UAFS prepares students to succeed in an ever-changing global world while advancing economic development and quality of place.
Report to the Public
Letter from the Chancellor The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s mission statement, while brief, is the guiding principle in all the university’s efforts: “UAFS prepares students to succeed in an everchanging global world while advancing economic development and quality of place.” That short, focused mission statement encompasses the core of our efforts here at UAFS. We help students develop the knowledge and critical thinking skills to navigate a workforce constantly disrupted by technology. We develop the greater Fort Smith region by responding to the needs of business and industry and leaving an indelible economic impact. And we tirelessly work to improve the
quality of place in Fort Smith through the arts, service projects, and community initiatives. The UAFS mission statement also guides our efforts in serving a diverse student body with a large portion of first-generation students. And as the most affordable four-year university in the state, we provide an accessible education to those students without burdening them with massive debt. With 85 percent job and graduate school placement rates, those students are able to find well-paying jobs that lead to them becoming taxpaying citizens. In this report, we want you to see firsthand our accomplishments in each aspect of our mission. This is but a small piece of our overarching
efforts in each of these areas, efforts which wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community. We are very lucky to have a symbiotic relationship with the Fort Smith region. We exist to serve and support the area, but we also wouldn’t be able to succeed without its support as well. We are grateful to be able to serve such a diverse community of great people, and we look forward to helping Fort Smith grow and prosper in the coming years. Paul B. Beran, Ph.D. Chancellor
STUDENT SUCCESS
Belt Finds Better Life through UAFS Education Jared Belt always knew he was going to college even though he was the first person in his family to do so. His parents, both of whom worked in manual labor, constantly stressed to him the importance of education as he grew up, knowing it would lead him to a better life. He took that lesson to heart. And though college might have been intimidating for some first-generation students, by the time he enrolled full-time at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, it already felt like home. After taking concurrent credit courses with the Western Arkansas Technical Center, Belt had 51 college credit hours by the time he graduated from Van Buren High School. “[WATC] was a lifesaver to help me figure out what I wanted to do,” he said. “It was great to get some of those credits out of the way and mold myself for the college atmosphere. UAFS just didn’t have that big university feel. It had smaller classrooms and more hands-on practice, and I felt like the teachers really cared about the students. UAFS welcomed me with open arms, and it was a seamless transition thanks to WATC.” Belt majored in organizational leadership, knowing that he would need leadership skills to be successful in business once he entered the workforce. He held a full-time job while he went to school and found UAFS flexible and accommodating with his strained schedule.
“I worked 40 hours a week throughout college, and I never had to stop because the university was flexible and committed to my education,” Belt said. “They had all kinds of times available for the classes I needed. Working while going to school is difficult, but it prepared me for the real world and got me ready for the next step.” While on campus, Belt was able to apply his learnings in the organizational leadership program by becoming involved in the Kappa Alpha fraternity – which was so impactful in his life that all of the groomsmen in his wedding were fraternity brothers – as well as College Republicans and members of other on-campus organizations. After graduation, Belt met with Ron Orick, director of Career Services at UAFS, who helped connect Belt with ArcBest Corp. Belt interviewed and earned a position at the ArcBest subsidiary ABF. A few years later, he was promoted to service center manager within the company. “I’m attracted to places that feel like home and have a family environment, and ArcBest was just like UAFS,” Belt said. “They care about their employees just like the university cares about its students. It’s a great company with great values.” “I don’t know how to describe just how blessed and fortunate and proud I am to say I graduated from UAFS,” he said. “I’m very honored to have been a part of that student-centered culture.”
UAFS Drives Educational Growth in Sebastian County When Sebastian County voters approved a measure in 2002 to let Westark College join the University of Arkansas System and become the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, they did so with the expectation that the newly-formed university would increase the number of local residents with bachelor’s degrees.
Over the last 15 years, UAFS has kept that promise. UAFS helped increase the bachelor’s degree attainment rate in Sebastian County to 14 percent in 2016 compared to 10.8 percent in 2000, according to Census data. The percentages equate to approximately 5,000 more county residents with bachelor’s degrees. Those figures represent residents with only a bachelor’s degree.
The total number of bachelor’s degrees awarded since UAFS became a four-year university in 2002 is even higher. In that timeframe, UAFS has awarded approximately 7,200 four-year degrees to graduates. The higher number reflects degrees awarded to residents outside of Sebastian County, such as Crawford and Sequoyah County. But bachelor’s degrees are more than numbers. Data shows that those earning four-year degrees have much larger earning potential, longer life expectancy, and happier lives. The growth in bachelor’s degrees has also led to the university’s $301 million annual economic impact on the greater Fort Smith region. Additionally, studies show the value of a bachelor’s degree is greater than ever. The pay gap between college graduates and those
without bachelor’s degrees is the highest it’s ever been. According to Economic Policy Institute data, the average hourly pay of fouryear graduates is nearly twice as much as someone with just a high school degree. “The robust growth in educational attainment accomplishes all three points of our mission statement – preparing students for an everchanging global world, advancing economic development, and improving quality of place,” said Dr. Paul B. Beran, UAFS chancellor. “A better educated community is a rising tide that raises all ships. It means a stronger workforce for local business and a healthier and more educated citizenry who can pursue prosperous lives.”
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Training the Workforce of the Future
UAFS to Increase Opportunities for High School Students with On-Site Classes A UAFS program that helps address local workforce needs is moving, and next year the courses will be taught on-site at ABB (formerly Baldor Electric Company) and ArcBest. UAFS hosts Regional Workforce Grants through the Arkansas Department of Higher Education that allow students to receive concurrent credit in cyber systems and robot automation. The three-year programs now taught at Northside and Southside High schools allow students to graduate from high school with a big jump on degree and certificate programs. Northside students in cyber systems are on a path to a bachelor’s degree in information technology. Southside students in the robot automation program can move through a
certificate of proficiency in industrial electronics maintenance to a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology. Next year, students from both high schools will be able to enroll in either program, with the cyber systems courses being taught at ArcBest and the robot automation taught at ABB. “UAFS is excited to enter this new phase of partnership with the Fort Smith Public School district as well as ABB and ArcBest,” said Amanda Seidenzahl, director of regional workforce grants. “Students will benefit from the on-site locations as the connection between classroom instruction and real-world application grows stronger throughout the semester.” The two industry-driven programs were developed in partnership with local employers and educators to address current and emerging skills gaps in the region’s workforce. A skills gap refers to a career field with a disparity between preferred qualifications of employers and the actual qualifications of employees seeking jobs in the field.
Exposing students to the variety of technologyrelated careers is an important part of the program, said Rich Krutsch, vice president of people services at ArcBest. “The students don’t always have a clear understanding regarding what career opportunities are available in technology,” he said. “We have a shortage of technology workers in the state, and this program gives us a chance to show these students the possible routes they can take toward fulfilling work in this field. We try to expose them to as many different career paths as possible.” “The students will have the opportunity to learn robotics automation in a real-world, high-tech manufacturing environment and be exposed to equipment, technology and processes they wouldn’t normally see in a traditional classroom,” said Jason Green, vice president of human resources at ABB. “However, whether they learn the skill on a school campus or on our campus, the main thing is they are developing a skill set, doing it safely, and working to develop a career plan that will prepare them for life beyond high school.”
$301 MILLION IN 2016
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith contributes (via direct expenditures and related indirect effects) more than $300
million in economic activity, more than 1,500 jobs, and $64.8 million in household income to the greater Fort Smith region as of fall 2016. Operations spending by the university contributed a total of $81
million in output to the regional economy and supported more than 600 jobs in
$220 MILLION IN 2011
$169 MILLION IN 2008
service and other related sectors. Annual spending by faculty and staff employed by the university generated almost $87
million in additional economic output and 320 additional jobs to supporting sectors. Visitors attending university events throughout the year (from outside the greater Fort Smith region) added a total of $580,000 in output to the regional economy.
UAFS TOTAL ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE REGION
QUALITY OF PLACE
UAFS dental hygiene students are helping our local youths by providing free dental care this spring through grant-funded afterschool clinics.
For decades, UAFS has brought top-tier musicians and national touring shows to Fort Smith for an affordable price through the Season of Entertainment.
Each spring, hundreds of UAFS students work to better Fort Smith by conducting community service activities across the city as part of Lion Community Outreach Day.
Local residents can enjoy works from nationally renowned artists through the gallery series at Windgate Art & Design, sponsored by the Chancellor’s Coalition for the Visual Arts.
5210 Grand Ave. | Fort Smith, AR 72913 888-512-5466 | uafs.edu
UAFS offers more than 100 futurefocused degrees, that support our community by training and providing a needed workforce.
UAFS is the most affordable university in the region, and has an average enrollment of just under 7,000 students.
Founded in 1928, UAFS makes its home in Fort Smith, the second-largest city in Arkansas.