The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) has achieved Gold Caring Campus certification, the highest recognition granted by the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC). The certification, awarded on September 14, 2026, honors UACCB’s dedication to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for its students.
UACCB becomes only the second institution to attain the Gold level since the designation was introduced. Provost Dr. Zach Perrine called the certification a reflection of the college’s longstanding culture of care. “UACCB has always been a ‘caring campus.’ Our faculty and staff welcome students and support their success—that is a part of the fabric of our college,” Perrine said. “Working with the Institute for Evidence-Based Change, we have been able to take this work to the next level. Receiving this incredible recognition is a symbol of the dedication our people have for students.”
The college has implemented several initiatives aimed at fostering both personal connections and practical support. UACCB faculty and staff prioritize learning student names, checking in during the semester, and directing students to the appropriate resources when needed. Free food and snacks on campus help address food insecurity, while Welcome Week events and an Open House introduce students to available services. Throughout the semester, students also have access to free mental health counseling and extended technology support hours.
In recent years, UACCB has expanded its efforts to meet evolving student needs. A partnership with White River Health trains college personnel in suicide prevention strategies through the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) program, enabling staff to identify students in crisis and connect them with professional resources. Newly launched HyFlex courses provide flexible learning formats, allowing students to attend in person, participate live online, or complete coursework independently. These efforts are aimed at supporting students balancing college with work and family obligations.
UACCB began its formal Caring Campus initiative in 2021 and subsequently integrated caring as a core value in its 2024 strategic plan. The principles are reflected in employee job descriptions, reinforced through training and orientation, and supported by the college’s Caring Campus Task Force. This group, chaired by Rhonda Loper, UACCB’s director of Institutional Research, helps coordinate campus-wide efforts.
Loper noted the importance of the Gold certification to the college’s mission. “Achieving this gold standard certification validates the diligent work of our task force and proves the amazing, caring spirit that every individual at UACCB exemplifies daily,” she said. “Championing the ‘UACCB Cares’ story is deeply personal to me, and there is no other role on campus I consider more important.”
The Gold Caring Campus certification underscores UACCB’s shared purpose to improve lives by helping students connect with the people and resources they need to achieve their goals. This fall, the college welcomed its largest student enrollment since 2019, reflecting the impact of such initiatives on student engagement and success.