Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology and Graduate Coordinator for the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Dr. Robert “Bob” Lytle is an associate professor of criminal justice and criminology, as well as the graduate coordinator for the school of criminal justice and criminology. Lytle has been praised by students and colleagues for his dedication to students and his passion in the classroom.

There are several examples of Lytle’s excellence in teaching. One of those in particular can be found in his instruction of doctoral level statistics courses in the criminal justice and criminology Ph.D. program. Students often find these courses to be daunting and difficult, but students and colleagues alike have praised Lytle for his ability to teach these courses and teach them well. One student in particular said Lytle transformed a terrifying advanced statistics course into one that was manageable and even enjoyable. Fellow colleagues and students also highlight the labeled binders he creates for each of his statistics students. These binders include everything from the syllabus and extra credit assignments to 125 pages of content written by Lytle concerning material used in the statistics classes and even a statistics refresher. The binder can be used in both upper level criminal justice and criminology statistics courses, and the binders are built in such a way that they can be reorganized and added to as the student sees fit.

Lytle has also served in several different roles in his seven years at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. In addition to being an associate professor, he is also the graduate coordinator for his school and has also served as the school assessment coordinator for over five years. Lytle has chaired thesis committees for five students and served as reader on six additional thesis projects while at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. And, is currently serving as chair on six dissertation committees and as a reader on 14 additional dissertations.Since 2016, Lytle has published 14 peer reviewed articles, with four of these articles being written in conjunction with students. This shows his dedication in teaching, but also mentoring students in their own research. To culminate, Lytle is currently the co-principal investigator on four external grants and contracts totaling over $1,000,000 dollars. This provides undergraduate and graduate students opportunities to actively engage in research projects that would not be available without Lytle’s dedication to teaching and student success through classroom instruction and research outside the classroom.

Lytle received a Ph.D. in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a M.A. in psychology from Radford University, and B.S. in psychology from James Madison University.

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Distinguished Professor in Constitutional Law

Mr. Nicholas Kahn-Fogel is the distinguished professor in constitutional law at the William H. Bowen School of Law. Students comment on his rigorous but nurturing and intellectually challenging classes.

Kahn-Fogel uses a modified version of the Socratic Method in most of his in-class instruction, in which he randomly calls on students. Though this can be intimidating this increases the likelihood that all students will have the opportunity to engage in class discussion. Recommendations from students have positively commented on this, but even when they didn’t necessarily, Kahn-Fogel never made them feel inadequate. This encouraged students to look forward to his classes even when the material was intimidating. Kahn-Fogel’s colleagues have also praised his dedication to teaching.

Several of Kahn-Fogel’s colleagues have commented on his preparation for class. Colleagues have called Kahn-Fogel meticulous when it comes to knowing his class materials and being prepared for class. Some have even gone so far as to comment on him rarely canceling class in order to not disrupt student’s class time. Students have recognized his dedication and have selected him for several graduation honors.

Kahn-Fogel received a J.D. from Stanford Law School and a B.A. in history from Cornell University.

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Associate Professor of English

Dr. Laura Barrio-Vilar is an associate professor of English in the School of Literary and Performing Arts at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. Barrio-Vilar has been praised for her commitment to inclusive learning in the classroom, work mentoring other teachers, and engaged pedagogy.

Barrio-Vilar has many examples of creating inclusive learning environments within the classroom. She has served on the Blackboard Ally team. Blackboard Ally is a tool that helps institutions understand their course shell’s accessibility. Barrio-Vilar’s work has helped make online courses more ADA accessible for students. She also received a Jumpstart Teaching award from the Provost Office at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock for equity and inclusiveness in the classroom. Barrio-Vilar has also developed pedagogy to incorporate several social issues into her classes.

Barrio-Vilar developed classes that incorporate issues such as gender, race, LGBTQ+, and migration. Colleagues in her department have noted because of her work, the department has rethought their curriculum to include these issues. Several courses Barrio-Vilar has taught are slavery narratives, women in literature, and migration literature just to name a few. Barrio-Vilar’s work also extends beyond her own department.

For three and a half years, Barrio-Vilar served as a co-director for the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE). The goal of ATLE is to foster excellence in teaching and learning through sharing ideas, collaborating, and building a strong community of engaged teachers and learners. With her time at ATLE, Barrio-Vilar did extensive teaching, mentoring and professional development leading sessions on gender, race, disability, and LGBTQ+ issues in the classroom to faculty of all disciplines.

Barrio-Vilar received a Ph.D. in English from the University of Kentucky, a M.A. in English from the University of Kentucky, and a B.A. in English philology from the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

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Associate Professor of Engineering

Dr. Ashokkumar Sharma is an associate professor of engineering in the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. Sharma has been vital in curriculum development in the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology and has taught over 17 different courses within the school since joining the university seven years ago.

Sharma consistently receives high student evaluations in his courses for his engaging, inclusive, student-centered learning teaching style. He utilizes techniques such as use of backward design, hands-on lab demonstration, small group-based problem-solving sessions, frequent in-class Q&A sessions, and use of real-world examples and industrial applications to help students learn. This is made evident in the Computer Graphics course he teaches, which is a particularly challenging visualization course freshman engineering students take. Because of this, Sharma has been consistently rated as one of the best teachers in the school by students.

Sharma’s colleagues have commented and praised his work on developing and teaching new courses in the program. Sharma has taught over 17 different courses in the program since joining the university giving insight into the program and aiding in curriculum development. Outside the program. Sharma also makes an effort to improve his teaching techniques and educate other faculty. He has been a regular participant in the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE) and the Mobile Institute of Scientific Teaching (MIST). He recently received a Scientific Teaching Mentor Certificate for facilitating a 5-day workshop with MIST on scientific evidence-based teaching practices. Sharma is currently assisting the MIST team on their ongoing educational research funded by the NSF.

Sharma received a Ph.D. in biosystems engineering from Oklahoma State University, a M.Tech in mechanical engineering from the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology in India, and a B.E. in mechanical engineering from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in India.

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Associate Professor of Public Affairs

Dr. Rebecca Glazier is an associate professor in the School of Public Affairs. She showcases a commitment to researching and sharing her considerable knowledge about teaching and learning filtered through her prowess as a well-respected political science scholar.

Through comments from colleagues and students alike, it is clear that Dr. Glazier highly values pedagogy as an evolving field capable of addressing ever-changing student needs. Writing in support of Dr. Glazier’s nomination, Dr. Michelle Deardroff, chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Service at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, had this to say about her: “Political Science as a discipline has not traditionally focused on our role in teaching, civic engagement, or in having a public impact. This has changed drastically over the last 10 years, and Dr. Glazier has been part of that change.”

When speaking about her teaching style, Dr. Glazier prioritizes her students in her classes and in her role as the director of the Little Rock Congregations Study. Among the multitude of evidence for her excellence in the classroom is the Student Government Association Faculty Appreciation Award in 2020 and the Faculty Member of the Year Award for 2016-2017. She also speaks on her research into becoming a more effective teacher in the online classroom: “In recent years, my pedagogy research efforts have yielded rewarding results, leading to nine peer-reviewed publications related to teaching, as well as a book with Johns Hopkins University Press.” In order to share her research with others, she has offered teaching advice to others in a variety of platforms since the onset of COVID-19, including through blog posts, recorded videos, and Twitter.

Glazier received a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California at Santa Barbara, a M.A. in political science from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and a B.A. in liberal studies from California State University Channel Islands.

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Associate Professor of Earth Sciences

Dr. Laura Ruhl is an associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences. She is known to be an attentive educator who works intentionally to hone her own skills and willingly offers assistance to others interested in professional development.

Former students wrote of Dr. Ruhl’s availability and capability to inspire and motivate them with earnesty and eagerness during fieldwork, in the classroom, and in her office. She provides her students with real-world experiences that teach them to be scientists, including guiding them in crucial areas like proper field techniques, lab etiquette, and new ways to approach statistical analysis. Writing in support of Dr. Ruhl’s nomination for the Faculty Excellence award, Dr. Mark Baillie specifically referenced her dedication and support to the Mobile Institute on Scientific Teaching workshops delivered to faculty. Dr. Ruhl was an “enthusiastic” and “invaluable” leader for the 2021 workshops, and she showcased her commitment to not only learning how to be a better teacher herself but also in helping other faculty become better teachers.

Her recent awards include the DCSTEM Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service in 2021, ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock ATLE Teaching Fellow in 2021, an Arkansas Department of Higher Education SURF grant in 2020, and the EIT Faculty Excellence Award for Research in 2018. She is a member of several professional and honorary societies, including the Geological Society of America and the International Medical Geology Association. Her university service in the past five years includes her tenure as the DCSTEM College Assembly president and her membership in the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Provost’s Academic COVID-19 Taskforce and on the EIT College Undergrad and Graduate Curriculum committees. Her recent public outreach includes the Mill Creek Bayou Community Group, the Fourche Creek Watershed Management Plan Development Team, and providing professional development for local science teachers.

Ruhl received a Ph.D. in Earth and ocean sciences from Duke University and a M.S. and B.S. in geological sciences from the University of Florida.

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Assistant Professor of Nursing and the RN-BSN Online Program Coordinator

Dr. Josy Nduku is an assistant professor of nursing and the RN-BSN online program coordinator, a leadership position into which she was unanimously voted. Her reputation as a professional who relies on feedback and proactive responsiveness is highlighted by her commitment to her students.

Colleagues describe Dr. Nduku’s leadership and teaching style as empowering and supportive. She inspires others to reach their full potential through setting clear goals and expectations. Her emotional intelligence in the face of the recent challenges presented by COVID-19 were also highlighted as responsive to student and colleague needs. Professor Lindsey Baerlein described her as exemplifying the “values of respect, professionalism, delegation, and self-awareness.” Dr. Nduku stated that her own teaching goals are to “inspire students, transmit knowledge, develop and improve students’ practical skills, and create professional leaders.” Her teaching philosophy specifically relies on a “combination of adult learning theory, progressivism, cognitivism, and constructivism.”

Dr. Nduku serves in many professional roles, including her position as the BSN representative of the Professional Conduct Council, which is a student-driven committee that sanctions nursing students displaying professional misconduct or academic dishonesty. In 2021, Dr. Nduku was awarded second place for the University Student Retention Awards in the College of Education and Health Professions, was nominated for 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 by the Arkansas Center for Nursing, and was awarded a Professional Development Certificate by ATLE. She was also nominated for the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty in 2019. She is a member of the National League for Nursing, the Arkansas Nurses Association and American Nurses Association, the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society of Nursing.

Dr. Nduku received a D.N.P., M.S.N., and B.S.N. from the University of Central Arkansas.

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Professor of Law

Professor Joshua Silverstein is a professor of law. His students and colleagues alike boast of his energetic delivery, wealth of knowledge, and genuine interest in guiding students effectively throughout their studies.

Many of Professor Silverstein’s former students speak highly of his qualities as a stellar educator. Michael Hunter Schwartz, former dean of the William H. Bowen School of Law, regarded Professor Silverstein’s student evaluations as “the highest I have seen for any Bowen faculty member.” Writing in support of Professor Silverstein, former student Tori Percifield described him as “quite simply the best teacher I have ever had.” According to Percifield, his strengths as a teacher include “immeasurable enthusiasm, meticulous organization, limitless knowledge, and genuine compassion for the students.”

From 2007 to 2021, he received the honor of being voted to serve in an official capacity at graduation by law students a total of 13 times, which is more than any other Bowen faculty member. He was also chosen by students to be the elected college marshal during six graduation ceremonies. Further evidence of student appreciation for Professor Silverstein is evident in the 2021 We HEART Faculty Award, of which he was the first ever law school faculty recipient.

He is also adaptive to the needs of his students, as evidenced by his willingness to change the delivery of his teachings during the pandemic. Writing of his own pandemic-related practices, Professor Silverstein stated that he “spent hundreds of hours during the pandemic experimenting and practicing with Zoom, Microsoft Word, dozens of other applications, and new hardware (some of which I purchased with my own funds) to maximize the efficacy of my online instruction.”

Professor Silverstein received a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.A. from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.

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Professor of Law

Michael Flannery is the Judge George Howard Jr. Distinguished Professor of Law at the William H. Bowen School of Law. Over the past five years, he has published casebooks and corresponding teacher manuals on family law, decedents’ estates, and elder law.

In 2016, Flannery published “The Sexual Exploitation of Children” casebook and the companion teacher’s manual. He developed a course on the subject that he has taught at Bowen for the past four years.

The casebook was inspired by Flannery’s own interest in children’s rights and his belief that law students should be introduced to the law related to sexual abuse of children as a viable area of practice. Rather than addressing sexual exploitation as a small part of a wider class or assigning it as a paper topic, he wanted his students to know they could follow their passion and commitment to make a difference in the development of the law and the lives of abused children.

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Instructor of Chemistry

Ronia Kattoum is an instructor of chemistry at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. She is known as one of the most popular and effective teachers in the Department of Chemistry. She serves as the Freshman Programs coordinator, where she trains graduate teaching assistants, and the Education Minor coordinator, where she works with chemistry majors who are education minors on the path to teach grades 7-12.

Her efforts to introduce modern teaching tools in her classes include the use of clicker technology to promote active learning, an online homework platform to enhance student learning outside the classroom, and the creation of a series of tutoring videos to help nontraditional students who can’t normally make it to office hours and tutoring sessions.

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