Kendra James:
Kendra James, College of Education alumnus, has recently published her first children's book, Charlie Horse. She earned her Master's degree in Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership (ASTL) and her Bachelor's degree in Middle Level Education (4-8 Science and Social Studies). Kendra said, "My education at UCA laid the foundation for my career in teaching, leadership, and community outreach."
Kendra shared, "Since graduating, I've had the pleasure of teaching various subjects across multiple grade levels and serving as the Director of Summer and After School Programs at Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock. Currently, I am the Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator for HorsePlay Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding, Inc., a nonprofit organization here in Conway dedicated to enhancing the lives of children with disabilities through therapeutic riding."
Kendra said, "I am excited to share that I am working on publishing my first children’s book, Charlie Horse. The book is inspired by my daughter Ally's experiences with hippotherapy and aims to teach children about friendship, acceptance, and the uniqueness of each individual. All proceeds from the book will support HorsePlay, helping us continue our mission of providing therapeutic riding sessions to children in need." She added, "The past six months have been filled with planning the book launch event, which will be a super fun celebration that all are invited to on September 12! It's going to be a fantastic event, and I would love to see members of the College of Education community there."
https://kendrajamescreative.com/pages/charlie-horse
Congratulations, Kendra!
Abby Roberts:
Abby Roberts was recently named one of four semi-finalists for 2025 Arkansas Teacher of the Year.
Abby is a dedicated and passionate educator with almost a decade of experience in the teaching profession. She is the 2024 District Teacher of the Year for Conway Public Schools.
Abby's teaching career began at Eastside Elementary in the Cabot School District, where she taught second grade both in person and digitally from 2017 to 2021. While employed in Cabot, she served as grade-level chair for two years. In 2021, Abby joined Jim Stone Elementary in Conway as a fourth-grade teacher from 2021 to 2023. She is currently a first-grade teacher at Jim Stone Elementary and continues to make a significant impact on students and colleagues alike. Abby is a member of the Character Education committee and the Principal’s Advisory Team. Her classroom is known for its welcoming, creative, and encouraging environment, where every student is inspired to excel.
Abby’s journey into education began at Ouachita Baptist University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Her passion for helping students become successful readers led her to complete a Master of Science in Reading and Dyslexia from the University of Central Arkansas.
Abby is committed to establishing relationships with her students in order to foster a supportive and engaging learning environment. She believes in the importance of understanding student’s unique needs and strengths to help them reach their full potential. She is also an advocate for professional development and continuous learning.
Dr. Thomas Bruick:
Dr. Thomas Bruick - Department of Leadership Studies - Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.
Dr. Bruick joined the College of Education in Fall 2018 and became the program coordinator for the College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) program in Spring 2020. Prior to his faculty role, Dr. Bruick worked as a higher education practitioner for 10 years including two years at Western Kentucky University before returning to UCA in 2011. Dr. Bruick's professional background includes experience within residence life and student success and retention. Dr. Bruick is active in the Southern Association for College Student Affairs, including serving on the Executive Council, chairing multiple committees, and serving on the conference planning committee. His primary research agenda explores the role of environmental, experiential, and dispositional factors in college student success, specifically focusing on conditionally admitted students. One achievement Dr. Bruick is especially pleased with during his time with the CSPA program is serving as chair for 15 completed theses and serving as a committee member on an additional 7 completed theses.
Ms. Leslie Gomes:
Ms. Leslie Gomes - Department of Student Transitions - Promotion to Clinical Instructor II.
Leslie Gomes is the Department Chair of Student Transitions and a Senior Lecturer of Mathematics at the University of Central Arkansas. With over 20 years of experience as a math educator, Leslie brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.
Leslie holds a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and an M.A. in Mathematics Education, both from UCA. Prior to her current position, she gained valuable experience as a supervisor of a tutoring center and as a math faculty member at a community college.
Her research interests focus on improving student success and include:
Executive functioning skills in first-year students
Corequisite course design
Strategies for reducing math anxiety
When not in the classroom or conducting research, Leslie enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time with her two dogs.
Ms. Dru Sanders:
Ms. Dru Sanders - Department of Student Transitions - Promotion to Clinical Instructor II.
Dru Sanders has devoted 16 years to the field of education. Her career began in high school mathematics classrooms, where her passion for teaching quickly became evident. This led her to become an Instructional Facilitator for Math and Science teachers from 6th through 12th grade, supporting their instructional practices and enhancing student outcomes. At UCA, Dru has been instrumental in guiding students through the challenging transition to higher education, particularly in mathematics. She is deeply committed to helping students overcome self-doubt and anxiety about their mathematical abilities, believing that with the right support, every student can succeed.
Dr. Erin Shaw:
Dr. Erin Shaw - Department of Leadership Studies - Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.
Dr. Erin Shaw has served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Leadership Studies and is currently Program Coordinator for the Library Media and Information Technologies (LIBM) graduate program at UCA. Her collaborative nature is evident in her roles as an instructor in multiple LIBM and Instructional Technology (ITEC) courses, as a COE Faculty Senator, and in her active participation in numerous department, college, and university committees.
Dr. Shaw has also been instrumental in School Library K-12 Professional community-building opportunities and collaborative research projects with multiple UCA faculty. Her research interest areas include school library advocacy, information literacy skill instruction, digital literacy, integration of technology, and building a culture of reading.
Dr. Stefanie Sorbet:
Dr. Stefanie Sorbet - Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education - Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.
Her 23 years of experience in education includes 10 years of teaching in both elementary inclusion and general education classrooms and 13 years in educator preparation in higher education.
Dr. Sorbet currently instructs junior elementary education interns in Positive Classroom Environment and supervises junior interns in their very first field placement. She teaches courses in the Master of Science Special Education program and has most recently served for four years as the program coordinator for the elementary education program in the ELSE department.
Her research is focused on mentoring preservice and novice teachers in effective classroom management strategies consistent with social and emotional learning to engage the learner. She has collaborated with colleagues to produce publications expressing the need to provide support and mentorship to both preservice and novice teachers.
Stefanie earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education and curriculum and instruction. She has a reading specialist certification and holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Before coming to UCA, she was a site coordinator for the residency program as well as the elementary program coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana University. She is currently the vice-president/president elect of the Mid-South Educational Research Association or MSERA.
Kari Bulice:
Kari Bulice was recently hired as the Administrative Assistant for GEAR UP Arkansas.
Kari holds an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from Arkansas State University-Beebe. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). With 23 years of marriage, she is the proud mother of two children. Her 22-year-old son graduated from UCA in 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and is now attending graduate school at UCA. Kari's 17-year-old daughter is in her senior year of high school.
Dr. Allison Freed:
Interim Assistant Department Chair
Department of Teaching and Learning
Dr. Allison Freed is an Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology and the Instructional Technology graduate program coordinator at the University of Central Arkansas. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology at Michigan State University. Over the last 16 years, she has taught high school science, special education, undergraduate and graduate teacher education. Her teaching and research interests are focused on using technology to build global competence and international partnerships through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experiences and humanizing online learning spaces through technology tools and the Community of Inquiry instructional design model.
Dr. Jessica Herring-Watson:
Courtney Hicks:
Courtney Hicks was recently named Regional Coordinator for GEAR UP Arkansas.
Courtney is from North Little Rock, Arkansas. She is a first-generation college graduate completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Teaching and Learning, and Arkansas Tech University, obtaining a Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration.
Over the past five years, Courtney has held various positions that align with her dedication to higher education and her commitment to working with children. In these roles, she has collaborated with institutions and organizations to advocate for and support college students, aspiring scholars, and their families in overcoming post-secondary barriers.
In her leisure time, Courtney enjoys practicing aerial arts, crocheting, traveling, creating balloon decor, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Lisa Mack:
Lisa Mack joins the Department of Teaching and Learning as a Visiting Clinical Instructor. She has 20 years of teaching experience in Arkansas and Illinois. For the past 7 years, Lisa has specialized in teaching Gifted and Talented students at Daisy Bates Elementary school in Little Rock, AR and Willow Creek Elementary in Woodridge, IL.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Policy and a Master of Science in Education and Social Policy, both from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Change Leadership for Equity & Inclusion at the University of Central Arkansas. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark, and three children, Allen, Eleanor, and Ryleigh.
Dr. Tracie Rushing:
In June 2024, Dr. Tracie Rushing (Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education) shared her expertise at the Arkansas Council for the Social Studies (ACSS) Conference held at the United States Marshals Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Co-presenting with Melissa Starkey (Central Baptist College), Dr. Rushing delivered a session titled "From Burnout to Balance: Boundary Setting Skills for Educators." This presentation, designed for professional development credit for K-12 Arkansas teachers, addressed the crucial issue of maintaining work-life balance in the education field. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for educators across the state to gain valuable insights, share best practices, and earn professional development credits in a historically rich setting.
Dr. Rushing serves on the board of directors for Arkansas Council for the Social Studies.
*Photo info - ACSS Board Members admiring murals in downtown Fort Smith (Dr. Rushing is in the middle)