The �պ����ֲ� held May commencement ceremonies Thursday and Friday, April 30 and May 1, in the Farris Center on campus, conferring approximately 1,200 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.

(from left): Lakoda Caldwell, Katie Boysen, Caitlin LaCerra, Erich Green and Preston Hessee were among students who participated in the �պ����ֲ�’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) preparers course during the spring 2026 semester. During the 2026 filing season, UCA students volunteered with the United Way of Central Arkansas to prepare approximately 450 tax returns for community members, resulting in more than $490,000 in tax refunds and an estimated $80,000 savings in tax preparation fees.

Students at the �պ����ֲ� made a significant impact on the Conway and Central Arkansas community during the 2026 tax season through participation in the .

Students enrolled in the VITA for Preparers course during the spring 2026 semester volunteered with the United Way of Central Arkansas, which serves as a local site for the Internal Revenue Service’s VITA program. Through the initiative, IRS-certified volunteers provide free, high-quality tax preparation services for qualifying low- and moderate-income individuals and families.

During the 2026 filing season, UCA students prepared approximately 450 tax returns for community members. Student preparers included Katie Boysen, Jetson Busbea, Lakoda Caldwell, Erich Green, Treavor Green, Preston Hessee, Asher Jackson and Caitlin LaCerra.

The financial impact of the students’ work is expected to exceed $490,000 in tax refunds returned to local families. In addition, by offering free tax preparation assistance, the students helped residents save an estimated $80,000 in tax preparation fees.

“These students are making a meaningful difference in the lives of families across Central Arkansas,” Associate Profressor of Accounting Ashley Phillips, who runs the VITA program at UCA, said. “Not only are they gaining valuable hands-on experience, but they are also helping individuals and families keep more of their hard-earned money for essentials such as housing, food and utilities.”

The program is open to College of Business students who would like to volunteer or earn college credit in accounting. VITA volunteers receive training and can either prepare returns or do intake. Experienced CPAs then review each return.

The IRS requires all VITA volunteers to complete extensive annual certification training that includes tax law education, quality review procedures, and privacy and confidentiality standards. This training ensures returns are prepared accurately and securely while providing taxpayers with confidence throughout the filing process.

The United Way of Central Arkansas partners with community volunteers each year to provide trusted tax preparation services through the VITA program.

More information about the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is available at .

Coursera offers workshops, micro-credentials and professional certificates from industry giants like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, IBM, Meta and over 300 more partners. The online platform launched for UCA business majors, faculty and staff in spring 2026, and it is now available to College of Business alumni.

“In today’s competitive job market, employers are more likely to hire a graduate who has also earned a professional certificate or micro-credentials,” Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the UCA College of Business and professor of economics, said. “We are excited to strengthen employment outcomes for our students and alumni by launching this tool at no additional cost to our college’s community.

“Going forward, our college faculty will also use Coursera to supplement our courses, enhancing the learning experience for our business students. By connecting our students and alumni with this platform, we are strategically addressing emerging skills in business and technology, inviting our students and alumni to drive innovation and continue to pursue the lifelong learning that is essential for career success.”

UCA business alumni are invited to explore key features of Coursera and enroll today:

• Hundreds of opportunities to earn career-relevant credentials and certificates.
• Flexible course schedules that work for the learner’s needs.
• Interactive and AI-powered tools that give personalized feedback.
• Verified certificates of achievement or micro-credentials.

shows that 91% of its learners achieved a positive career outcome, and the university hopes to extend those benefits to its business students and alumni by making this platform available to them at no additional cost.

More information about Coursera Career Academy at the UCA College of Business is available at uca.edu/business.

Dr. Arijit Mukherjee, a �պ����ֲ� professor and associate chair, has been awarded a grant from the Emerging Research Leaders Program.

Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) today announced that �պ����ֲ� (UCA) professor Arijit Mukherjee was among 12 grant recipients for the Emerging Research Leaders Program (ERL), a new initiative created to increase the number of Arkansas researchers submitting competitive proposals for major federal funding opportunities.

“We’re strengthening Arkansas’s research capacity by cultivating research leaders from within the state,” Bryan J. Barnhouse, ARA President & CEO, said. “Arkansas’s research community works to make our food supply safer, our energy more efficient and our medicine more effective.

“Investing in our scientists improves the quality of life in our state and contributes to our competitiveness and economic growth.”

The ERL Program is managed by AR-NETWORK and Arkansas Research Alliance. The goal of the program is to help establish and grow sustainable research programs. Participants are expected to develop and submit two-to-four competitive external proposals during their award period.

“The ERL Program is the nudge that creates momentum for research,” Sarah B. Smith, ARA Program Director and Principal Investigator for AR-NETWORK, said. “When ERL participants win those larger federal awards, there are a lot of positive side effects.

“Students get a richer education through exposure to cutting-edge research, other faculty can leverage expanding capacity, and the institutions receive direct financial benefits through indirect costs on grants that are likely 10-20 times larger than the ERL award itself.”

The ERL Program provides $30,000 annually for up to two years to support early- to mid-career faculty in developing research leadership capacity. Rather than traditional research funding, this seed grant is primarily professional development support. Participants receive mentorship, proposal development training, and seed funding to build preliminary data and collaborations that position them for larger federal grants.

Mukherjee, a professor and associate chair, has concrete plans for the grant and support.

“I aim to advance a focused, high-impact research program aligned with Arkansas’s strategic priorities while positioning our work for sustained external funding,” he said. “I also seek to expand meaningful research opportunities for our students, equipping them with advanced, workforce-ready skills and cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders in Arkansas.”

This year, 12 researchers from 10 campuses across Arkansas received ERL support: Craig Porter (Arkansas Children’s Research Institute/UAMS), Drew Fleming (Arkansas State University), Robin Ghosh (Arkansas Tech University), Mengfan Zhu (Lyon College), Sharon Hamilton (Ouachita Baptist University), Oscar Tejada Martinez (Southern Arkansas University), Noureen Siraj (UA Little Rock), Tamara Glover (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), Vinay Ray (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), Sathish Ponniah (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), Lei Guo (University of Arkansas), and Arijit Mukherjee (�պ����ֲ�).

“Building a substantial research program starts with talented scientists who have a clear vision for their program,” Barnhouse said. “Sarah and her team did an exceptional job of designing the program, curating applicants and choosing 12 researchers who truly exemplify what this program represents.”

The ERL Program provides 24 months of funding for a full two-year period, contingent upon successful progress in developing or expanding a research program. A 12-month progress review determines Year 2’s eligibility for renewal. Smith believes the ERL Program not only serves a valuable purpose now but will continue doing so in the future.

“The interest this program has generated truly underscores Arkansas’s enthusiasm for expanding its research capacity,” Smith said. “We were only able to select 12 applicants, but we received applications from 14 institutions across the state.”

About Arkansas Research Alliance

Founded in 2008, Arkansas Research Alliance is dedicated to advancing a fundamental belief: Research Matters. Operating as a public-private partnership, ARA invests in research that stimulates innovation, encourages collaboration, and strengthens economic opportunity. Learn more about ARA and its mission to elevate Arkansas’s research community at aralliance.org.

About AR-NETWORK

Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Arkansas Nexus for Excellence in Technology, Workforce, Outreach, and Research Knowledge (AR-NETWORK) strengthens Arkansas’ research ecosystem by fostering collaboration, advancing strategic priorities, and developing the next generation of research leaders.

Dr. Stephanie Rose (center) received the 2026 Empowering Futures award from the Community Service Inc. Youth Foundation. Presenting the award were Dr. Susan Okroglic (left), CSI president/CEO, and Amber Holland (right), CSI Director of Development.

Dr. Stephanie Rose, associate professor and Addiction Studies Program coordinator in the Department of Health Sciences at the �պ����ֲ�, has been recognized with the 2026 Empowering Futures award presented by the Community Service Inc. Youth Foundation.

The Empowering Futures award honors individuals who create hope for youth, support brighter futures and make a lasting impact in their communities.

Rose serves as program director for UCA’s Addiction Studies Program and teaches both undergraduate and graduate students in the field of addiction studies. She earned a Doctor of Social Work degree from Capella University and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

In addition to her work in higher education, Rose is a licensed certified social worker, certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor and drug and alcohol clinical supervisor. She continues to practice as a mental health professional with a focus on co-occurring disorders.

Rose is an active member of the Arkansas Collegiate Network and has served in several leadership roles with the National Association of Social Workers Arkansas Chapter, including president.

The Community Service Inc. Youth Foundation created the Empowering Futures event to recognize individuals who empower young people and inspire positive change. The inaugural honoree in 2025 was Thelma Moton, founder and CEO of Choosing to Excel.

The �պ����ֲ� (UCA) Film Program has partnered with the Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) and the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas – Girls of Promise Initiative (WFA) for the eighth annual Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls (FL4TG). The free educational program will be held June 8-26 at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA). Space is limited, and applications are now being accepted at .

“I had the opportunity to serve as a directing mentor for the lab two years ago, and I was so impressed at the passion and drive by the young women,” UCA Film Professor and FL4TG Program Director Emily Railsback said. “I’m excited to be the program director this summer, mentoring the girls who will create their own film in collaboration with professionals in the region, including UCA Film alumni.

“The girls will get time to develop their own stories, make a movie and screen the finished product at ACS’ Filmland Festival. I think how lucky my UCA film students would be if they had this educational opportunity early on to help set them up for what they want to do.”

Taking place this summer in Little Rock, the FL4TG program gives young women a chance to experience screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, production design, lighting and sound recording, as well as ask questions about careers in the male-dominated world of cinema. ACS is taking one small step to help correct this inequity of women in the film workforce by giving young women the opportunity to take on leadership roles while learning the craft of this visual art under the watchful eye of industry professionals.

The FL4TG program is free for participants, which would not be possible without the generous support of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.

“The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas is thrilled to continue our support of the Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls,” Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of WFA, said. “Providing young women with hands-on experience in this dynamic STEAM industry is an investment in their future as creative leaders.

“This program exemplifies our commitment to empowering women and girls through education, fostering stronger, more vibrant communities for generations to come.”

Participants will develop a short story rooted in women’s empowerment and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), followed by filming and editing the 5-minute short, which will screen during Filmland 2026 to be held Aug. 12-16 at AMFA. Past students from the Lab have had the opportunity for a private Q&A session with writer Lucy Alibar, Bert of directing duo Bert & Bertie, and award-winning actor and producer Jessica Chastain.

Additional information and past films are available at arkansascinemasociety.org/educational/filmmaking-lab-for-teen-girls.

About The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas

Since 1998, the guiding principles have been consistent – to understand the diverse needs and realities facing women and girls so we can respond through purposeful action and engaged philanthropy. An investment in women and girls is an investment in stronger families and communities. Households that are not self-sufficient create a cycle of poverty, which drains social service resources and hinders the pursuit of higher education. However, the cycle can be broken when women are educated, healthy and economically secure.

About the Arkansas Cinema Society

The (ACS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing a thriving film community in Arkansas. ACS provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work, fosters connections among film lovers, and supports emerging and established talent throughout the state. Through festivals, screenings and educational programs, ACS aims to inspire more Arkansans to engage with and contribute to the art of filmmaking. To learn more or support ACS, visit .

About the �պ����ֲ� Film Program

The �պ����ֲ� (UCA) is a four-year public university in Arkansas. UCA’s Film program offers both undergraduate (B.A.) and graduate degrees (M.F.A.). The mission of the program is to develop creators, innovators and leaders for the future of filmmaking by combining new technology with the fundamentals of storytelling to produce creative, original stories, with an eye towards emerging technologies that enhance the production, distribution and exhibition of those works in the global marketplace.

UCA Assistant Professor of History Dr. Buckley T. Foster (right) receives the 2026 J.G. Ragsdale Book Award from the Arkansas Historical Association, presented by association president Rachel Patton, for his book “So Great Was the Slaughter: Market Hunting, Sportsmen, and Wildlife Conservation in Arkansas.”

�պ����ֲ� Assistant Professor of History Dr. Buckley T. Foster has received the 2026 J.G. Ragsdale Book Award from the Arkansas Historical Association for his book, “So Great Was the Slaughter: Market Hunting, Sportsmen, and Wildlife Conservation in Arkansas.”

The annual award recognizes the best nonfiction, book-length study on any aspect of Arkansas history. Named for founding member John Gails Ragsdale, the honor highlights excellence in historical scholarship and contributions to understanding the state’s past. The award was presented during the association’s annual conference in Monticello, Arkansas.

“I’m honored that the Arkansas Historical Association recognized this work and the history it represents,” Foster said. “From starting the research to the book reaching my hands, this was a 10-year project.

“This award makes me feel it was a worthwhile endeavor.”

“So Great Was the Slaughter” tells an important and compelling story about the origins of Arkansas wildlife conservation. It reveals the untold story of Arkansas conservation pioneers who attempted to save the state’s game and fish populations. As Arkansas entered the 20th century, the national demand for meat – combined with the ability to ship millions of animals to hungry cities like New Orleans, Memphis and Chicago – had driven many species, including bison, prairie chickens and passenger pigeons, to extinction in Arkansas. Many others, including deer, bears, turkeys, quail and many fish species, were in danger of disappearing. Through extensive research, Foster traces how an unlikely coalition of sportsmen, conservationists and policymakers helped establish early conservation laws, fish hatcheries and wildlife refuges that laid the foundations for sustainable management practices.

Foster also presented some of his research at the AHA annual conference in a session titled “Killing for a Living: Market Hunters on Big Lake.”

In addition to the Ragsdale Award, “So Great Was the Slaughter” was selected as an Arkansas Gem for 2025 by the Arkansas Center for the Book at the Arkansas State Library. Selection is based on the work’s literary or artistic merit, originality, and potential for local and regional interest. Titles with registered copyrights published within the current calendar year or the previous calendar year are considered. Arkansas Gems posters and bookmarks are introduced each year at the National Book Festival, highlighting recent regional literature to a national audience.

Foster is an accomplished historian and professor with over 25 years of experience teaching American, Southern, Military and Arkansas history at both two-year and four-year institutions across the South and Midwest. He holds a Ph.D. in 19th-century Southern History from Mississippi State University, with subfields in environmental history and the application of science and technology to the study of history. He earned both his B.A. and M.A. in History from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. His research explores Civil War military campaigns, rural life in Arkansas, and the history of hunting and conservation. Foster’s growing body of scholarship includes “Sherman’s Mississippi Campaign” (2006) and an edited Civil War diary of one of Stonewall Jackson’s colonels, “Fighting with Stonewall in the Valley,” scheduled for release in October 2026.

About the J.G. Ragsdale Book Award

John Gails Ragsdale, a 1919 graduate of the University of Arkansas, was a founding member of the Arkansas Historical Association and served on the University’s Board of Trustees for 14 years. In his honor, the association has since 2002 presented the annual J.G. Ragsdale Book Award in Arkansas History for the best book-length study of any aspect of Arkansas history. Eligible works include nonfiction book-length historical studies written in English and published within the last two years.

Charles Nabholz (center) visits with UCA nursing students at the Nabholz Center for Healthcare Simulation accreditation celebration.

The �պ����ֲ� Nabholz Center for Healthcare Simulation – Integrated Health Sciences has earned full accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), becoming the first collegiate simulation center in Arkansas to receive the distinction.

SSH is the world’s largest international organization dedicated to healthcare simulation, patient safety and professional performance. Its accreditation process is peer-reviewed and recognized as one of the highest standards in simulation-based education.

“This is a landmark achievement for the �պ����ֲ� and a tremendous win for the future of healthcare in Arkansas,” Dr. Susan Gatto, director of the UCA School of Nursing, said. “This recognition validates the outstanding work happening every day in our simulation center and confirms that �պ����ֲ� is providing students with a world-class learning environment where they can build confidence, sharpen skills and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

The five-year accreditation affirms UCA’s commitment to preparing future healthcare professionals through advanced, hands-on training that emphasizes patient safety, teamwork, communication, critical thinking and evidence-based practice.

Healthcare simulation allows students to learn and practice in realistic clinical settings using advanced technology, lifelike mannequins and structured scenarios that replicate real-world patient care situations. These controlled environments help students develop clinical judgment, technical proficiency and collaborative decision-making before entering practice settings. UCA can simulate countless scenarios, from medical complications and trauma, to labor and delivery and hospice.

During the past academic year alone, the center facilitated more than 15,500 student learning hours for students in nursing and other health-related disciplines.

“This accreditation reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff who have invested countless hours into curriculum development, quality improvement and innovation,” Erin Garrett, simulation co-coordinator and quality manager, said. “More importantly, it demonstrates that our students are learning in a safe, rigorous and highly effective environment that prepares them to lead in today’s healthcare workforce.”

To receive full accreditation, a simulation program must demonstrate at least two years of successful operations and outcomes in designated areas such as teaching, assessment, research and systems integration. Accreditation is awarded for five years and requires annual reporting to ensure continued excellence and improvement.

Among those recognized during the accreditation celebration were: honored guest Charles Nabholz; Simulation Co-Coordinator and Certified Simulation Operation Specialist Sarah Luyet; simulation technicians Tiffany Hall and Diana Burks; and members of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the Arkansas Center for Nursing.

The Nabholz Center supports students across the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences through interprofessional education experiences designed to mirror the collaborative nature of healthcare delivery. The center’s mission is to prepare students for interprofessional practice through simulation experiences that apply knowledge, skills and abilities in providing safe, effective and holistic care for diverse populations. The center was named in recognition of support from the Nabholz family and serves as a hub for innovative teaching, workforce preparation and research in healthcare education.

More information about the UCA School of Nursing is available at uca.edu/nursing.

The �պ����ֲ� 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 �պ����ֲ� (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 UCA College 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 UCA College 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 UCA campus 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 UCA and Conway community, the Davis Family’s gift to the UCA Centennial 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 UCA College of Business and this special event is available at .