Foundation | Giving | Lion VoicesDecember 19, 2025

Advancing UAFS Through Relationships: Kara Crowley

Written By: Ian Silvester

Kara Crowley focuses on building strong, genuine relationships that support students and strengthen the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith community.

“The work we do over here directly impacts the students,” said Crowley.

Crowley has worked at UAFS for just over four years, beginning in student affairs, before moving to University Advancement in January of 2023.

“I kind of fell into it,” she said. “I really didn’t think I had the experience or felt qualified, but I applied anyway. Once I interviewed, I realized that there isn’t a set qualification or experience you have to have; you just have to love people.”

In her role as associate director of philanthropy and engagement, it’s that love of people that Crowley uses to support the university and its students in obvious ways, and some that aren’t as clear.

She said it all starts with building relationships.

“I find where a donor’s passion lives on campus. Maybe they have been in the geology field themselves, or maybe they have a love of the arts,” she explained. “Whatever someone’s interests are, we can find the place on campus that connects to them most. Sometimes people have skills and knowledge to share with our students; there’s a tremendous value in sharing that.”

The scholarships Crowley helps donors establish are available to UAFS students through the Lion’s Share portal.

“That’s maybe the most obvious to the students because they definitely notice when that scholarship hits their account,” she said.

A donor’s support can also come through program funding.

“Program funding makes for a better experience for our students, because while yes, our mission here is accessible education, we also want quality,” Crowley said. “We want students to be practicing on state-of-the-art equipment. We want our nursing students to practice with the equipment they will use in hospitals. We want our education majors to be fully equipped in their classrooms with everything they need. We want all our students to have that top-notch quality education with no sacrifices.”

The work Crowley does to help every student at UAFS is deeply personal. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science in 2021 from Arkansas Tech University, before continuing to earn her master’s degree in public administration from Southern Arkansas University in the summer of 2023. All of her education at both institutions was fully paid through scholarships. Many of which were established by donors like the ones she works with now.

“That’s where my passion for this work comes from. I experienced it on the student side—that lightness that comes from earning a degree, walking across that stage feeling proud of your accomplishment and not being burdened by debt,” she said.

Crowley knows from personal experience that students may not always understand the role of a university’s advancement team and the work involved in securing scholarship funds. But she’s excited to share part of the behind-the-scenes generosity and philanthropy that goes on to support UAFS.

“We want our community to really feel connected to what we’re doing here at UAFS,” she smiled. “Building community relationships is important because we are part of this community, and we want the community to feel like they’re part of UAFS. … What we’re doing in Advancement is the mechanism that keeps the university moving and moving forward.”

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