UAPB Friday Feature News Digest | June 12, 2026 | | #UAPB | #UAPBDearMother | #1TEAM1ROAR | #UAPB1873 | | UAPB Enrollment Management Command Center to Provide Virtual Student Support Sessions This Summer | | |
UAPB is offering virtual Enrollment Management Command Center sessions on June 4, 2026, and July 2, 2026, providing students with direct access to comprehensive support services designed to help them enroll, register, persist, and progress toward graduation.
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UAPB Participates in Go Orange Day to Support
Gun Violence Awareness
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UAPB joined community partners for Go Orange Day on Friday, June 6, at the Pine Bluff Convention Center in support of Gun Violence Awareness.
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School of Business and Management Celebrates Class of 2026
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UAPB Names Jacquese ‘Jai’ Starling New Director of Research and Sponsored Programs
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) has named Jacquese “Jai” Starling as the new director of Research and Sponsored Programs. Starling brings more than a decade of experience in sponsored programs administration, federal grant compliance, and post-award financial strategy to UAPB.
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UAPB Graduate Program Helps Veteran Educator Reach New Leadership Milestones
For many adult learners, higher education is not a straight path but a journey marked by career transitions, family responsibilities, and a commitment to lifelong growth. At UAPB, Thomas D. Noble III embodies that spirit. The 61-year-old educator recently earned his second master’s degree from UAPB, completing a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and demonstrating how UAPB’s graduate programs help working professionals advance their careers, strengthen their leadership skills, and pursue new opportunities at every stage of life.
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Kalani Vreen Selected as an HBCU Fellow for 2026 Black Student-Athlete Summit
Kalani Vreen, a UAPB Women’s Track and Field student-athlete, has been selected as an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Fellow for the 2026 Black Student-Athlete (BSA) Summit, sponsored by the NCAA Department of Inclusion, Education, and Community Engagement.
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Podcast Episode #2: UAPB Alumni Making An Impact
Welcome to Episode #2: UAPB Alumni Making An Impact of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) new podcast, From the Yard: The UAPB News podcast, which transforms the UAPB News Blog stories into engaging AI-generated audio experiences for students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the broader community.
Click to read more
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UAPB's Third Annual Juneteenth in the Bluff
Set for June 19, 2026
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We are proud to announce the official musical lineup for Juneteenth in the Bluff 2026! This year we are bringing:
- Lakeside
- Nellie "Tiger" Travis
- Urban Mystic
- CitiLimitz
They are all taking the stage. This is the one you do NOT want to miss. Tell the family and mark your calendars.
Visit www.juneteenthinthebluff.com for all of the details.
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Loni Harshaw, UAPB Alumna, Named 2026 Arkansans for the Arts Teacher of the Year
Loni Harshaw, an art teacher at Little Rock Southwest High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been named the 2026 Arkansans for the Arts Teacher of the Year. She is a 2009 graduate in art education from UAPB.
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Families Learn Sustainable Gardening Practices at Edible Garden Conference
The UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, in collaboration with the East Arkansas Enterprise Community, recently hosted the annual Edible Garden Conference in Forrest City, Arkansas. Click to learn more
| | Understanding the Cause and Treatment of Weed Growth in Fish Ponds | | |
Nuisance aquatic weed growth is one of the most common problems faced by pond owners. While plants can provide utility to a pond, many species can grow so abundant that they cause more trouble than benefit, Scott Jones, small impoundment Extension specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, said.
Click to learn more
| | | UAPB Hosts 2026 1890 Center of Excellence Student Success and Workforce Development Symposium | | |
UAPB's School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences hosted the 2026 1890 Center of Excellence Student Success and Workforce Development Symposium from May 17-20 in the STEM Building. The four-day event brought together students, faculty, administrators and stakeholders from 1890 land-grant institutions across the nation to foster academic excellence, student success and workforce development.
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| | From Backyard Garden to Community Resource: Rucker Farm Grows Food, Skills and Connections | | |
In 2020, Krystle Rucker decided she wanted to be intentional about the food her family ate. A wife, mother of a teenage daughter as well as triplets with special needs, she wanted to ensure her family was getting the nourishment they deserved.
“We live in Bauxite, Arkansas – the nearest grocery store is over 15 minutes away from our house,” she said.
Click to learn more
| | | It is with profound sadness that the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) shares the announcements of the passing of Dr. Daniel Amadin Irabor and Samuel Staples. Dr. Irabor was a respected scholar, educator, and valued member of the UAPB School of Arts and Sciences faculty, who passed away while visiting family in Nigeria. Staples, a 1963 graduate of AM&N College (now known as UAPB), was a major donor of UAPB who established a scholarship fund with his wife, Zelma Staples. A former president of the UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association, Samuel Staples influenced many students to attend UAPB. | | UAPB/AM&N Alumni Announcements | | Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Announced | | |
The UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association announces its Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This is the largest class in the Association's history with 13 outstanding alumni being recognized for their remarkable contributions and enduring legacy.
Please join us in congratulating the following members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2026:
Elzadia Washington - Agriculture/Fisheries/Human Services
Sondra Strong - Arts/Visual
Albert Cruse - Athletics
Kelley Taylor - Business/Industry
Janis Bankston - Community Service
Taffany Jones-Davis - Education
Samuel Lawrence Kelly - Entertainment/Media
Carl Frazier - Faith/Theology
James "Calvin" Jordan - Government/Law
Theo A. Hamiter - Lifetime Posthumous
Dr. Manual Kelly - Medicine/Medical
Lt. Col. Bernard House - Military
LaDonna Hendrix - Science/Technology
| | 2026 Alumni Queen and King Contestants Announced | | |
The UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association is proud to introduce the official contestants for the 2026 Alumni Queen and King Competition. These outstanding alumni have stepped forward to represent their classes, engage our alumni community, and help advance the mission of the Association through this year's Homecoming fundraising campaign.
Please join us in congratulating the following 2026 contestants:
👑 ALUMNI QUEEN CONTESTANTS
• Kimberly Boyd
• Kristy Stepps King
• Sharonda Lowery
🤴 ALUMNI KING CONTESTANTS
• Kevis McArthur
• MaRon King
• Parish Lowery
Over the coming weeks, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about each contestant, support their fundraising efforts, and cheer them on throughout the campaign.
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37th Southern Heritage Classic Game Tickets Now Available
Golden Lions,
The countdown is on.
Get ready for the Southern Heritage Classic Weekend, September 11–13, 2026, as the Black & Gold returns to Memphis in a major way! The 2026 matchup is a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s back-and-forth battle, where the UAPB Golden Lions secured a 24–20 victory over Alcorn State.
Purchase your game tickets and pull up to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium to cheer on the Golden Lions as they defend their SHC title—rocking and swaying with M4 all game long.
Click to purchase tickets
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See you at the Westin!
For the 2026 Southern Heritage Classic, the official UAPB host hotel is The Westin Beale Street Memphis, located in downtown Memphis. The hotel serves as the central hub for the UAPB 901 Takeover, the weekend of September 9–14, 2026.
| | #UAPBFootball: Golden Lions Announce 2026 Football Slate Highlighted by Homecoming and Classic Matchups | | |
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions have officially announced their 2026 football schedule, highlighted by five home contests, two premier classic appearances, homecoming at Simmons Bank Field, and a nationally televised matchup against an SEC opponent.
The 2026 slate promises an exciting fall for Golden Lion fans, beginning in Week 0 on Saturday, August 29, when UAPB hosts Morehouse College in the Natural State Kickoff Classic at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. The matchup marks a celebratory return to the capital city and continues UAPB’s tradition of showcasing Golden Lions football on a premier stage in the state. Click to read more
| | Opportunities for UAPB Students | | UAPB Is Encouraging Registration for the Summer and Fall 2026 to Support Student Momentum | |
- FIRST SUMMER SESSION 2026 started June 1, 2026
- SECOND SUMMER SESSION 2026 starts July 6, 2026
| | FAFSA for 2026-27 Now Available! | | |
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-27 academic year is now live. Filing the FAFSA is the gateway to the largest source of funding for higher education, including federal grants, loans and work-study. It’s also required for most state and institutional aid, even for families who don’t think they’ll qualify.
All U.S. citizen college students are required to complete the FAFSA each year.
CLICK THIS LINK TO VISIT THE FAFSA WEBSITE
| | | First-time freshman or two-year transfer student, here is the path to graduating in four years with a bachelor's degree. | | | Scholarships for Students | | |
Available for UAPB Students: Scholarship Universe
Scholarship Universe is an online platform that matches students with vetted internal and external scholarships based on their personalized profiles, helping them save time and avoid scams. Students answer questions to find, track, and apply for relevant merit- and need-based opportunities.
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USDA 1890 National Scholars Program
The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is open to high school seniors entering their freshman year of college and to rising sophomores and juniors. For any questions regarding the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, please contact: Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement
USDA 1890 Programs 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Stop 0601 Washington, DC 20250
Email: 1890init@usda.gov. Click this link to learn more.
| | Here are some useful links to click on to experience more of the PRIDELAND: | | | | |
