Jackson – EPIC

Bio

My name is Jackson Bagby. I am a Junior Pre-Medical Biology Student. I have been a resident of both STEM and EPIC and was a mentor during my second year living in STEM. I am also highly involved in undergraduate research on cancer, part of several RSOs (Registered Student Organizations), active in student ministry, and am a member of Beta Upsilon Chi, one of the many fraternities on campus.

Academics

When looking at UCA’s Residential Colleges, it is easy to see that there are a ton of great opportunities with all kinds of benefits. One of the most heavily favored of these benefits by the students who choose to join a Residential College is the ability to take classes in the residential hall.

This means that you can essentially roll out of bed and walk to one or more of your classes without ever leaving the building! I took both General Education (such as Philosophy and Music Appreciation) and Biology Major-specific classes (such as Chemistry and Biology) in STEM as a freshman and a Sophomore.

Academic Support

From an educational standpoint, Residential Colleges work to facilitate students’ academic endeavors in many ways. In UCA’s Residential Colleges, Mentors/Academic Advocates are hired and trained to help students with schoolwork and class projects. While they do not do the work for the students, they are available as tutors for many GenEd and major-specific classes.

One of the great things about these advocates is that if they are unsure how to help the student themselves, they are able to network and get the student plugged into a tutor who can help. These mentors are a HUGE asset to students’ academic success and UCA does a phenomenal job with choosing and training them!

Community Engagement

Residential Colleges are not all work and no play, though! There are always opportunities to get involved within the community, and sometimes earn a little money on the side! In the EPIC Residential College, students are encouraged to participate in projects that are designed to give them experience in critical thinking regarding business and leadership ideas.

This past year, students worked with a local multi-million dollar company to design and develop mobile applications. In another project, students were able to strategize plans for recruiting students to join UCA and develop ways to keep them in school to finish a degree. This project was done in cooperation with UCA’s President and Provost, both of whom genuinely care about each and every student. These projects were turned into competitions and winners received gift cards as prizes!

UCA’s Residential Colleges are truly designed with us students in mind. I have completely enjoyed my three years’ experience as a student and the benefits seem to never end. I STRONGLY encourage that you look into applying for one of the Residential Colleges here, so that you too can have an amazing college experience!!