Counseling Services (part of聽the Division of Student Affairs – Wellness and Belonging)聽received the $27,200 grant — which concludes at the end of September — from the聽Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services,聽Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (OSAMH)聽through the Arkansas Collegiate Prevention and Recovery Program.聽This funding is supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through a State Opioid聽Response Grant awarded to OSAMH, and聽OSAMH has contracted with the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) to serve as the financial pass-through聽and administrative oversight entity for this initiative.

The grant supports evidence-based, movement-focused programming that promotes healthy coping strategies, social connection, and student well-being while increasing awareness of substance use prevention, overdose education, and campus resources, all run by professional and peer coaches from the campus, said Counseling Services Director Aresh Assadi. Programs such as Movement Mondays and the Trojan Summer Pickleball Club have become central to the initiative, providing students, faculty, staff, and community members with fun, accessible opportunities to stay active, build connections, and engage with prevention education in a welcoming environment.

“Pickleball has been a great example of what we are trying to accomplish: people come because they want to play, be active, and connect with others, but it also gives us an opportunity to introduce prevention and wellness resources in a setting that doesn’t feel clinical,” he said. “Movement Mondays works similarly by using physical activity as an entry point for conversations about stress management, coping, mental health, and healthy alternatives to substance use.”聽

At noon on Mondays, “we all meet outside the Donaghey Student Center and go for a one-mile walk on the trail or on the track, depending on the weather,” while pickleball is hosted at noon on Wednesdays in the Fitness Center, and “we share prevention resources, educational materials, and exercise healthy coping mechanisms” at all these events, noted Emily Orr, Counseling Services office manager. Offerings are also publicized on Instagram,聽@糖心Vlog传媒LRWellness, and Orr has been “pleasantly surprised” by how interested the entire campus community is in prevention efforts.聽

“Our聽campus聽community sees this as an important cause just like we do, and it feels really fulfilling to be able to help provide these resources knowing how much it means to聽them,” she said. “When you have a聽campus聽that is interested in having a prevention–based culture, you start to see positive trends in behavior.”

The grant also supports Narcan education and training, peer-led outreach, educational events, and collaborations with campus and community partners, according to Assadi. “We have been very encouraged by the response — participation continues to grow — and the programs have created new opportunities to connect with students who may not otherwise engage with traditional wellness programming.”

With assistance from the grant, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is continuing its Movement Mondays and Deadlift to Uplift programming with an expanded prevention focus. Wellness sessions include: guided physical activity — such as walking groups, bodyweight training, and use of existing campus fitness resources — educational components connecting physical activity to stress regulation,聽emotional wellbeing, and聽reduced reliance on substances for coping; and promotion of substance-free lifestyle choices and campus resources.

Deadlifts are one of the most effective full-body exercises and can be adapted for almost anyone, regardless of experience or fitness level, according to Assadi. More importantly, they provide a powerful metaphor for mental health — “we often discover we’re capable of carrying more than we thought possible, but when the weight becomes too much, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help.”

“The goal is to make prevention education approachable and meet students where they are rather than waiting for them to come to us,” Assadi said. “Prevention does not always have to look like a lecture or formal presentation. Sometimes prevention is helping someone find healthier ways to manage stress, giving them a place to connect with other people, teaching them how to administer Narcan, or simply making sure they know where to go when they or someone they care about needs help.”

“That is really what Prevention Through Strength is about,” he added. “We are combining education with activities people genuinely want to participate in and using those interactions to increase awareness of opioid and stimulant misuse, Narcan, mental health and recovery resources, and positive alternatives to substance use.”聽

Education materials on topics like the risks of opioid and stimulant misuse, overdose prevention and naloxone awareness, healthy coping strategies, and access to campus and community resources聽will be distributed consistently through weekly tabling events,聽Counseling Services engagement, campus-wide outreach efforts, and聽QR code campaigns linking to recovery resources.

“We are grateful for the funding and excited to see how much more we can accomplish as students return for the fall semester,” Assadi explained in early August. “We are so happy to partner with the Arkansas聽Collegiate聽Prevention and Recovery Program. The folks at EndOverDose and AMFC have been especially helpful at guiding us through this grant process.”聽

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Through the program, partnering employers provide their employees with opportunities to begin or complete undergraduate or graduate degrees or certificate programs at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock while continuing to work full time. The partnerships strengthen connections between the university and the community while helping make higher education more accessible for working adults.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has over 130 partnerships with Arkansas businesses, organizations, school districts, and corporations in the Corporate Partnerships Program. 

鈥淲e are proud to welcome our new partners to the Corporate Partnerships Program as we work to develop the next generation of leaders in the Arkansas workforce,鈥� said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. 鈥淭he success of the program allows us to continue to add to our growing roster of committed business partners to create affordable, quality educational opportunities for their employees across Arkansas.鈥�

Over 67,000 people in Arkansas鈥檚 workforce are eligible to receive educational benefits at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock through the Corporate Partnerships Program. Over 1,500 students have already taken advantage of these scholarships to pursue an affordable and accessible education at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 

Employees who wish to participate in the program will receive a 10-percent tuition scholarship, a $25-per-credit-hour textbook scholarship, and a waived application fee when they enroll in classes at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 newest corporate partners include:

• 糖心Vlog传媒 Plus Charter Schools
• Arkansas Family Dental
• Brookland Public Schools
• City of Faith
• EAST Initiative
• Family of Companies
• Perryville School District 
• Riceland Foods
• Uniti Group, Inc.
• White River Area Agency on Aging

Adding these businesses and organizations to the Corporate Partnerships Program helps enhance the university鈥檚 partnerships with other great central Arkansas employers that provide higher educational opportunities for working adults. 

These new corporate partners join a growing list of organizations already participating in the program, including Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Arkansas Department of Transportation, Arkansas Secretary of State, CARTI, Empower Healthcare Solutions, Mena Regional Health System, the Searcy and England school districts, Relyance Bank, The Root Cafe, and many more. Those interested in learning more about 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Corporate Partnerships Program can visit the Corporate Partnerships website for more information.

Companies interested in becoming a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock corporate partner should email Matthew Bellew, corporate partnerships coordinator, at msbellew@ualr.edu.

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糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock enrolled 6,518 undergraduate and graduate students, representing a 1.0 percent increase in headcount compared to spring 2025. With the addition of students at the William H. Bowen School of Law and high school concurrent enrollment, the university expects total spring enrollment to be about 7,500 students.

Undergraduate enrollment totaled 5,207 students, an increase of 3.0 percent in headcount compared to last spring. Undergraduate student semester credit hours increased 5.9 percent, indicating that students are enrolling in more coursework than last spring.

鈥淕rowing on top of last year鈥檚 historic enrollment is a powerful affirmation of the value students see in a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock education,鈥� said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. 鈥淭hese numbers represent students choosing a university that supports their goals, invests in their success, and prepares them to thrive in their careers and communities.鈥�

Graduate enrollment totaled 1,311 students this spring. Overall graduate headcount declined 6.5 percent, with student semester credit hours down 4.8 percent. University leaders pointed to continued growth in domestic graduate enrollment, even as declines in international enrollment affected overall graduate totals.

The William H. Bowen School of Law also experienced growth this spring, enrolling 411 students, a 4.1 percent increase in headcount compared to last year. Law student semester credit hours increased 6.5 percent. 

鈥淭hese results demonstrate that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 enrollment momentum is being sustained across multiple semesters,鈥� said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. 鈥淕rowth in undergraduate enrollment and student credit hours reflects the strength of our academic programs and the support systems in place for students.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock remains committed to providing an exceptional educational experience and expanding access through innovative academic programs, personalized student support, and strong financial aid opportunities. Initiatives such as the Trojan Guarantee, which covers the full cost of a bachelor鈥檚 degree for eligible freshmen, and the university鈥檚 half-off tuition scholarship continue to support students as they pursue and complete their degrees.

For more information about admissions and academic programs, visit 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Admissions.

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鈥淥ur goal is to enhance the wellness and belonging of everyone at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Una Drake, graduate assistant for Student Affairs.

A key event is the Health Fair on April 2, where students and employees can connect with campus resources like Counseling Services, the Disability Resource Center, and Health Services. Free health screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, HIV, and syphilis testing, will be available.

Another major event is the seventh annual Suicide Prevention Walk on April 25, which raises awareness and funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Students, employees, and organizations are encouraged to participate. Donations are appreciated but not required.

鈥淭hese events help make our campus healthier and more welcoming,鈥� said Sharon Ann Downs, assistant vice chancellor for wellness and belonging in Student Affairs.

For more information on Wellness and Belonging Month activities, visit . 

Week 1

April 1: Balance and Beyond: Design Your Personal Wellness Plan, DSC Leadership Lounge, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

April 2: Health Fair, DSC Ledbetter Rooms, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

April 4: Flow State Freedom: Finding Clarity and Calm through Mandala Art, Ottenheimer Library Room 535, 2:30-4 p.m.

Week 2

April 7: Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure Screening, DSC Lobby (near the cafeteria), 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

April 11: Bystander Intervention Training, Ottenheimer Library Room 535, 1-3 p.m.

Week 3

April 14: Drawing and Mindfulness with Clark Valentine, Ottenheimer Library Room 535, 1-2:30 p.m.

April 17: Assistive Technology Interactive Workshop, Ottenheimer Library Room 100A, 1-2:30 p.m.

Week 4

April 23: Narcan Training, DSC Ledbetter A, 2-3 p.m.

April 25: Suicide Prevention Walk, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

11 a.m. Check-in, food, music, and activities

1 p.m. Walk – Meet in front of the Ottenheimer Library

Week 5

April 29: Unstoppable You: Tools for Growth, Grit, and Grace, Ottenheimer Library Room 535, 2-3 p.m.

April 30: Dislecksia: The Movie, DSC meeting room D, 1-2:30 p.m.

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“Most mental health issues first emerge between the ages of 14 and 24, making early detection and treatment critical for achieving the best outcomes,鈥� said Dr. Aresh Assadi, director of counseling services at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淔aculty are on the front lines, with far more exposure to students than campus counselors, allowing them to notice concerns much faster. Training them to recognize and refer students ensures we can connect those in need to support more effectively.”

GUIDE (Guiding Universities in Demonstrating Empathy) is empathic communications training that empowers educators to conduct effective student support conversations and to identify and engage the appropriate college services when needed.

Faculty and staff participating in the free one-time, three-hour training will:

• Learn how to identify and contextualize student needs.
• Test, explore, and refine empathic communication skills.
• Learn how to integrate GUIDE into their classes and work with students.

GUIDE was developed by , a UNC Greensboro affiliate, and supported at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock by the Division of Student Affairs, Wellness and Inclusion, MidSOUTH, and ATLE.

If you are interested in GUIDE training, please to register. Training will be offered from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. each day.

For more information, please contact Student Affairs Assistant Vice Chancellor Sharon Ann Downs at sadowns@ualr.edu.

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