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Chris Lopez, '09, performs in an opera performance.
AlumniArts and SciencesFeatured

From Opera to AI: One UAFS Alum Shares His Journey

Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP graduate, Chris Lopez, '09, would be the first to admit that his journey from classically trained opera singer to artificial intelligence wasn't planned. UAFS was the first of many steps he credits for the life...

September 30, 2026
UAFS Bell Tower at sunset, yellow, red, and white flowers from the UAFS Campus Green garden are in the foreground
FeaturedNews

UAFS Ranks No. 5 Among Top Public Schools in U.S. News Report

The Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP once again earned high marks in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.

September 24, 2026
faculty place a master of education hood on a graduate
CommunityFeaturedHealth Education and Human Sciences

FSPS Teachers to Receive 50% off Masters Tuition Through New Program

UAFS has launched a Corporate Partner Program that will allow employees of participating school districts to receive a 50% tuition discount toward a Master of Education degree, with Fort Smith Public Schools serving as the program’s first partner.

September 23, 2026
Earls speaks to a continuing education class
CommunityFeaturedHealth Education and Human Sciences

Respiratory Therapy Program Moves Forward

The Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP is moving forward with plans to launch its respiratory therapy associate degree program after receiving approval from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) for its letter of intent,...

September 21, 2026
NASA interns drive a rover
Business and IndustryFeatured

Aim for the Stars, Land on the Moon

Growing up, Beau Sampley, a senior mechanical engineering student at the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP, dreamed of becoming an astronomer. This summer, he interned at NASA, which got him to the closest object in space: The Moon.

September 18, 2026
Dee (Rhone) Hawley attends the Surgical Technology Alumni Reception
AlumniBusiness and IndustryFeaturedFirst GenerationHealth Education and Human Sciences

UAFS to Fortune 500

Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP alum, Dee (Rhone) Hawley, '16, credits her success in life to the opportunities the university provided. She said, if it wasn't for her bachelor's degree, she wouldn't be where she is today with one of the country's...

September 16, 2026
man standing outside in front of a building with tree in background
Arts and SciencesCommunityFeatured

Tom Watkins Returns to the Classroom and Lessons That Shaped Him

Tom Watkins,visiting history instructor, brings decades of experience in education, administration and the arts back to the classroom where his own journey began.

September 15, 2026
UAFS Volleyball player holds up a Hispanic Heritage Month commemorative scarf that reads,
CommunityEventsFeatured

Classroom and Culture Come Together for Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, begins at the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP with Hispanic Heritage Athletic Night on Friday, Sept. 18. Events will be hosted all month long to promote Hispanic culture and are open to the commu...

September 15, 2026
Two women discuss Constitution Week
EventsFeatured

UAFS Hosts Slate of Events for Constitution Week

The Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP is celebrating Constitution Day and National Voter Registration Day with the annual return of Constitution Week. The week-long slate of events is designed to educate, inform, and empower students about their...

September 11, 2026
Man wearing a safety vest and safety glasses standing in front of full pallets in a warehouse
Business and IndustryCommunityFeatured

Steve Ruark Brings Unconventional Path, Manufacturing Perspective to Advisory Board

Steve Ruark, Engineering and Technology Leader for Georgia-Pacific’s Dixie facility in Fort Smith, brings an unconventional path to his newest role as a member of the University of Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP – Fort Smith’s Advanced Manufacturing Board of Advisor...

September 03, 2026
American Flags line the UAFS Green
CommunityEventsFeatured

UAFS ROTC Hosts Memorial Stair Climb 25 Years After Attacks

The Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP Army ROTC, Lion Company, will host a memorial stair climb on Friday, Sept. 11 in the Stubblefield Center. The climb will begin at 6 a.m. and is open to UAFS and the community.

September 03, 2026
Three high school seniors pose with UAFS branded items
AdmissionsFeaturedNewsStudents

UAFS Chancellor to Meet with High School Seniors During Chancellor Chats

Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley will visit area high schools throughout September, meeting with seniors to discuss opportunities at UAFS.

September 01, 2026
Woman in graduation robes sitting besides pillars leading into a university building
AlumniFeatured

Alumna Looks to the Stars for the Origins of Life

Alumna Shelby Osborne credits her time at UAFS for instilling in her the drive and opportunity to complete her PhD and seek the origins of life.

August 25, 2026
From left to right: Jayden Robinson, Laura Lee, Kevin Farrell, Katie Kratzberg, Frankie Magallanes, and Austin Treat
AlumniFeatured

Six Inducted into Cub Camp Hall of Fame

Cub Camp 2026 welcomed the newest Hall of Fame inductees. This year's group of four alumni and two rising senior students becomes the third Cub Camp Hall of Fame class.

August 25, 2026
group of five female students pose in Spain
FeaturedStudents

Students discover confidence, connection in Spain

UAFS Spanish majors spend summer abroad in Spain, expanding their horizons

August 20, 2026
UAFS Chancellor, Dr. Terisa Riley, front-center, joins in welcoming students to Cub Camp.
EventsFeaturedStudents

Cub Camp Welcomes Incoming Students to UAFS

Cub Camp, the annual "first tradition" for incoming Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP students, concluded with new friends, memories, and readiness for fall classes.

August 15, 2026
Group of ladies and a man sitting around a table with display of cupcakes.
CommunityFeaturedFoundationNews

Women’s Financial Series Turns Investing Lessons into $900,000 in Scholarships

Mollie Wilson Women’s Financial Series (WFS), formed with startup funding from the Westark Foundation, has spent 32 years studying financial markets, making investment decisions and putting the returns toward scholarships for UAFS students

August 12, 2026
The 2026-27 RAs of UAFS outside of the Lion's Den.
Featured

New, Returning RAs Ready to Welcome UAFS Students

Students at the Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµAPP will begin moving onto campus this week. There to welcome them to their home away from home for the year are the RAs of Lion's Den and Sebastian Commons.

August 10, 2026
Dr. Duncan Pelly
Business and IndustryFeaturedLion Voices

Pelly Announced as Dean of CBI

UAFS has named Dr. Duncan Pelly dean of the College of Business and Industry, bringing to the university an academic leader with deep international experience in accreditation, entrepreneurship, corporate partnerships, and regional economic developme...

August 07, 2026
Student and professor stand in front of a sign in Nashville at a research symposium
AlumniFeaturedResearch

Lane Metcalf Sets Out to Improve the Classroom

Lane Metcalf's undergraduate research on classroom interventions earned publication and prepared him for a career in education.

August 03, 2026

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The UAFS Office of Communications fields all media inquiries for the university. Email Rachel.Putman@uafs.edu for more information.

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Rachel Rodemann Putman

  • Director of Strategic Communications
  • 479-788-7132