Prospective low-income students can look forward to a new resource coming to campus — the Bear Life Program — made possible by a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Nadia Eslinger, former director of the Office of Student Success, was chosen to lead the new program to increase student retention, academic performance and feelings of belonging in first-time, low-income and Pell Grant-eligible students. 

About 40% of the annual student population will be eligible for the Bear Life program, according to UCA. 

Julia Winden Fey, current director of the Office of Student Success explained the services the five-year program will provide. 

“Services will include advising and counseling on the admissions process, enrollment and registration, academic progress, financial literacy and major and career exploration,” Fey said. “The program will also provide support for family involvement in summer orientation and academic registration (SOAR) at UCA and training for faculty and staff on equity literacy.”

According to SOAR’s webpage, all incoming freshmen are required to attend SOAR to complete orientation and register for classes. The experience was previously optional. 

In October 2022, the UCA Board of Trustees passed the First Year Fee, which includes SOAR costs in tuition and fees, rather than attending students paying out of pocket.

SGA president Courtney Clawson supported the fee on behalf of the student body. 

“Every student that comes through a SOAR session over the summer has to pay this fee anyway, or they have to pay out of pocket. By adding this fee, it would allow financial aid to cover these costs and prevent the financial burden that comes with families having to pay upfront.”

The fee replaced voluntary registration fees, in addition to funding “an early arrival extended orientation experience, Welcome Week programs, the UCA Family Network, including Family Day Events, and First-year targeted programming,” according to Board Policy No. 634.

Bear Life will aid students in SOAR by providing undergraduate guides with enrollment checklists for prospective students in their senior year of high school. Additionally, pre-advising will be given to Bear Life members ahead of their SOAR session to create an easier transition from high school to college. 

The grant provides funding for 50 students to take part in the Summer Start program, which “consists of summer bridge programs designed to help our new Bears transition from high school to a successful freshman year,” according to the Office of Student Success. 

Later on in the student’s academic career, the Bear Life program will aid in internships. The grant provides funding for 20 micro-internships for sophomores whose interests align with the criteria set in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. 

The Bear Life program will also provide career coaching, workshops on financial wellness and job-shadowing opportunities.

Housed under the Office of Student Success, Bear Life will use graduate assistants to provide coaching during first-year students’ freshman year. An online community for support will also be available. 

Nadia Eslinger said Bear Life will give determined students that final push into success. 

“This program will provide an opportunity for UCA students to receive essential guidance that will positively impact their college career. Many students have the grit and determination to succeed at UCA, but this program will give them the agency they need to help them actualize their dreams of becoming college graduates,” Eslinger said.

More information about SOAR, the Office of Student Success and first-year experience resources can be found at uca.edu.