Only in Arkansas: UCA's EPIC Residential College
By: Wendy Suares, KARK 4 News
Updated: October 5, 2012
What do Google, Dell and Facebook all have in common? They were all created on college campuses. With a new program offered only in Arkansas, the next big idea could come from University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
Imagine your college dorm room overlooking the brand new football field.
"Well, of course, I want to live in this building," said sophomore Brittany Hurley, a nursing student at UCA.
But UCA's Bear Hall offers more than a view. It's the home of the new EPIC Residential College. EPIC stands for entrepreneurship, public scholarship, innovation and community engagement.
"We have a program here that's different than any other program in the nation," said senior Keenan Abner.
It's the first undergraduate program to have math and science students learning and living alongside business and fine arts students. They're teaming up and solving real world problems.
"We put students in a position to innovate, to create new businesses, to create new ideas and to really have an impact," said Dr. Michael Hargis.
80 students are in this first class, and it's their first time working so closely with students from other majors.
"The differences in my team shocked me, and it was amazing how well were were able to work together," said senior Sam Trawick.
Abner said, "It's really great to work with people to throw ideas in there that you wouldn't have thought of because of your particular background."
And the result could reach far beyond graduation. It could possibly produce the next big company to change the world.
"We don't know," said Dr. Steve Runge. "That's one of the exciting parts of this. We really don't know what these student teams will come up with over time."
Local businesses play a big role in EPIC. They're working with the student teams as they come up with ideas, sponsoring competitions, and serving as mentors.
Imagine your college dorm room overlooking the brand new football field.
"Well, of course, I want to live in this building," said sophomore Brittany Hurley, a nursing student at UCA.
But UCA's Bear Hall offers more than a view. It's the home of the new EPIC Residential College. EPIC stands for entrepreneurship, public scholarship, innovation and community engagement.
"We have a program here that's different than any other program in the nation," said senior Keenan Abner.
It's the first undergraduate program to have math and science students learning and living alongside business and fine arts students. They're teaming up and solving real world problems.
"We put students in a position to innovate, to create new businesses, to create new ideas and to really have an impact," said Dr. Michael Hargis.
80 students are in this first class, and it's their first time working so closely with students from other majors.
"The differences in my team shocked me, and it was amazing how well were were able to work together," said senior Sam Trawick.
Abner said, "It's really great to work with people to throw ideas in there that you wouldn't have thought of because of your particular background."
And the result could reach far beyond graduation. It could possibly produce the next big company to change the world.
"We don't know," said Dr. Steve Runge. "That's one of the exciting parts of this. We really don't know what these student teams will come up with over time."
Local businesses play a big role in EPIC. They're working with the student teams as they come up with ideas, sponsoring competitions, and serving as mentors.
