Page 46 - 2025 Van Buren Chamber Community Profile

EDUCATION

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas – Fort
Smith (UAFS) offers a rich, vibrant learning
environment for nearly 6,000 students each
semester. UAFS aims to build its reputation
as a regional destination for high-quality,
affordable education, where diverse groups
of aspirational students and faculty thrive and
excel. The passion of its staff and leadership
isn’t to replicate how higher education has
always been done but to redefine it for the
good of each of their students, and that
means ALL of them.
From high school seniors to senior
professionals, first-generation students to
second-chance underdogs, the University’s
goal has always been to provide each student
with the most relevant education that honors
their unique personal situation and life goals.
This includes providing that education at a
student cost that ranks as the lowest in the
state of Arkansas. University of Arkansas - Fort Smith students participate in the 2024 Day of Giving. Photo by
You experience the UAFS difference the Rachel Rodemann-Putman Director of Communications, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.
moment you step onto campus. The size of
the university fosters a sense of belonging than 450 beds in suites for residents to call develop the foundation for a life built on
that isn’t easily replicated at larger institutions. their own. The Lion’s Den is located on the leadership, academics, social engagement,
Faculty take a personal interest in students’ southeast corner of the campus near the and service. Our fraternities and sororities
lives and their individual academic and career intramural field and Stubblefield Center. conduct separate formal recruitment
goals. This tight-knit community gives UAFS For upper-class, non-traditional, and processes during the beginning of the fall
students the confidence to roam, explore, and married students, Sebastian Commons semester in an effort to recruit new members.
achieve amazing things for themselves and Apartments has more than 450 beds in full-size Lions Athletics is truly something to cheer
their families. apartments. Sebastian Commons is located on about. Competing sports include men’s and
The UAFS campus was recently named the the west edge of the campus near the Smith- women’s basketball, tennis, cross-country,
safest university in Arkansas, earning praise Pendergraft Campus Center and the Math- and golf, plus men’s baseball and women’s
from online safety resource YourLocalSecurity. Science Building. volleyball. UAFS is an NCAA Division II
com. UAFS reports drastically lower crime Fraternities and sororities at UAFS offer level institution, now competing in the Mid-
rates than the national averages, and the many opportunities for students to be involved America Intercollegiate Athletic Association
University Police Department goes above in a growing community that includes three (MIAA). The new conference affiliation sets up
and beyond the call of duty, implementing sororities (Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Gamma many more potential regional rivalries, as the
proactive safety measures across campus. and Gamma Phi Beta), four fraternities (Kappa MIAA includes Missouri Southern in Joplin,
Dr. Terisa Riley, UAFS Chancellor, Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Phi and MO, Northeastern State in Tahlequah, OK,
maintains a vital connection with the student Sigma Nu), two governing councils, two all- and Rogers State in Claremore, OK – all short
body and staff through monthly “Chancellor Greek honor societies, and a programming drives from Fort Smith.
Chats.” Those communications range from board. For more information, including admissions
basic operational issues to announcements Students in fraternities and sororities requirements, please visit www.uafs.edu.
of upcoming events and additional services
offered to the campus community.
In her September 2023 “Chat,” Dr.
Riley announced that UAFS has reported an
increase in overall enrollment of 2.5% and
an impressive increase in the enrollment of
first time freshman of 6.8%. “This increase
has led to a much more engaging campus DEDICATED TO
environment, and we look forward to the
many events, activities, and opportunities this
increase will bring to UAFS,” she explained. SERVING YOU
Many more students are choosing to live
on campus these days, in order to experience since 1907
“college life” to a greater extent. UAFS has
two living options on campus. For all students,
especially first-year students, the silver LEED-
certified Lion’s Den Residence Hall has more
46 Van Buren Chamber 2025 Community Profile vanburenchamber.org