LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock say they have watched campus life grow as the university begins its second century.
“I’ve been here since 2023, and I’ve really seen the dramatic change since I’m a senior now,” said Emilia Berry, a senior at UA Little Rock. “The campus life was kind of quiet in my freshman year, and I’ve gotten to really watch it grow and take off.”
University officials say students are increasingly looking for hands-on learning and career opportunities after graduation.
Jonathan Coleman, UA Little Rock’s assistant vice chancellor of enrollment, said cybersecurity is one of the programs drawing attention from prospective students.
“Cybersecurity is a big deal across the entire country,” Coleman said. “We have millions of dollars in grants for our cybersecurity program.”
Coleman said cybersecurity and artificial intelligence programs are helping attract a new generation of students as demand grows for workers with those skills.
“When we go around and meet with high schools, meet with community colleges around the state, that’s one of the most interesting programs we have on this campus, because there’s jobs, there’s huge job opportunities,” Coleman said.
Affordability also remains a major factor for students deciding where to attend college, Coleman said.
More than 3,500 students have received more than $15 million in scholarships, according to Coleman. That includes $1.5 million through UA Little Rock’s half-off scholarship program, which offers eligible freshmen and sophomores half off tuition and fees.
For Braxton Fox, a sophomore at UA Little Rock, scholarships and grants have helped reduce the financial burden on his family.
“My school was completely paid for just off scholarships and grants,” Fox said. “That’s been amazing in taking the burden off my family. I don’t have any student loans as of right now, and I believe by the time I graduate, I won’t have any.”
