Charles Nabholz (center) visits with 每日大赛网站 nursing students at the Nabholz Center for Healthcare Simulation accreditation celebration.

The University of Central Arkansas Nabholz Center for Healthcare Simulation 鈥� Integrated Health Sciences has earned full accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), becoming the first collegiate simulation center in Arkansas to receive the distinction.

SSH is the world鈥檚 largest international organization dedicated to healthcare simulation, patient safety and professional performance. Its accreditation process is peer-reviewed and recognized as one of the highest standards in simulation-based education.

鈥淭his is a landmark achievement for the University of Central Arkansas and a tremendous win for the future of healthcare in Arkansas,鈥� Dr. Susan Gatto, director of the 每日大赛网站 School of Nursing, said. 鈥淭his recognition validates the outstanding work happening every day in our simulation center and confirms that 每日大赛网站 is providing students with a world-class learning environment where they can build confidence, sharpen skills and ultimately improve patient outcomes.鈥�

The five-year accreditation affirms 每日大赛网站鈥檚 commitment to preparing future healthcare professionals through advanced, hands-on training that emphasizes patient safety, teamwork, communication, critical thinking and evidence-based practice.

Healthcare simulation allows students to learn and practice in realistic clinical settings using advanced technology, lifelike mannequins and structured scenarios that replicate real-world patient care situations. These controlled environments help students develop clinical judgment, technical proficiency and collaborative decision-making before entering practice settings. 每日大赛网站 can simulate countless scenarios, from medical complications and trauma, to labor and delivery and hospice.

During the past academic year alone, the center facilitated more than 15,500 student learning hours for students in nursing and other health-related disciplines.

鈥淭his accreditation reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff who have invested countless hours into curriculum development, quality improvement and innovation,鈥� Erin Garrett, simulation co-coordinator and quality manager, said. 鈥淢ore importantly, it demonstrates that our students are learning in a safe, rigorous and highly effective environment that prepares them to lead in today鈥檚 healthcare workforce.鈥�

To receive full accreditation, a simulation program must demonstrate at least two years of successful operations and outcomes in designated areas such as teaching, assessment, research and systems integration. Accreditation is awarded for five years and requires annual reporting to ensure continued excellence and improvement.

Among those recognized during the accreditation celebration were: honored guest Charles Nabholz; Simulation Co-Coordinator and Certified Simulation Operation Specialist Sarah Luyet; simulation technicians Tiffany Hall and Diana Burks; and members of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the Arkansas Center for Nursing.

The Nabholz Center supports students across the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences through interprofessional education experiences designed to mirror the collaborative nature of healthcare delivery. The center鈥檚 mission is to prepare students for interprofessional practice through simulation experiences that apply knowledge, skills and abilities in providing safe, effective and holistic care for diverse populations. The center was named in recognition of support from the Nabholz family and serves as a hub for innovative teaching, workforce preparation and research in healthcare education.

More information about the 每日大赛网站 School of Nursing is available at uca.edu/nursing.

The University of Central Arkansas will hold spring commencement on Thursday and Friday, April 30 and May 1, 2026. All ceremonies will be held at the Farris Center and will be livestreamed.

The university will confer 986 undergraduate degrees and certificates and 324 graduate degrees and certificates from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; College of Business; College of Education; College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; College of Science and Engineering; and the Graduate School.

Commencement ceremonies will be held at the following times:

Thursday, April 30

• Graduate School Spring Commencement Ceremony (all colleges) 鈥� 5 p.m.

Friday, May 1
Undergraduate Spring Commencement Ceremonies

• College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 鈥� 9 a.m.
• College of Business and College of Education 鈥� noon.
• College of Health and Behavioral Sciences (Exercise Science, Health Sciences, Nutrition and Family Sciences, Psychology and Counseling) 鈥� 3 p.m.
• College of Health and Behavioral Sciences (Nursing, Communications Sciences and Disorders) & College of Science and Engineering 鈥� 6 p.m.

Students receiving the President鈥檚 Medallion for Outstanding Student of the University for 2025-26 are:

• Connor Atkinson from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Atkinson, a native of Harrison, is completing a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and will be attending graduate school to continue his education. He is the son of Terra and Richard Atkinson.
• Mason Smith from the College of Business. Smith, a native of Harrison, is completing a Bachelor of Business Administration with double majors in Finance and Insurance & Risk Management, and will begin a full-time position with Simmons Bank鈥檚 Banker Foundation program in May. He is the son of Don and Brenda Smith.
• Cicely Verzani from the College of Education. Verzani, a native of Pea Ridge, is completing a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and plans to return to Pea Ridge and teach at a primary school in the area. She is the daughter of Jason and Renee Verzani.
• Abigail Simpson from the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. Simpson, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is completing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science and plans to attend the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at the University of Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Bret and Teri Simpson.
• Cole Morrison from the College of Science and Engineering. Morrison, a native of Conway, is completing a Bachelor of Science in Physics and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Medical Physics. He is the son of James and Angela Morrison.

More information about spring commencement is available at .

Tom Gordon, co-founder and CEO of Slim Chickens

The University of Central Arkansas ( 每日大赛网站) College of Business has announced Tom Gordon, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Slim Chickens, as this year鈥檚 Davis Lecture Series Speaker. Gordon will present Tuesday, April 7, at 1:40 p.m. in the 每日大赛网站 College of Business Auditorium in Conway, Arkansas.

Gordon provides personal and tailored support for franchisees in a rapidly growing system, and he is the driving leader behind the brand鈥檚 goal to have a 600-unit footprint by 2028.

鈥淭om and his co-founder began their journey in 2003 with one Arkansas store, and because of Tom鈥檚 leadership, Slim Chickens has expanded into a global brand,鈥� Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the 每日大赛网站 College of Business, said. 鈥淲e are privileged to have the support of the Davis Family to bring an exceptional leader like Tom Gordon to share his entrepreneurial vision and strategic focus with our students, faculty and community partners.鈥�

The 每日大赛网站 campus is invited to attend, and the event is free and open to the public.

The Davis Family Lecture Series was established in 2010 through a gift from Granger and Jan Davis, and Milton and Claudia Davis. The series features prominent business leaders who have made a significant impact in an industry. As pillars of the 每日大赛网站 and Conway community, the Davis Family’s gift to the 每日大赛网站 Centennial Campaign: New Vision, New Century inspired a lecture series open to all students, faculty, staff and business community who wish to attend.

More information about the 每日大赛网站 College of Business and this special event is available at .

Herron Horton Architects principals Jeff Horton, AIA, LEED AP, and Jennifer Herron, AIA.

The University of Central Arkansas will host Herron Horton Architects, a Little Rock-based architecture and interior design firm, for a multiday residency April 10 and April 13-17, with events that showcase the intersection of art, architecture and human-centered design.

The residency will feature a public exhibition, panel discussion and keynote-style conversation highlighting Herron Horton Architects鈥� approach to design, craft, and the relationship between people and place. The exhibition 鈥淎rt + Architecture: Sculpture + Scale鈥� will be on view daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Carmen Thompson Gallery at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Additional public events include a panel discussion and a Keystone Conversation exploring the firm鈥檚 design process and residency experience. All events are located on the 每日大赛网站 campus and are open to the public and free of charge, with no tickets required for entry.

The full schedule for the Herron Horton Architects residency is as follows:

• Friday, April 10, and Monday-Friday, April 13-17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 鈥� Public Event: 鈥淎rt + Architecture: Sculpture + Scale鈥� exhibition, Carmen Thompson Gallery, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce Street, Conway.
• Tuesday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 鈥� Public Event: Panel Discussion with Herron Horton Architects, Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
• Wednesday, April 16, 1:40-2:30 p.m. 鈥� Public Event: Keystone Conversation, 鈥淟earning by Design: Inside the Herron Horton Residency Experience,鈥� Keystone Steps, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Herron Horton Architects is led by principals Jennifer Herron, AIA, and Jeff Horton, AIA, LEED AP, whose complementary passions for people, place, craft and creativity shape the firm鈥檚 human-centered work. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, they approach architecture as a practice that is rooted in both artistic expression and functional design.

Jennifer Herron, a Little Rock native, earned her architecture degree from the University of Kansas, where she also studied fine art photography. Her experience in the San Francisco Bay Area and Little Rock led her to co-found Herron Horton Architects from a belief that architecture begins with people. Her background in photography informs her sensitivity to light, environment and the emotional qualities of space.

Jeff Horton, originally from the Kansas City area, earned his architecture degree from the University of Kansas and continued his studies at the University of Dortmund in Germany. His curiosity about how buildings are made informs his detail-driven approach to design and his commitment to evolving materials and technologies. In addition to his architectural work, Horton is also a painter through which he explores space and color.

Additional information about the residency is available by contacting Toni Gocke Wyre at awyre@uca.edu.

Leah Fimple playing Jo March.

The University of Central Arkansas Theatre Department has announced its upcoming production of a heartfelt and timeless story of family, ambition and resilience. Based on the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott, this musical adaptation brings the March sisters to life through soaring music and deeply human storytelling.

Performances are scheduled for April 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7 each night and April 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. at the James M. Bridges Black Box Theatre in the Windgate Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce St., Conway.

Audiences will follow Jo March and her sisters Meg, Beth, and Amy as they navigate the challenges of growing up during the Civil War era, each striving to define their own paths while bound together by love and loyalty. With a sweeping score and poignant narrative, 鈥淟ittle Women: The Broadway Musical鈥� celebrates the enduring power of dreams, creativity and sisterhood.

Directed by Assistant Professor Lauren Carlton, with music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and book by Allan Knee, the production showcases the talent and dedication of 每日大赛网站鈥檚 student performers, designers and technicians. This moving theatrical experience highlights both the strength of classic literature and the vibrancy of contemporary musical theatre.

每日大赛网站 students, faculty and staff can receive free tickets at the door or at the Reynolds Performance Hall or Windgate box offices. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased online. Tickets may also be purchased at the Reynolds Box Office or Windgate Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by calling 每日大赛网站 Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 or (866) 810-0012.

Investigative journalist Jerry W. Mitchell

The University of Central Arkansas will host investigative journalist Jerry W. Mitchell for a two-day residency Tuesday, March 31, and Wednesday, April 1, with events that highlight investigative reporting, journalism ethics, and the pursuit of truth and accountability.

Mitchell鈥檚 residency will feature a series of student-focused conversations with journalism classes as well as the public presentation 鈥淭ruth on Trial: An Evening With Journalist Jerry Mitchell.鈥� Most events will take place on the 每日大赛网站 campus and are open to the public and free of charge, with no tickets required for entry.

The full schedule for Mitchell鈥檚 residency is as follows:

Tuesday, March 31

• 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Student Event: Q&A with Beginning Reporting class, Stanley Russ Hall 102.
• 12:15-1:30 p.m., Student Event: Q&A with Media Law and Ethics class, Stanley Russ Hall 109.
• Time and venue TBD, dinner with journalism faculty and students from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Wednesday, April 1

• 11-11:50 a.m., Student Event: Q&A with International Reporting students, Stanley Russ Hall 102.
• Noon-12:50 p.m., Student Event: Q&A with News Editing students, Stanley Russ Hall 102.
• 3-3:50 p.m., Student Event: Q&A with Student Media Outlets (newspaper, yearbook, television station), Stanley Russ Hall 103.
• 7-8 p.m., Public Event: 鈥淭ruth on Trial: An Evening With Journalist Jerry Mitchell,鈥� Stanley Russ Hall 103.

Jerry W. Mitchell is a Pulitzer Prize finalist, MacArthur 鈥淕enius Grant鈥� recipient and author of 鈥淩ace Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder Cases of the Civil Rights Era.鈥� During his distinguished career at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, Mitchell鈥檚 relentless and meticulous reporting helped lead to the long-overdue convictions of notorious Ku Klux Klansmen responsible for some of the most notorious racially motivated crimes in American history, including the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, the assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers and the Mississippi Burning murders.

Mitchell is also the founder of the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and training a new generation of investigative journalists. Guided by a deep commitment to justice, his work combines rigorous reporting with powerful storytelling to uncover truths long buried by silence and indifference.

More information about the residency is available by contacting Dr. Donna Stephens at donnals@uca.edu.

The contest invites high school students from across the Central Arkansas region to test their mathematical skills in a competitive academic setting. Students enrolled in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus and Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics are eligible to participate.

Top-scoring students from regional contests held across the state will advance to the ACTM Invitational State Mathematics Contest, which will also take place on the 每日大赛网站 campus Saturday, April 25.

Contest activities will begin at 9:30 a.m. with check-in at the Mathematics and Computer Science Building on the 每日大赛网站 campus. The exam will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 11 a.m. Following the competition, participants will be guided to the Student Center for lunch before an awards ceremony at 1 p.m. in Doyne Auditorium, located next to the Math Building.

The registration fee for the regional contest is $5 per student. Students and sponsors can register at .

The Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ACTM) is a professional association that supports and encourages good mathematics teaching. ACTM conducts annual regional and state mathematics contests that provide an opportunity for high school students to compete academically. Following the regional contest, teachers may access the regional tests and use them as teaching tools.

More information about the 每日大赛网站 regional contest is available by contacting Travis Chism at tchism1@uca.edu. More information about statewide contests is available by contacting ACTM State Contest Director Garth Johnson at garthj@uca.edu. More information about ACTM is available at .

鈥淒r. Dailey has guided the College of Education through a period of significant transition, bringing steady leadership to the complex work of educator preparation, state-level policy and accreditation,鈥� 每日大赛网站 Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Hargis said. 鈥淎s dean, she will continue to build on that foundation by championing student success, supporting faculty, strengthening partnerships and advancing the quality and reach of the college.

鈥淗er vision for the college is rooted in people, and in creating the conditions where both educators and students can thrive.鈥�

Over the past 13 years, Dailey has served 每日大赛网站 as a faculty member, chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning, interim associate dean and interim dean. Before entering higher education, she spent 20 years in K-12 classrooms and schools. Those experiences continue to shape her deep commitment to educators and the students they serve.

Dailey earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Biology and a Master of Science in Education in Biology from Arkansas State University, a graduate certificate in Gifted and Talented Education from Harding University, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

The University of Central Arkansas College of Education has completed the Arkansas Science of Reading audit conducted by Teacher Prep Inspection-US (TPI-US) as directed by the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. The review concluded that 每日大赛网站 meets expectations across the three review areas and pathways evaluated, affirming the strength of the university鈥檚 literacy preparation programs.

The comprehensive review examined four separate programs: Undergraduate Special Education K-12; Undergraduate Elementary Education K-6; Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary; and MAT Special Education programs. Across Review Area 1 (Quality of Literacy Instruction), Review Area 2 (Quality of Field-Based Experiences) and Review Area 3 (Quality of Performance Management and Continuous Improvement), all pathways received overall ratings of Meets Expectations.

Originally scheduled as an on-site review, the audit was moved to a fully virtual format with only a few days鈥� notice due to severe weather across the state. Despite the shift, the College provided complete documentation, observation recordings, and access to materials to ensure a comprehensive and uninterrupted review process.

Validation of Program Quality

Reviewers identified a strong commitment to structured literacy and evidence-based instruction aligned with the Arkansas Literacy Framework.

Program strengths cited in the report include:

Systematic, explicit preparation in phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, encoding and multisyllabic word instruction.

• Comprehensive training in literacy assessment, including the use of tools such as the PAST and CORE Phonics Assessment.
• Integration of high-quality instructional materials within coursework and clinical experiences.
• Strong partnerships with school districts to support candidates’ application of structured literacy practices.
• A robust Quality Assurance System that uses multiple data sources to monitor and improve program effectiveness.

The review also confirmed that 每日大赛网站鈥檚 performance management and continuous improvement systems meet expectations across all evaluated indicators

Leadership in Literacy and Dyslexia Preparation

The successful audit reinforces 每日大赛网站鈥檚 longstanding role as a leader in educator preparation. Founded in 1907 as a teacher training institution, 每日大赛网站 continues to prioritize early literacy and preparation aligned with current research.

The College of Education holds accreditation from the International Dyslexia Association, reflecting alignment with nationally recognized standards in dyslexia preparation. In addition to undergraduate preparation, 每日大赛网站 offers advanced graduate programs in literacy and dyslexia, providing continued professional development for practicing educators.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

The audit also identified targeted areas for program enhancement. In response, the College has developed a Prioritized Quality Program Blueprint outlining specific action steps, including:

• Aligning and spiraling literacy coursework across undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Expanding structured modeling and applied practice in vocabulary, comprehension and writing.
• Enhancing mentor and university supervisor training focused on evidence-based literacy instruction.
• Strengthening partnership agreements to ensure consistent exposure to high-quality instructional materials in clinical placements.

The College views the audit as part of an ongoing cycle of accountability and improvement rather than a terminal milestone.

鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome Ben to campus,鈥� Dr. Paige Reynolds of the School of Language and Literature said. 鈥淲ith authenticity, vulnerability and sensitivity, Ben鈥檚 work 鈥� both on and off stage 鈥� confronts how the complexities of war cause individual trauma and contribute to mental health challenges.

鈥淗is solo show, 鈥楧eath of Kings,鈥� creatively weaves together insights from Shakespeare, neuroscience and drama therapy, resulting in a uniquely powerful performance piece. Originally from Arkansas, with interdisciplinary investments and a commitment to advocacy, Ben is an inspiring artist we are deeply excited for our students to engage.鈥�

Grimes鈥� residency will feature two public performances of 鈥淒eath of Kings,鈥� a post-performance talkback, and a series of student-focused class visits and workshops. Additional events throughout the residency will include classroom visits and a workshop with the 每日大赛网站 Veterans and Military Resource Center. Most events are located on the 每日大赛网站 campus and are open to the public and free of charge, with no tickets required for entry.

Grimes, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, received a BFA in Regional Theatre from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University and has appeared in stage productions in regional theaters across the country. He was a founding member of Moment to Moment Productions in Little Rock and served as co-artistic director of Drove Theater Company in New York City. He currently serves as the managing artistic director at Market House Theatre in Paducah, Kentucky.

After more than a decade working professionally on stage, Grimes joined the U.S. Army in 2006. As an Airborne Ranger in the 82nd Airborne Division, he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, and later deployed again in 2017 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Following his military service, Grimes returned to theatre and enrolled in the Clinton School of Public Service, earning a Master鈥檚 in Public Service. His research and studies inspired him to launch Riverside Actors Theatre, a company that uses theatre and storytelling to address trauma and the struggles that veterans and other at-risk populations commonly face.

The full schedule for Grimes鈥� residency is as follows:

Tuesday, March 10

• 7-8 p.m. 鈥� Public Event: 鈥淒eath of Kings,鈥� Performance #1, Lecture Hall 143, McCastlain Hall.
• 8:30-9:30 p.m. 鈥� Public Event: 鈥淒eath of Kings,鈥� Performance #2, Lecture Hall 143, McCastlain Hall.
• 9:30-10 p.m. 鈥� Public Event: 鈥淒eath of Kings鈥� Post-Performance Talkback with Ben Grimes, Lecture Hall 143, McCastlain Hall.

Wednesday, March 11

• 10-10:50 a.m. 鈥� Student Event: Visit with 鈥淭heatre for Community Change鈥� class, Jefferson Farris Hall 114.
• Noon-12:50 p.m. 鈥� Student Event: Visit with 鈥淭heatre History II鈥� class, Snow Fine Arts 215.
• 2 p.m. 鈥� Student Event: The Breach Mini-Workshop with Ben Grimes, 每日大赛网站 Veterans and Military Resource Center (closed event limited to veterans).

Thursday, March 12

• 9:25 a.m. 鈥� Student Event: Visit with 鈥淚ntro to Drama: Making Meaning on Stage鈥� class, Irby Hall 313.
• 10:50 a.m. 鈥� Student Event: Visit with 鈥淚ntro to Drama: Making Meaning on Stage鈥� class, Irby Hall 313.
• 12:15 p.m. 鈥� Student Event: Visit with 鈥淪hakespeare in Action鈥� class, Irby Hall 313.

Content Advisory 鈥� 鈥淒eath of Kings鈥�

This production contains mature themes, including depictions of violence, war, trauma and emotional distress. It includes references to death, loss, moral conflict and suicide, as well as moments of intense language and imagery. Viewer discretion is advised. Recommended for mature audiences.

Anyone in crisis and experiencing thoughts of suicide should call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

Seating is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

More information about the residency is available by contacting Dr. Paige Reynolds at preynolds@uca.edu.

The 每日大赛网站 Artists in Residence program is funded by the Fine and Performing Arts Fee paid by all students, with additional support from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing. More information about the Artists in Residence program is available at or by contacting Dr. Gayle Seymour, associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, at gayles@uca.edu.