UA Little Rock’s Centennial Campaign Builds Momentum Ahead of 2027 Anniversary
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is nearing the finish line of its Centennial Campaign, having raised $233 million — nearly 94% of its $250 million goal — while steadily increasing support from within the campus community.
University officials launched the 2025 Campus Campaign on Sept. 26 by announcing the members of this year’s steering committee and setting the latest fundraising total. Leaders emphasized that a push for employee participation not only reflects confidence in the institution but also strengthens student success.
“This campaign is about something simple but powerful: participation,” said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor of alumni and development. “Every gift matters, no matter how big or small. These gifts are for the betterment of our university, because they believe in the future of our university.”
When the Centennial Campaign began in 2001, only 6.5 percent of employees contributed. Today, that number has more than tripled to 20.7 percent. The goal for 2025 is to raise that to 37 percent, according to campaign chair Dr. Shelia Brooks.
Brooks, a clinical assistant professor of nursing and the first faculty member — as well as the first African American female faculty member — to lead the initiative, praised the recent growth in on-campus support. A 1994 alumna, Brooks said faculty and staff giving sends a powerful message to the broader community.
“Every time we give, it shows why we believe in the university,” Brooks said. “It shows that UA Little Rock is not just our workplace, but our community.”
Faculty and staff contributions are eligible for the Enduring Opportunity Matching Challenge, which doubles gifts to needs-based scholarships. Donations can also be made through planned giving, Alumni Association memberships, legacy bricks, athletics season tickets, Trojan Champion awards – which provides direct support for Little Rock students, and gifts to this fund count toward the campaign goal. Other ways to support the campaign include in-kind donations to university support programs like the Career Closet or the Trojan Food Pantry.
Stacy Pendergraft, co-director of the School of Literary and Performing Arts, highlighted how her department used a Trojan Champion Award to create a new teaching track that supports crisis management agencies with trained actors and writers.
“This is one of many ways supporting the Campus Campaign benefits both students and the work being done on campus,” Pendergraft said.
As part of the campaign kickoff, the university announced the 16 members of the 2025 steering committee, including Brooks; Dr. Joe Felan; Judy Staley; Dr. Rachel Eells; Dr. Barbara L’Eplattenier; Dr. Anindya Ghosh; Jennifer Moody; Alicia Dorn; Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison; Dr. Aresh Assadi; Anthony Buttrum; Emily Bell; Katrina Christopher; Quaneshia Hamms; Dr. Carrie Phillips, and Brandy Dixon.
The committee represents departments across campus and is tasked with leading the effort toward 100 percent employee participation.
“We’re going to far exceed that 37 percent,” Brooks said. “Thanks to the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship, gifts can be doubled. This creates an immediate impact on our students and builds the long-term momentum we need.”
Vice Chancellor for Advancement Christian O’Neal underscored the significance of employee giving.
“We know people have many demands on their giving, but what makes this campaign different is that our own people—faculty and staff—are stepping up. That kind of internal investment shows unity and makes our historic campaign stronger from the inside out,” he said.
For more information about the Campus Campaign, contact Smith at [email protected] or 501-916-6435.