University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

05/21/2026

Intergenerational Garden Project at UAPB Builds Food Security and Community Connections

Community members are learning how to grow, maintain and harvest crops through an intergenerational collaboration. The initiative is being led by Dr. Karleah Harris, associate professor of human development and family studies at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) in partnership with Pine Bluff First Assembly of God and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Jefferson County Extension Service....

05/20/2026

The 2026 Southwest Arkansas Small Farms Conference, held recently at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, brought together around 80 producers, landowners and agricultural partners from across the region. The event was hosted by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Small Farm Program in partnership with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and Hempstead County.

05/19/2026

UAPB Chancellor Anthony Graham joined Arkansas Congressman French Hill and North Carolina Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, PhD in Washington, DC last Thursday in support of their bipartisan IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, legislation designed to strengthen historically Black colleges and universities through transformational investments in infrastructure, research, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and AI education.

As Arkansas’s only public 1890 land grant HBCU, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff continues to advocate for investments that expand opportunity, strengthen innovation, and prepare students to lead in a rapidly changing economy.

“The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act represents a critical investment in the future of historically Black colleges and universities and the students and communities we serve,” Chancellor Graham said. “Strengthening research capacity and modernizing infrastructure at HBCUs is essential to advancing workforce development, innovation, economic mobility, and the long-term competitiveness of our nation. We are grateful to Congressman Hill, Congresswoman Adams, and the bipartisan HBCU Caucus for their leadership and continued commitment to expanding opportunities for HBCUs across the country.”

05/19/2026

It's TBT, also known as Throwback Tuesday! The Class of 1976 will celebrate their 50th Reunion during Homecoming 2026.

On Sunday, May 18, 1976, at 6:00 p.m. at Bell Tower Square, more than 310 students stepped forward to receive their degrees—an achievement that would help shape their futures. According to our records, 124 members of the class remain with us.

The homecoming theme that year was “A Salute to the Bicentennial.” Oliver B. Elders, head basketball coach at Hall High School, served as the featured speaker at the annual homecoming kick-off assembly. The coronation ball featured the theme “African Exposé,” with music provided by Konfunction Band. Alumni and students gathered in the Hazzard Gymnasium for the annual alumni assembly held on November 7. The homecoming football game featured University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) versus Prairie View A&M University, with UAPB losing 19–14. Featured homecoming entertainers included The Undisputed Truth and Love Children. Coach Eddie Robinson was the keynote speaker for the all sports banquet.

Our featured photos include: The 1976 yearbook cover; Miss Arkansas State, Janice Carter (first row, second photo); a showcase of class queens including (first row, third through sixth photo, from left to right) Miss Senior, Peritha Taylor; Miss Junior, Bobbie Walker; Miss Sophomore, Janice Hargrove; and Miss Freshman, Shentta Wallace.

Chancellor Dr. Herman B. Smith (beneath yearbook cover) along with his executive cabinet members, Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs Dr. Johnny B. Johnson (second row, first picture); Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs Dr. L.A. Torrence; Vice Chancellor, Fiscal Affairs E. J. Junior, Jr.; and Special Assistant, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs John Kearney; Delta Pi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma Band Society members (received its charter on the campus in November 1970 and assisted with the band fundraisers); Sigma Shadows members (granted charter by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity in spring of 1974 and assisted with the fraternity with fundraisers and goodwill); Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity members, a national service organization (bottom row); and Nu Gamma Alpha Fraternity members (founded on the AM&N campus in 1966 and represented young men involved in social and business activities).

(Courtesy of Alumni Affairs Office)

05/19/2026

UAPB Hospitality Student Semiyah Smith Named National Scholarship Recipient

Semiyah Smith and Dr. Suzzette Shaw Goldmon Semiyah Smith, a student of hospitality and tourism management at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, was recently named a recipient of the Pathways to Success Scholarship and Professional Development Program. Supported by the Destinations International (DI) Foundation, the initiative is designed to increase access, opportunity and career pathways for students pursuing degrees in hospitality and tourism management....

05/15/2026

Veteran Financial Aid Professional Leslie Mitchell-Knox Joins UAPB

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) has named Leslie Mitchell-Knox as the new director of the Office of Student Financial Services, bringing more than 25 years of experience in financial aid leadership, student counseling, and outreach to the institution.

As part of UAPB’s commitment to expanding access, affordability, student support, completion, and long-term economic opportunity, the Office of Student Financial Services plays a critical role in helping students and families identify, secure, and successfully navigate financial resources that support degree completion. Join us in welcoming Ms. Mitchell-Knox and click this link to learn more: https://uapbnews.wpcomstaging.com/2026/05/15/veteran-financial-aid-professional-leslie-mitchell-knox-joins-uapb/

05/15/2026

Today, Chancellor Anthony Graham joined co-chairs of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, Arkansas 2nd District Rep. French Hill and North Carolina Rep. Alma Adams in Washington, DC, to introduce the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, following years of bipartisan work to strengthen historically Black colleges and universities.

This IGNITE (Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education) Act, would direct the Department of Education to award competitive grants to historically Black colleges and universities for the renovation, repair, and construction of campus facilities, including classrooms, research labs, student housing, and broadband infrastructure, while expanding research capacity, developing workforce skills, building entrepreneurial capacity, and advancing AI education for generations to come.

Congressman French Hill said, "Central Arkansas is home to four outstanding HBCUs, and I have seen firsthand the difference these institutions make for their students and communities. I have also seen how the lack of long-term investment and aging infrastructure limits what these institutions are able to offer their students. TheIGNITE HBCU Excellence Act is a meaningful step toward addressing that. It would help ensure our HBCUs have the facilities and infrastructure to match the excellence of the students they serve. This is the kind of investment that will pay dividends for generations, and I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Adams and our Senate colleagues to get it done."

“For generations, HBCUs have educated students who went on to lead in every corner of our country, often while operating with far fewer resources than their peer institutions,” said Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus and a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus. “The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act is about making sure these institutions have the facilities and infrastructure needed to continue serving students and competing in today’s higher education landscape. From academic buildings and research labs to student housing and technology infrastructure, this bill makes long-term investments that will strengthen our campuses, support workforce development, and expand opportunity for future generations. I am proud to continue this bipartisan work through the HBCU Caucus alongside Congressman French Hill and our Senate partners.”

“The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act represents a critical investment in the future of historically Black colleges and universities and the students and communities we serve,” Chancellor Graham said. “Strengthening research capacity and modernizing infrastructure at HBCUs is essential to advancing workforce development, innovation, economic mobility, and the long-term competitiveness of our nation. We are grateful to Congressman Hill, Congresswoman Adams, and the bipartisan HBCU Caucus for their leadership and continued commitment to expanding opportunities for HBCUs across the country.”

Watch the announcement at the link below:

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation, IGNITE (Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education) Act, would direct the Department of E...

05/13/2026

Three UAPB Professors Among 12 Grant Recipients Identified by Arkansas Research Alliance as Emerging Research Leaders Elevating Their Science to the Next Level

The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) has announced 12 grant recipients from the Emerging Research Leaders Program (ERL), a new initiative created to increase the number of Arkansas researchers submitting competitive proposals for major federal funding opportunities. Three of the recipients are associate professors at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). They include Dr. Tamara Glover, LCSW, associate professor of Social Work;

Click the link to see the full article

https://uapbnews.wpcomstaging.com/2026/05/13/three-uapb-professors-among-12-grant-recipients-identified-by-arkansas-research-alliance-as-emerging-research-leaders-elevating-their-science-to-the-next-level/

05/13/2026

UAPB Chancellor to Join National HBCU Leaders for Announcement of Bipartisan IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act in Washington, D.C.

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Chancellor Dr. Anthony Graham will join HBCU presidents, chancellors, national advocates, and partners in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, May 14, 2026, for a press conference announcing the reintroduction of the bipartisan IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act.

According to a press advisory received from the Office of Congresswoman Alma Adams, Rep. Adams (D-NC-12) will hold the press conference with Rep. French Hill (R-AR-02) at 11:15 a.m. ET in the House Media Triangle Grounds of the Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Senator Chris C***s (D-DE) are expected to introduce a companion bill in the Senate. Click the following link to learn more about the event and the Bipartisan IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act: https://uapbnews.wpcomstaging.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=19869&action=edit UAPB AM&N National Alumni Association UAPB Metropolitian Washington D.C. Alumni Chapter

05/13/2026

UAPB to Host 1890 Center of Excellence Spring 2026 Symposium

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) will host the 1890 Center of Excellence Student Success and Workforce Development's fifth annual Spring 2026 Symposium from May 17–20 on its campus, bringing together students, faculty, and administrators from across the nation’s 1890 land-grant institutions.

The symposium, themed “Enhancing, Advancing and Promoting Academic Excellence, Student Success and Workforce Development at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions,” will convene participants from 1890 universities to engage in collaborative learning, professional development, and workforce preparation....click the following link to learn more about it: https://uapbnews.wpcomstaging.com/2026/05/13/uapb-to-host-1890-center-of-excellence-spring-2026-symposium/

05/12/2026

Golden Standard: UAPB Earns 2025–26 SWAC Sports Information Staff of the Year Honors

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Athletics Department proudly announces that its Sports Information staff has been named the 2025–26 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Sports Information Staff of the Year, as voted on by conference peers. The award recognizes excellence in strategic communications, creativity, and service throughout the league while highlighting UAPB's continued leadership in elevating the visibility of its student-athletes and the Southwestern Athletic Conference brand. Click this link to read more: https://uapbnews.wpcomstaging.com/2026/05/12/golden-standard-uapb-earns-2025-26-swac-sports-information-staff-of-the-year-honors/