The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff announces the continuation of its partnership with Coursera Inc., a global massive open online course provider based in the United States and founded in 2012 by Stanford University computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller.
Through the partnership, UAPB has 300 licenses that provide access to the full catalog, which contains more than 13,000 individual courses and guided projects, more than 600 specializations, and more than 150 industry professional certificates ranging from beginner to advanced levels.
Coursera works with universities, companies, and other organizations to offer online courses, certifications, and degrees in a variety of subjects, according to a news release.
UAPB students have a unique opportunity to enhance their academic journey with the resources provided by Coursera. This partnership, which aligns with UAPB’s focus on career readiness, allows students to earn industry-recognized credentials while pursuing their UAPB degree.
“UAPB’s partnership with Coursera is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to student success,” said Andrea Stewart, UAPB Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “As technology reshapes every industry, we’re ensuring our graduates are prepared to meet those challenges with adaptability, creativity, and excellence. Through Coursera, our students can earn industry-recognized credentials from leading companies like Google, IBM, and Meta, concurrently with their UAPB degree.”
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Kimberly L. Johnson, an administrative analyst at UAPB who works with the Coursera partnership, shared additional benefits.
“I think that this will be a valuable tool for our students that will make them more marketable upon completion of their degree program,” Johnson said.
Johnson explained that while some certificates cater to a student’s specific degree area, others focus on subjects and topics they are interested in exploring further. Although there is a limit to what students can pursue, numerous options are available, she said.
The partnership has been in existence for a while, and the contract is in place until 2027. UAPB’s Office of Career Services currently utilizes Coursera, Johnson said.
The Office of Career Services introduced Coursera to the campus in 2022 with the intent of helping students improve their marketability by gaining industry-focused micro-credentials through certifications, according to Tracy Knowlton, assistant director for Cooperative Education and Internships.
“As industry is going more toward skill-based hiring, it is going to be even more important that the students at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are competitive, and the micro-credentials gained through Coursera will help with the effort,” Knowlton said.
There is an increased effort to make students, faculty and staff aware of Coursera. A strategic and data-centered pilot program will be launched in the spring 2026 semester, according to Trina L. Fletcher, Ph.D, associate dean of UAPB’s School of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of Engineering and Industrial Technology Management & Applied Engineering (ITMAE) and organizational administrator for the partnership, who is leading the effort.
“Our partnership with Coursera has been transformative in expanding opportunities for our students and faculty here at UAPB. By providing access to high-quality content, certifications, and micro-credentials from leading universities and industry partners, we expect to see measurable increases in student engagement, persistence, and confidence as a part of this pilot program. These credentials not only enhance students’ academic experience but also equip them with the in-demand skills and verified achievements that employers value. This ultimately improves their readiness and success in entering today’s workforce,” she said.
To prepare for the launch, five UAPB faculty and staff attended the Coursera Connect 2025 conference Sept. 8-10 in Las Vegas. The annual conference brought together Coursera’s key leadership, including CEO Greg Hart and Co-Founder and Chairman Andrew Ng, to share updates and essential training with institutional partners.
Those who attended included Johnson, Fletcher, Edward Gitonga, UAPB Computer Science project and program manager; LaTisha Sanders, UAPB ITMAE assistant professor and instructor; and Vinay Raj, Ph.D, UAPB biology associate professor.
A faculty training session was held at UAPB on Sept. 12 for those interested in incorporating courses, modules, materials, micro-credentials, and certificates into their classes.
“We had approximately 20 faculty, staff, and admins attend that training,” Fletcher said. “Our team will be having bi-monthly meetings beginning Oct. 1 through winter break to finalize the planning and implementation process for at least 10 faculty members and their courses starting in spring 2026. We will also finalize how students who are not in those classes can take advantage of all remaining licenses.”
Fletcher added that there are several faculty members who have been trained on the system and who have students utilizing the licenses as a part of their courses.
According to Johnson, a series of leadership training sessions is forthcoming, led by Coursera representatives to engage UAPB Chancellor Anthony Graham and Provost Andrea Stewart, along with executive cabinet members, vice chancellors, deans and directors. These sessions will focus on increasing institutional knowledge about the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and exploring how UAPB can prepare students, faculty and staff to apply AI technologies responsibly and effectively across disciplines.
Students interested in pursuing a certificate must be enrolled in a course taught by one of the faculty members involved in the pilot starting in Spring 2026, Johnson said. Students, faculty, and staff who are not part of the pilot program but wish to gain access to Coursera resources may request access by completing the UAPB Coursera Access Request Form. Requests will be reviewed based on license availability and alignment with the university’s academic and professional development goals.
For more information, support and guidance on how to make the most of this partnership, contact Kimberly L. Johnson at johnsonk@uapb.edu or Edward Gitonga at gitongae@uapb.edu.