UAFS Center for Economic Development

10/20/2026

Meet Garry Cude, one of our instructors here at the UAFS Center for Economic Development!

With more than 30 years of experience as an electronics technician, Garry has had the opportunity to work for a variety of companies, alongside countless professionals, and even travel to some of the most challenging regions of the world.

Garry holds an A.A.S. in Electronics Technology from Eastern Oklahoma State College and a B.S. in Management from Colorado Technical University Online.

Today, Garry teaches all of our Industrial Maintenance classes, bringing his years of hands-on experience and broad knowledge into the classroom.

For Garry, his time at UAFS has been a highlight of his career. He especially enjoys helping students find their career paths and develop skills they can use for years to come.

We are so glad to have Garry on the CED team and are grateful for the experience, knowledge, and passion he brings to our students every day!

10/16/2026

TODAY is the LAST DAY to register for Manufacturing Academy!

Ready to build the skills you need to begin a career in manufacturing?

📅 October 20 – December 17
📍 Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
⏰ Choose your cohort

This 96-hour program is FREE for eligible participants through the Arkansas Hired Grant — a $3,960 value!

Participants can earn:
• Manufacturing Academy Certification
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• OSHA 10 Card

Only 24 seats available per cohort. Don’t wait!

👉 Register TODAY: https://lions.uafs.edu/portal/ced?cmd=catalog&course=manufacturing-academy

10/14/2026

Next week: Learn How to Get Started in Government Contracting

Interested in expanding your business into the government marketplace? Join Arkansas APEX Accelerator Procurement Counselor Kimberly Randle for an in-person session covering government procurement processes, registration requirements, certifications, and steps you can take now to position your business for future opportunities.

Join us next week at the UAFS Center for Economic Development in Van Buren.

Register today to learn how to get started: https://www.vanburenchamber.org/events/details/eso-workshop-navigating-the-government-procurement-process-7545?fbclid=IwY2xjawUzZj9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMTloand2SFlIdVo0elpoNmtzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeKYRuH_Di_injzC-ftMhTVFHQeYgE4e3gty5RHTPtFwXQweXk7DREwmCQ8VE_aem_5q4hy0g2Hi0WgNv6qCBHrw

Businesses can diversify their revenue and customer base by expanding into sales to the government, but it s essential to understand how the process works. This in-person event, presented by Arkansas APEX Accelerator Procurement Counselor Kimberly Randle, covers federal, state, and local procurement...

10/13/2026

Looking to improve your Excel skills? 📈

The UAFS Center for Economic Development offers Excel Level 1 and Excel Level 2 training to help you build practical skills and become more confident using Excel.

We only have a couple of Excel training opportunities left this year, so don’t wait to register.

Level 1: https://lions.uafs.edu/portal/ced?cmd=catalog&course=excel-level-1

Level 2: https://lions.uafs.edu/portal/ced?cmd=catalog&course=excel-level-2

10/09/2026

WANT YOUR VERY OWN LITTLE RED WAGON? 🔴

We’re down to VERY few tables for the CED Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards, and you don’t want to miss this one!

Join us for an evening celebrating outstanding regional businesses, featuring keynote speaker Robert Pasin, Chief Wagon Officer of Radio Flyer, sharing his presentation, “Play is the Way.”

And yes, you could take home your very own miniature Little Red Wagon!

Join us for complimentary drinks at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and our keynote presentation at 6 p.m.

Grab your seat or reserve one of our select remaining tables before they’re gone!

Don’t wait until the last wagon leaves the station: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofArkansasFortSmithCenterforEconomicDevelopment/events/ced-excellence-awards-2026

10/08/2026

LAST GRIT OF THE YEAR!

If you’ve been thinking about taking GRIT: Workplace Leadership, this is your sign. This is the FINAL GRIT workshop of 2026, and you do not want to miss it.

Registration closes THIS FRIDAY!

GRIT: Workplace Leadership is a 16-hour workshop series designed to give current and aspiring supervisors the foundational knowledge they need to lead effectively.

You’ll cover:
• Behavioral Blueprint
• Performance Management
• Risk Management & Employment Compliance
• Workplace Coaching

WHEN:
Mondays & Tuesdays
October 12 & 13 and October 19 & 20
4:00–8:00 p.m.

Whether you’re already supervising a team or preparing to step into a leadership role, GRIT gives you practical tools you can take back to the workplace.

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: https://lions.uafs.edu/portal/ced?cmd=catalog&course=grit-workplace-leadership

10/08/2026

Set on the banks of the Arkansas River, the U.S. Marshals Museum is housed in an innovative facility named the Mary Carleton and Robert A. Young III Building.

The Museum features a unique exterior with a modified star-shaped design signifying the star badge worn by courageous U.S. Marshals. Inside, five immersive galleries educate guests about the critical, ever-evolving role the Marshals have played in upholding the Rule of Law, driven by justice, integrity and service. The Museum’s National Learning Center combines the Museum experience with educational programming focused on the Constitution, the Rule of Law and civic literacy. Guests will get to pay tribute to the more than 350+ Marshals killed in the line of duty since 1789 by visiting the Samuel M. Sicard Hall of Honor.

Get tickets here: https://marshalsmuseum.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list/

10/05/2026

MANUFACTURING ACADEMY IS OPEN ❗⚙👷‍♀️👷

Build the skills you need to begin a career in manufacturing through this 96-hour FREE training program.

October 20 – December 17
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

Choose your cohort:
Cohort 1: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cohort 2: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

ONLY 24 SEATS AVAILABLE PER COHORT!

Eligible participants can complete this $3,960-value program FREE at no cost through the Arkansas Hired Grant.

Participants who complete the program will earn:
• Manufacturing Academy Certification
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• OSHA 10 Card

REGISTER HERE: https://lions.uafs.edu/portal/ced?cmd=catalog&course=manufacturing-academy

10/02/2026

When two peer groups collide… good things happen!

We brought together TWO different groups of CEOs/Owners for a little collaboration, conversation, and connection.

Different groups. Different perspectives. Same goals.

Already looking forward to the next one!

09/30/2026

You can stop by & see our instructor Garry Cude tonight from 4-6 at the ABB open house! He may even let you touch the robot! 🤖