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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Sees Unprecedented Growth in First-Time Freshmen, Transfer, and Graduate Students for Fall 2022

John Hill — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 19:31:21 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock exceeded its enrollment predictions and is experiencing record-setting growth for first-time freshmen, transfer, and graduate students for the fall 2022 semester. “This positive enrollment news reflects our commitment to provide an affordable, high-quality education connected to opportunity in Arkansas’ capital city and beyond,” said Chancellor Christina Drale. “I’m really proud of our Trojan family for making this a reality. Everyone has a part to play in the mission of student success and, across the board, I can say that everyone at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is leaning into this effort. We look forward to working with these new students and helping them reach their full potential. This includes an unprecedented growth of 29 percent for first-time freshmen, while transfer students are up 8 percent and graduate students, 5 percent. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is experiencing its largest percent increase in first-time freshmen and transfer students in over a decade,” said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. “In addition to new student enrollment growth, student success measures continue to rise, with fall-to-fall retention improving from 65 percent to 75 percent. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has a highly qualified incoming class of freshmen with an average high school GPA of 3.3 and average ACT score of 22.4.” The positive increase in enrollment is attributed to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s focus on college affordability, the university’s investment in the learning and living environment, and a commitment to increasing student success. “We have focused on making sure prospective students are aware of all the opportunities available at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, including the university’s competitive scholarship portfolio,” said Decker. “For example, one option for our incoming freshmen is a half-off tuition scholarship for eligible students. That scholarship supports our mission of making college accessible to Arkansans and was made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor who gave the university $25 million dollars in 2020.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is also providing opportunities for nontraditional students to fulfill their goals of earning a college education. The university’s new corporate partnerships make it easier for working adults to go to school. Some of the new partnerships include the Amazon Career Choice Program as well as a tuition and fee discount for employees of CHI St. Vincent and Saline Memorial Hospital. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock saw a continued increase in graduate school education. The positive enrollment follows a 45 percent increase in graduate applications and 31 percent increase in admissions. The Department of Information Science saw the highest jump with an increase of 86 percent. Enrollment in history, computer science, art and design, and biology graduate programs were also on the rise.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students celebrate the first week of fall classes during Food Truck Friday. Photo by Ben Krain.

With the university seeing a rise in enrollment in many programs in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, this is an exciting time for STEM education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The university has exciting things in the works that will pave the way for STEM education for many years to come. “Graduate education continues to be a priority for many baccalaureate prepared students due to the value that a graduate degree brings,” said Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost of research and dean of the Graduate School. “This is particularly true in the fields of cybersecurity, information science, and information quality as evidenced by their significant growth this year. Growth in these areas is critical for developing the workforce needed to meet the demands of our growing, knowledge-based economy here in Arkansas and across the region.” The university has also worked to ensure prospective students know about the social and educational benefits of living on campus. The result has been an increase in housing occupancy by more than 11 percent over last year. “We are excited to welcome so many new and returning students to our beautiful campus,” said Patti Light, director of campus living. “We have seen more students wanting the connection that living on campus brings. They are right where their friends and classes meet.” Compared to the fall 2021 semester, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s overall enrollment is down 2.7 percent with a total enrollment of 8,103 for the fall semester. While overall enrollment is still down across many college campuses, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is outperforming its overall enrollment projections by about 3 percent. “At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, we have made it our mission to focus on providing the best college experience for our students,” said Kindle Holderby, assistant vice chancellor of enrollment management. “Whether it’s a campus visit, attending orientation, or enrolling with an advisor, ensuring that students and their families have a positive experience will always be our top priority.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Unveil artWING Mural May 2

John Hill — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 21:01:09 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will unveil the university’s newest art mural Monday, May 2. The new mural will be revealed at 4 p.m. May 2 in the first-floor lobby of West Hall at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The mural was created by artWING residents to celebrate a new living and learning community for art majors at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The artWING living and learning community is a collaboration between the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Office of Campus Living and the Department of Art and Design. This on-campus living and learning community for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock art majors is located on the first floor of West Hall. “This year’s charter artWING residents worked together under the tutelage of Painting Professor Ricky Sikes to create an inaugural mural in the artWING entryway,” said Andrea Tompkins, art education specialist at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Help us celebrate this new tradition by attending the mural’s unveiling on May 2 in West Hall.”

Get Ready for Spring 2022 Semester with Welcome Week Events

John Hill — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:30:21 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock is celebrating the start of the spring 2022 semester with a slate of activities to get students ready for the new year. Tuesday, Jan. 18

Grab-n-Go Breakfast, 8-11 a.m., Donaghey Student Center Foyer
Free School Supplies Table, 8-11 a.m., Ottenheimer Library and Donaghey Student Center
Virtual Lecture, “Dave Tell Talks Emmett Till,” 6 p.m.

Wednesday Jan. 19

Grab-n-Go Breakfast, 8-11 a.m., Donaghey Student Center Foyer
Registered Student Organization Fair, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Donaghey Student Center Fitness Center
Free School Supplies Table, 8-11 a.m., Ottenheimer Library and Donaghey Student Center
Free School Supplies Table, 6-8 p.m., Dickinson Hall and Reynolds Business Building
Game Night, 6-8 p.m., Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall

Thursday, Jan. 20

Grab-n-Go Breakfast, 8-11 a.m., Donaghey Student Center Foyer
Free School Supplies Table, 8-11 a.m., Ottenheimer Library and Donaghey Student Center
Free School Supplies Table, 6-8 p.m., Dickinson Hall and Reynolds Business Building
Virtual Panel Discussion, “The State of Diversity and Inclusion in the State of Arkansas,” 6 p.m.
Men’s Basketball vs. Texas State, 6:30 p.m., Jack Stephens Center

Friday, Jan. 21

, 6-8 p.m.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Announces Plans and Preparations for Fall

John Hill — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 14:30:44 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock is preparing to return to in-person and on-campus activity for the Fall 2021 semester. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock followed the guidance of state and federal officials to operate the campus throughout the pandemic safely, and will continue to do so going forward. With the availability of vaccines and a significant reduction in the COVID-19 cases on-campus and in Arkansas, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is preparing to return to more traditional campus operations in fall 2021,” said Chancellor Christina Drale. The university is currently operating in Phase 3 of its COVID-19 Campus Guide, and will transition to Phase 4, resumption of normal campus operations, on Aug. 2, 2021. The easing of some pandemic restrictions has already started with Phase 3. Currently, university offices are open for face-to-face business, and recently, event capacities increased from 10 to 25 participants. University vice chancellors may approve larger event capacities after a review of safety protocols. Phase 4 continues with enhanced sanitation efforts but eases social distancing restrictions and removes limits on event sizes. While ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will continue to offer online and hybrid classes in the fall semester, the mix of face-to-face, online and hybrid courses will be similar to pre-pandemic offerings. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will also resume face-to-face residential life activities. Though most social distancing requirements will be removed in Phase 4, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Office of Campus Living will continue its one student per bedroom policy for fall 2021 as a service to on-campus residents. The Coronavirus Emergency Response Team and the Provost’s Academic COVID-19 Taskforce will continue to monitor the situation and help guide the university’s plans for a safe and high-quality educational experience for our students. Learn more about ��Vlog��ý Little Rock at and coronavirus plans at /coronavirus.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Move-In Day set for Aug. 15

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 20:37:11 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will be abuzz with activity on Thursday, Aug. 15, as excited students and their families arrive on campus for Move-In Day. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is looking for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community volunteers to assist students and their families who will be moving in from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers are invaluable to the Move-In Day experience by welcoming new students and their families to campus, unloading cars, controlling traffic, serving as guides, and preparing lunch and refreshments. “The first day of move-in is always full of excitement and anxiety for new students,” said Patti Light, director of campus living. “Volunteers help give a personal touch to settling in on campus. We will have hundreds of students and guests on Aug. 15, looking to make ��Vlog��ý Little Rock connections. We really need those helpful hands and faces to make those connections.” Check-in for students with last names A-L will be from 8 a.m. to noon while students with last names M-Z can check in between 1-5 p.m. Students can learn about what to bring and what not bring to college at this website. Check-in locations include the first-floor lobbies of West Hall and East Hall, the Commons Theater for North Hall and South Hall, and the University Village Clubhouse. A cookout will take place outside the University Commons building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by a farewell reception from 3-5 p.m. in the Commons Great Room. The Office of Campus Living will host a cooling station with snow cones, water, and Gatorade from 11:30-3 p.m. In the Student Commons building, a one-stop shop will be set up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., where students can register their vehicle and request a mailbox. New students are encouraged to meet their neighbors and resident assistants during a floor meeting taking place on every floor of the residence halls from 7-8 p.m. To sign up to volunteer, fill out the. Campus police will direct traffic. All trailers and U-hauls must be parked in parking lot 15, not in the residence hall parking lots. Only vehicles may be unloaded in the residence hall parking lots. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Living at 501-661-1743 or campusliving@ualr.edu.

Doctoral student lands criminal justice faculty position in California

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 17 May 2019 13:21:01 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate will soon be sharing his knowledge of the criminal justice system with students on the west coast. Dr. Marc Glidden, visiting assistant professor of criminal justice, graduated May 11 with a Ph.D. in criminal justice and a tenure-track assistant professor position at California State University, Northridge. “Criminal justice is such a developing field,” Glidden said. “Since it is such a new field of study, there will always be topics to be curious about.” Glidden came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2013 to pursue his doctorate. He has taught for the Department of Criminal Justice since fall 2014 and adheres to a student-centered, high-impact approach, which emphasizes active learning, critical thinking, and learning assessments. “Now that I’ve graduated, I’m looking forward to having a successful career in academia by providing the mentorship and unique learning experience that I had throughout my education to my future students,” he said. Since Glidden has a background in housing at East Carolina University and McKendree University, he was thrilled when an opportunity to work as the assistant director of student housing came up in 2014. He later served as the director of campus living and assistant dean of students from 2016 to 2018. “With my interest and passion in working for students, the ability to continue working in the classroom as an adjunct instructor and also work with students in housing provided me with the opportunity to work closer with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and to gain experience in the administrative part of the university as I continued to prepare to go into academia.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock criminal justice doctoral student Marc Glidden, a visiting assistant professor of criminal justice, is hooded by Dr. Molly Smith, assistant professor of criminal justice, during the May 11 graduation ceremony. Photo by Ben Krain.

The opportunity to participate in field research with criminal justice professors is an experience that Glidden says greatly enhanced his career. “I really appreciated the one-on-one mentorship with faculty in criminal justice and the experience to get to work with Tim Brown on hands-on fieldwork. We went to prisons to conduct surveys with inmates and to rural counties to interview gang members,” Glidden said. “I can talk about research all day, but understanding that experience of how we gain knowledge about these nuanced topics in criminal justice is a unique experience in itself. Having the experience of collecting my own data before I was a professor was very valuable.” In his dissertation, “Forget the Olive Branch, What About the Bank Branch? An Examination of the Relationship between Financial Access and Community Crime,” Glidden explored how access to banks and financial institutions in a community impacts the amount of crime from a social disorganization framework. “Similar to churches, banks offer a platform for individuals within a neighborhood to engage in ways of forming bonds within the neighborhood,” he said. “The world runs on money. Money and currency are the basis of any society. Banks are still relevant, especially in rural communities.” While Glidden has found that access to banks reduces crime rates in communities, he plans to conduct follow-up research to understand why. “As the number of banks goes up, the amount of crime in a community goes down,” he said. “More research is needed to know how. This has never been looked at before.” As he gets ready to take the next step in life, Glidden is thankful for all the people who helped him succeed at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “My favorite part about ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is all the people I have met from colleagues in housing to students in the classroom to faculty in criminal justice,” he said. “Each has contributed to my success and my story at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and has made it a positive experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to hold International Celebration Week

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 15:26:05 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock will celebrate the benefits of a diverse, international population on campus and promote exchange and international education with a week of on-campus events from Nov. 12-16. The week will kick off on Monday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a Study Abroad Living Gallery in the Donaghey Student Center Leadership Lounge. The gallery will feature photos of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and the many places around the world that they have traveled to through study abroad and exchange programs. A celebration of campus’ international population will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center’s Ledbetter Hall. Interactive displays, posters, music, and food cooked by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s international students will all be featured. On Wednesday, Nov. 14, festivities will return to Ledbetter Hall with an International Thanksgiving Celebration held from 6 to 8 p.m. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students from around the world will gather for an evening of fun and relationship building while enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Campus Living will host an International Movie Night on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. in the University Commons Theater. The week will conclude on Friday, Nov. 15, with an Interfaith Dialogue Lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Leadership Lounge. The lunch will provide an opportunity for students to get better acquainted with the different faiths and worldviews of their peers. All events are free and open to the entire campus community. For more information about International Celebration Week, visit ualr.edu/studyabroad.

Move-In Day set for Aug. 16

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:21:21 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will be abuzz with activity on Thursday, Aug. 16, as students and their families arrive on campus for Move-In Day. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is seeking employees, students, alumni, and community volunteers to assist students and their families who will be moving in from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers are invaluable to the Move-In Day experience by welcoming new students and their families to campus, unloading cars, controlling traffic, and preparing lunch. “The first day of move-in is always full of excitement and anxiety for new students,” said Patti Light, director of campus living. “Volunteers help give a personal touch to settling in on campus. We will have hundreds of students and guests on Aug. 16, looking to make ��Vlog��ý Little Rock connections. We really need those helpful hands and faces to make those connections.” Check-in for students with last names A-L will be from 8 a.m. to noon while students with last names M-Z can check in between 1-5 p.m. Check-in locations include the first-floor lobbies of West Hall and East Hall, the Commons Great Room for North Hall and South Hall, and the University Village Clubhouse. A free lunch of hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, and water will be available outside the Trojan Grill from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the Student Commons building, a one-stop shop will be set up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., where students can get their Trojan identification card, register their vehicle, and request a mailbox. To sign up to volunteer, fill out the . Campus police will direct traffic. Trailers and U-hauls are not allowed on campus during Move-In Day. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Living at 501-661-1743 or campusliving@ualr.edu or visit the website.

Move-in-Day unloading routes

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host International Celebration Week Nov. 13-16

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 13:24:07 +0000

Continuing a campus tradition years in the making, hundreds of University of Arkansas at Little Rock students, employees, and families will gather for an international Thanksgiving celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 15. The annual dinner is a tradition of International Celebration Week, which runs Nov. 13-16 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The week of events strengthens awareness of national cultures and encourages interaction between diverse student organizations and departments on campus. The week’s activities will include a campaign to write letters of hope for people in war-torn Syria, a panel discussion on DACA (Deferred Action for Child Arrivals) program, interfaith dialog lunches, and a day devoted to celebrating the different cultures represented on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. International Celebration Week will kick off with from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, in Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter A and B. Participants are invited to write letters of hope to let the Syrian people know the world has not forgotten them. Arkansas-based representatives of the Syrian Emergency Task Force will provide information about the crisis in Syria. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. International Celebration Day will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall. With interactive displays, intercultural communication posters, music, dances, and food, this fun-filled event will feature students representing their cultures and discussing worldwide career and volunteer opportunities. Complete the International Celebration day to participate. During the International Celebration Week panel at noon Wednesday, Nov. 15, in Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter A, panelists will discuss immigration in the United States, the nature of DACA, and the politics surrounding proposals to change or eliminate the program. The Thanksgiving celebration provides a free meal for those who cannot travel home for the holiday. Members of the public are invited to join the dinner. The event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall. Reserve tickets by stopping by the Office of Campus Life in Donaghey Student Center Room 216. To wrap up the week, an interfaith dialog lunch will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, in Donaghey Student Center Room 205G. This event, sponsored by the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps and hosted by the Department of Applied Communication, will provide students with the opportunity to understand the faith and worldviews of other students. Register for the event by filling out this. For more information on International Celebration week, contact Casey Jackson-Aceituno at cljacksonac@ualr.edu or Dr. Gerald Driskill at 501-569-3158 or gwdriskill@ualr.edu.

University Program Council Week to include carnival, zombie trail, bubble soccer, and more

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 16:50:40 +0000

The University Program Council is hosting a week full of fun and free activities for students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock during UPC Week Oct. 23-27. The activities kick off Monday, Oct. 23, with a carnival with games, snacks, and a caricature artist from 4-7 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Upper Concourse. Students can enjoy laser tag from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in the Donaghey Student Center Field House. UPC also will host an outdoor screening of “The Conjuring” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, on Housing West Lawn. On Thursday, Oct. 26, students can help find the cure for a mutant virus running rampant on campus during the zombie trail, starting at 7 p.m. at University Commons. The week will end with a rousing game of bubble soccer from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, in the Donaghey Fitness Center. For more information, contact Erinn Forbes at emforbes@ualr.edu. In the upper right photo, students play King of the Hill during the 2016 University Program Council Week at the Donaghey Student Center Fitness Center. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Sees Unprecedented Growth in First-Time Freshmen, Transfer, and Graduate Students for Fall 2022

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to Unveil artWING Mural May 2