UCA’s Graduate School will have thousands of dollars more funding, for both students and faculty, thanks to its new dean, Michael Mills.

Mills has served as interim dean since late 2023 and has already made big changes.

“Since I came in as interim, I did some digging to find more funds, so we were able to actually find more funds for the student side. I think we had $14,500 that we could give out,” Mills said.

This extra money pulled out of unused grants and funds won’t just benefit students. Faculty will also see increased funds for research and programs.

Mills said, “On the faculty side, we’re very excited, because we give out faculty research grants; we were able to find $25,000 more.”

The graduate school creates programs for graduate students and helps faculty with their research; it has many responsibilities, but most of its work focuses on funding student and faculty research and creating opportunities for programs and connections.

“We support all the academic colleges, as well as all faculty and staff,” Mills said.

With Mills getting a permanent position as dean, bigger developments can be put into motion.

Michael Hargis, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, said, “His permanent appointment allows for long-term strategic planning, including expanding research funding, streamlining graduate student support and strengthening partnerships on campus and in the community.”

Mills said, “I want to go all in on developing our programs to be nationally known and recognized. I want us to be seen as more of a national university, rather than a regional university.”

Though Mills now works in administration, he started out as a high school English teacher, earning his doctorate degree later on and finding opportunities to make an impact on a higher level.

“I honestly thought I was going to be a faculty member until I was 75 years old,” Mills said.

His background as an educator, along with his experience as a first-generation student, influenced his desire to help students now.

Mills said, “If you’re first gen, if you come out of poverty, you depend on your community, you depend on other people who support you and to help get you through. It’s my responsibility to do the same.”

The Graduate School and its related administration offices center student experience and opportunity in their work, and with Mills as Dean, that student focus will only grow.

Mills said, “We had a strategic planning meeting…I was so excited and pleased at the constant — it was a consensus, it was resonant to me — the focus on the student experience and supporting students.”

Hargis said, “Our shared goal is to provide the resources and infrastructure needed to support both students and faculty in their academic and professional growth.”

For graduate students, this will mean more funding for research, more developments for programs and more opportunities to connect with the community.

Hargis said, “Additionally, better funding and strategic partnerships will lead to expanded thesis and dissertation support, interdisciplinary collaborations, and stronger career development resources.”

With its new dean focused on student experience, the graduate school will develop into a stronger program with more options for both students and staff.