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[New ZOOM Options Added!] Take Your Brightspace Skills to the Next Level: Faculty Training in May

Submitted by: Jennifer Brewer, jbrewer1@uca.edu on 04/30/2026

New Zoom Options Added!

Take Your Brightspace Skills to the Next Level: Faculty Training in May

Faculty collaboration illustration

Ready to go beyond the basics? CETAL is offering a series of focused, one-hour Brightspace sessions on special topics designed to help you build more intentional, efficient, and student-centered courses.

Each session dives into a specific topic with practical, hands-on strategies you can apply right away—whether you’re customizing your gradebook, streamlining course organization, or creating personalized pathways for your students.

Upcoming Topics

Release Conditions – Guide student progress and control access to content with simple, high-impact setup strategies.

Dates:

  • May 8 at 2:00 pm
  • May 12 at 1:30 pm on ZOOM!

Weighted Gradebooks & Specifications Grading – Design grading systems that clearly reflect your course structure and simplify what students see.

Dates:

  • May 11 at 2:00 pm
  • May 14 at 9:00 am on ZOOM!

Your Content, Amplified: Video Tools in Brightspace D2L – Explore Kaltura Media, Video Note, and YouTube to create engaging video content and feedback.

Dates:

  • May 12 at 11:00 am
  • May 13 at 9:00 am on ZOOM!

Intelligent Agents for Student Success – Use automation to send timely messages, support students, and extend your teaching presence.

Dates:

  • May 13 at 3:00 pm on ZOOM!
  • May 14 at 1:00 pm

Creating a Consistent Learning Experience with Page Templates – Design clean, accessible, and visually consistent course content using ready-to-use templates.

Dates:

  • May 12 at 10:00 am
  • May 13 at 1:00 pm on ZOOM!

Whether you attend one session or several, you’ll leave with clear, practical ideas to enhance your course design and support student success.

 

Griffin Planetarium Shows

Submitted by: Scott Austin, saustin@uca.edu on 04/29/2026

Griffin Planetarium shows this Friday May 1 and Saturday May 2 at 7:00pm: The one-hour shows this week include a tour of the current sky, a flight around the universe, and the full-dome movie “Unveiling the Invisible Universe”. The planetarium is located in the Conway Corporation Center for the Sciences. The building unlocks at 6:30pm, and seating starts 10 minutes before show time. Admission is free. Seating limited to the first 94. No admission after the shows begin. No food or drink allowed.

/physics/planetarium/

Should You Join a Coding Bootcamp? Find Out in 30 Minutes

Submitted by: Leslie Coger, lcoger1@uca.edu on 04/28/2026

Thinking about breaking into tech—but unsure if a coding bootcamp is the right path?

In this 30-minute webinar, we’ll break down what it actually takes to succeed in a fast-paced program so you can confidently decide your next step.

With a 94% career placement rate, we’ve helped hundreds of students transition into tech—and we’ll show you how to determine if this path is right for you.

What You’ll Learn:
The traits of successful bootcamp students
What a real bootcamp experience looks like at Arkansas Coding Academy
Common mistakes to avoid
How to decide between self-taught vs structured learning
A clear framework to choose your next step

Who Should Attend:
Career changers exploring tech
Self-taught learners feeling stuck
Professionals unsure where to start in tech
Anyone asking: “Can I actually do this?”

Reserve Your Spot Today!

UCA Piano Camp

Submitted by: Christine Franklin, chrisf@uca.edu on 04/28/2026

We are looking forward to working with young musicians from ages 4-18 in our Piano Camp. We have classes for first-time beginners at the piano as well as those who have had a few years of lessons. Your children will receive instruction from master teachers, receive one-on-one attention, and experience the fun of making music with a group! New this summer – a choir class in the afternoon for those who would like to develop their vocal skills!

SQL Bootcamp & AI Fluency Webinar

Submitted by: Leslie Coger, lcoger1@uca.edu on 04/27/2026

Join Arkansas Coding Academy for a free 30-minute webinar exploring AI fluency in their SQL Bootcamp.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future technology—it’s already reshaping how analysts work.

In this 30-minute webinar, the Arkansas Coding Academy will share how we approach AI fluency and how it is integrated into our SQL Bootcamp. Instead of treating AI as a novelty or shortcut, we teach students to use it strategically, responsibly, and with strong technical foundations.

This session will explore how students will learn to work alongside AI as the lead architect of their tools, not simply rely on them.

This webinar is free to attend, but registration is required.

What You’ll Learn:
What AI fluency actually means and why it’s becoming a baseline skill in data driven careers
Why having a strong technical foundation still matters in an AI-driven workflow
How ArCA integrates AI into their SQL Bootcamp curriculum and how it prepares graduates to contribute from day one

Reserve Your Spot Today!
Join us for a quick look at how AI is changing the expectations of developers—and how ArCA is preparing students for the modern tech workforce.

Summer Bear Camp Registration!

Submitted by: Courtney Beard, cbarr@uca.edu on 04/27/2026

These fun, action-packed day camps for children entering 1st – 7th grades (approximate ages 6-12) provide interactive children’s literature, foreign language instruction as well as hands-on cultural experiences including international games, food sampling, arts and crafts, music and celebrations related to the country of focus! Camps are reasonably priced and held in Irby Hall, on the campus where classrooms are transformed into colorful and exotic destination from afar. What a wonderful summer journey to send your child on!
Camp schedule: Monday-Friday drop-off 8:00-8:30am; pick up 2:50-3:00pm
Cost per camp session: Regular cost $290; Early Bird $250 (before May 29); sibling camper rate $250
Follow the link to read more and register your kids for these 3 camps!
July 13-17 Renaissance Kids
July 20-24 Global Rhythms
July 27-31 Celebrate Africa

Community Language School

/sll/community-language-school/#camps

Softball Final Home Series

Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 04/24/2026

Join us for the final home series of the year at Shock Stadium! The Lipscomb Bisons come to town for a three game series starting Thursday, April 30th! We’ll first honor our graduates at 3:40 PM on the field with first pitch at 4 PM. Back on Friday for a doubleheader we’ll honor our seniors prior to first pitch at 1 PM. You can get your four free faculty/staff tickets by using the link! Any schedule updates can be found on ucasports.com or on Softball social media platforms (@ucasoftball).

ArCA Spring Fling: Tech Networking + Open House

Submitted by: Leslie Coger, lcoger1@uca.edu on 04/23/2026

Grow your circle and see what’s blooming at the Arkansas Coding Academy’s Spring Fling.

Join us for ArCA’s Spring Fling—an open house and networking event designed to bring together aspiring technologists, alumni, and industry professionals.

Drop in anytime to meet instructors, connect with the local tech community, and get a firsthand look at what makes Arkansas Coding Academy unique.

Whether you’re exploring a career in tech or looking to grow your network, this is a relaxed, welcoming way to get plugged in.

What You’ll Experience
Conversations with instructors about curriculum and student support
Insights into the Arkansas tech job market and hiring trends
Real stories and advice from ArCA alumni
Opportunities to connect with peers and industry professionals
Who Should Attend
Prospective students exploring tech careers
ArCA alumni and current students
Industry professionals and community partners
Anyone interested in Arkansas’s growing tech scene
Reserve Your Spot Today!
RSVP and stop by—make a connection that could shape your next step.

Come see what’s growing at ArCA. Enjoy light refreshments, meet great people, and build connections that support your career.