Assistant Professor of Economics

Dr. Rhet Smith is an assistant professor of economics in the department of accounting, economics, and finance at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Smith is noted for his research on applying microeconomic concepts in crime, labor, and health economics being particularly focused on substance abuse and the impacts of cannabis dispensaries in communities, as well as the pure excitement he has in teaching.

Smith has been praised by colleagues for his research on cannabis dispensaries. One example of his dedication to research, was in 2019 he collaboratively collected dispensary location and opening date data for the entire United States, which did not exist at the time, in order to examine the strategic response in direct-to-physician marketing by pharmaceutical firms as cannabis dispensaries entered each particular market. The focus of his research is to examine the impacts of cannabis dispensaries on everything from insurance and public safety to applications in healthcare with the ultimate goal of informing public policy.

Students have also praised Smith for his teaching style and dedication in the classroom. He is often noted for enthusiasm and excitement in the classroom. One student in particular, praised Smith as a mentor highlighting Smith aiding the student in acquiring multiple grants for his topic, which led to the student presenting at an academic conference. He has also served as one of the faculty who sponsor our Finance and Economics Association (FEA) student organization. In this role, Smith has helped connect students with internship and research opportunities.

Smith received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Georgia, a M.A. in economics from Cleveland State University, and a B.S. in business administration from Central Michigan University.

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Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Mark Baillie is an assistant professor of chemistry in the School of Physical Sciences at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Baillie has been praised for teaching, service, and research and scholarship.

Baillie has focused much of his career on the science of teaching. There are numerous examples of his efforts, but one example is the drastic reduction of DFW rates in his general chemistry class. His class has less than half the DFW rate observed in traditional classes, but students perform at the same level on the nationally normed exams in the class showing there has not been a reduction in class standards. There are also several examples of Baillie鈥檚 service.

Baillie brought expertise from the National Institute on Scientific Teaching and with this expertise has provided Mobile Institutes on Scientific Teaching (MoSI) workshops to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty and graduate students. Over the past four years, he has trained 87 faculty members and 18 graduate students. The focus of these workshops is fostering a more engaging learning environment for students through the use of evidence-based practices and active learning. Baillie also co-founded the university鈥檚 first Learning Assistant (LA) program in the Chemistry department with the School of Physical Sciences. This program uses students to serve as peer mentors and active learning collaborators. It has also been replicated in other units across campus.

Baillie鈥檚 primary scholarship has been on teaching and learning. He led an interdisciplinary team that was awarded a prestigious $2 million NSF grant to promote active learning in STEM classrooms at the university. Overall, he has co-published four peer-reviewed articles since his time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Baillie received a Ph.D in chemistry from Emory University and a B.S. in chemistry from Bucknell University.

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Assistant Professor of Applied Communication

Dr. Bailey Oliver Blackburn is an assistant professor of applied communication in the Department of Applied Communication at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Blackburn has made exceptional strides in teaching, research or creative endeavors, and public service since joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Blackburn has been praised by both students and her colleagues alike. She has shown herself to be thoughtful and reflective, constantly thinking of new ways to innovate her courses and make them more student-centered. This is supported by her strong course evaluations and student comments. Over the past three years, she has also taught in the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Blackburn is also a strong researcher.

Blackburn鈥檚 research focuses on community listening, modern relationships, and marriages and divorces in the United States. Over the past five years, she has 14 publications including nine in some of the most rigorous journals in her field including the Journal of Applied Communication Research, and she has five publications in press for 2023. Blackburn has also shown dedication to service.

Blackburn has served the university, her discipline, and the local community in several ways. She has been a member of several university committees, such as the Donaghey Scholars Policy Council and Undergraduate Council. Blackburn is also a regular reviewer for the Journal of Family Communications, Family Relations and the Western Communications Journal. She has also facilitated several workshops locally with the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Leadership Academy and the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium (APAC).

Blackburn received a Ph.D. in human communications, a M.A. in communication studies, and a B.A. in telecommunication and film.

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Associate Professor of Law

Mr. Aaron Schwabach is an associate professor of law at the William H. Bowen Law School of Law. Schwabach has been praised by his colleagues at the law school particularly in the development of the new masters in the study of law degree (M.S.L.).

Schwabach鈥檚 most notable achievement has been his work in the development of the M.S.L degree at the law school. This degree provides legal training for non-lawyers who wish to develop legal expertise that will aid them in their current jobs or facilitate career advancement. Schwabach drafted all the materials needed for the American Bar Association to acquiesce the degree, which the association did in February 2021. Beyond service to the law school, he is also a member of several legal organizations, on the editorial boards for the Hungarian Yearbook of International and European Law and the American Bar Association Probate & Property Journal, and a peer reviewer for the Fulbright Specialist Program.

Schwabach has been a productive scholar as well. He has published one book chapter and five peer reviewed journal articles since joining the law school two years ago. This is well above the law school鈥檚 minimum of one published article a year and in Spring 2022 he received a Jumpstart Faculty Scholarship from the Office of the Provost at the university. Schwabach has also been recommended by his students for his teaching methods with even some wishing they could take more of his classes.

Schwabach received a J.D. from Berkeley Law and a bachelor鈥檚 from Antioch College.

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