The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $4.2 million gift from the Trinity Foundation to strengthen early childhood education (ECE) across Arkansas.
The investment will establish the Trinity Foundation Early Childhood Education Endowed Professorship Fund, enabling the university to expand its capacity to prepare skilled educators, lead innovative research, and support community-based early learning initiatives statewide.
The gift includes $4 million to endow at least two faculty positions focused on ECE and an additional $200,000 in immediate-use funds to support faculty research and external grant development. Together, the funds will position UA Little Rock as a statewide leader in early learning innovation and educator preparation.
“Early childhood education is widely recognized as a critical factor in student success, economic mobility, and community health,” said Dr. Christina Drale, chancellor of UA Little Rock. “With this generous gift from the Trinity Foundation, we will strengthen our role in preparing educators and leading innovations that benefit Arkansas children for generations to come.”
The Trinity Foundation’s investment follows a recent study, led by UA Little Rock with Education Partners, and funded by the foundation. The study identified three urgent needs for Arkansas’ early childhood education landscape: increasing the availability of licensed Pre-K–2 teachers, expanding research capacity to improve instructional quality, and building stronger statewide partnerships across sectors.
With the Arkansas Department of Education preparing to launch a Pre-K–2 teacher licensure exam, UA Little Rock said it is poised to meet this need as it develops a new early childhood education program.
“Education is essential infrastructure—it strengthens communities, families, and futures,” said Thomas Dickinson, speaking on behalf of the Trinity Foundation. “We are proud to support UA Little Rock’s leadership in preparing early childhood educators who will improve outcomes for children statewide.”
This comprehensive gift expands the university’s ability to lead in preparing educators, conducting critical research, and supporting innovative early learning programs. As part of this initiative, UA Little Rock will provide immersive teacher residencies, advance research on early learning, deliver professional development for educators, and advocate for broader access to high-quality early childhood education throughout Arkansas.
“Arkansas faces persistent challenges in early childhood education, especially in underserved communities,” said Dr. Rachel Eells, Windgate endowed director of the UA Little Rock School of Education. “This gift allows us to expand access, strengthen our research impact, and prepare teachers who can make a difference across the state.”