Arkansas
UAPB Students Network, Gain Career Insights at Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week
Two University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students of merchandising, textiles and design (MTD) recently attended Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Fashion Week in Bentonville, Arkansas, according to Yunru Shen, instructor of fashion and Fashion Network advisor for UAPB. At the event, Havilland Ford and Khameria Clark had the chance to interact with fashion designers, makeup artists, fashion photographers and industry leaders from companies such as Walmart and Interform.
According to its website, NWA Fashion Week, hosted by Interform, aims to illuminate fashion trends, emerging local brands and aspiring designers. The event, which includes photographers, stylists, models, designers and production teams, celebrates the blossoming culture of Northwest Arkansas.
“This experience was important because it exposed our students to the latest trends and innovations in the fashion industry and helped them understand the inspiration and concepts behind fashion design,” Shen said. “By observing the work of professional designers and interacting with industry leaders, the students expanded their horizons and stimulated their creativity.”
During conversations with fashion brand CEOs and entrepreneurs, the students learned about the styles and creative concepts of different designers, discussed developing trends in the fashion industry and explored the needs of the U.S. and international markets.
“The interactions they had provided valuable guidance and insights for their future careers,” Shen said. “In addition to making these important connections, they were among the VIP guests invited to sit in the front row of the event’s fashion show.”
Ford said she was very excited to participate in the event and that seeing the work of eight designers in one night fueled her passion for the fashion industry.
“This was by far the best fashion weekend I have attended,” she said. “NWA Fashion Week included a good location, sponsors, food, music and hospitality. Most of all, it featured exceptional talent – from the designers to the hair and makeup team, seamstress and set designers. I am incredibly grateful and humbled that Walmart and Interform thought of UAPB – and the MTD program specifically – when planning their guest list.”
Ford hopes UAPB students of merchandising, textiles and design will be able to participate in the event in future years because of the inspiration it can give them as they hone their craft and career interests.
“Taking advantage of opportunities and exploring career paths or interests is all about exposure,” she said. “The theme of this year’s NWA Fashion Week was sustainability, and I have a vision of pursuing textiles with a focus on recycled materials. There was a particular designer, Patrick Holcomb, whose brand ‘Beterbilt’ is focused on vintage apparel that was manipulated and reimagined through screen-printing and dyeing. This collection inspired me to think of ways to repurpose textiles or materials to aid in the creation of something new or add to something that already exists.”
After she graduates from UAPB in May, Ford plans to pursue a master’s degree in textiles at North Carolina State University.
For more information on the UAPB Department of Human Sciences’ Merchandising, Textiles and Design Program, contact Yunru Shen at sheny@uapb.edu.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Arkansas
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Arkansas
Arkansas Athletics, CommunityAmerica Credit Union launch multi-year partnership including Razorback Stadium naming rights
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Department of Athletics has signed a long-term partnership with CommunityAmerica Credit Union, marking a significant step in the credit union’s growing commitment to Northwest Arkansas. Facilitated by Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties, Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will become CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium beginning with the 2027 football season.
Rooted in more than 85 years of helping individuals and families achieve financial peace of mind and building on a 65-year legacy of service in Arkansas, CommunityAmerica is excited to engage with Razorback fans and support the communities they call home.
“This is so much more than a name on a stadium. It’s about becoming part of the Razorback Nation experience and helping fans, students, student-athletes and the communities we and the university serve,” said Lisa Ginter, Chief Executive Officer of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. “Our members are at the heart of everything we do and when we evaluate partnerships like this, it starts with what matters most to them. The University of Arkansas is a powerful source of pride and connection for people across the state and in many of our markets. This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to Northwest Arkansas, where we look forward to growing our presence and helping more families achieve financial peace of mind. We’re already deepening our roots with plans for a campus location and several new branches throughout the region.”
The multi-phased partnership extends beyond naming rights and designates CommunityAmerica as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics. CommunityAmerica will also serve as an official sponsor of Arkansas Athletics, supporting student-athletes and fans alike. The comprehensive partnership will also include the rebranding of the SEC Club inside Razorback Stadium as the CommunityAmerica Club, where fans enjoy premium amenities on gameday. As part of the agreement, CommunityAmerica will engage directly with Razorback student-athletes providing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, valuable financial education and programs to help them succeed both on and off the field.
“We are thrilled to welcome CommunityAmerica Credit Union as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics as one piece of a partnership that will benefit our student-athletes, fans and the state of Arkansas for years to come,” said Hunter Yurachek, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at the University of Arkansas. “Our vision in the Department of Athletics is to be our best and CommunityAmerica’s commitment to excellence as a trusted, people-driven financial institution mirrors that same vision. This partnership is just getting started but its impact will help shape our future.”
Beginning with the 2027 football season, the partnership will expand into its second phase with the naming of CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium and the launch of CommunityAmerica Razorback Checking, Debit and Credit Cards.
With a legacy of serving members across Arkansas and nationwide, CommunityAmerica is ranked among the most trusted and innovative credit unions in the country and among the largest in the Midwest. CommunityAmerica is excited to engage and serve Razorback fans and members more deeply with a variety of financial products and services that align to their passion for the University.
“Our members are proud of where they live and what they stand behind, and for so many in Arkansas and across our shared communities, that means being part of Razorback Nation,” Ginter said. “As we look ahead to launching Razorback-branded products in 2027, we’re excited to offer experiences that celebrate that pride, strengthen relationships and deliver meaningful value for the people and communities we serve.”
“This is a historic partnership featuring an innovative brand with a passion and proven track record of supporting their community, paired with one of the leading college athletics programs in the country,” said Allison Fillmore, Senior Vice President, Business Development at Learfield. “Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties are excited to collaborate with Arkansas Athletics, which will enhance fan and student-athlete experiences for years to come.”
Razorback Sports Properties is the locally based Learfield team that is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Arkansas Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Razorbacks.
About the University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
The University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics pursues its vision to “Be Our Best” while developing 465+ student-athletes into Razorbacks and Champions for Life. As members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Razorbacks consistently compete at the nation’s highest levels while proudly representing the University of Arkansas and the entire state. Arkansas has established itself as one of the most competitive programs in the nation, winning nine NCAA titles and over 50 SEC Championships in recent years.
About CommunityAmerica Credit Union
CommunityAmerica Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution committed to helping members get on a path to thrive and achieve financial peace of mind. Founded in 1940, and with Arkansas roots dating back to 1968, CommunityAmerica has grown to meet the evolving financial needs of its members. With nearly $10 billion in assets and more than 600,000 members, the credit union is ranked among the nation’s 50 largest credit unions. It is the largest credit union in Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, and one of the largest financial institutions with expanding operations in Northwest Arkansas. CommunityAmerica offers a full suite of financial products and services for individuals and businesses, including checking and savings, mortgages, loans, commercial banking, wealth management, retirement planning, and insurance. Federally chartered, CommunityAmerica serves members across multiple markets nationwide with branch locations in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas. Learn more at CommunityAmerica.com.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
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