News Stories
UAFS News
2025: An 'Ambitious' Year for UAFS
View some of the top stories and events at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith from 2025.
December 08, 2025
‘Shark Tank’ Inspired Competition Returns to UAFS
The Lion's Lair Business Plan Competition returned to the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith for its third year. The 'Shark Tank' inspired competition provided six student-led teams with the opportunity to create and pitch a new business idea, marketing...
November 17, 2025
Excellence in Family and Small Business Award Winners Recognized
The second Center for Economic Development Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards recognized ten businesses and individuals from across the region.
October 31, 2025
Advanced Manufacturing Equipment Arrives at UAFS
UAFS has installed new state-of-the-art robotics and automation equipment in its Advanced Manufacturing Lab, made possible through more than $5.7 Million in HIRED grant funds awarded by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and the Arkansas Department...
October 27, 2025
Manby Tabbed as Keynote for CED Awards
Joel Manby, who has more than 25 years of experience as a CEO for SeaWorld, Herschend Enterprises, and SAAB North America, will keynote the Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards on Oct. 20.
October 09, 2025
UAFS Launches Monthly Research Den Programming
The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith to launch Research Den, a monthly series to share research conducted by students and faculty through casual conversation.
August 21, 2025
UAFS Center for Economic Development's ASBTDC Opens in Van Buren
The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Center for Economic Development's Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center opened its second office location in Van Buren.
August 13, 2025
Treadaway Named Center for Nonprofits Director
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith announces Emily Treadaway as the new Director of the Center for Nonprofits (CNP), a brand-new division of the university’s Center for Economic Development located at the Bakery District in downtown Fort...
July 23, 2025 $7.5 million gift launches UAFS Center for Nonprofits
UAFS announced a transformational $7.5 million gift on Wednesday, April 2, which will endow a comprehensive Center for Nonprofits (CNP) at the university. The anonymous gift, one of the largest in UAFS history, was unveiled during the public kickoff...
April 02, 2025 Empowering Our Economy
The UAFS Center for Economic Development is a pillar of our community. By equipping the workforce, empowering entrepreneurs, and supporting the region’s most vital industries, the CED is building more than economic momentum—it’s building a...
March 26, 2025
Advancing Manufacturing
UAFS is laying the foundation for the next era of industry in the River Valley—equipping students, workers, and employers with the tools, training, and talent to lead in an advanced manufacturing economy. From engineering labs to apprenticeship...
March 26, 2025
Barrett Named Director of ASBTDC at UAFS
The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith announced Ty Barrett as the new director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center Regional Office. With more than 30 years of experience in finance and community banking, Barrett brings...
March 04, 2025
$1.7M HIRED Grant Bolsters Advanced Manufacturing Efforts
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has been awarded a $1.7 million Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) grant, one of just three universities in the state to receive awards from both the Division of Higher Education...
December 19, 2024
UAFS Students Conquer Lion's Lair Business Competition
Ten students from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith competed Wednesday in the Lion's Lair Business Plan Contest. Teams had about five minutes to deliver the perfect pitch for their fictional business to showcase innovative ideas, market research,...
November 21, 2024
UAFS Receives $4 Million Workforce Development Grant
On Thursday, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Secretary Hugh McDonald, Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers, and Arkansas Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits awarded $48 million in training grants to support workforce development efforts aligned...
November 14, 2024
Winners Announced at Inaugural UAFS Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards
The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Center for Economic Development celebrated the accomplishments of more than a dozen small businesses and family-owned businesses from around Fort Smith at the inaugural UAFS Excellence in Family and Small Business...
October 25, 2024
Willie Robertson to Keynote Inaugural UAFS Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards
Star of A&E's "Duck Dynasty" set to keynote the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Center for Economic Development's first Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards on October 24. The event will honor regional family-owned and small businesses...
August 08, 2024Media Relations
The UAFS Office of Communications fields all media inquiries for the university. Email Rachel.Putman@uafs.edu for more information.
Send%20an%20EmailRachel Rodemann Putman
- Director of Strategic Communications
- 479-788-7132
- rachel.putman@uafs.edu