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

Little Rock couple’s $37,000 gift endows business scholarship

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 15:00:36 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock business and finance students can now look forward to an additional scholarship to help them complete their dream of finishing a college education, thanks to a generous gift from a community-minded Little Rock couple. ��Henry “Hank” Kelley Jr. and his wife Stephanie have donated $37,000 to the A.P. Vibhakar Endowed Scholarship, named in honor of Dr. Ashvin Vibhakar, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s long-time Joe. T. Ford Chair of Finance. ��“I am touched and honored to have this scholarship endowed in my name,” Vibhakar said. “I am thankful to Hank and Stephanie, who I consider to be my close friends and family, for their gift. Hank was one of my MBA students in the 1980s, and having a past student honor me this way gives me the sense that I have a made a difference in the community.” Chancellor Emeritus Joel Anderson created the scholarship in 2009 with a $5,000 gift, and the Kelleys’ donation brings the scholarship’s endowment to $50,000. Now that the endowment has reached that level, the scholarship will be awarded annually to a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock minority student majoring in international business or finance. ��Hank Kelley and Vibhakar are both members of the . Kelley, incoming president of Rotary 99, said his new responsibility led him to understand how important higher education is to the future of Little Rock.

�� Dr. Ashvin Vibhakar

“The scholarship that Stephanie and I funded is a recognition of Ashvin Vibhakar’s service to his students and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” Hank Kelley said. “We share membership in Rotary 99 of Little Rock with many other members of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community, and Stephanie and I know Little Rock’s trajectory is directly tied to having a student-focused research university in our city. We know no better way to express our appreciation to Ashvin and Diane as friends than to help fund this important scholarship in his name.” Chancellor Andrew Rogerson, also a Rotarian, said the university is indebted to Hank Kelley and other donors like him in central Arkansas who understand the importance of helping ��Vlog��ý Little Rock thrive.�� “Hank and Stephanie are pillars of the community who have given their hearts and souls to Little Rock,” Rogerson said. “Their latest gift to support business scholarships is yet another investment in the future of this university that will help us cultivate future leaders in central Arkansas.” ��Hank Kelley is the CEO, partner, and executive broker in his brokerage and property management firm, . He received an MBA from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, both with honors. In addition to his Rotary membership, Kelley is involved with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Foundation, Baptist Health Foundation Board, Fifty for the Future, and the Board.�� Stephanie Kelley works as a Pilates instructor, coach, and mentor in the community. She is a graduate of Mount St. Mary Academy and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where she and Hank met. The couple has four children and nine grandchildren.�� Hank and Stephanie Kelley (photo above right) have endowed a scholarship in honor of Dr. Ashvin Vibhakar (photo above left), chair of finance at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student tackles fishing problem with engineering know-how

Janea Snyder — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 21:16:32 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock senior Li Morrow grew up fishing in her native China, using just a glass jar with bread in it. “I would tie a string around it and drop into one of the local creeks, ditches or flooded fields then jerk it up if a minnow swam into it,” said Morrow, 33, who will graduate on May 11 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology . “If it was muddy the fish would often come up to the surface near the bank and I would scoop them up with a little net.” Morrow became a U.S. citizen in 2013 and now lives in Lonoke. After a friend took her trout fishing, she was hooked. “I started driving up to the Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam at every opportunity,” she said. “I love it.” There was just one problem. The plastic tackle boxes were too clunky. Morrow searched for a wearable tackle box but couldn’t find one. She tried wearable fishing vests but found them difficult to organize her lures and gear. “I realized that I actually needed very little fishing tackle to be successful, and I got tired of dragging around a heavy tackle box whenever I would move to a new location,” she said. Morrow did what one might expect a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock mechanical engineering technology student to do: she designed and manufactured her own tackle box, which she will debut at the university’s Student Research and Creative Works Expo on April 18 in the Jack Stephens Center.�� Last fall, Morrow was one of about 100 undergraduates who received up to a $1,000 grant to conduct original research, creative works and community service projects this semester as part of the Signature Experience Award Program created by Chancellor Andrew Rogerson. The awards – now in their second year – are designed to foster research and creative works among undergraduate students. Morrow initially bought several small lure boxes, modified them by cutting out sections, and ran a belt through it so she could wear it as she moved around to different fishing spots. For the prototype, she used The SolidWorks® software to ��build the layout and test functionality, and she used a 3D printer to create prototypes ad test alignment. “It has compartments that are specifically designed to accommodate off-the-shelf fishing gear such as 3-½ inch diameter spools of fishing line, standard power bait bottles, six- and eight-inch- long hook removers, and line repair equipment, all of which fit nicely into the tackle box,” she said. The box measures 9.8″ x 8.6″ x 3.0″. It’s small, inexpensive, easy to use, wearable, and it floats. With only one layer, all the fishing gear is also easy to access. The primary tackle box material is a rigid homopolymer polypropylene, which offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, good chemical resistance, weldability, and it is inexpensive. The final manufacturing process would involve an injection molding with the latches and hinges will be snapped into place, and the straps welded. Morrow says her trout fishing tackle box may be a solution for other trout fishermen, and she hopes someone will be interested in buying her design. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student Li Morrow designed and built a custom wearable tackle box. / Photo by Benjaim Krain

��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers Weekend University for lifelong learning

Janea Snyder — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 19:41:46 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will begin a new on March 9 that will offer central Arkansans a series of 90-minute micro-classes on topics ranging from Shakespeare to stargazing. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is committed to offering lifelong learning opportunities in the community, and that’s what we are doing with this initiative,” Chancellor Andrew Rogerson said. “The Weekend University format allows people to come and spend part of their Saturday with some of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s star professors.” Weekend University, part of the university’s Extended Education program, will offer morning and afternoon sessions led by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and staff. The spring schedule includes two sessions on March 9, April 6, and April 20. The cost is $15 per session or $25 for two on the same day. Sessions will be held at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave. Topics will reflect a diversity of faculty and staff expertise and interests. “Weekend University promises to be eclectic and enriching,” said Sarah Beth Estes, interim dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and associate provost for Community, Careers, and Extended Education. “The inaugural schedule covers such wide-ranging topics as the earth and the stars, the Met and the Bard, wedding dresses and fake news messes. We hope the community will join us downtown to learn something new, to stimulate their curiosity, and to shift their perspective.” Weekend University Spring 2019 Calendar March 9 – “Why Shakespeare?” 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Kris McAbee, associate professor of English March 9 – “What’s Behind the Magic at the Metropolitan Opera?” 1:30-3 p.m., Diane Kesling, instructor of music April 6 – “All the News that’s Fit to Fake,” 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan Thomas, professor of philosophy April 6 – “Stargazing Basics for the Beginner,” 1:30-3 p.m., Darrell Heath, past president of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society April 20 – “Natural State Geology You Need to Know,” 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Michael T. DeAngelis, associate professor of geology April 20 – “Memorable Wedding Dresses: From the Silly to the Sublime,” 1:30-3 p.m., Yslan Hicks, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance Fall topics will include the validity of forensic evidence, Middle Eastern archaeology, and how to curate collections. For topic descriptions and costs of Weekend University, visit For more information, contact Christine Cotton, director of Extended Education, at cecotton@ualr.edu.

Campus Night provides great perks for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 17:40:54 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate its employees with free tickets and concession dollars during Campus Night at the men’s basketball game Thursday, March 7.�� All ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and staff members will receive two free tickets courtesy of the Little Rock Athletic Department to watch the Trojans battle the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns at 6:30 p.m. March 7 in the Jack Stephens Center. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock offices and departments can request block tickets so groups can enjoy the game together. The first 500 faculty and staff members to arrive also will receive $6 in Chancellor Bucks, courtesy of Chancellor Andrew Rogerson, to be used for concession purchases. The Chancellor Bucks will be available at the chancellor’s table near the Jack Stephens Center entrance. All ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students can get into the game for free with their student ID and will receive a free hot dog or popcorn and drink. “Athletics is excited to partner with our campus community to present our first Campus Night in conjunction with our upcoming basketball game on March 7,” said Chasse Conque, vice chancellor and director of athletics. “This will be a special night where we celebrate our faculty, staff, and students that make our university special. We hope all Trojans will join us for a fun night as we salute our campus community and together cheer on Little Rock’s Team!” Tickets can be ordered individually, while offices and departments can request block tickets for groups, by calling the box office at 565-8257 or emailing lrtrojans-tickets@ualr.edu. Campus Night tickets must be picked up prior to game night. The ticket office at the Jack Stephens Center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1-4 p.m. Additionally, employees can pick up tickets in the Donaghey Student Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a table in front of the campus bookstore on Tuesday, March 5. To show their appreciation for faculty and staff, Sodexo will host a March Madness $6.50 employee lunch special at the Trojan Café from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 5 with a valid ID. Members of the faculty and staff will be honored and participate in media time-out promotions during the game. Wear maroon and be sure to pack the Jack on March 7!��

Chancellor Rogerson to hold open forum Sept. 21

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 17:59:29 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson will host an open forum for faculty and staff members on Friday, Sept. 21.�� The forum will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall. �� At the forum, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Rogerson will discuss the fall enrollment drop and plans for moving forward and answer questions from faculty and staff.

Chancellor Rogerson addresses state of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock during convocation

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 19:11:46 +0000

As Chancellor Andrew Rogerson welcomed faculty and staff to a new academic year at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock during the Faculty and Staff Convocation on Aug. 17, he updated the campus community on the state of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.�� His address included updates on new campus initiatives to address falling enrollment, community partnerships, the status of several campus renovation projects, changes in campus athletics, and updates on fundraising and research. �� Campus initiatives ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will implement an Institutional Effectiveness Planning Committee tasked with evaluating all academic and non-academic programs and implementing planning and resource allocation recommendations that align with the university’s mission and strategic plan. The committee will be chaired by Dr. Erin Finzer, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Chasse Conque, vice chancellor and director of athletics. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is continuing the “YES” campaign begun two years ago to empower faculty and staff to embrace a positive, efficient, and creative outlook in serving students. The university has also centralized advising for undergraduate students with less than 45 credit hours. Dr. Daryl Rice, associate vice chancellor of academic affairs, will soon be reaching out to faculty and staff to support a new early intervention program to identify students at risk of failure, so these students can get the support they need to remain in college. Community partnerships Over the summer, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has boosted community partnerships in four ways. The university has renewed its contract with Rock Region Metro to provide free transportation on all metro buses to student, staff, and faculty members to make college more affordable for students. For the second year, the university is partnering with the��Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. More details will be announced soon. In Saline County, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has expanded services at the Benton Campus and is offering three complete degree programs and two associate degree programs this fall. Also, the nursing program has been expanded with a new partnership with Saline Memorial Hospital to train nurses. Rogerson also hopes to form community partnerships to rejuvenate the University District area.�� “I have spent a lot of time finding ways to rejuvenate the University District, an undefined area around our campus, but one that I envision encompasses a one-mile radius,” Rogerson said. “First and foremost is our shopping mall on the south end of campus. We are in the process of commissioning an RFP (Request for proposal) to devise a plan to rejuvenate this space for the benefit of both the university and the district. Undoubtedly, this would involve public-private partnerships.” In downtown Little Rock, the university has leased��a new downtown building space that will open this fall.��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown will house the Joe Jones mural and serve as a recruitment space, event space, and classroom for relevant downtown lectures. “This dream realized will result in a remarkable gift to Little Rock’s downtown – making their university visible and accessible in the heart of the River Market,” Rogerson said. “A destination for inspiration, a place of civic reflection, and a vital functioning advertisement for the university.”��

Chancellor Andrew Rogerson addresses ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and staff during a convocation on Aug. 17 in University Theatre. Photo by Ben Krain.

Campus improvements On campus, several building renovations and improvements are underway. The University Police Substation on Fair Park Boulevard has recently been completed. “This high-profile operation will help safeguard this edge of the campus close to our residences,” Rogerson said. In addition, a renovation of the Physics and Astronomy building is near completion. The Donaghey Student Center will soon receive a new roof. The Field House, which houses coaches’ offices and weight rooms in the Donaghey Student Center, will also undergo a renovation thanks to funding from the Donaghey Foundation. Finally, the university will build a new collaborative classroom in Ottenheimer Library, thanks to funding from the Ottenheimer Foundation. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will seek input from faculty members who would like to help design the new high-tech, innovative teaching space. Enhancing campus climate In an effort to improve the campus experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, a feasibility study will look into ways for eSTEM High School to better co-exist on campus, including addressing overcrowded dining facilities. The feasibility study is expected to be completed in October. Rogerson also announced the hiring of a new diversity director��who “will be sensitive and proactive to issues of race on this campus.” Additionally, Rogerson thanked the Campus Beautification Committee for their hard work in making the campus a more pleasant place to live, study, and work. “We are proud of the work being done by our beautification committee who have made great strides in making the campus more attractive – whether it’s getting all the rusty poles painted yellow or revamping our flower beds.” �� Last but not least, a new arts committee has been leaving its mark on campus by promoting art to better reflect ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s commitment to broad-based education. Athletics In athletics, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has begun the only Division I wrestling campus in Arkansas. Thanks to the generosity of Greg Hatcher, who is committed to promoting wrestling as an intercollegiate sport, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has hired Neil Erisman as head wrestling coach and started construction of a state-of-the-art wrestling training facility. The wrestling program will begin in fall 2019. This summer, the university received the results of a feasibility study that looked into starting a football team and marching band on campus. A working group has been formed to review the report and make a recommendation on whether to move forward with the football program. Rogerson also congratulated the university’s more than 200 student-athletes, who earned a combined GPA of 3.3 for the 2017-18 academic year. He welcomed Darrell Walker, the new head men’s basketball coach, and congratulated Joe Foley, head women’s basketball coach and five-time Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year award winner, for re-signing with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Fundraising and research Through the All In Campaign, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has raised $63 million to date with $18.1 million raised in fiscal year 2018. This year represents the 15th year in a row that the number of donations to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has increased. Rogerson also highlighted the work of faculty members who received research grants and contracts during the 2017-18 academic year. “Of course, being an R3 university, we celebrate research success, and I am proud to report that our faculty brought in over $32 million in grants and contracts last year on the back of 186 submitted proposals,” he said. “Truly outstanding. As a former researcher, I know how difficult it is to secure external funding. I am proud of you.” Finally, Rogerson announced that the university will sponsor 100 signature experiences, 20 more than last year, for undergraduate students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock during the 2018-19 academic year. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is providing 100 $1,000 grants so students can participate in a one-semester signature experience, such as a research project, creative activity, community service project, or study abroad experience, that will contribute significantly to an undergraduate student’s academic development.

Second ACCE cohort graduates from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 24 May 2018 16:39:45 +0000

Kari Lott has a dream to one day save up enough money to open and run her own restaurant, a dream she is determined to make come true through her hard work and inspiring attitude.�� She is one of 12 students who celebrated their graduation from the ��Vlog��ý, Community, Career Development and Employment (ACCE) Program May 21 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The joint program between ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and gives students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a college experience and prepare them for competitive employment. “When I first got into the ACCE program, I was a little scared not knowing if I could do the work,” said Lott, who now has a full-time job at the Movie Tavern and was selected to speak at the graduation ceremony. “The program was built to help us all. All of our teachers helped out a lot. I worked hard at my internships to do what I needed to learn on the job.” Given her desire to open a restaurant, it should come as no surprise that Lott’s favorite internship was building her culinary skills at Sodexo. “My favorite internship was Sodexo, because I got to work in the kitchen,” Lott said. “I got to chop. I got to prepare the food and make sure it got on the line. Boy, let me tell you, it wasn’t always easy. With the help and love of our teachers, family, and parents, I made it through it, and I am proud to say I really enjoyed it.” The program was established in 2017 with the knowledge that only 32 percent of working-age people with disabilities were employed from 2010 to 2012, according to the Department of Labor. Studies show that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in post-secondary education have better jobs and receive higher earnings. “We are excited to continue our partnership with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to offer this important program and proud of our 2018 graduates,” said Easterseals Arkansas President and CEO Elaine Eubank. The 12 members of the second cohort of the ACCE program were surrounded by teary eyed family members, friends, teachers, mentors, and co-workers who loudly cheered as each member crossed the stage to receive a certificate for the post-secondary education program during a special ceremony in the Engineering and Information Technology Building auditorium. The graduates include Nicholas Austin of Alexander; Joshua Fletcher of North Little Rock; Davion Green, Breah Hampton, and Curtina Jackson, all of Little Rock; Kari Lott and Chasity Mathis, both of Sherwood; Ford McGahee, John Rockefeller, Juan Rodriquez Jr., and Aaron Sullivan, all of Little Rock; and Jonmichal Walker of North Little Rock. While addressing the graduates, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson emphasized the importance of higher education, employment, and living independently for success. “No matter what the situation, higher education levels the playing field and must be available and accessible for all,” Rogerson said. “If so, it will change your life for the better. This is a proud moment Class of 2018. You have worked hard and have earned a certificate of completion, an important qualification that shows you have completed a specialized training program and pathway to your future employment.” Fletcher, a 2017 graduate of North Little Rock Premier High School, was recognized as the 2018 Associate of the Year for his exemplary work during his time in the ACCE program. He has interned with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Ground Services and The Showroom to build custom frames and will be joining the workforce working full-time with Dillard’s Fulfillment Center as well as intermediate work continuing at The Showroom. This year’s class has completed on-the-job training at various departments and��organizations on and off campus, including Ottenheimer Library, Sodexo, Fitness Center, Grounds Services, Custodial Services, Athletic Department, Department of Nursing, Sequoyah National Research Center, Jodie Mahoney Center for Gifted Education, ��Vlog��ýMS/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Speech and Hearing Clinic, Information Technology Program, MidSOUTH, School of Social Work, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Children’s Learning Center, The Showroom, and Easterseals Developmental Preschool. ACCE students also enjoyed student activities by attending Trojan games, Homecoming activities, and being active participants in the college experience. The students increased ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s initiative to engage in more community outreach, enhance learning opportunities outside the classroom and diversity and as part of their outlined strategic plan. ACCE also has a collaborative partnership with the College of Education and Health Professionals, where ACCE class instruction is held, for students to volunteer within the ACCE classroom. Additionally, ACCE students lead discussions in classrooms to share their experiences in the secondary special education system. All of the graduates were awarded a free membership to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association and a gift bag. The program is continuing to grow as the third cohort of ��Vlog��ý, Community, Career Development and Employment Program participants will begin taking classes at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock this fall with 16 students. The ceremony’s commencement speaker, Alan McClain, commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, thanked the graduates for being an inspiration to those around them and strong addition to Arkansas’s workforce. “In addition to my congratulations, my message to you is also to say thank you,” McClain said. “Thank you for inspiring us with your dedication and perseverance for coming out here everyday and completing the requirements for ACCE. Please know that your involvement with ACCE has made a huge impact on the world around you.” In the upper right photo, the 2018 graduates of the ACCE program include (L to R): Back row: John Steele, ACCE instructor, and graduates John Rockefeller and Breah Hampton. Middle row: Graduates Ford McGahee, Jonmichal Walker, Joshua Fletcher, Davion Green, Juan Rodriguez, and ACCE Instructor Leslie Harms. Front row: Kari Lott, Curtina Jackson, Chasity Mathis, Nicholas Austin, and Aaron Sullivan.

Distinguished Alumna Candice Corby named Business Leader of the Year finalist

Janea Snyder — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 20:23:07 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Distinguished Alumna Candice Corby was honored recently at the international Women in IT Awards ceremony in New York. Corby (‘94) was recognized as a finalist for outstanding achievement by women in the tech world in the Business Leader of the Year category. She was nominated for her work as president and chief executive officer of , a global provider of technology and legal services based in Austin, Texas. Corby leads a staff of legal experts and technologists to consistently and cost-effectively help corporate legal departments and law firms with their information management needs. “I am honored by this recognition and am confident that the Women in IT Awards will bring further awareness and opportunities for women in the technology sector,” Corby said. “I could not be more proud of Cobra for the exceptional results it produces for our clients from our diverse team around the world.” Chancellor Andrew Rogerson and Janessa Rogerson were guests of Corby and her husband, Ken, at the event, which was held March 22 in New York at Gotham Hall. The event, held for the first time in the U.S. this year, is organized by business-technology magazine and website Information Age. “With just 25 percent of computing jobs in the U.S. held by women – and much fewer at senior and executive levels – the event seeks to tackle the industry’s gender imbalance by showcasing the achievements of women in technology, identifying new role models and promoting constructive dialogue around diversity among key industry leaders,” according to the Women in IT website. “Janessa and I were honored to be included in the evening honoring Candice,” Chancellor Rogerson said. “I like to think her confidence and success is rooted in the education that she received at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. She is an inspiration and encourager to future generations to think about a wonderful and exciting career in the booming technology industry.” Corby earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 1994 and is a certified public accountant. After completing an internship at BKD CPAs and Advisors during her junior year, she began her career as a senior auditor at BKD. At 26, she became the youngest chief financial officer of the Times Record News, an E.W. Scripps Company. During her career, she has served as general accounting manager of the Neiman Marcus Group, founder and CEO of Gourmet Concepts, chief financial officer of Godwin Gruber, LLP, chief operating officer of Baker & McKenzie, LLP, and chief operating officer of Mayer Brown, LLP. In 2016, Corby was named one of the Top 10 Female CEOs by dotCEO. Additionally, the Austin Business Journal recognized her as a 2015 Profiles in Power – Women of Influence finalist. She is a frequent speaker and mentor, having been interviewed by the Harvard Business School Executive MBA program on “How Key Women Succeed.” Last year, she was honored as the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Distinguished Alumna, the highest honor presented by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association. More information about the Women in IT Awards is available .

Signature Experience Award to fund student’s travel to conference in Philadelphia

Jenny Lambert — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:59:49 +0000

Thanks to her Signature Experience Award, Nicole Ursin, a junior double majoring in history and anthropology, will present her research at the Society for Applied Anthropology Conference in Philadelphia, April 3-7. During the fall 2017 semester, Ursin was one of 79 University of Arkansas at Little Rock students to be awarded $1,000 from Chancellor Andrew Rogerson’s undergraduate research grant program to offset costs for a one-semester project or experience in research or creative works. “The Signature Experience Awards are allowing students to achieve more with their academic research,” Ursin said. “I would not have been able to afford this trip to Philadelphia without it.” With a financial burden lifted, Ursin was able to focus on her conference presentation and the progression of her project, “Understanding Museum Demographics: Historic Arkansas Museum.” “I’ve interned and worked in museums for the past three years,” Ursin said. “My goal was to do a project that showed the complexities of museums and addressed one of the problems that museums are facing.” Through her research, Ursin found that most museums design exhibits and programs to ��attract diverse audiences, but in reality, typically draw crowds of little demographic diversity. To understand why this happens, Ursin began investigating the demographics of museum visitors in Little Rock. “To reach diverse audiences, museums must first understand the factors driving the demographics they presently represent,” she said. During the summer of 2017, Ursin begin collecting data from visitors and employees at Historic Arkansas Museum. She later analyzed her findings, interviewed museum professionals, and researched the racial issues concerning museums. Finally, she sought to develop a definition of diversity that would be applicable to Arkansas museums. “This project has strengthened my interest in museum anthropology and has made me more interested in how museums can diversify their exhibits and audiences,” Ursin said. Ursin’s project is a direct reflection of a suggestion proposed by the American Association of Museums in 2010 that promoted fieldwork that would contribute to tourism and heritage studies in America. �� Ursin is currently in the final stages of her project, composing a detailed write-up of her work for local museum professionals, which she will present at the conference, as well as drafting an article for publication in anthropology or museum study journals. After graduating from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2019, Ursin plans to pursue a master’s degree in museum anthropology, and afterward, work for a museum.

Signature Experience Award takes student to the Bahamas

Jenny Lambert — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:00:53 +0000

Rebecca Bishop, a Donaghey Scholar whose research interests lie in the health of diseased coral reef, will use her Signature Experience Award funds this summer to travel to San Salvador, an island in the Bahamas, to collect and analyze coral reef samples at the Gerace Research Centre. Bishop, a sophomore environmental geology major, was among the first group of University of Arkansas at Little Rock students to receive Chancellor Andrew Rogerson’s newly instituted Signature Experience Award. During the fall 2017 semester, he awarded 79 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students $1,000 to assist in the purchase of materials for a one-semester project or experience in research or creative works. “I’ve always been interested in coral reefs because of how incredibly diverse and important they are as an ecosystem,” Bishop explained. “The more I learned about corals, however, the more I understood how much danger they were in.” Through her research, Bishop found that the frequency of increasingly warming temperatures and extreme weather events threatened the future of coral reefs. To gain a better understanding of how these conditions impacted the animals, Bishop decided to explore them in San Salvador, an island with very little literature about the ecological health of its reefs. “There is still a lot we don’t know about coral diseases and their causes, but when I learned that I could help contribute to the information surrounding coral and their health, I became eager to start my own research,” she said. Bishop has already dived into the discovery stage of her project, “Incidence of Coral Reef Disease on San Salvador Island.” From March 19-24 during spring break, she and her Geology and Ecology of the Bahamas class traveled to the Bahamas for field study. While there, Bishop began the preliminary work of her project, scoping out sample sites and inspecting coral diseases. Bishop’s overall research goal seeks to continue the monitoring of coral reefs, while using the findings to help establish a marine reserve with active management and a regulations enforcement plan for San Salvador’s reef system. Dr. René Shroat-Lewis, assistant professor of paleontology and geoscience in the Department of Earth Sciences, serves as her advisor. Bishop will complete her bachelor’s degree in geology in 2020, and afterward, plans to head to graduate school to study oceanography. Not only is Bishop thrilled to do the research she enjoys, she’s also grateful to have the university’s support, expressed through the Signature Experience Award, to back her in her endeavors. “The Signature Experience Award has been extremely important for me,” Bishop said. “Because my research focuses on an area outside of the United States, the costs associated with my project are a bit high. If it weren’t for the help and support I’ve received from the Signature Experience Award, I wouldn’t be able to conduct such exciting and unique research.”

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

Little Rock couple’s $37,000 gift endows business scholarship

����Vlog��ý Little Rock student tackles fishing problem with engineering know-how

����Vlog��ý Little Rock offers Weekend University for lifelong learning

Campus Night provides great perks for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock community