Community

As the University of Arkansas at Little Rock celebrates its 100th anniversary, newly dedicated custom street signs are leaving a lasting mark on campus while honoring the university’s century of history. Campus and community members gathered Thursday, July 16, at the southeast corner of 28th Street and Campus Drive for the dedication ceremony. The event … UA Little Rock Unveils Custom Street Signs for Centennial Celebration

In “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” Mark Twain observes (through his protagonist) that “work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do, and that play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.” That idea is at the heart of the latest exhibit at University of Arkansas at Little Rock Downtown, which … New UA Little Rock Downtown Exhibit Examines History of Play

A man who thought he would lose his job after gradually losing his vision learned braille at the encouragement of Anindya “Bapin” Bhattacharyya. By the time he completely lost his sight, he was prepared and able to keep working. Bhattacharyya not only taught the man braille, but also how to adapt to his new world. … UA Little Rock Alumnus Helps Others Find Independence Through Technology

Ouida Newton recalls a time when a group of students walked into her classroom convinced they simply weren’t good at math. They walked out believing in themselves. Helping students gain confidence in their own abilities defined Newton’s 38-year career in education. Recently, the UA Little Rock alumna was recognized with the 2026 Lifetime Educator Award. … UA Little Rock Alumna Honored with Lifetime Educator Award

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will launch a new graduate certificate in health informatics this fall, equipping students with the skills needed to improve healthcare delivery through data, technology, and analytics. The interdisciplinary program prepares professionals to meet growing workforce demand for using data and information systems to improve patient outcomes, efficiency, and … New Graduate Certificate Program in Health Informatics Launches This Fall

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Sheila Wold McKinnis director of development for the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE), effective July 1. McKinnis, most recently associate director of development in the Office of Alumni and Development, will lead fundraising efforts for one of the university’s largest colleges. She … UA Little Rock Promotes Sheila Wold McKinnis to Lead Development for CHASSE

As July marks Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, University of Arkansas at Little Rock alumna Kimberly Robinson is encouraging people to seek support without shame. Inspired by her mother’s illness, Robinson has spent the last 26 years helping individuals navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges as a licensed certified social worker. A … From Personal Loss to Purposeful Healing: UA Little Rock Alumna Advocates for Mental Health

Community support continues to grow for the return of the Shellam Flake Planetarium at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Since launching the planetarium seat sponsorship program this spring, alumni, friends, and community partners have sponsored 26 seats, generating $65,000 to provide long-term support for the planetarium’s maintenance and future enhancements. “We’re encouraged by … Community Support Builds for Shellam Flake Planetarium Seat Campaign

For 47 years, the Summer Laureate/University for Youth program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has provided gifted elementary students with unique summer learning opportunities. This July, classrooms across UA Little Rock will transform into laboratories, design studios, fantasy worlds, and musical stages as students gather for the annual program. For two weeks, … Summer Laureate Returns to UA Little Rock with 21 New Classes for Young Learners

Twenty-five outstanding students from across Arkansas and beyond have been selected to join the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for the 2026-27 academic year. Selected from an applicant pool of 115 students, the incoming class enters UA Little Rock with an average high school GPA of 4.29. The … Twenty-Five Students Selected for UA Little Rock’s Prestigious Donaghey Scholars Honors Program