Here is a listing of our Activity Directors and their departmental activities.
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.
This is the first significant renovation of the building since its construction in 1974.
As a result of these improvements, the department has been able to provide improved instruction to the students that come to the department. Virtually, the entire student population of the institution (approximately 2,800) is affected by these enhancements to the structure. The department has been able to increase its degree completers approximately 20% above a baseline of 20 in 2015 with a continual increase of 2%-5% each academic year. Student recruitment and retention have subsequently increased as a result of the investment of Title III funds in making these improvements.
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
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. Moses Goldmon, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Success
Rita Conley, Student Success Coordinator and
Latarsha Roshell, Interim Director of Admissions
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 real-time date on student performance.
Carla Bryant 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.
Randy Kelley, Videography and Toni McCastle Freeman, Podcasting
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. Kimberley Davis, 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. Venetia Miller
Innovative Instruction (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 long-term program activities allow UAPB students to become viable contributors to the healthcare community.
Dr. Tanya Walker, Coordinator
Advanced Degree Preparation
The Advanced Degree Preparation activity is funded to assist undergraduate students prepare for continued education beyond the Baccalaureate degree level. The project coordinator seeks and provides guidance to those who indicate that they are considering graduate school and aids in discovering more information about graduate programs and resources available for their pursuit. Eyes are opened to the possibility of educational endeavors beyond the undergraduate level as early as possible to prepare the students for successful navigation of Advanced Degree endeavors.
Me’Kale Carter
CyberSecurity
Funds have been allocated to provide for offering both a competency Certificate in CyberSecurity and a Baccalaureate degree in the field of CyberSecurity. The certificate program is part of the Innovative Instruction activity and the degree has been approved as a result of the preliminary work of that program. The university system recognized the need for this preparing our student cohort in this area of study, and Title III funds have been set aside for development of the curriculum and offering of instruction to those seeking such instruction and skill development.
George Cotton, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement and Development
Development and Endowment
Title III funding has been provided to enhance the Development Office, and its functions have led to significant funding increases and the implementation of cross unit support for first generation low income and minority students. The broad level of growth has assisted in strengthening scholarship revenues and adding to retention resources. The expanded funding has allowed for greater levels of flexibility in funding that addresses college related needs of the students at the institution.