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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., May 19, 2026 — Across Arkansas, professionals are being asked to learn faster than ever. Project management, analytics, and AI fluency aren't optional anymore—they're how people stay competitive in a state economy anchored by some of the country's largest and most operationally complex companies. To meet that demand, the University of Arkansas Professional and Workforce Development team is launching a new suite of career-focused certificate programs in partnership with Ziplines Education.
Ziplines Education, a national career accelerator and trusted partner to more than 30 universities, designs short-format, university-branded certificate programs built for working professionals, adult learners, and career changers. Through this partnership, the University of Arkansas will offer seven new programs spanning core professional skills and applied AI, taught by practitioners, structured around real workplace projects, and designed to be completed alongside full-time work.
The launch covers two complementary tracks. The first focuses on core professional skills: Project Management, Digital Marketing, and Business Analytics. The second is a four-program applied AI suite, anchored by AI Essentials—a foundational program that meets professionals wherever they are in their AI journey—and extending into role-specific applications through AI Automation, AI for Marketing, and AI for HR Professionals. Together, the seven programs offer a flexible path for professionals to strengthen the skills their organizations need most.
“Our mission has always been to help working professionals across Arkansas build careers that don't just keep up with the economy; they help shape it,” said Eve Canty, Director of Professional and Workforce Development at the University of Arkansas. “These programs were built around what employers in our region are actively hiring for. They're practical, they're flexible, and they meet learners where they are, whether someone is moving into a new role, leading a team for the first time, or trying to bring AI into their day-to-day work.”
The launch is timed to a sharp acceleration in the skills Arkansas employers are looking for. Regional labor data projects 30% growth in automation skills, 28% growth in analytics, and 27% growth in process improvement, alongside 23% growth in marketing skills and 20% growth in project management. Employers across retail, logistics, healthcare, and financial services are increasingly looking for professionals who can lead projects, work fluently with data, and apply AI to the everyday operations that drive their businesses.
“Few public universities sit at the center of as much industry density as the University of Arkansas,” said Sara Leoni, CEO of Ziplines Education. “Walmart, Tyson, and J.B. Hunt are all within an hour of campus. That changes what workforce relevance has to mean, and it raises the bar for what a certificate program needs to deliver. We're proud to be building this alongside a team that takes that responsibility seriously.”
Together, the two institutions are building what professional development can look like: flexible, career-relevant, and deeply aligned with industry needs. Learners will benefit from monthly cohort launches, hands-on assignments, expert-led instruction, and personalized support designed to turn ambition into real career momentum.
Each University of Arkansas program runs 5-10 weeks, is delivered fully online, and combines live instruction from industry practitioners with project-based assignments. Learners receive support from program coaches, peer cohorts, and certified instructors throughout. Programs are designed for completion alongside full-time work and lead to a University of Arkansas certificate plus, where applicable, industry credentials.
The seven programs include:
Enrollment is now open, with cohorts beginning summer 2026. To learn more and register, visit ziplines.com.
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The University of Arkansas Professional and Workforce Development team, part of the U of A Global Campus, supports U of A colleges and collaborates with industry in the development and delivery of online, distance, and workforce education programs and courses. The Global Campus provides instructional design services, technology services, and assistance with marketing, recruiting, and strategic academic development.
Ziplines Education partners with 30+ public and regional universities to design, launch, and grow workforce-aligned certificates that build skills, confidence, and career mobility. Practitioner-led and cohort-based, our model helps institutions adapt at the speed of work, so learners and regions thrive as the economy evolves, driven by technology and accelerated by AI. Learn more at ziplines.com.
Ziplines Education
Alyssa Miller
alyssa@ammediaworks.com
973-615-1292
University of Arkansas Professional and Workforce Development
Eve Canty
Director of Professional and Workforce Development
Global Campus
University of Arkansas
ecanty@uark.edu
479-575-8417
Media inquiries
Alyssa Miller
press@ziplines.com
