- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Earning bachelor’s degree puts ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employee one step closer to fulfilling childhood dream

John Hill — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 18:14:33 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock employee has completed her bachelor’s degree and is one step closer to fulfilling her childhood goal of becoming an advocate for the elderly. Cadence Baize, an administrative analyst in the Facilities Management office at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, will graduate this month with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and minor in sociology. A native of New York City, Baize said she is thrilled to complete her college degree after previously attending colleges in New York and Wyoming after she graduated from Aquinas High School in 1992. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is not the first college I’ve attended, but it has become my home, not just with my job but as a student. It’s basically my home to me in every way,” Baize said. “I am happy to be graduating. It feels satisfying that I am finally done. I’ve been pursuing this off and on for a very long time. It’s great to see an end to this where I have checked it off my list.” She is also celebrating the fact that she will graduate during the same academic year as her son, Aaron Garcia, who will graduate from eStem High School in May 2021. “I think my son is happy that I am graduating,” Baize said. “I think he definitely wants me to do it before he enters college. I think he appreciates that I am pursuing this, and I have persisted with my goals.” At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Baize is an active member of Staff Senate and the Golf FEST Tournament, which provides scholarships for Facilities Management employees. She is a past recipient of the Facilities Management Scholarship, and her co-workers are impressed by her hard work and dedication to her education. “Cadence is a wonderful, hardworking, invaluable member of the Facilities Management team,” said David Millay, associate vice chancellor of facilities management. “I am so proud of her for pursuing her degree, and I know we will all benefit from her diligence. As well as handling her day-to-day workload and her classwork, she provides tremendous support of our scholarship tournament, our annual holiday luncheon, and serves on many committees. Cadence personifies the concept inherent in our scholarship program and I know she will go on to a wonderful career.” Now that she’s completed her undergraduate degree, Baize has no plans to slow down her academic pursuits and has applied for the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology in the spring 2021 semester. The Gerontology Program focuses not only on skills needed to work with aging individuals and their families but also with the greater social issues that impact older adults. Following the graduate certificate, Baize plans to complete the Master of Social Work program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and become a social worker that advocates for the elderly. “I’ve always felt drawn to the elderly, a connection I guess you would say,” Baize said. “Even as a child, I would go to nursing homes and sit and talk to the elderly. I’m drawn toward making sure they are living the best life that they can. I care that they have all the opportunities that they should. That matters to me.” Baize is most thankful for her fellow Facilities Management employees, who have helped her achieve her dream of a college degree. “Here in my department at Facilities Management, it’s been an amazing experience,” Baize said. “Everyone is supportive and encourages you to advance yourself and to grow. That is something you don’t find everywhere. In their own way, everyone here has been so encouraging like David Millay and Shanna Fitzgerald. Everyone encourages you to pursue your education and to move up. I would have to say this department in general has been that.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Facilities Management staff creates PPE kits for students, employees

John Hill — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 20:50:53 +0000

The Facilities Management employees are hard at work putting together Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits for the students, staff, and faculty at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “A lot of the effort has come from the custodial staff,” said Sandra Vail, director of operations and services. “Facilities Management wants to help keep all of us safe and healthy. We are happy to create these kits for our campus family.” The kits contain hand sanitizer, face masks, and a digital thermometer. Much of the hand sanitizer is coming from a donation the university received from Peach Layne earlier in the summer. It has truly been a team effort that takes all hands on deck. Four people can work on the assembly line while maintaining social distance guidelines. When Cadence Baize, administrative analyst, is not working on the assembly line, she’s often cutting elastic string for face masks while she is participating in virtual meetings at her desk. “We are putting in our best for this effort,” Baize said. “Kendrick Raino even came up with an idea where we can cut multiple strings at a time. We are pulling all of our resources to get the job done.” Facilities Management plans to assemble 9,000 kits before the start of the fall semester on Aug. 24. Kits will be distributed to students during Move-in Week and in stations around campus during the first week of school. Employees will receive their kits from their supervisors. “It takes all of us to complete a project like this,” said Vince Rodgers, director of EHS and chemical hygiene. “Everyone comes together to help from the big things to the small.” In the upper right photo, Facilities Management employees Cadence Baize (left), Vince Rodgers (middle), and Sandra Vail (right) assemble PPE kits for students and employees at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

Five staff members selected as recipients of Staff Senate Scholarship��

John Hill — Tue, 12 May 2020 21:40:02 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Staff Senate has awarded $250 scholarships to five staff members who are pursuing their education and careers at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� “Since the Staff Senate will, unfortunately, not be able to hold the Staff Awards Ceremony this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we increased the amount of scholarship funds awarded to staff members this year to show our support for hard-working staff members who are pursuing their education while working. We are so proud of your accomplishment,” said Staff Senate President Melody Weigel.�� The winners include Cadence Baize, administrative analyst for the associate vice chancellor of Facilities Management and Planning; Brittany “Noel” Bartlett, who works in Procurement Services; Evonne Hair, student program coordinator in the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education; Ashi Franke, a user interface and experience designer in the Office of Communications and Marketing; and Deborah Fudge-Robertson, administrative assistant III in the School of Social Work. More information about the Staff Senate Scholarship winners:

Cadence Baize

Cadence Baize

Cadence Baize is on track to receive a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology. She finds the human brain fascinating, and her goal is to pursue graduate work in either gerontology or cognitive neuroscience in order to advocate for the elderly.

Brittany “Noel” Bartlett

Noel Bartlett

Brittany “Noel” Bartlett is a senior professional and technical writing major. Once she graduates, Bartlett plans to tackle the master’s degree program in professional and technical writing as well as the online writing instruction certificate. “After declaring as a PTW major last spring, I’ve realized, with the help of the outstanding faculty and my peers, that my future lies in technical writing,” Bartlett said. “Learning that I was selected as a recipient of a Staff Senate Scholarship was unbelievable. This award is an amazing opportunity that allows me to continue pursuing my bachelor’s degree without such a heavy financial burden.”

Evonne Hair

Evonne Hair

Evonne Hair is a senior working toward a bachelor’s degree in applied communication with a minor in management. Her academic advisor describes her as a person who is eager to learn and has an excellent work ethic. After graduation, she plans to make a home at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as well as expanding her sock business, “All About Tha Sockz L.L.C.” In the future, she wants to get her master’s in the Rehabilitation Counseling program.�� “Evonne is a dedicated student, making all As in her classes in her Applied Communication major,” said Dr. April Chatham Carpenter, interim director of the School of Public Affairs. “I am impressed with Evonne’s abilities to communicate in multiple settings, both personally and professionally. She is very organized and is able to multitask on various projects and do them well.”

Ashi Franke

Ashi Franke

Ashi Franke is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in web design and development and a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, as well as minors in information technology, digital graphics, and art history. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in art.�� “I had just entered my junior year of college when I joined the Office of Communications and Marketing in 2016,” Franke said. “Transitioning from full-time student to full-time employee added several years to my expected graduation date, but I found a support system here that I never had before. Scholarships like this will not only help me to finish what I started, but to go farther.” Franke’s supervisor exemplified her skills as a member of the university web team who uses what she learns in the classroom to improve her job. “I have been continually impressed with her dedication to serving the university,” said Meaghan Milliorn, web communications manager. “It is not easy to attend multiple classes every semester while working a demanding job with challenging deadlines. However, I believe Ashi’s strong desire to advance her skills and reach her academic goals are the driving forces in her life and are what motivates her to continue working hard.”

Deborah Fudge-Robertson

Deborah Fudge-Robertson is completing her master’s degree in adult education and plans to pursue a Ph.D. at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to use what she’s learned to help other adults that need services to enhance their education.�� “Being the only person in my family of six to go to college has been one of my biggest goals,” she said. “Learning, for me, is a privilege that is earned through hard work and dedication. Being awarded the Staff Senate Scholarship will help me continue my education at the ��Vlog��ý of Little Rock.”

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Earning bachelor’s degree puts ����Vlog��ý Little Rock employee one step closer to fulfilling childhood dream

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Facilities Management staff creates PPE kits for students, employees

Five staff members selected as recipients of Staff Senate Scholarship������

- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Earning bachelor’s degree puts ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employee one step closer to fulfilling childhood dream

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Facilities Management staff creates PPE kits for students, employees

Five staff members selected as recipients of Staff Senate Scholarship��