald Award in 2024. This scholarship was named in honor of a retired Southwest Airlines pilot who now partners with the Aviation Academy to recruit future pilots.

鈥淎t first, I shied away from focusing on being the only woman in the program,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut, Miss Annie showed me the importance of embracing it and being a role model for young girls who may want to do this one day.鈥�

Umfleet, a finance major in UCA鈥檚 College of Business, moved to Northwest Arkansas at a young age and initially planned on becoming an aerospace engineer. After high school, while working full-time and taking community college classes, she realized a desk job wasn鈥檛 for her.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to be in a space like that for the rest of my life,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wanted a job where I could move, grow, do different things and be outside.

鈥淚 thought, 鈥楳ight as well fly the things. That sounds a lot cooler.鈥欌��

When her mom sent her a Facebook ad about UCA鈥檚 new aviation program, Umfleet jumped at the opportunity. A month later, she told her parents she had signed up and would be moving to Conway to start ground school. By June 2024, she had piloted her first solo flight.

鈥淚 was in the downwind, and I was finally able to fully look up and take it all in,鈥� Umfleet said. 鈥淛ust to look over and see that right seat empty, I felt pure excitement coursing through my body like 鈥業 can鈥檛 believe I鈥檓 up here, 1,500 feet in the air by myself.鈥欌��

As is customary in all flight training, Umfleet completed the Private License first, then moved to the Instrument Rating, which allows the holder to fly by sole reference to the aircraft鈥檚 instruments. This teaches a greater mastery of aircraft control, systems and instrumentation. It also permits flights under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). This rating takes a minimum of 35 hours.

She also completed the Commercial License, which allows the recipient to fly for hire under certain conditions. The FAA requires a minimum of 190 hours of accumulated flight time, including specific hours of experience in several areas such as night flying, cross-country and enhanced maneuvers.

For those considering aviation, Umfleet鈥檚 advice is simple: 鈥淒on鈥檛 be scared of how hard everyone says it is. It鈥檚 challenging, but the rewards are worth it.鈥�

Beyond the classroom and cockpit, Umfleet has found a welcoming aviation community at BT天堂and in Conway.

鈥淏rad Teague, the aviation director at UCA, Annie Fitzgerald, and Mark Valenzuela, the chief flight instructor at Central Flying Service, they have all been so kind and welcoming,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e truly made Conway feel like home.鈥�

She is excited to see the growth of UCA鈥檚 Aviation Academy, providing students with more resources and connections, including a new hangar and collaborative relationships to build a strong aviation community.

鈥淚 never imagined I鈥檇 be here,鈥� Umfleet said. 鈥淣ow, I can鈥檛 picture myself doing anything else.鈥�

The Aviation Academy was announced in November 2023 and launched in March 2024. The program selects 15 students for each cohort with three private pilot classes starting each year. More than 400 applications are on file at present. The academy uses three Tecnam P-Mentors and one Cessna 172, and eight instructors work with students.

The BT天堂Aviation Academy offers new classes every three months. Multiple pilot certifications are available, including Private, Commercial, and Instructor licenses, Instrument and Multi-engine ratings. Discovery flights are available for those considering enrolling in the program.

More information, including how to apply, is available at or by contacting Brad Teague, director of BT天堂Aviation Academy for BT天堂Outreach and Community Engagement, at (501) 450-5244 or bteague@uca.edu.

The Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 class of distinguished inductees. Seven new Arkansans will be honored at the 2026 Induction Banquet Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas (UCA).

The 2026 Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame inductees are:

Regina “Reggie” Favors
Cedar Hill, Texas
Retired President and Chief Executive Officer
Pinnacle Business Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield

Lynn Harbert, CIOP
Cabot
Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Delta Dental of Arkansas

T. Ark Monroe III, J.D.
Little Rock
Retired Partner,
Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC, and former Arkansas Insurance Commissioner, 1972-1976

Richard L. Patterson, CLU, ChFC, ARPC, AEP
Little Rock
Financial Advisor
Patterson Financial Group

Victor A. Puleo Jr., Ph.D., CIC, CCI, (1964-2025)
Formerly of Nicholasville, Kentucky
Educator
BT天堂College of Business, 2003-2017

J.B. Smith
Marianna
Agency Owner 鈥� retired
Smith and Company Insurance Inc.

Dennis Young
Texarkana, Arkansas
Agency Owner 鈥� retired
Young and Youngblood Insurance.

The Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame was created in 2015 to identify and honor distinguished insurance industry professionals with strong ties to Arkansas who exemplify innovation, social responsibility, leadership and professional excellence; have made broad, encompassing and lasting contributions to advance the role of insurance in society; and have significantly impacted the lives of many Arkansans.

and various levels of recognition in support of the 2026 inductees are available through Sept. 25 and can be found on the Hall of Fame website at .

The BT天堂College of Business partners with the Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame to create and nurture a nationally recognized undergraduate degree program in insurance and risk management. Scholarships are awarded annually through the .

The Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame seeks to remind the public of the important role the insurance industry plays in securing the well-being of both individuals and businesses, to inspire the next generation of leadership to reach these high levels of accomplishment, and to encourage young Arkansans to consider careers in the insurance industry.

More information about the Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame is available at .

The University of Central Arkansas has partnered with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas to host the on Wednesday, June 24, at 10:30 a.m. at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce Street, Conway.

The National Civics Bee, organized by the State Chamber/AIA in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and local chambers of commerce across the state, encourages middle school students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.

鈥淪trong communities and a strong economy both depend on informed and engaged citizens,鈥� Randy Zook, president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas, said. 鈥淭he National Civics Bee inspires students to learn about our nation鈥檚 history and explore ways they can contribute to their communities.

鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to support these exceptional young Arkansans as they develop the skills and knowledge to become tomorrow鈥檚 leaders.鈥�

The competition will feature 12 student finalists from schools across Arkansas vying for the state title, cash prizes and the opportunity to advance to the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C. Participating students represent schools from communities across Arkansas, including Russellville, Hot Springs, Rogers, Bella Vista, El Dorado, Waldo, Magnolia, Arkadelphia, Conway and Little Rock.

鈥淏T天堂is proud to welcome these outstanding students, their families and educators to our campus for this important event,” Dr. Mark Mullenbach, chair of the BT天堂Department of Government, Public Service and International Studies, said. “Programs like the National Civics Bee encourage students to become informed, engaged citizens and demonstrate how civic knowledge can make a meaningful difference in communities across Arkansas.鈥�

Students will compete through a live quiz and question-and-answer sessions with judges. The Arkansas state champion will receive a $1,000 prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to represent Arkansas at the National Civics Bee Championship this fall. National competitors will have the chance to win a $100,000 grand prize.

The event will be emceed by former Miss Arkansas Ebony Mitchell and judged by a panel of distinguished Arkansans, including Arkansas House Speaker Brian Evans; Stacey McClure, state director for U.S. Sen. John Boozman’s office; Lisa Lake, vice president of external affairs at AT&T; Dr. Rheo Morris, dean of students at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts; and Stephen Person, Pulaski County justice of the peace and incoming state representative for District 77.

The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that inspires young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Join us in this nonpartisan initiative to enhance civic literacy, skills, and participation.

The National Civics Bee is an annual, nonpartisan competition designed to enhance civic literacy, skills and participation among students in 6th-8th grades. Modeled after traditional academic competitions, the program challenges students to demonstrate their understanding of civics while proposing ideas to improve their communities.

The Arkansas State Finals are free and open to the public. Doors open at 10 a.m. A reception and lunch will follow the awards ceremony. Seating is limited, and attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance at .

More information about the National Civics Bee Arkansas State Finals is available from the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce at .

The 2025-2026 National Civics Bee Arkansas is sponsored by Walmart and AT&T.

The contract allows the Mashburn Center for Learning to partner with selected Arkansas elementary and secondary schools to strengthen instructional practices and improve learning outcomes for all students through evidence-based co-teaching and collaborative instructional models. The project is expected to receive annual funding, creating ongoing opportunities to support educators and students statewide.

The Arkansas Co-Teaching with SIM Project is an initiative focused on helping schools strengthen systems and practices that ensure meaningful access, engagement and participation in grade-level learning. The project emphasizes shared leadership, collaborative planning, instruction, assessment and decision-making as key components of schoolwide improvement.

“The Mashburn Center for Learning has a long history of partnering with educators to improve outcomes for students across Arkansas,” Dr. Renee Calhoon, director of the center, said. “This contract expands our ability to provide high-quality professional learning and coaching that helps teachers work together more effectively and ensures all students have access to engaging instruction.”

Located within UCA’s College of Education, the Mashburn Center for Learning creates partnerships with educators to provide resources and high-quality professional learning opportunities that encourage them to promote a sense of purpose, hope, academic achievement and resilience for all learners, specifically those who struggle and experience barriers to learning.

“This award reflects the expertise of the Mashburn Center and the university’s commitment to serving Arkansas schools,” Dr. Debbie Dailey, dean of the BT天堂College of Education, said. “By supporting educators, we ultimately strengthen learning opportunities for students across the state.”

Selected schools will participate in a comprehensive professional development program beginning in July 2026. The initiative will provide educators with professional development, coaching and additional support designed to strengthen co-teaching practices and improve student learning outcomes.

More information about the Mashburn Center for Learning is available at .

The entering Schedler Honors College and Schedler Honors Program classes of 2026 have an average high school GPA above 4.1. The honors class includes 126 students from Arkansas across 38 counties. All members of the incoming honors class were selected using a holistic admissions process that factors in the applicant鈥檚 academic performance, writing ability, and service and leadership potential. The process, which requires written essays, letters of recommendation, and participation in a daylong orientation and interview, has been held up within the national collegiate honors community as one of the most in-depth admissions processes in the nation. The students selected represent an exceptional group of citizen-scholars.

Acceptance comes with access to supplemental scholarship funding for every student, access to a living-learning community in Jefferson W. Farris Honors Hall, and participation in a unique interdisciplinary curriculum. Beyond these traditional four-year tracks, the honors community also welcomes students later in their academic careers through its Track II program for current BT天堂and transfer students, as well as its Honors-to-Honors program for community college honors transfer students.

Students across all honors pathways take part in the high-impact practices of service learning, project-based education, collaborative work and undergraduate research. Honors students also receive exclusive grant funding support for study abroad, undergraduate research and internships.

Dean’s List Spring 2026

The University of Central Arkansas congratulates the nearly 1,500 students who were named to the spring 2026 Dean’s List. Eligibility on the Dean’s List requires at least a 3.5 GPA with a minimum course load of 12 credit hours.

President’s List Spring 2026

The University of Central Arkansas congratulates approximately 1,200 students who were named as Presidential Scholars. Students must achieve a 4.0 GPA with a minimum course load of 12 credit hours to qualify as a Presidential Scholar.