UA Little Rock expands Corporate Partnerships Program with 15 new members
December 15-21, 2025
By Bobbie Handcock, M.A.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is expanding its impact through the addition of 15 new members to its Corporate Partnerships Program. Together, these partners and the university are creating pathways for employees to begin or finish undergraduate and graduate degrees or certificates while continuing to grow in their careers.
UA Little Rock now has more than 130 partnerships with Arkansas businesses, organizations, school districts, and corporations.
“We are proud to welcome 15 new partners to the program as we work to develop the next generation of leaders in the Arkansas workforce,” said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. “The success of the Corporate Partnerships Program allows us to continue to add to our vibrant roster of committed business partners to create affordable, quality educational opportunities for their employees.”
The program allows employees of participating companies to pursue degrees at reduced rates. Benefits include waived application fees, book stipends, and a tuition discount. The partnerships also help to strengthen the community and the region’s future workforce.
More than 67,000 people in the Arkansas workforce are eligible to receive educational benefits at UA Little Rock through the Corporate Partnerships Program. More than 1,500 students have already taken advantage of these scholarships to pursue an affordable and accessible education at UA Little Rock, with nearly 475 students enrolled for the fall 2025 semester.
UA Little Rock’s newest corporate partners include:
• Arkansas Department
of Transportation
• Camden Fairview School District
• Central Arkansas Library System
• Empower Healthcare Solutions
• England School District
• Jasper School District
• Lexicon, Inc.
• Mena Public Schools
• Pleasant Valley Rehabilitation
and Nursing
• Priority Wire & Cable
• Searcy Public Schools
• South Conway County
School District
• Texarkana Arkansas School District
• Twin Rivers Rehabilitation
and Healthcare Center
• Vilonia School District
Adding these businesses and organizations to the Corporate Partnerships Program will help enhance the university’s partnerships with other great central Arkansas employers that provide higher educational opportunities for working adults.
These new corporate partners join a list of organizations that have already joined the program, including the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Food Bank, Arkansas Secretary of State, CARTI, Bradley County Medical Center, Mena Regional Health System, along with the Hot Springs School District, Little Rock Zoo, Relyance Bank, The Root Cafe, and more.
Employees of partner organizations can receive a 10% tuition scholarship, a $25-per-credit-hour book scholarship, and a $0 application fee for all academic programs at UA Little Rock, including certificates, minors, and associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
“The UA Little Rock Corporate Partnerships program provides affordable, accessible higher education to working Arkansans through Career Choice scholarships, helping local employers meet their talent needs,” said Corporate Partnership Coordinator Matthew Bellew. “Unique to UA Little Rock, these scholarships support employee education and highlight the partner organization’s commitment to professional growth, showing employees how new skills can be applied on the job and boosting success for both individuals and establishments.”
Most employers’ specific workforce development needs, whether short- or long-term, align with the university’s existing curriculum, Bellew said.
For Miesha Robinson, earning a college degree isn’t just about personal success–it’s about creating a brighter future for her two-year-old son, Malachi.
As a single mother balancing work, school, and parenthood, Robinson is pursuing a marketing degree with concentrations in professional sales and digital marketing at UA Little Rock, thanks in part to the university’s Corporate Partnerships Program.
“I remember thinking that I could go through life without a college degree, but I want my son to have a better future,” Robinson said. “Going back to school is about having a better life and leaving a better legacy for my son. I want to reach my full potential.”
Through her job at Yellow Rocket Concepts, Robinson participates in the Corporate Partnerships Program. Yellow Rocket Concepts owns popular dining options like Lost Forty Brewing, Big Orange, and ZAZA. Robinson serves tables, trains new staff, and models for company marketing.
Yellow Rocket Concepts’ support extends beyond the workplace, she said.
“They work with my schedule, encourage me to study when I have downtime, and even talk to me about future opportunities within the company once I graduate,” Robinson said. “They don’t expect me to serve tables forever. They are cheering me on, and they want me to succeed.”
Aidan Daniel Carrell is a junior at UA Little Rock, working toward a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education with a concentration in social studies. He works at Easterseals Arkansas as a health and wellness instructor.
When Carrell started working at Easterseals in 2021, he wasn’t enrolled in school but had nearly completed an associate degree at Pulaski Tech a few years earlier.
“After working with Easterseals for a few years, I felt I was in a place where I could finish my degree online,” he said. “As I looked around at colleges, I learned that Easterseals Arkansas and UA Little Rock had a discount program. That definitely encouraged my decision to enroll at UA Little Rock.”
Through the university’s Corporate Partnerships Program, Carrell is now able to continue his education while lowering the financial burden.
“I am so thankful for the decrease in tuition costs as well as the funds for textbooks,” he said. “My original plan was just to finish my associate’s, but now I am set to graduate with my bachelor’s degree by fall 2026.”
Having previously attended college in person, transitioning to a fully online format was a new experience.
“But with the flexibility of online classes, I’ve been able to keep working while pursuing my degree,” Carrell said. “I would not have been able to do it otherwise. My wife Rebecca, who is a UA Little Rock alum with a degree in special education, has been so helpful and encouraging as well. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without her.”
Those interested in learning more about UA Little Rock’s Corporate Partnerships Program may visit the Corporate Partnerships website for more information.
Companies interested in becoming a UA Little Rock corporate partner should email Matthew Bellew, corporate partnerships coordinator, at msbellew@ualr.edu.
Photo Caption:
UA Little Rock student Aidan Daniel Carrell is receiving a tuition discount from the university’s Corporate Partnerships Program through his job at Easter Seals Arkansas as a health and wellness instructor.
Photo Credit:
Photo by Benjamin Krain
