Arkansas Campus Brings Students and Employers Under One Roof

Arkansas students will soon learn alongside the companies ready to hire them, thanks to a new campus designed to bridge the gap between classroom and career.

The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees approved a plan to create an Innovation Campus in Conway, bringing together academic programs, workforce training, and regional employers in one 70,800 square foot space. The building will house engineering labs, coding programs, and offices for businesses actively recruiting UCA students.

The setup is simple but powerful. Students work on projects in open engineering spaces while employers occupy the other half of the building, creating instant access to internships and job placements. It's education and opportunity sharing the same address.

"This is not just another building. It is a new and dynamic model for how UCA connects education to opportunity," said UCA President Houston Davis. The campus opens in July 2026 and will focus on engineering, technology, health informatics, and skilled trades.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders called it the kind of forward thinking Arkansas needs. "By bringing higher education, employers and applied research together under one roof, we're creating real pathways from the classroom to the workforce," she said.

The Ripple Effect

The Innovation Campus represents a growing shift in how colleges prepare students for real work. Instead of waiting until graduation to connect with employers, students will interact with hiring companies throughout their education.

The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton is partnering on the project, expanding access to training in advanced manufacturing and engineering across Central Arkansas and the River Valley region. The model is designed to be flexible, adapting quickly as industry needs change.

Brad Lacy, president of the Conway Development Corporation, said the project creates a stronger talent pipeline while making Conway more attractive to companies looking for skilled workers. It's economic development that starts with education.

For Arkansas students, the message is clear: your classroom and your future job are now in the same place.