Less than a year after its creation, the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) Trap Shooting team proved to be right on target, finishing among the nation’s best at the 2026 Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) National Championship. 

The team arrived at the national competition, held from July 10 to 18 at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio, locked and loaded to compete in the co-ed collegiate American Trap event. 

Each member fired 200 rounds over the course of a two-day competition. The number of successfully shot targets was the shooter’s final score, and the team’s five highest individual scores were combined to determine the final standing. UAM Trap Shooting earned a ninth-place finish, landing them among the top ten of more than 70 collegiate teams.

In addition to the American Trap competition, one team member participated in the Super Sporting Clays event, which the team plans to incorporate into next year’s practice schedule.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) continues to transform higher education in Arkansas through an innovative campus-within-a-campus model that is redefining how rural students earn bachelor’s degrees while creating lasting economic benefits for communities across the state.

What began in 2023 as a single partnership has rapidly evolved into a statewide initiative spanning nine community college partners, creating one of Arkansas’ most significant higher education collaborations. The model provides students with the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree from UAM while remaining on their local community college campus, removing many of the financial, geographic and personal barriers that have historically prevented students from completing a four-year degree.

For rural Arkansas, the initiative represents a transformational investment, not only in students but also in the future workforce and economic vitality of communities throughout the state.

“The campus-within-a-campus model represents one of the most significant innovations in higher education access in Arkansas,” said Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM. “For many students, relocating to pursue a bachelor’s degree is simply not an option. By bringing the university to students rather than requiring students to come to the university, we are creating opportunities that change lives, strengthen communities and support the state’s workforce needs.”

Two students from the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) participated on a team that recently won third place at the AI Hackathon and HealthTech Startup Week competition in Little Rock. 

The event, held at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) from June 8 to 12, was open to high school and college students from Arkansas and surrounding states. Hosted through a collaboration between UA Little Rock, local health care providers, NVIDIA and Google, participants from a variety of health, technical and business backgrounds of all experience levels were brought together to earn AI certifications, learn from health care professionals and solve real-world challenges using AI tools. 

This event was the first hackathon experience for UAM students Pronita Ghimire, a freshman double majoring in computer science and mathematics with a data science option, and Kshitiz Khatiwada, a sophomore double majoring in computer information systems with a cybersecurity concentration and mathematics with a data science option. Friends since high school in Kathmandu, Nepal, the two were eager to participate to advance their knowledge and skills.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) is set to make history with the launch of its innovative UAM Collegiate Academy, which will be piloted in partnership with Drew Central High School. This initiative marks the first time in Arkansas that a four-year university has partnered with a public school district to offer high school students a no-cost pathway to earning an associate degree before graduation.

The UAM Collegiate Academy, which will begin in the fall 2026 semester, represents a bold reimagining of higher education and workforce preparation in the state. By enabling students to complete up to 60 hours of college credit during their high school years, the program empowers participants to earn a bachelor’s degree in as little as two years after high school, saving them time and money while accelerating their entry into professional careers.

“This is a soft introduction to the collegiate world for high school students,” said Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM. “It allows them to engage in career exploration and university life while in a very safe and supported environment, maturing with guidance from both high school teachers and college professors. This program reimagines the timeframe and method to deliver college degrees to students, creating an incredible return on investment.”

The stage is set for an exciting new campus event at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM). On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., UAM will kick off the fall semester with an outdoor concert featuring country act Patrick Averill.

The event will also include yard games, refreshments and opportunities for students to connect with campus organizations and one another. The event is free and open to the UAM campus community. 

The event is sponsored by UAM Student Programs and Activities. James Hanten, director of Student Programs and Activities, is responsible for bringing the concert to UAM. “I started asking students what kinds of special events they wanted to see at the university,” Hanten explained. “One of the things that kept coming up was a concert on campus.”

On Wednesday, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas (UA Cossatot) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) unveiled a new partnership designed to expand affordable higher education opportunities in Arkansas. This initiative allows UA Cossatot students to earn bachelor’s degrees from UAM while remaining in southwest Arkansas and benefiting from some of the state’s lowest tuition rates.

The agreement will enable UA Cossatot students to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UAM through coursework offered on UA Cossatot’s campuses. The degree offering is pending approval from the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Higher Learning Commission.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello Student Nurses Association (UAM SNA) recently received the Stellar School Chapter Award at the 74th National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) annual convention. 

UAM SNA attended the convention in Houston, Texas, from April 8 to 11. The delegation included Brianna Barnett, instructor of nursing at UAM; Kaitlyn Clark, a senior from Hamburg, Arkansas; Jacob Courson, a junior from Star City, Arkansas; Ashley Owen, instructor of nursing clinicals at UAM; Graci Philips, a senior from Star City, Arkansas; and Emma Scott, a junior from Magnet Cove, Arkansas.

According to the NSNA website, “the NSNA Stellar School Chapter Recognition Program recognizes NSNA school chapters that demonstrate ongoing involvement in NSNA, including a strong commitment to shared governance and professional development of their students and faculty. The awards are open to official NSNA school chapters that have maintained constituency status for the previous five years and meet specific criteria for recognition.” 

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) has received a $500,000 grant from the Windgate Foundation to establish the Weevil Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art, integrated health facility dedicated to serving UAM’s students, faculty and staff.

The grant, which runs through March 2027, will enable the transformation of 2,500 square feet of campus space into a facility offering behavioral health, urgent care and family practice services, delivered collaboratively by UAM and Mainline Health Systems, Inc.

UAM Counseling Services and Mainline Health Behavioral Health Clinic, both currently located in the Gibson University Center, and Mainline Health UAM Medical Clinic, currently located in Maxwell Hall, will relocate to the new center, which will be housed in an unoccupied portion of the Visual and Performing Arts Center, previously the Student Union. The building recently benefited from major upgrades funded by the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council.

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas (UA Cossatot) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) are set to announce a new partnership that will expand access to affordable higher education in Arkansas. On Wednesday, July 8, the two institutions will unveil a program allowing UA Cossatot students to earn a bachelor’s degree in southwest Arkansas at one of the state’s lowest tuition rates.

The strategic partnership between UA Cossatot and UAM will integrate business programs, enabling UA Cossatot students to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. The degree program is currently pending approval from the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Higher Learning Commission.

The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both institutions and combine resources to support student success and improve college completion rates within the region.

UAM Kids’ University will be held at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) from July 6 through July 9, 2026. 

The summer enrichment program carries out a mission of serving capable and motivated students who are entering 1st through 6th grades in the fall. The day camp aims to cultivate new interests, expand knowledge and spark imagination and creativity in children in a non-graded environment. 

The morning session is for students entering grades 1-3 and will be held from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The afternoon session is for students entering grades 4-6 and will be held from 1-5 p.m. 

Early registration is open now and runs through May 28. If you sign up and pay by May 28, the registration fee is $80. If you sign up and pay between June 1 and June 25, the registration fee is $100. If you sign up and pay after June 29, the registration fee is $125. The fee includes a T-shirt and all supplies.

Checks made payable to “UAM Kids’ University” can be mailed to Attn: Rebecca Newton, P.O. Box 3608, Monticello, AR 71656. Payments may also be made over the phone by contacting the UAM Cashier’s Office at 870-460-1043.

To reserve each child’s spot, parents should complete a separate registration form and pay registration fees for each child who will participate.

Register online here.

Teen volunteers are needed. High school student volunteers will assist campers with activities, assist teachers with set up and clean up, lead students to classes and assist with drop-off and pick-up. Volunteers can complete an application at here.

For additional information, contact Rebecca Newton at kidsu@uamont.edu or call 870-460-1596.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) was recently awarded a $1,405,759 grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council (ANCRC) to renovate the Music Building, formerly known as the Fine Arts Building. The Music Building is located on UAM’s Monticello campus and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2025.

The grant will fund the replacement of the interior mechanical systems serving the first and second floors. The renovation will include replacing the current freon system with a 4-pipe HVAC system and installing a new hot water boiler. 

All students in the 2025–2026 University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-McGehee (UAM-CTM) Paramedic cohort passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) paramedic exam on their first attempt.

This impressive achievement marks the program’s first 100% first-attempt pass rate since May 2022.

The path to becoming a paramedic is one of the most demanding tracks in healthcare education, requiring hundreds of hours of intense classroom instruction, advanced life support training and challenging clinical and field rotations.

The graduating cohort includes six students.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) presented 555 awards to 518 spring 2026 graduates, according to information released by the UAM Registrar’s Office.

The Harris and Horsfall Historic District at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. The designation recognizes the buildings’ architectural and historical significance, affirming their value as structures worthy of preservation.

Constructed in 1933, the Harris and Horsfall Historic District encompasses two UAM campus buildings: Harris Hall and Horsfall Hall. Construction was supported by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, a federal agency established in 1932 under President Herbert Hoover to provide emergency funds during the Great Depression. The project provided employment opportunities for local residents while expanding campus infrastructure. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation was a precursor to the Public Works Administration, which later funded several additional campus buildings. 

Applications are open for the Weevil Jumpstart Program at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM). First-time freshmen who enroll in six credit hours during the Summer II session are eligible for the program. Classes run from July 1 to August 3.

Now entering its third year, the program continues to provide first-time freshmen with a strong foundation for academic success, personal growth and campus engagement as they transition into college life. 

The program is designed to support incoming students prior to the start of the fall semester through academic enrichment, campus resource exploration, peer mentorship, leadership development and college readiness experiences. Participants, who live in on-campus housing during the four-week program, can build meaningful connections with faculty, staff and fellow students while gaining confidence in navigating university life. 

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) named 356 students to the Dean’s List and 237 students to the Chancellor’s List for the spring 2026 semester, according to Keith Chambliss, UAM’s registrar.? 

Selection to the Dean’s List requires a student to earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on at least 12 semester hours of course credit at the 1000-4000 level.Selection to the Chancellor’s List requires a student to earn a grade point average of 4.0 on at least 12 semester hours of course credit at the 1000-4000 level.? 

Thirteen students at the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett (UAM-CTC) competed at the 2026 Arkansas SkillsUSA Conference from April 13 through April 16. Two UAM-CTC welding students and three UAM-CTC concurrently enrolled high school welding students from Crossett and Hamburg High Schools won medals. 

UAM-CTC sent a delegation of five college welding students and nine high school concurrent welding students to compete at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. 

In the college division for Pipe Welding, Conner Curry, from UAM-CTC, won silver, and Joseph Kyle Petrus, from UAM-CTC, won gold. In the high school division for Pipe Welding, Felipe Martinez, from Crossett High School, won silver. In the high school division for Sculpture, Hayden Seals, from Hamburg High School, won bronze, and Braydi Moffatt, from Hamburg High School and a first-year welding student, won gold. 

UAM-CTC college competitors included Eli Chambers, Christopher Crisostomo, Conner Curry and Joseph Kyle Petrus.

Crossett High School competitors included Matthew Chace and Hayden Seals.

Hamburg High School competitors included Rafael Dominguez, Nathan Lemus, Felipe Martinez, Sebastian Martinez, Braydi Moffatt, Karson Mondragon and Will Patrick. 

Five students from the School of Business at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) were recently recognized for their academic achievements during the 2025-2026 academic year. 

The outstanding students were selected by the UAM business faculty based on their GPA and overall academic performance. Awards were presented at the School of Business’ annual banquet, where students also received an engraved desk plate. Award recipients will have their names, majors and graduation dates displayed on a plaque in the School of Business.

Ten students from the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources (CFANR) at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) were recently recognized for their academic accomplishments during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Recipients of the outstanding student awards are nominated and selected by faculty based on their academic achievements and their collegiality with faculty and peers.

On April 22, the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett (UAM-CTC) hosted an awards ceremony, which included the induction of students into the UAM-CTC chapter of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).

Students receiving invitations to join NTHS have completed no fewer than 12 credit hours of technical coursework, while sustaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. In addition, students must receive a recommendation from at least one technical instructor. Kim Wallis serves as the chapter faculty sponsor at UAM-CTC and inducted twenty-one students into NTHS.

The inductees were Ashton Bailey, Zion Baines, David Barajas, James Boothe, Colby Cathey, Kyle Cockrell, Dalton Craig, Jeannette Harris, Stratton Herring, Brittany Hires, Elizabeth Martinez, Logan Massey, Amanda Murphy, Asia Taylor, Ashley Thornburg, Owen Wilson and Peyton Yarbrough.

On May 21, the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-McGehee (UAM-CTM) held an induction ceremony for the UAM-CTM chapter of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).

Students eligible to join NTHS have completed at least 12 credit hours of technical coursework while maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. In addition, students must receive a recommendation from at least one technical instructor. Jane Zieman serves as the chapter faculty sponsor at UAM-CTM and inducted three students into NTHS last week.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to induct these outstanding students into the National Technology Honor Society. Their hard work, leadership, character and dedication to excellence have earned them this honor, and we look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the future,” Zieman said.

The inductees were Bobby Carter from Oak Grove, Louisiana, Jackie Hadley from Montrose, Arkansas, and Shayna Wheeler from Monticello, Arkansas.

On April 29, Dr. Kay Walter, professor of English at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM), received the Carolyn Pittman Lifetime Service Award from the Arkansas Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts (ACTELA). The award recognized Dr. Walter’s devotion to educators and students in Arkansas, her leadership of “The English Pub” newsletter and her commitment to ACTELA.

ACTELA, a nonprofit organization focused on improving the teaching and learning of English and language arts in Arkansas, has presented the award since 2005. Recipients are nominated members who have made significant contributions to the organization throughout their careers.

Dr. Walter, a 1984 UAM alumna, joined the English faculty at UAM in 2006 and has devoted her career to teaching students about British and World Literature. During her 20 years at UAM, she has taken students to multiple state, national and international conferences and led travel seminars to the United Kingdom and Italy. She has been invited to guest speak in public school classrooms and was the keynote speaker at the 2026 Arkansas Undergraduate Research Conference at Henderson State University.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett (UAM-CTC) will hold registration events for fall 2026 classes on multiple dates this June and July.

New first-time freshman students and new transfer students who plan to attend UAM-CTC during the fall 2026 semester can attend an event to register for classes.

Interested students should arrive on UAM-CTC’s campus between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on June 15, June 29, July 14 or July 23. No reservation is required. Parents and legal guardians are welcome to attend. 

Students must also apply to UAM-CTC prior to attending a registration event. This includes submitting a free admission application and any required test scores and transcripts.

For questions and more information, contact UAM-CTC at 870-460-2016. 

Three students from the School of Computer Information Systems (CIS) at UAM were recently recognized for their academic achievements during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Kshitiz Khatiwada, from Nepal, was awarded the Rookie of the Year award. He is double-majoring in computer information systems with a concentration in cybersecurity and mathematics with a data science option. A student must complete at least 30 hours of academic coursework overall and have a GPA of 3.25 or better to be eligible for this award.

Samuel Stephens, from Maumelle, Arkansas, was awarded the Outstanding Junior award. He is majoring in computer information systems with a concentration in cybersecurity and a minor in criminal justice. A student must complete at least 60 hours of academic coursework overall with a GPA of 3.25 or better to be eligible for this award.

Aubree Goodnight, from Benton, Arkansas, was awarded the Outstanding Senior award. A spring 2026 graduate, she majored in computer information systems with a concentration in cybersecurity. A student must complete at least 90 hours of academic coursework overall and at least 21 hours of CIS coursework with a GPA of 3.25 or better to be eligible for this award.

LaShonda Campbell, collection development librarian at the Fred J. Taylor Library and Technology Center at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM), has been awarded a prestigious Carnegie-Whitney Grant from the American Library Association (ALA). 

The 2026 recipients were selected by the ALA’s Publishing Committee from proposals for projects to “promote reading or the use of library resources.” According to the ALA website, “The Carnegie-Whitney Grant provides grants for the preparation, either in print and/or electronically, of popular or scholarly reading lists, webliographies, indexes and other guides to library resources that will be useful to users of all types of libraries in the United States.”

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) has received the Diamond Award from the Arkansas Historical Association (AHA) for its efforts to restore and preserve historic buildings on campus and register them on the National Register of Historic Places.

UAM hosted the 85th annual AHA conference from April 9 to 11 and participated in the awards banquet on April 10 at the Monticello Country Club. Ralph Wilcox, national register and survey coordinator at the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, nominated UAM for the award. Alex Becker, vice chancellor for Finance and Administration at UAM, accepted the award on the university’s behalf. 

Three graduate students from the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources (CFANR) at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) earned top prizes during research presentations at professional conferences held in March. 

Four students from the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) were recently recognized for their academic achievements during the 2025-2026 academic year. 

The University of Arkansas at Monticello Sustainable Trades Alliance (UAM-STA) will host free forklift training on May 29 at the Arkansas Heavy Equipment Operator Training Academy (AHEOTA), beginning at 8:00 AM. The training is open to the public; however, registration is required and spots are limited. Participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Questions? Contact Austin Hammons at 870-820-4462 or Hammons@uamont.edu
Register Here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/4JaL7NJHKF

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) will hold Weevil Day, a combined registration and orientation event for fall 2026 classes, on multiple dates this June and July.

The event is for new first-time freshman students and new transfer students who plan to attend UAM during the fall 2026 semester. 

Weevil Day will be offered on UAM’s Monticello campus in the Student Success Center from 9 a.m. to noon on June 15, June 29, July 14 and July 23.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) held its spring commencement exercises on Friday, May 8, in the Steelman Field House. Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, recognized graduates completing master’s degrees to associate degrees during the ceremonies. 

Commencement was split into two ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The 10 a.m. ceremony included the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources (undergraduate and graduate), the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, the School of Nursing (undergraduate and graduate), the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Division of General Studies. The 2 p.m. ceremony included the School of Arts and Humanities (undergraduate and graduate), the School of Business, the School of Computer Information Systems and the School of Education (undergraduate and graduate). 

Haven Taylor, a member of the Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship (MBSF) and a 2026 graduate receiving a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree, gave the invocation at the 10 a.m. ceremony. Robbie Jo Freeman, a member of MBSF and a 2026 graduate receiving a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree, gave the invocation at the 2 p.m. ceremony. Scott Bearden, associate professor of music, led the singing of the national anthem and alma mater at both ceremonies. 

Students and faculty from the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) participated in the 2026 Arkansas STEM Posters at the Capitol event held at the Arkansas State Capitol Rotunda on March 4. The event brought together undergraduate researchers from universities and colleges across the state to present their work to legislators, policymakers, fellow researchers and members of the public. 

The annual event highlights the wide range of research being conducted across Arkansas institutions of higher education. This year, the program included more than one hundred student researchers from multiple Arkansas colleges and universities presenting dozens of research projects spanning disciplines such as mathematics, natural sciences, agriculture and engineering. 

Six UAM students participated in the event. Nyla Compeaux of Cut Off, Louisiana, Daizy McKee of Monticello, Arkansas, and Lucas Warren of Wilmar, Arkansas, presented research under the mentorship of Dr. Arturo Quintero Ferrer, assistant professor of biology at UAM. Emily Esquivel of Hermitage, Arkansas, Alexandria Lewis of Monticello, Arkansas, and Ashley Wallace of Little Rock, Arkansas, presented research under the mentorship of Dr. Djamali Muhoza, assistant professor of chemistry at UAM. 

On Thursday, North Arkansas College of the University of Arkansas (UA Northark) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) announced a new partnership that will allow UA Northark students to earn bachelor’s degrees in Harrison at one of the state’s lowest tuition rates.

The strategic partnership will integrate business and education programs, enabling UA Northark students to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree beginning in August 2026. Plans to add a Bachelor of Arts in K-6 Elementary Education degree are also underway. Both degree programs are currently pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission.

The School of Education at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) recently named two 2025-2026 Clinical Interns of the Year.

Olivia Justice from Monticello, Arkansas, received the award on April 9. Justice is a senior K-6 elementary education major at UAM and holds an Aspiring Teacher’s Permit (ATP). The ATP program began in 2023 and was developed by the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to address teacher shortages in Arkansas. Students who qualify for the permit can be hired by schools as full-time teachers while they earn their bachelor’s degree.

Justice completed her internship as a full-time kindergarten teacher at McGehee Elementary School in McGehee, Arkansas. She credited Julie Day, instructor of education at UAM, and her mentor, Meredith Sandine, first-grade teacher at McGehee Elementary School, for their guidance and support throughout her internship, which has enabled her to start her teaching career with full confidence. After graduation, she will continue teaching at McGehee Elementary School.

“Olivia has been an absolute joy to mentor this year,” Sandine said. “She is always open to feedback and consistently applies it in meaningful ways, creating a positive and engaging classroom environment for her kindergarten students. Her dedication, growth and natural ability to connect with young learners make this recognition incredibly well deserved.”

Hannah Billings from Amity, Arkansas, received the clinical intern award on April 23. Billings, a senior, is earning a K-6 elementary education degree from UAM while based at National Park College (NPC) in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She is part of the second cohort in NPC’s partnership with UAM, which allows students to complete an associate degree from NPC and a bachelor’s degree from UAM while remaining on NPC’s campus for all four years.

Billings completed her internship at Ouachita Elementary School in Midway, Arkansas. She credited Jacqueline Verguson, adjunct university supervisor at NPC, and her mentor, Robin Kratz, third-grade teacher at Ouachita Elementary School, for their support and guidance, which strengthened her confidence in the classroom. She will teach first grade this fall at Bismarck Elementary School in Bismarck, Arkansas.

“It has been such an honor to mentor Hannah Billings. I am so proud of the hard work and growth she has achieved this year. Her receiving Intern of the Year was much deserved!” Kratz said.

Both students were selected based on a series of surveys and observation reports on their conduct as teachers and students.

Kristie Fowler, assistant dean and partnership coordinator of the School of Education and instructor of education at UAM, works closely with interns, providing support and feedback as needed. “Teaching is hard, and we want to highlight the amazing things our students are doing,” Fowler said. “We give the Clinical Intern of the Year awards because we want to shine a light on Olivia, Hannah and all of our outstanding interns to let them know that they are doing a phenomenal job and making a difference every single day. We want them to know how proud we are of them.”

For more information about the partnership between NPC and UAM, contact Kristie Fowler at fowlerk@uamont.edu or 870-460-1362. For more information about the School of Education at UAM, contact Dr. Kim Level, dean of the School of Education at UAM, at level@uamont.edu or 870-460-1062.

Excitement was palpable as students at the University of Arkansas at Monticello found themselves knee-deep in the 2026 Mud Olympics. After a six-year hiatus, the long-time campus tradition returned on April 8, creating an afternoon packed with laughter, competition and fun. 

Five teams featuring over 30 students competed in a series of muddy events, including Slip & Slide Cup Flip Relay, Tire Flip Race, Human Barrel Crawl, Tug-of-War and Talent Performances. Cheered on by spectators from across campus, the teams battled for points while becoming progressively muddier. The day concluded with each team performing unique talents from the mud pit.

The revitalization of this event was no small feat. After joining the UAM Office of Student Engagement as director of Intramurals and Recreation in July 2025, Alex Richardson soon learned of the Mud Olympics’ 30-year legacy. In November 2025, he set out to restore the beloved tradition, and although there was no recent blueprint to follow, Richardson and his team innovated, collaborated and overcame each obstacle, from obtaining equipment to rebuilding the mud pit.