Bear Biographies-A Library of Lived Experiences: 2025 Catalog

 

Available for Checkout From 12:00-2:00pm

 

1. Present and in the Moment

Present and in the moment suggests that regardless of your circumstances or situation, you will trust yourself to continue to do your diligence and strive for your goal/end result. I will use multiple academic-related examples such as a low grade at the midpoint of the semester and what "present and in the moment" looks like.

 

2. Fost and Found

The life story of Ana Brandon

 

3. Raising Children of Goodwill

An ‘aha’moment in Dr. B,A. Lewis’ psychology class changed my attitudes and, thus, my life decisions

 

4. Pictures of Health to Breathe & Move with

These are simple, quick ways to Stay Heal-thy in our human lives, and be inspired t o create great things in our lives.

 

5. The Gun was Heavy: Protecting my family from the Klan as a five-year-old.

Why do I still look for two exits when I'm in a new place or with a large group of unfamiliar people?  This book will describe the time and effort it has taken to understand the lasting effects of growing up in an environment marked by hate and the constant threat of violence during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

 

6. Finding Home in a Second Culture: Ukraine

After spending 4 years living in Ukraine mentoring youth through sports, music and language-learning, I found the culture shock returning to the US was worse than adapting to Ukraine. I still struggle with the loss and impact of leaving 3.5 years later.

 

7. Better Together: Why Politics Does Not Have to Divide Us

I am a Black, 21-year-old Republican in a family of all Democrats. Even most of my friends are Democrat. Yet, I always manage to find areas of commonality with them. Talk to me and find out how!

 

8. All About We.

Listen to a thrilling description of a non-binary person walking through their personal individual experience coming to terms with their gender identity and learning more about how gender and the trans experience affect people in the world.

 

9. Rooted and Rising: From Rural Roads to Academic Heights

Laura’s story begins on the backroads of a small rural town, where dreams were meant to be practical, paths were predictable, and identities often remained unspoken. College was supposed to be an escape, but instead, it became a detour—one that ended in failure before it ever really began. Flunking out felt like proof that she didn’t belong. But that wasn’t the end. It was just the first lesson.  Now a PhD student and faculty member at the University of Central Arkansas, Laura has redefined success on her own terms. Rooted and Rising is a powerful reflection on the journey from feeling like an outsider to becoming an advocate, educator, and changemaker. It’s a story of resilience, of learning to embrace queerness in spaces that weren’t built for it, and of using personal setbacks to fuel the fight for equity in education.  Part memoir, part call to action, this book is for anyone who has ever felt lost in a place that didn’t quite fit. It’s a testament to second chances, the power of community, and the radical act of showing up as your full self—wherever you are, and wherever you’re going.

 

10.  

 

Available for Checkout From 2:00-4:00 pm
 

1. Passing for Straight: A Bisexual Woman Married to a Man

If someone just looked at me walking through the store with my husband, hand in hand, most people would not think "I wonder if she's bi...". I simply pass for straight. But I'm not; I'm a proud bisexual woman, delighted to be a part of LGBTQ+ community. This can often mean I have to come out multiple times throughout my life as otherwise, people just assume I'm heterosexual. I'm happy to answer any questions about my story, being bisexual, and what that means to me.

 

2. Book of Liv

 

3. Everyday with the Oppressor

Racial hardships make me wonder where God is. Being Black allows me the opportunity to choose compassion for my oppressors, daily, with the realization that unforgiveness is a distraction. Being Black for me is operating, with joy, in a state of misery. Being Black is living in a perpetual cycle of compounded grief, unwilling to accept the assurance of invalidated loss. Being Black is looking past disenfranchisement and smiling at the future. Being Black is being rewarded with resilience, an invaluable asset. Being Black is acknowledging that only God can fix broken people I encounter.

 

4. Invisible Illness Club

Being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease and how itmpacted my mental health , physical health career, friendships, romantic partnership, etc. As well as the unsolicited advice of: have you tried yogo; dieting; praying; etc.

 

5. A Day in life of a Mogul

Many people ask, how do you do it all? This book explains the importance of mental health and setting boundaries and how to balance multiple task.

 

6. My major is Personal Happiness

My experience as a septuagenarian at UCA

 

7. Hidden in Plain Sight: My Experiences with Invisible Disabilities

I was just finishing a meal at Jason’s Deli in Pearland, Texas when a man followed me outside and angrily told me I didn’t look disabled—so I shouldn’t park in accessible parking. That moment was jarring, but sadly, not unique. I’ve also sat in meetings—like when I served on a university parking committee at another institution—where the needs of people with disabilities were brushed aside with comments like “there’s handicap parking over at the other building, so we don’t need to add any to this building.” I live with an invisible disability, and my story is filled with moments like these—frustrating, painfully real, and deeply human. Come ‘read' my book, and let’s talk about what’s often unseen but very real.

 

8. Discussing the Differences

A general discussion between differences with International student within a diverse setting and the US culture (Arkansas)

 

9. Wheels of Wisdom: Journey of Resilience, Adventure, and Laughter

Jennifer’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, humor, and adventure. Despite facing life’s challenges, including navigating a physical disability, she earned her doctorate and works full-time as a clinical psychologist. Outside of work, she embraces adaptive sports like handcycling, snow skiing, and rock climbing, always pushing her limits. Wheels of Wisdom: Journey of Resilience, Adventure, and Laughter is a lighthearted exploration of how determination, a bit of humor, and a lot of heart can help you overcome any obstacle.

 

10. All About We.

Listen to a thrilling description of a non-binary person walkthrough their personal indivudal experience coming to terms with their gender identity and learning more about how gender and the trans experience affects people in the world.

 

11. Not Like Us: To be Different Racially and Spatially

How my racial identity blends into my environmental advocacy.