- University News Archive - 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock /news-archive/tag/business/ 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Tue, 13 Sep 2022 18:22:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 U.S. News and World Report Recognizes 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for Undergraduate Education /news-archive/2022/09/13/us-news-and-world-report-rankings/ Tue, 13 Sep 2022 18:22:30 +0000 /news/?p=82178 ... U.S. News and World Report Recognizes 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for Undergraduate Education]]> 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has once again been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a continued leader in social mobility Arkansas with a ranking of #197. The ranking measures a university鈥檚 success in graduating economically disadvantaged students who are less likely to finish college. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is committed to providing an affordable college education for its students with a focus on student success initiatives and a competitive scholarship portfolio. 鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock continues to prioritize student success while simultaneously improving access to higher education,鈥 said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. 鈥淕iven the increase in students choosing to enroll at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, the increase in student retention rates, and the decrease in the net price of attendance, it is no surprise that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has been recognized with this social mobility ranking.鈥 The social mobility indicator measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants. Students receiving these grants typically come from households whose family incomes are less than $50,000 annually, though most Pell Grant money goes to students with a total family income below $20,000. The social mobility ranking was computed by assessing Pell Grant graduation rates and Pell Grant graduate rate performance. U.S. News rankings are widely recognized as symbols of excellence in higher education that are conferred by an unbiased trust agent. With more than 15 measures of academic quality, the U.S. News Best Colleges report provides data-driven information and guidance to help prospective students and their families understand their higher education options. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 in U.S. News and World Report 2022-23 Best College Rankings include:
  • Best Undergraduate Engineering #184
  • Best Undergraduate Nursing #206
  • Best Undergraduate Business #219
  • Best Undergraduate Computer Science #234
The Department of Computer Science ranking is up 18 spots over last year. Initially accredited in 1990 and the first Computer Science program accredited in the state, the program offers a minor in information insurance, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science with an option that focuses on games, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in cybersecurity, a master鈥檚 degree in computer science, and a Ph.D. in computer and information science. Students study a wide range of in-demand fields including cybersecurity, virtual and augmented reality, data visualization, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and mobile, smart systems, and software for Internet of Things. While 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock began its first bachelor鈥檚 degree program in cybersecurity last year, the university was already a proven leader in cybersecurity education and workforce development in the state. Earlier this year, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock received a $1.96 million workforce development grant from the Arkansas Office of Skills Development to create the , a consortium of seven University of Arkansas System campuses to expand and diversify workforce education in emergency cyber technologies throughout the state. The Cyber Learning Network began offering a new certificate of proficiency in cybersecurity fundamentals this fall with a second certificate program due to start in the spring 2023 semester. 鈥淭he undergraduate computer science programs again being recognized in the U.S. News and World Report rankings is a credit to the faculty and teaching staff in the Department of Computer Science,鈥 said Dr. Albert Baker, chair of the Department of Computer Science. 鈥淭he commitment and energy of these scholars to the nurturing of our student鈥檚 professional careers is leading to our continued success. Undergraduate students in the department have unique opportunities to participate in funded research and development projects. We are proud that our students are well-prepared to join the workforce in Arkansas and beyond.鈥 The School of Nursing, the university鈥檚 largest undergraduate program, has a variety of well-respected undergraduate degree programs, including the Student to RN, Student to BSN, Online RN to BSN, and LPN/Paramedic to RN. “The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing continues the tradition of being a leader in nursing education in Arkansas,鈥 said Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淲e are proud to be recognized again by U.S. News and World Reports as one of the best undergraduate nursing programs in the country.” Joanna Hall, director of simulation and assistant professor of nursing, has recently become the first person at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to earn the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator certification. Hall leads the Center for Simulation Innovation, a 20-bed state-of-the-art simulation hospital offering simulation-based clinical learning experiences within a 9,500 square foot facility. The center ensures students graduate having experienced a variety of scenarios they will likely face in the nursing profession. This July, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock launched the new School of Engineering and Engineering Technology to bring together the university鈥檚 competitive engineering programs. The school includes the university鈥檚 programs in electronics and computer engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, mechanical engineering, and electrical and computer engineering. 鈥淚t is a great achievement for engineering programs at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to be ranked 184 out of so many qualified ABET-accredited engineering programs,鈥 said Dr. Srikanth Pidugu, director of the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. 鈥淭his recognition demonstrates the commitment of the faculty to teaching, research, and service excellence and the high caliber of undergraduate students.听 It is a fantastic accomplishment considering that the engineering programs started only a little over two decades back.鈥 The School of Business serves as a catalyst to advance education and economic development in the state of Arkansas. 鈥淭he 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock business program produces undergraduates with well-developed business acumen and refined technical skill sets which are in high demand in business,鈥 said Dr. Robert Mitchell, director of the School of Business at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淥ver 85% of our graduates are employed upon graduation, and 85% of our alumni indicate their degree as a contributing factor in their career advancement. Business graduates indicate the required high impact experiential learning experience in their program of studies helps them make a smooth transition into the workforce.鈥漖]> College of Business to honor Rogers, McEachern as Distinguished Alumni /news-archive/2017/08/29/business-college-distinguished-alumni/ Tue, 29 Aug 2017 16:30:26 +0000 /news/?p=67757 ... College of Business to honor Rogers, McEachern as Distinguished Alumni]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor Phyllis Rogers, senior vice president and chief financial officer of , as the College of Business Distinguished Alumni of the Year award winner.听 鈥淧hyllis has been an active member of our College of Business Advisory Board. As an alum of the college, she is a positive role model for our students,鈥 said Dr. Jane Wayland, Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of Business. 鈥淗er impact is felt through the hiring of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock accounting interns as well as participating as an executive-in-resident. We are fortunate to have her serving the college and our students.鈥 Rogers will be honored during a special award luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Little Rock Marriott Downtown, 3 Statehouse Plaza in Little Rock. Delta Dental is the presenting sponsor.听 Rebecca McEachern, tax supervisor at , will also be recognized as the winner of the Dean鈥檚 Award for Excellence. 鈥淩ebecca is a founding member of our College of Business Alumni Board,鈥 Wayland said. 鈥淪he was an exceptional student and has excelled at JPMS Cox. We are proud to have had Rebecca receive not one, but two degrees from the college and look forward to seeing where her career leads.鈥 The highest honor granted by the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock College of Business, the Distinguished Alumni award is given to a graduate who has made a significant impact in business or a nonprofit organization and who has served the community and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. The Dean鈥檚 Award for Excellence is granted to a graduate of the past 10 years who has shown promise as a leader in business or nonprofit work, and who is actively involved in serving Little Rock and the university. Tickets to the awards luncheon are $100 each, of which $75 is tax deductible, and can be ordered online. Sponsorships are available. For more information, contact Sheena Howell Elam at 501.569.3208 or smhowell1@ualr.edu. More information about the winners: Phyllis Rogers has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. As senior vice president and chief financial officer of Delta Dental of Arkansas, she is responsible for managing business and commercial strategies and overseeing financial-related operations. A native of Hot Springs, Rogers graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 1986 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting. In 2013, the Arkansas Society of CPAs named her Arkansas Business CFO of the Year for Large Private Companies and the Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry. She is a member of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock College of Business Advisory Council, chair of the CARTI Foundation board of directors, member of the CARTI operating board of directors, member of Rotary Club of Little Rock – Club 99, and board member for Ronald McDonald鈥檚 House Charities of Arkansas. She also will serve as the 2018 chair for the American Heart Association鈥檚 Go Red for Women event. Rebecca McEachern earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting in 2012 and a master鈥檚 degree of accounting in 2013 from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. She was on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock swimming and diving team. A native of Star City, Arkansas, McEachern is a tax supervisor at JPMS Cox. She is a member of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock College of Business Alumni Board, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Arkansas Society of CPAs, and Immanuel Baptist Church. In the top photos, Rebecca McEachern (left) will be honored听as the winner of the Dean鈥檚 Award for Excellence, while Phyllis Rogers (right) will receive the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock College of Business Distinguished Alumni of the Year award.听]]> Scholarship program helps students graduate from 糖心Vlog传媒LR /news-archive/2017/01/11/scholarship-program-helps-students-graduate-from-ualr/ Wed, 11 Jan 2017 17:38:15 +0000 /news/?p=66072 ... Scholarship program helps students graduate from 糖心Vlog传媒LR]]> Facilities Management 顿别辫补谤迟尘别苍迟.听 The scholarship program was established in 2012 to help employees in Facilities Management, Procurement Services, and Public Safety and their family members attend college. Since 2012, the program has awarded more than $151,000 in scholarships to 81 糖心Vlog传媒LR employees and their family members and helped 15 recipients receive college degrees. The program is funded by donations from the 糖心Vlog传媒LR GolfFEST Tournament held every September in partnership with local businesses and philanthropists. Funds raised pay the remaining student account balance for approved scholarship recipients, after tuition discounts and individual financial aid has been applied. The five students who graduated in the fall 2016 semester, include:
  • 听听听听听Devin Banks, custodian in Facilities Management, bachelor鈥檚 degree in mass communication
  • 听听听听听Brenda Glover, custodian in Facilities Management, bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice
  • 听听听听听Cindy McDonald, former administrative assistant in Facilities Management, currently a business manager in the College of Business, bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting
  • 听听听听听Rayme Wilson, administrative assistant in Facilities Management, associate degree in early childhood education
  • 听 听 听Jesse Wilson, husband of Rayme Wilson, master鈥檚 degree in middle school education
In the upper right photo: Four 糖心Vlog传媒LR staff members and one family member earned their college degrees in December 2016, thanks to a scholarship program from the Facilities Management Department. The fall 2016 graduates, from left to right, include Rayme Wilson, Jesse Wilson, Devin Banks, Brenda Glover, and Cindy McDonald.]]> U.S. Bank will donate $50k to create student success endowment for 糖心Vlog传媒LR business students /news-archive/2016/10/27/us-bank-student-success-endowment/ Thu, 27 Oct 2016 16:15:03 +0000 /news/?p=65646 ... U.S. Bank will donate $50k to create student success endowment for 糖心Vlog传媒LR business students]]> U.S. Bank has announced a gift of $50,000 to create an endowment for student success initiatives for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business. The Student Success Endowment will be used to fund student scholarships, internships, study abroad programs, career placement, and competitive support for gifted and talented students. 鈥淚 think the most important thing is that the endowment will be used to help students for what their needs are at the time 鈥 scholarships or student enrichment,鈥 said Jane Wayland, the Stephen Harrow Smith dean of business. 听 Wayland said the endowment also provides a sustainable funding source that will help students as their needs change over time. The College of Business will hold a year-end annual appeal to raise money for the endowment and will contribute all proceeds from the sixth annual College of Business Golf Tournament in 2017. U.S. Bank is excited to partner with the 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business to expand student success opportunities, said Mike Richardson, regional president of U.S. Bank. 鈥淲hether it’s through our leadership development program for students just beginning their careers or expanding our employees鈥 education and skill sets with the MBA program, 糖心Vlog传媒LR fits nicely in one of our pillars to make possible happen,鈥 Richardson said. On Nov. 10, students, faculty, and alumni from the College of Business will meet with Richardson and other U.S. Bank employees to learn about the Student Success Endowment and the career opportunities available in banking at U.S. Bank in North Little Rock. For more information or to donate to the endowment, contact Sheena Howell, director of development and external relations for the College of Business, at 501.569.3208 or smhowell1@ualr.edu. ]]> 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business honors distinguished alumni /news-archive/2016/10/24/ualr-college-of-business-honors-distinguished-alumni/ Mon, 24 Oct 2016 16:58:57 +0000 /news/?p=65592 ... 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business honors distinguished alumni]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business honored Mark Pollack as the 2016 Distinguished Alumni of the Year during an Oct. 19 award luncheon at the downtown Little Rock Marriott. Pollack, president of , is a former member of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business Advisory Council, a current member of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Foundation Fund Board, and a longtime supporter of the university. More than 375 business professionals attended the event, which also recognized Thomas Dickinson, general manager of , as this year鈥檚 winner of the Dean鈥檚 Award for Excellence. Dickinson, a 2007 graduate of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Executive MBA program, is a former member of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Alumni Board, a current member of Rotary Club 99, a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Arkansas, the treasurer and vice president of the Arkansas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors, and a board member of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Board of Visitors.

Related:

Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of Business Jane Wayland announced the creation of the College of Business Alumni Board. Members of the board were recognized during the luncheon and include Brittney Allen, Whitney Campbell, Robert Grasby, Kyle Houston, Ivan Hudson, Gus Leeper, Rebecca McEachern, Mario Montenegro, Glen Ritta, Christa Rowland, Charley Swann, Abbey Vibhakar, Andrijana Vukovich, and J.C. Keeton. Lynn Hamilton, president and general manager of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, served as the master of ceremonies. 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business Student Ambassador Kiauna Rome gave an inspiring talk about why she chose 糖心Vlog传媒LR and the impact the experience has had on her life. In the upper right photo,听糖心Vlog传媒LR Chancellor Andrew Rogerson (center) congratulates award recipients Thomas Dickinson (left) and Mark Pollack (right) during the College of Business Distinguished Alumni Luncheon.听]]> College of Business to honor Mark Pollack, Thomas Dickinson /news-archive/2016/08/03/ualr-college-of-business-distinguished-alumni-mark-pollack-thomas-dickinson/ Wed, 03 Aug 2016 18:44:30 +0000 /news/?p=64818 ... College of Business to honor Mark Pollack, Thomas Dickinson]]> Pollack, president of , has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. He is a former member of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business Advisory Council, a current member of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Foundation Fund Board and a longtime supporter of the university. Pollack received his Bachelor of Business Administration from 糖心Vlog传媒LR in 1988. The College of Business also announced that Thomas Dickinson, a 2007 graduate of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Executive MBA program, will receive this year鈥檚 Dean鈥檚 Award for Excellence. Pollack and Dickinson will be honored during the 2016 College of Business from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at the downtown Little Rock Marriott, 521 President Clinton Ave. Registration begins at 10:45 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $100, of which $75 is tax deductible, and must be purchased in advance. For more information, visit the 听registration site. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Sheena Howell at 501.569.3208 or smhowell1@ualr.edu

Meet the honorees

Mark Pollack

Mark Pollack is the founder and president of Affirmative Risk Management. ARM currently handles claim-related matters in all 50 states as well as in 12 Canadian provinces and territories and in London, England.
Mark Pollack head shot

Mark Pollack

A 1970 high school graduate of Ft. Eustis, Virginia, Pollack got his start working as an auto parts salesman in North Little Rock, Arkansas at Moore Ford. After serving in the United States Army, active duty, and in the National Guard, from 1969-75, Pollack joined HC Inc, a heavy equipment repair facility, where he worked his way up from parts procurement to senior vice president of the organization. While working, Pollack enrolled at 糖心Vlog传媒LR to pursue a business degree. 听He graduated magna cum laude in 1988 from the 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business. Pollack is now an accomplished entrepreneur, public speaker and expert in the insurance industry. Having started Affirmative Risk Management while still in school in 1987, Pollack helped the company grow into a renowned international business in the insurance field with more than 50 employees. Pollack has served on the 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business Advisory Council and has been active in the college as an adjunct professor. He is president of the Hunters Cove Property Owners Association and a member of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Foundation Fund Board. Pollack and his wife of 45 years, Patti, have one daughter Chantal Roberts who is an equity partner with ARM.

Thomas Dickinson

Thomas Dickinson is a听general manager for 听
Thomas Dickinson head shot

Thomas Dickinson

Dickinson was born in Little Rock. He graduated in 1996 from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. A double major at Southern Methodist University, Dickinson received a Bachelor of Science in Economics and History in 2000. After graduation, Dickinson got his start with McGeorge Contracting as he developed a site in Bryant. During his time with McGeorge, he enrolled in the Executive MBA at 糖心Vlog传媒LR. Dickinson graduated with his Master of Business Administration from the 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business in 2007. Dickinson is a former member of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Alumni Board, a current member of Rotary Club 99, a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Arkansas, the treasurer and vice president of the Arkansas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) and a board member of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Board of Visitors. Dickinson and his wife, Anna, have two daughters, Evelyn, 5, and Mary Harmon, 3.]]> 糖心Vlog传媒LR-based small business center receives $200,000 to assist innovative entrepreneurs /news-archive/2016/07/21/asbtcd-grant/ Thu, 21 Jul 2016 18:31:47 +0000 /news/?p=64775 ... 糖心Vlog传媒LR-based small business center receives $200,000 to assist innovative entrepreneurs]]> The (ASBTDC) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is one of five small business and technology development centers in the nation selected to receive a $200,000 grant to support programs for innovative, technology-driven small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded the competitive funding as part of the, which also gave 16 state and local economic development agencies, business development centers, colleges and universities grants of up to $125,000. The grant will allow the center to provide consulting services to more entrepreneurs seeking funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, said Laura Fine, interim state director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. Those services include market research, business planning advice, business modeling coaching, proposal writing assistance, and the identification of funding sources. In addition to consulting services, the center will create new training and educational programs that will focus on the commercialization of life sciences technology, the patenting of new technology, and the Food and Drug Administration approval process. 鈥淭he special funding we have received through FAST every year since 2010 enables ASBTDC to offer unique programming and events for Arkansas researchers and tech entrepreneurs,鈥 Fine said. 鈥淥ur FAST track record, coupled with our relationship with the Small Business Administration, helped us bring the national to 糖心Vlog传媒LR earlier this year, and we鈥檙e excited about the new opportunities we can offer tech-based small businesses.鈥 The new award doubles the federal funding the center received previously from the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program, Fine said. The program is designed to stimulate economic development with outreach and technical assistance to science and technology-driven small businesses, with a particular emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged firms. 鈥淭he main goal of FAST is to provide more boots on the ground in local communities through our partner organizations to increase awareness about SBIR/STTR鈥檚 early-stage funding and level the playing field for entrepreneurs, especially those in underrepresented communities,鈥 said John Williams, Small Business Administration director of innovation. From 2011 to 2016, the center assisted innovation clients in obtaining 56 financial awards from federal and state sources totaling more than $10 million to further commercialization. Of these, 17 were Small Business Innovation Research awards totaling $5.6 million with 31 percent of awards going to women, 22 percent of awards to minorities, and 100 percent to small firms. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration through a partnership with the 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business and other institutions of higher education. The center assists startups, existing businesses, expanding businesses, and innovation-based businesses statewide. ]]> 糖心Vlog传媒LR Business College golf tournament raises over $123,000 /news-archive/2016/06/17/ualr-business-college-golf-tournament-raises-123000/ Fri, 17 Jun 2016 13:15:37 +0000 /news/?p=64613 ... 糖心Vlog传媒LR Business College golf tournament raises over $123,000]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business raised more than $123,000 at its fifth annual golf tournament, presented by Dillard鈥檚, on June 13 at Pleasant Valley Country Club. 鈥淭his has been our most successful golf tournament to date!鈥 said Jane Wayland, Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of Business. 鈥淒illard鈥檚 has sponsored the tournament for three years, and we are extremely grateful for all our sponsors, players, donors, volunteers, and our golf committee.鈥 The sixth annual College of Business Golf Tournament will be held June 12, 2017, at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock. The money from this year鈥檚 tournament will be used to create a Business Skills Lab, a comprehensive software and hardware platform designed to help students master effective communication skills.听The lab will be located on the second floor of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development. Renovations will begin this summer for an anticipated fall semester opening. 听听 All College of Business students will be able to utilize the lab to practice sales pitches and marketing presentations, prepare for annual sales competitions, conduct mock interviews, and present data on sales forecasting for capstone courses. In addition, students will be able to prepare for presentation competitions through video analysis and professor feedback.听
Jane Wayland, Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of Business, participates in the College of Business Golf Tournament.

Jane Wayland, Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of Business, participates in the College of Business Golf Tournament.

鈥淚t will be a robust program that will advance the communication skills of our students and better prepare them to enter the workforce with the soft skills employers value,鈥 Wayland said. The College of Business broke its fundraising goal of $120,000, thanks to generous sponsors, donors, participants, and volunteers. Fifty-two teams participated in the tournament that featured morning and afternoon flights, a silent auction, a high-end participant gift, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all participants. Nike pullovers, presented to all golfers participating in the tournament, were sponsored by Textbook Brokers, Pettus Office Supply sponsored Nike Tour golf balls, and Sprint provided golf shoe bags. The winners of the tournament鈥檚 morning flight were Andrew Carroll, Creighton Parker, Chip Sutton, and Ray Peeples of the Simmons Bank Team. Meanwhile, Erik, Eddie, Ben, and Teddy Bailey of the Bailey Family Foundation Team won the tournament鈥檚 afternoon flight. On-course competitions for closest to the pin, longest drive, and straightest drive were sponsored respectively by Sprint, Arvest Bank, and Northwestern Mutual. Practice area sponsors included Delta Dental, Elyxor, FIS, Nabholz, Simmons Bank, and Windstream. Beer and liquor were provided by Ace Liquor and Diamond Bear Beer. Morning flight participants enjoyed breakfast from Chick-Fil-A and coffee from Westrock Coffee. Lunch featured 鈥淏en E. Keith secret-recipe鈥 grilled chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs grilled by Arvest and Ben E. Keith Company volunteers. The dinner menu, sponsored by Golden Corral, included cranberry meatballs, brisket sliders, cheese dip, fresh vegetable and fruit trays, and Golden Corral鈥檚 famous banana pudding. For more information, contact Sheena Howell at 501.569.3208 or smhowell1@ualr.edu. In the upper right photo, a听total of 52 teams competed in the fifth annual 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business Golf Tournament on June 13 at Pleasant Valley Country Club. Pictured, from left to right, are Allan Holland, Dr. Jay Lang, Mike Williams, and Bob Denman. Photo by Mark Wagner.]]> 糖心Vlog传媒LR team wins Reynolds Governor鈥檚 Cup competition /news-archive/2016/04/29/ualr-team-wins-reynolds-governors-cup-competition/ Fri, 29 Apr 2016 14:42:36 +0000 /news/?p=64218 ... 糖心Vlog传媒LR team wins Reynolds Governor鈥檚 Cup competition]]> A University of Arkansas at Little Rock team won $25,000 at the 16th annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor鈥檚 Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition. The team took first place in the undergraduate division for its business plan on Drone Surveying Solutions. The awards were presented April 19 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Winning team members include Robert Aikman, who graduated with a degree in economics in December 2015, Corey Castleberry, a senior majoring in finance, Victoria Freshour, who graduated with degrees in economics and finance in December 2015, and Mario Montengro, who graduated with a degree in finance in December 2015. Using an unmanned drone, Drone Surveying Solutions鈥 business concept helps farmers detect early problems in crops, decreasing crop loss, expenses, and negative environmental effects. 鈥淲e are trying to detect any areas that might be bad for the crops and try to protect the farmers from losing their crops so they can make more money,鈥 Montengro said. Monengro said he and his teammates could not have won without the support of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business. 鈥淭he professors and the dean in the College of Business are second to none,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t is important for us to make a statement for 糖心Vlog传媒LR.鈥 A member of each of the 12 finalist teams in the graduate and undergraduate divisions participated in the AT&T Elevator Pitch Competition. Aikman, who served as the team鈥檚 CEO, won first place in the undergraduate elevator pitch competition, earning an additional $2,000. Since 2001, the , a 501(c)(3) affiliate of , has challenged students to develop ideas for new or better products or services, testing to see if the concepts could be profitable by putting them through a rigorous and real-world entrepreneurial process. 鈥淭he Governor鈥檚 Cup program is ultimately an academic competition, teaching Arkansas鈥檚 collegians to think like entrepreneurs,鈥 said Rush Deacon, CEO of Arkansas Capital. 鈥淲hat is amazing in watching the evolution of the program since its start in 2001 is how the plans entered now are dominated by actual development-stage enterprises, with the real potential for commercial deployment.鈥 Drone Surveying Solutions will be moving on to compete with the first- and second-place winners of Reynolds Governor鈥檚 Cup competitions in Nevada and Oklahoma for top honors in the ninth. The event will be held May 25-26 in Las Vegas with a total cash prize pool of $118,000. In the upper right photo, pictured from left to right are Faculty Advisor Stuart McLendon, College of Business Dean Jane Wayland, Robert Aikman, Corey Castleberry, Mario Montenegro, and Victoria Freshour.听]]> Little Rock business leader Nick Brown earns prestigious international award /news-archive/2016/03/23/little-rock-business-leader-earns-prestigious-international-award/ Wed, 23 Mar 2016 15:01:42 +0000 /news/?p=63804 ... Little Rock business leader Nick Brown earns prestigious international award]]> An influential Little Rock business leader is one of only three recipients of a prestigious annual award from a global organization. During an upcoming ceremony, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business will honor Nick Brown for his 2016 Business Achievement Award from . 鈥淲ow, I鈥檓 humbled and owe a great deal of gratitude to our wonderful group of employees who are the foundation of our corporate success,鈥 said Brown, president and CEO of Little Rock-based nonprofit corporation . Southwest Power Pool oversees the wholesale power market and bulk electric grid on behalf of utility and transmission companies in 14 states in the central part of the country, including Arkansas. The 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business 鈥 which nominated Brown for the award 鈥 scheduled an invitation-only reception in his honor April 19 at the in Little Rock. 鈥淲e are pleased to present Nick Brown with the 2016 Beta Gamma Sigma Business Achievement Award,鈥 said Christina Carosella, CEO of Beta Gamma Sigma, who plans to participate in the ceremony. The honor annually recognizes outstanding individuals for significant achievement in business and the community and for ethical leadership, Carosella said. 鈥淧art of the honor society鈥檚 mission is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business, to cultivate and celebrate leadership and professional excellence,鈥 听said Dr. Jane Wayland, Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business. 鈥淭he Business Achievement Award illustrates the importance of their mission to recognize individuals who exemplify the highest honor and integrity.鈥 Brown is a commendable leader at work and in the community, Wayland said. 鈥淣ick Brown is the model of ethical business leadership,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e considers all employees leaders within the company and fosters leadership development within the company. He is involved in the local community through philanthropy and encourages his employees to volunteer or contribute to nonprofits and charities.鈥 Brown not only employs numerous 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business graduates, but he also served on the college鈥檚 advisory council. Through his association with the college, he sought ways to improve the business thinking of the corporation鈥檚 primarily technical staff. He听particularly enjoyed collaborating with Wayland, and he said his company benefited from the partnership. 鈥淎dding a strong group of business analysts to our technical operating units has proven to be a great strategic move,鈥 Brown said. One of Brown鈥檚 big focuses has been on building a culture at the company that facilitates short- and long-term success. 鈥淐ulture is the ultimate business strategy,鈥 he said. Brown鈥檚 approach works, Wayland said. 鈥淗e has quadrupled the size and scope of the company during his tenure, illustrating that ethical leadership has a positive influence in building a company,鈥 Wayland said. In addition to his numerous integral business roles since joining Southwest Power Pool in 1985, Brown also is a member of Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu engineering honor societies and IEEE and NSPE technical and professional societies. He is a registered professional engineer, a master electrician 鈥 and a private pilot. Brown earned Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and math from Ouachita Baptist University in 1981 and in electrical engineering from Louisiana Tech University in 1982.]]>