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Brightspace Migration Training Now Open!

Submitted by: Jennifer Brewer, jbrewer1@uca.edu on 03/25/2026

Split image showing a cluttered course interface with broken items, outdated announcements, and incorrect dates on the left, and a clean Brightspace course with organized modules, updated content, and completed checklist items on the right, overlaid with the text ‘Let’s clean up!’

Brightspace Migration Training – April Sessions Open!

Your migrated course is in Brightspace, and you’re wondering, “Okay…now what?”

You’re not alone – and we’ve got you covered. Join the Brightspace Faculty Trainers and CETAL this April for Brightspace Migration Training sessions designed to help you clean up and confidently move forward with your course. We’ll walk through a practical, step-by-step cleanup process to get everything organized, aligned, and ready for students.

Each session is one hour, with additional time afterward for individual questions and hands-on help so you can get real work done during the session.

We’ll help you:

  • Fix your gradebook setup and categories
  • Review rubrics
  • Clean up quizzes, assignments, and discussions
  • Organize your course content and remove clutter
  • Update announcements
  • Adjust dates and visibility settings
  • Do a final “view as learner” check before teaching

👉 Save your spot:

Bring your course, bring your questions, and we’ll work through it together. You don’t have to figure this out on your own because we’re here to help!

Bill Taylor’s Retirement Reception

Submitted by: Kristin Dooley, kdooley@uca.edu on 03/25/2026

Dear Colleagues:
The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry would like to invite you to a celebration of Dr. Bill Taylor’s 36 years of service to ÿմվ. The event will take place at the Fireplace Room in McCastlain Hall from 1:40 PM – 2:30 PM on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.
Bill Taylor has taught Fundamental Chemistry, College Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Advanced Analytical Chemistry. In addition, Bill has developed a remarkably successful externally funded undergraduate research program, using mass spectrometry to study gas-phase, ion-molecule reactions. Bill has mentored approximately 50 students during his time at ÿմվ. He earned the University’s faculty research award in 2001. He also served as Chair of the Department from 2005 to 2009. In retirement, Bill plans to spend more time with family and friends, pursuing hobbies on photography, gardening, hiking and tennis.

 

Samurai Sword Soul

Submitted by: Kae Reed, kreed15@uca.edu on 03/25/2026

Samurai will be in ÿմվ campus! Samurai Sword Soul, NYC based samurai theater group will be in ÿմվ campus on Friday, April 3rd, 4:30 pm at College of Business Auditorium. Yoshi Amao, director of Samurai Sword Soul also known as Sera of FX series SHOGUN, and Masa Okubo will demonstrate dynamic sword flighting and discipline of Bushido, the way of samurai. Admission free.

ÿմվ Piano Camp

Submitted by: Christine Franklin, Chrisf@uca.edu on 03/24/2026

We are looking forward to another fun and inspiring year of our ÿմվ Piano camp July 13-17! We have classes for ages 4-18 – both first time beginners and those who have had some piano experience. This year we have a new Choir class in the afternoon! This will be a great week to grow as a young musician!

Open to Campus: Senior NASA Executive Speaking in COB on March 31

Submitted by: Lainey Morrow, bmorrow@uca.edu on 03/23/2026

The College of Business will host Amir Deylami, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NASA’s Ames Research Center, for the second of his Executive in Residence Leadership Series presentations.

March 31, 2026, at 1:40pm: Building People-Centric Cultures of Innovation and Trust
The ÿմվ campus is invited to attend each event, and the events are free and open to the public. Join us in the ÿմվ College of Business Auditorium.

ABOUT MR. DEYLAMI

Amir H. Deylami is the Chief Operating Officer of NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, where he leads enterprise operations, infrastructure modernization, and strategic transformation across one of NASA’s most complex and partner-intensive centers. In this role, he oversees and supports approximately $8 billion in assets and a $1 billion annual operating portfolio, supporting more than 3,200 employees, 160 NASA programs, and over 100 public-private partner agreements spanning aeronautics, space exploration, science, and advanced technology.

A member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), Amir is recognized for driving mission-focused operational excellence at scale. He has led enterprise initiatives generating over $200 million in realized and projected savings, while strengthening workforce capability, modernizing infrastructure, and embedding data-driven decision-making across large, highly regulated organizations. His leadership philosophy centers on aligning people, resources, and culture to enable sustained mission delivery and measurable outcomes.

In addition to his operational responsibilities, Amir served as a lead for NASA 2040 – People, helping shape the agency’s long-term workforce strategy focused on developing, attracting, and retaining talent critical to future missions. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer at NASA Ames and as Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Resources at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, supporting financial strategy and long-range planning for a $4 billion operation and a workforce of 6,400 employees.

At NASA Headquarters, Amir held leadership roles within the Space Technology Mission Directorate, including serving as Lead Resource Management Officer for major technology demonstration programs spanning all NASA centers. He also completed a one-year executive assignment in the Office of the NASA Administrator, supporting agency-wide performance management and strategic integration.

Amir is deeply committed to mentorship and leadership development. He serves on the board of advisors and faculty for NASA’s senior executive development program, mentors emerging leaders across government and industry, and advises several national and international boards and committees. Recognized among NASA’s top-performing executives and nominated for the Presidential Rank Award, he is a speaker on leadership, organizational transformation, and operational excellence.

Amir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and has completed executive programs at Stanford and Harvard University. He resides in Northwest Arkansas with his wife, Bliss, and their two daughters.

/business/eir

Summer Bear Camp Registration is LIVE!

Submitted by: Courtney Beard, cbarr@uca.edu on 03/20/2026

It’s time to register your 1st-7th grader for our Community Language School Summer Bear Camps. We will be offering Renaissance Kids (July 13-17), Global Rhythms (July 20-24), and Celebrate Africa (July 27-31) Bear Camps this year! Check out our website for more details and registration links!

/sll/community-language-school/

Midweek Softball (4/1) vs Ole Miss

Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 03/19/2026

The softball Bears take on Ole Miss on April 1st at 5 PM at Shock Stadium. Help us show the Rebels what it’s like to play in Bear Country! Use the link below to claim your four free faculty/staff tickets! Make plans to join us! Any schedule updates can be found on ucasports.com.

Baseball Spring Break Series

Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 03/19/2026

The Bears are at home on Spring Break and it’s the perfect time to come out and watch! The Bears and Austin Peay Governors will play a three game series starting on Friday at 6 PM. They’ll play on Saturday at 4 PM and the finale will be at 1 PM on Sunday at Bear Stadium. Use the link to claim your four free faculty/staff tickets! All schedule updates can be found on ucasports.com!