University of Central Arkansas
Senior NASA Executive to Serve as Executive in Residence, Host UCA Leadership Series
The COO of NASA's Silicon Valley research center will give three lectures on leadership, innovation and technology. read more >
UCA Launches New Innovation Campus
The project is designed to support engineering, technology, health informatics and skilled trades education, as well as research and reskilling initiatives. read more >
Alicia Payseno Named Chief Executive Officer of the Arkansas Hospitality Association of Little Rock (Super Mover)
Former Maumelle Chamber of Commerce executive director Alicia Payseno is set to make waves in her new position with the Arkansas Hospitality Association. read more >
Arkansas Cities See Mixed Results in Local Sales Tax Elections
Arkansas residents typically back local taxes for pressing city needs. As for quality-of-life projects, economic concerns and priorities often determine their fate. read more >
by Griffin Coop -
Arkansas Community Foundation, The Peacock Group, UAMS Announce New Hires and Promotions (Movers & Shakers)
Banking, education and nonprofits are among the notable industries in this week's Movers & Shakers. read more >
Key Issues and 2026 Priorities with Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Jimmy Harris
He steps into the role as property insurance rates climb and severe weather reshapes the market. read more >
Kelley Erstine of Big I Arkansas on the Future of Independent Insurers
The CEO of Big I Arkansas discusses the unique challenges of being an independent insurance agency in today's hard market. read more >
Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame Announces 2025 Inductees
Inductees included two former leaders of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. read more >
Promotions & Hires at UCA, Haag Brown, Wildwood Park (Movers & Shakers)
Education and Nonprofit industries top the Movers & Shakers this week with staff from UCA and Wildwood Park making leaps and bounds in their respective fields. read more >
Colleges Embrace Arkansas Sports Raffle Act with Major Prize Payouts
Razorback raffles lead the way under the Arkansas Sports Raffle Act, with jackpots topping $280,000 and other colleges joining in. read more >
UCA Graduates Cadets in Inaugural Air Force Flight Program
The student cadets spent eight weeks on UCA's campus, earning their Private Pilot License and three hours of academic credit. read more >
Arkansas Institutions Launch Aviation Programs to Tackle Pilot Shortage
Arkansas is addressing the growing demand for pilots with new training programs like the UCA Aviation Academy and JBU's professional flight degree, offering pathways to high-paying aviation careers. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
Arkansas Universities Look to Raffles to Support NIL Initiatives
A new Arkansas law allows 50-50 raffles at college games to support NIL funds. Schools hope it boosts fan experience and adds revenue. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Arkansas Universities Promote Debt-Free Degrees with Innovative Scholarship Stacking
Arkansas colleges like Arkansas Tech, UA Little Rock, UCA, and A-State are helping students graduate debt-free through scholarship stacking and affordability programs. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Gen Z Banks on Digital, Arkansas Banks Seek to Adapt
Arkansas banks are racing to meet Gen Z’s digital-first expectations — offering faster apps, instant deposits, and easy account setups —while still keeping branches nearby for peace of mind. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
University of Arkansas Awarded $750K to Increase Arkansas Data Science Workforce
The funds will support a new program called HIRED, with a goal to have more than 1,000 students enrolled in data science courses across the state. read more >
Potential Tariffs Cause Concerns for Arkansas Trucking Industry
One of the chief concerns is the tariffs’ effect on equipment costs. Many tractors, trailers and other transportation equipment are imported into the United States, and the tariff tax could put upgrades out of reach for many companies. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Encore Bank, UAMS, AEDC Announce New Leadership & Promotions (Movers & Shakers)
Notable moves include Amy Brown joining Washington Regional and Eric Movassaghi stepping into the CFO role at Encore Bank. read more >
Arkansas Universities See Growth This Fall as Enrollment Cliff Looms
With demographic shifts expected to soon reduce the number of college-age students, universities are rethinking how they recruit students and prioritizing retention. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Baptist Health Announces New Leadership (Movers & Shakers)
Jay Quebedeaux was named president of regional hospitals at Baptist Health, and Destiney Walker has been named director of business operations for patient navigation. read more >