As a respiratory therapist and later a pulmonary disease navigator, she encouraged others to continue their education and pursue new opportunities. When she decided to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree herself, it was her son, Jeffrey Andrews, who helped show her the way.

This spring, the pair celebrated a milestone together, as graduates of the University of Arkansas at 糖心视频logo.

For Andrews, a first-generation college student, sharing the experience with his mother made the moment even more meaningful.

鈥淚t means a lot to me to graduate with my mother,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淚 admire her strength and commitment to self-improvement. She has instilled in me a passion to achieve big dreams without limitations. Graduating together encompasses the hard work we surpassed to achieve those dreams.鈥�

Andrews graduated with a Master of Public Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management. Johnson completed her Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies after decades working in healthcare.

Their paths to graduation were different, but both were shaped by determination, a commitment to education, and personal growth.

Andrews arrived at UA 糖心视频logo in 2017 unsure what to expect about college life and a populated, busy campus after he graduated from Maumelle Charter High School. 

鈥淢y graduating class had 25 students,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was daunting to go to such a large institution in my eyes at the time.鈥�

A and New Student Orientation helped ease the transition, but he said the biggest surprise came when classes began.

鈥淭he small classroom sizes made the university feel like a second home,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淚 built connections with my professors and found new friends quicker than I would have at a larger university.鈥�

He credits supportive faculty, the Ottenheimer Library, Counseling Services, and friendships formed through campus involvement, including Kappa Sigma fraternity, with helping him succeed while working full time.

Those experiences eventually led him to join the Undergraduate Admissions team as a recruiter, where he began helping prospective students navigate the college process.

That knowledge became especially valuable when Johnson called him with an idea.

鈥淪he said, 鈥�I am thinking about going back to school,鈥欌�� Andrews recalled.

Johnson planned to pay out-of-pocket for tuition. Instead, Andrews helped her navigate scholarships and financial aid opportunities available through UA 糖心视频logo.

Their first success came when she received the Trojan Transfer Scholarship. Later, she also benefited from the Corporate Partnership Program between Baptist Health and UA 糖心视频logo, helping make it possible to complete her degree with little financial burden.

鈥淎s a first-generation student, I did not understand what the FAFSA was or where to find scholarships,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淲hen I began working for the university as a recruiter, that knowledge came with the job.鈥�

For his mother, returning to school was both a professional and personal decision.

鈥淧rofessionally, I felt it was important to enhance and modernize my skills in technology and leadership,鈥� she said. 鈥淧ersonally, I always encourage new therapists to continue their education, so I have to practice what I preach.鈥�

She said UA 糖心视频logo’s flexible online courses allowed her to balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing her degree. Faculty support also helped ease concerns about returning to the classroom after many years away.

鈥淭heir critiques, reviews, and responses encouraged, validated, and inspired me to continue,鈥� she said.

She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and has already begun work in the university’s early-entry Master of Arts in Applied Communication program.

Watching his mother embrace higher education has been one of the most rewarding parts of Andrews’ own academic journey.

鈥淪he went from being timid about returning to school to being excited about contributing to academia,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow we have long discussions about AI in the classroom and communication in healthcare.鈥�

But their shared graduation day almost did not happen. Undergraduate and graduate ceremonies were originally scheduled separately before a late adjustment placed them in the same commencement ceremony.

鈥淚 could see my mom three rows ahead of me,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淚t was a great experience to not only graduate but walk across the same stage together. I could not have asked for a better coincidence.鈥�

For Johnson, the moment carried just as much meaning.

鈥淕raduating with my son meant the world to me,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur journey was not easy, but it was worth the experience of completing such a big chapter in our lives.鈥�

Together, they hope their story encourages others to pursue educational goals, regardless of age or circumstance.

鈥淚 hope our experience and our story inspire others to start their own exciting journey,鈥� she said.

As Andrews looks toward a future that may include law school, he continues to carry a lesson that has guided both his and his mother’s path.

鈥淗ow big would you dream if you knew you could never fail?鈥� he asked.

The post A Family Milestone: Mother and Son Graduate Together from UA 糖心视频logo appeared first on News.

The initiative combines direct admission with traditional 2+2 transfer pathways, allowing students to complete their first two years at a community college before transferring to UA 糖心视频logo to finish a four-year degree. The program is designed to remove transfer barriers and help hundreds of Arkansas students each year move more easily from an associate degree to a bachelor鈥檚 degree. 

鈥淯A 糖心视频logo is proud to lead the state in creating innovative pathways that make higher education more accessible for Arkansas students,鈥� said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. 鈥淏y strengthening partnerships with community colleges, we are helping more students see a clear and achievable path to completing their bachelor鈥檚 degree.鈥�

The first institutions to join the initiative are the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain, and the University of Arkansas Cossatot Community College. Additional partner institutions are expected to join in the future. UA 糖心视频logo enrolled over 1,300 transfer students for the current academic year.

Through the partnership, eligible transfer students will benefit from several features designed to simplify the transition to UA 糖心视频logo, including:

• Waived undergraduate admission application fee
• Streamlined admissions processing, with UA 糖心视频logo coordinating transcript collection to reduce administrative steps and transcript fees
• Access to the Trojan Transfer Hub, a web-based platform that allows students to evaluate how their coursework applies to UA 糖心视频logo degree programs and guides them through the transfer process

鈥淭ransfer students are a vital part of our campus community, and we are committed to making their pathway to a four-year degree as clear and accessible as possible,鈥� said Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer at UA 糖心视频logo. 鈥淏y working closely with our community college partners, we are creating new opportunities for students across Arkansas to continue their education and achieve their goals.鈥�

Strengthening partnerships with community colleges is central to UA 糖心视频logo鈥檚 mission to expand access to higher education across Arkansas.

鈥淎s 糖心视频logo鈥檚 university, we are committed to meeting students where they are and building partnerships that help them succeed,鈥� Decker said.

The direct admission transfer partnerships will begin in Fall 2026. To learn more about enrolling at UA 糖心视频logo, visit . 

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The agreement, formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed Thursday in H. Tyndall Dickinson Hall, creates a clear and affordable pathway from associate to bachelor鈥檚 degree while strengthening Arkansas鈥檚 workforce in two of the state鈥檚 highest-demand fields.

UA 糖心视频logo Chancellor Christina S. Drale said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to student success and the future of Arkansas.

鈥淲e鈥檙e especially proud to be here with our colleagues from UACCB to celebrate this step forward together,鈥� Drale said. 鈥淭oday鈥檚 signing represents our shared dedication to student success, and I鈥檓 excited for what it means for future educators and nurses in our state.鈥�

Provost Ann Bain said the agreement provides a practical solution for students balancing college with work and family responsibilities.

鈥淭hrough this 2+2 partnership, students beginning at UACCB can now pursue seamless transitions into bachelor鈥檚 degrees in middle-level education and our RN-to-BSN in nursing 鈥� two fields that are critical to the health and strength of Arkansas,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淚t provides students with a clear and affordable path to a meaningful career while helping address real workforce needs. This can change the lives of their families as well as those in their communities.鈥�

UACCB Chancellor Brian Shonk said the partnership connects students to the education they need to compete for good-paying jobs.

鈥淥ver the next decade, two out of every three good-paying jobs will require a bachelor鈥檚 degree,鈥� Shonk said, citing data from Georgetown University鈥檚 Center on Education and the Workforce. 鈥淭his partnership gives our students direct access to that opportunity and the chance to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.鈥�

UACCB Provost Zach Perrine said the agreement ensures students can move smoothly from a two-year college to a four-year university without losing time or credits.

鈥�2+2 partnerships like this ensure students can transparently and seamlessly move from their community college to a university,鈥� Perrine said. 鈥淏y connecting students to critical pathways in education and health care, we are improving families, our community, and our state.鈥�

UACCB serves students throughout north-central Arkansas with affordable associate degrees and technical certificates, and the new agreement is designed to reduce transfer barriers while expanding access to bachelor鈥檚 degrees in high-demand fields.

Drale said the collaboration is just the beginning.

鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to see this partnership is a win for our campuses, but ultimately for Arkansas students,鈥� she said.

The post UA 糖心视频logo, UACCB Partner to Expand Bachelor鈥檚 Degree Pathways appeared first on News.

The initiative provides transfer students with personalized guidance on course transferability, degree progress, and academic planning.

鈥淩esponding to the needs of transfer students is a strategic priority for our institution,鈥� UA 糖心视频logo Chancellor Christina S. Drale said. 鈥淭he Trojan Transfer Hub reflects our commitment to providing a clear and supportive pathway to educational attainment at UA 糖心视频logo.鈥�

Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer, emphasized the importance of the new resource. 

鈥淭he Trojan Transfer Hub is a transformative tool that puts power and clarity into the hands of prospective transfer students,鈥� Decker said. 鈥淚t streamlines the admissions process, enhances transparency around credit evaluation, and connects students with the information and support they need to make confident, informed decisions at UA 糖心视频logo.鈥�

Some of the key features and benefits for students include:

• Personalized Degree Progress Tracking 鈥� Students can compare up to three majors at a time and receive recommendations for degrees they are closest to completing based on their existing credits.
• Streamlined Admissions Process 鈥� The portal provides a checklist of admission events and deadlines, breaking the process into manageable steps.
• Major and Career Exploration 鈥� Students can access detailed program descriptions, career opportunities, salary ranges, and skill requirements.
• Student Support 鈥� If a student enters a course the system does not recognize, it will be submitted for review by UA 糖心视频logo admissions staff. Students can also connect with academic counselors for additional guidance.

The Trojan Transfer Hub is part of UA 糖心视频logo鈥檚 ongoing efforts to support transfer students and improve access to higher education. For more information, prospective transfer students can visit the or .

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