The University of Arkansas at Monticello Homepage

The University of Arkansas at Monticello is offering $7,000 scholarships to four students pursuing a graduate certificate in forest business — a program that blends economics, sustainability and industry expertise to prepare tomorrow’s forest leaders.

Funded through the recently established Jonathan Hartley Endowed Scholarship for Forestry, this opportunity is open to students admitted to UAM’s graduate certificate in forest business program for the fall 2025 semester. Each scholarship will cover all tuition costs associated with completion of the certificate program. The application deadline for scholarship consideration is August 10.

Program admission requires a four-year degree, preferably in forestry, natural resources or a related area. However, applicants from other academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. For scholarship consideration, applicants should email a copy of their undergraduate transcript and a one-page essay describing their career interests and goals to cfanr@uamont.edu.

About the Program

The 15-credit graduate certificate program is designed for both working professionals and recent graduates. Students can complete the program in as little as one year. All courses are offered in hyflex or hybrid formats, meaning students can attend in person, join live online sessions or view recordings at their convenience.

There are three required courses in the program consisting of Forest Finance, Forest Operations and Supply Chain Management and Forest Appraisals. Students will also take two elective courses from a list of five options.

Fall 2025 courses within the program include:

• Forest Finance — provides students the ability to conduct advanced timberland investment analyses
• Leadership in a Forest Business — develop skills in communication, team performance, and decision-making
• Timber Taxation — learn tax policies and procedures associated with timber management and ownership

Each class meets once weekly from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with flexible attendance options.

“The graduate certificate in forest business was designed to add expertise in business and management skills for people working in the forestry sector,” said Dr. Michael Blazier, dean of the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources. “The flexible times and methods of attendance for its courses were developed with working professionals across the states and beyond in mind.”

About the Jonathan Hartley Endowed Scholarship for Forestry

The $7,000 scholarships are made possible by a $1.3 million gift from the estate of Andrea Stanley Hartley in honor of her late son, Jonathan Isaac Hartley — a UAM alumnus and respected forestry professional. The gift is the third-largest single donation in UAM’s history and will support both undergraduate and graduate students studying forestry.

Jonathan Hartley earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in forestry from UAM. He worked on research with faculty, then served as a Drew County forester with the Arkansas Forestry Division before passing away in 2018 at age 34 after a lifelong battle with chronic illness.

“Jonathan was passionate about forestry and his time at UAM,” said Jolene Hammock, CFANR outreach and engagement coordinator and wife to Hartley from 2006 to his passing. “He would be proud to help future generations of foresters thrive.”

For more information about the graduate certificate in forest business program or scholarship questions, contact the UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources at 870-460-1052.