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Activity Directors

Dr. Anissa Buckner, Biology
Kountz-Kyle Hall


Title III is a significant contributor toward extensive renovations to Kountz-Kyle Hall, helping to make the building more compliant with ADA regulations, installing an elevator, upgrading the auditorium as a lecture hall and classroom, and improving the HVAC system in the building. This work is planned to be completed in three phases:

• Phase I - completion of the front entrance to the building, installation of the elevator, installation of the first boiler, upgrading and renovation of the auditorium (126 seats), and installation of new windows and window treatments.
• Phase II - installation of a second boiler and upgrade of HVAC and electrical work throughout the building
• Phase III - laboratory and classroom renovations and repair of floor tile throughout the building.

At present, this activity is completing the third phase of the planned upgrade and improvements. Faculty and staff are relocating back to the building and preparing for full occupancy in the Spring 2022 semester.

Dr. Charles Colen, Jr., Industrial Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering
Rust Technology Building

The Title III Program has provided fiscal aid to the department allowing it to include more hands-on laboratory activities utilizing equipment and simulations to enhance the learning experience of the students and prepare them to transition from the world of academia to the global workforce. The department is in the process of getting approval for an engineering degree track to supplement their current course offerings. The program is projected to be funded in part by the Title III grant.

Maplean Donaldson, Director
Sonya Lockett, Coordinator
John Brown Watson Memorial Library

Title III provides continual fiscal support to the library in its efforts to provide foundational support for course work and research in various academic fields of study. Library staff organize, preserve, and share resources to meet the information needs of the university community, providing access to resources essential to research, teaching, and service. Title III has partially funded renovations to the facility allowing for consolidation of services to students, faculty, and staff of the institution; thus, enhancing the learning environment for the total university and community.


Shirley Cherry, Director of Career Services
Kathy Richards, Coordinators

The office of Career Services has endeavored to enhance career opportunities for students and alumni by establishing and maintaining partnerships between the university and employers thereby providing opportunities for further study, employment, and career advancement. Computer programs and software have been acquired utilizing Title III funds to provide students and potential employers with the tools to seek and develop relationships that can lead to employment opportunities. Students are assisted with their professional preparation for and participation in their areas of interest and skill once they finish their matriculation at the university. These efforts are funded in part by Title III funds.

Dr. Braque Talley, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Success
Tawana Greene , Admissions, and Rita Conley, Student Success, Coordinators

The Office of Enrollment Management strives to identify, recruit, enroll, retain and graduate students who will be able to compete on the global stage. Title III aids the office by providing fiscal support for record keeping and processing programs, programs that prepare incoming students for college success, and services that aid students in achieving their educational goals at the university. The investment of Title III funds in the Office of Admissions serves to ease administrative coordination efforts between units on the campus that are participatory in the admissions process by making admissions documents readily accessible to all of them. This investment makes student admission less cumbersome for the prospective students.

Dr. Karen Dejarnette, Department Chairman
Art and Design 

The Art Department has been revitalized as it continues to benefit from the investment of Title III funds in the department through the purchase of equipment, computers, and software designed to enhance the learning experience of art majors. Upgraded computers are being utilized to enhance instruction and broaden the course offerings of the department to prospective and current students.

Dr. Todd Garner, Department Chairman
Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

Title III funds were utilized to install Smart Board technology in the classrooms of the main instructional facility to enhance the instruction presented to all students that take courses in the department. New exercise equipment has been purchased to aid in the instruction of physical health and wellness, kinesiology, and other courses offered by the department to the entire student population of the institution. The department auditorium was upgraded to allow media projection and a new sound system was also installed in the room to provide enhanced meeting space for department and university gatherings.


Dr. Lawrence Awopetu, Interim Dean
School of Business and Management

The School of Business and Management endeavors to provide an educational environment in which its students and faculty are able to use current technology and equipment. Title III funding has been used to enhance the learning/teaching, meeting, and working environment so that the school is able to realistically reach a new level of excellence. Technology in the School of Business and Management is revolutionizing the traditional instructing and learning process by eliminating space and time restrictions, facilitating personalized learning opportunities, and enabling instructors to collect realtime date on student performance.

Stephanie Sims Director
University Museum and Cultural Center

The University Museum and Cultural Center provides a historical and prospective view of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Through the contribution of Title III funds, the UMCC is evolving into a state-of-the-art facility that informs and inspires the students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the institution. The UMCC is becoming a cutting-edge department through the acquisition of software and equipment that is in keeping with technological advancements in the area of historical preservation.

Dora Sanders, Director
Center for Teaching and Learning

The Center for Teaching, Learning and Advising (CTLA), designed to promote excellence in teaching at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, provides professional development activities, including workshops, seminars, training sessions, and technical assistance to develop and enhance instructional skills. The development of online degree offerings has been partially underwritten by the use of Title III funds. Commensurately, Title III funding has been used in support of various professional development activities so that the institution has a highly capable faculty that provides quality instruction to the entire student population, both local and distant.

Dr. Ann White Taylor, Chair
Department of Multimedia Communications

With the aid of Title III funds, the division of Mass Communications has been able to make required improvements necessary for the department to provide more effective instruction to all of the students that have chosen to major in this area of academia. Facilities have been renovated, equipment has been updated, and workplace technology has been incorporated into the instruction. The Radio and TV Studios have been updated and upgraded to allow students access to current multimedia platforms used in the field today. The department continues to make improvements as it progresses toward its accreditation by the ACEJMC. Listen to Hot89.7 KUAPFM or watch the productions of KUAP-TV

Dr. Wanda Newell, Dean
School of Education

Title III funds aided in the establishment of a Transformative Instructional Project utilizing technology to enhance the teaching/learning experience for students and faculty in the School of Education. Cloud-based programs have been utilized as part of a newly established and equipped laboratory for Educator Preparation resulting in increased student enrollment in the school and success with certification testing. By embracing and embedding technology in its preparation of teachers, teacher candidates are better trained, mentoring and engaging students is more targeted, and expansive collaboration among all parties is embraced and employed to promote student success.

Dr. Bruce McGowan
Competency Based Education

A conceptual competency-based education framework was completed to provide for partnerships between the university and industry resulting in targeted certification programs through the utilization of Title III funds. This activity has a goal of establishing a new partnership program each year of the grant cycle. The first, in the area of Construction Engineering, was completed during the 2021-2022 grant year.

Dr. Cynthia Burroughs
Health Professionals Prep Program

Funds were used to provide advisory and mentoring initiatives and services to assist University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students as they prepare for taking entrance exams, complete the application process, and explore opportunities in the healthcare industry. The activity is designed to improve student performance on entrance exams for Health Professions. These longterm program activities allow UAPB students to become viable contributors to the healthcare community.