University of Arkansas Graduate School and International Education

06/05/2026

Emanuel Ferrari do Nascimento, a master’s student in crop, soil and environmental sciences at the University of Arkansas, has been named a 2026 Borlaug Scholar by the NAPB, National Association for Plant Breeding. Originally from Brazil, Nascimento is part of the Arkansas Soybean Breeding Program led by Caio Canella Vieira. His research combines genetics, genomics and high-throughput phenotyping to develop more resilient soybean varieties, with a particular focus on improving resistance to southern root-knot nematodes and using drone-based technologies to study crop performance under field conditions.

In addition to his research, Nascimento is active in graduate student leadership and professional organizations, including the NAPB Graduate Student Working Group. Faculty members praised his growth, leadership and contributions to the soybean breeding program. The NAPB Borlaug Scholars Program recognizes outstanding plant breeding students nationwide and provides mentorship, professional development and support to attend the NAPB annual meeting. Nascimento has also earned several recent research presentation awards, including first-place finishes at the Nebraska Plant Science Symposium UNL and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences AFLS Symposium.

To read more, visit ➡️ https://news.uark.edu/articles/82315/nascimento-crop-science-m-s-student-named-napb-borlaug-scholar?v=639162788787511813

06/04/2026

Check out this feature of Francis Torko, a food science Ph.D. student working under the direction of professor Kristen Gibson, director of the Center for Food Safety and co-director of the college's master's degree online program in food safety.

06/02/2026

Not every student crosses the graduation stage feeling fully prepared for what comes next — and that’s okay.

Each spring, we connect with graduates who are still exploring their options. Some are searching for the right job, others are gaining experience through internships, and some are looking for additional time to refine their portfolios or consider paths in research or teaching. That in-between space can be a meaningful and important part of the process.

The Fay Jones School’s Master of Design (MDes) program is designed with that moment in mind. Rather than rushing into the next step, it offers a focused, one-year opportunity to deepen skills, test ideas and develop a clearer sense of direction. Students strengthen their portfolio, engage in research and explore advanced design topics while preparing for professional practice.

With a fall start, a small cohort and a flexible area of focus, the program creates space for intentional growth — both as designers and as professionals.

If you are graduating and still considering your next step, this may be a valuable path to explore. To learn more, contact [email protected].

06/02/2026

We’re so proud of Dr. Michael Hevel and Sandra Ward on receiving Collis R. Geren and Patricia R. Koski Awards from University of Arkansas Graduate School and International Education! 🌟

Dr. Hevel received this year’s Outstanding University Faculty Award, while Sandra earned the Outstanding University Staff Award. We’re so lucky to have them both in our caring college!

Learn more:�
https://news.uark.edu/articles/81220/hevel-ward-cole-win-2026-geren-koski-awards

05/29/2026

This month is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To celebrate we’re highlighting Sung Hye Yang, an Instructor of Spanish in the UARK World Languages, Literatures & Cultures.

Yang began her journey at UARK in 2023, she is originally from South Korea and is of Korean heritage. Her work focuses on language education, including Spanish and Korean instruction, as well as AI-supported immersive learning experiences for Spanish language learners. She values a Head-Heart-Hand approach inspired by Waldorf pedagogy, believing that movement, creativity, and emotional connection help students feel supported and deepen the learning experience. She incorporates these principles into both her Spanish and Korean classes through interactive activities, music, performance, and community engagement.

During the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters, she developed a Korean seminar course at the University of Arkansas and volunteered at the Arkansas Korean Methodist Church Korean School, teaching Korean language and culture to the local community.

Join us in celebrating Yang and other AAPI members of our campus community this month!

05/26/2026

Join University of Arkansas School of Art graduate student, Joel Settlemoir on a tour around the America 250: Common Threads exhibition at Crystal Bridges! In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this exhibition focuses on both the events of 1776 and American art and civic participation over the past 250 years. Visitors are invited to experience national and personal moments in American history through symbolism and snapshots.

Members of the UARK community can get up to 2 free tickets to the exhibition. To redeem free tickets, visit crystalbridges.org and use code “HOGS” at checkout, valid through June 1st.

05/18/2026

The University of Arkansas is launching a new fully online master’s degree in Outdoor Recreation and Sport Tourism in fall 2026 to help meet growing demand in Arkansas’ booming outdoor economy. The program is designed for both recent graduates and working professionals interested in careers tied to outdoor recreation, tourism, event management, and sports tourism. Along with flexible online coursework, students will complete hands-on practicum and capstone projects that connect them directly with real industry challenges and professionals.

Program coordinator Jamie Cathey said the degree focuses on the intersection of outdoor recreation, tourism, and community development. The announcement highlights Arkansas’ rapid growth in the sector, noting that outdoor recreation supported more than 40,000 jobs and contributed roughly $5 billion to the state economy in 2024. State leaders expect the industry to continue expanding through initiatives that promote Arkansas as an outdoor destination.

University officials believe the program could become a national leader because students will study in what Cathey called a “learning lab” created by Arkansas’ fast-growing recreation and tourism industries. The degree builds on the university’s broader investment in outdoor leadership, entrepreneurship, and recreation programs that have expanded significantly in recent years.

To read more, visit ➡ https://news.uark.edu/articles/81248/new-master-s-degree-prepares-leaders-for-arkansas-growing-outdoor-recreation-and-sport-tourism-field?v=639144729422173087

05/15/2026

Lovelace Amos, a doctoral student in higher education at the University of Arkansas, was invited to participate in the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026 in New York City. The forum brought together young leaders from around the world to discuss sustainable development and global policy issues, an experience Amos said deepened her commitment to educational equity and advocacy for underserved communities.

Amos’ research focuses on how institutional policies and support systems affect international students’ sense of inclusion and success in higher education. Inspired by conversations at the forum, she hopes to continue blending research, advocacy and community work in a future career as a professor and collaborator with nonprofit organizations and global agencies.

To read more, visit ➡ https://news.uark.edu/articles/82286/higher-ed-ph-d-student-participates-in-united-nations-youth-forum@

05/14/2026

British graduate student Abel Fenwick found her path to the University of Arkansas after an unexpected binge-watch of the classic Western miniseries Lonesome Dove in a New Jersey hotel room. Instantly captivated by the story and themes, she developed a passion for the works of Larry McMurtry and eventually came to Arkansas to study English and cowboy literature.

At the U of A, Fenwick focused her research on masculinity and the myths of the American West in McMurtry’s writing, even earning a grant to study original Lonesome Dove archives at Texas State University. She also helped organize an academic conference celebrating McMurtry’s work and credits the university’s supportive faculty and funding opportunities for helping her grow as a scholar. After graduation, she hopes to work in publishing or teaching before pursuing a Ph.D.

To read more, visit ➡ https://news.uark.edu/articles/82286/higher-ed-ph-d-student-participates-in-united-nations-youth-forum@

05/14/2026