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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Breaks Ground on Transformational Campus Improvement Projects

John Hill — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 14:49:04 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock broke ground on a series of campus improvement and renovation projects that will significantly transform the face of the university for years to come during a Dec. 2 groundbreaking ceremony outside Ottenheimer Library. The center points of the campus improvement projects include the construction of a new north to south promenade called Trojan Way and a new Library Plaza. A generous $5.5 million grant from the Donaghey Foundation will fund these projects. Trojan Way will run through campus from 28th Street to University Drive and will create enhanced walkways, seating areas, and gathering spaces. In addition, the space outside Ottenheimer Library will be reimagined as a new outdoor campus learning environment with expanded seating and places for groups to gather. It will include a seat wall, a stage to hold events, and beautiful canopy trees for shade. “The upcoming campus improvements will transform the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus for many years to come,” said Chancellor Christina Drale. “By providing shaded spaces, gathering areas, and additional seating, we are creating an atmosphere that will help foster connections and provide enhanced living-learning experiences for the campus community.” Those who participated in the groundbreaking included Chancellor Drale, Charles Nabholz, chairman emeritus of Nabholz, Dr. Dean Kumpuris, chair of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Board of Visitors; Shawn Luther, principal and landscape architect of DCI; Jerry Ganz, vice chancellor for finance and administration at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock; Leslie Hutchins, associate vice chancellor of facilities and management at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, David Sargent of WER Architects, and Thomas Forcum, president of the Student Government Association at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Construction began in October and will last from 12-18 months. The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees previously approved the Library Plaza and Trojan Way projects in May. “I’m very excited about the Library Plaza and Trojan Way project beginning soon,” Ganz said. “Thanks to the generous support of the Donaghey Foundation, we were able to plan a project that will significantly enhance the beauty of our campus. I think the entire campus community will be very pleased with the end result and, especially, some of the key design elements that we have built into the project.” has been selected as the project architect, while has been selected as the contractor. “The Trojan Way is a landmark investment that will improve the campus’ connectivity and accessibility for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and community members for generations to come,” Nabholz said. “Nabholz is proud of our long relationship with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, which dates back to construction projects our company built on campus over 50 years ago. As a former student myself who attended night classes on campus in 1967/68, I know how much students will enjoy the additional paths, landscaping, and lighting.”

Charles Nabholz, chairman emeritus of Nabholz, speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Trojan Way project at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on Dec. 2. Photo by Ben Krain.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock officials decided to complete additional planned improvement projects at the same time since all the projects are so interconnected to creating a learning-living community to enhance student success. The additional projects include a new West campus entrance that will connect directly to the Library Plaza, the demolition of the former education building, and an Alumni Patio that will connect with Trojan Way on the north side of campus. “I’m also looking forward to beginning work on the new entrance on the West side of campus along University Avenue, as well as, the Alumni Patio project, which is where we are moving the named bricks that are currently in the Library Plaza,” Ganz said. “The Alumni Patio project will connect three different patios with a winding brick walkway and will be a fantastic event space that will surely get lots of use by all kinds of groups around campus in the future.” The campus improvements will also include a new patio and outdoor area on the north side of the Fine Arts Building, which will complement the new disc golf course that has recently been built on the south side of the Fine Arts Building to provide more campus recreational opportunities. “We have a beautiful campus, and we have this unused space available,” said Provost Ann Bain. “This will be a real inviting space for our faculty, staff, and students to utilize. We want to bring a bit of vibrancy to this side of campus.”

Chancellor Christina Drale addresses the crowd during a Dec. 2 groundbreaking ceremony on how the Trojan Way projects will improve the living-learning environment on campus for generations to come. Photo by Ben Krain.

The total cost of the improvement projects is estimated at $9.7 million. The ��Vlog��ý System Board of Trustees approved these campus improvement projects during its September meeting. The remaining projects will be funded by a combination of university reserves and private funding. The additional campus improvement projects include:

Campus Grove – The university is upgrading the north side of the Fine Arts Building to install an outdoor area for students, faculty, and staff. This shaded area will have additional seating and offer students a place to enjoy campus with friends.
Alumni Patio Project -The university is installing a new gathering space outside of the Bailey Alumni & Friends Center featuring the bricks that are currently located outside of Ottenheimer Library. The gathering space will allow alumni and friends easy access to view their bricks and allow the university to utilize the space as another campus gathering location.
Demolition of Education Building – The university has demolished the existing education building that is located between Dickinson Hall and Ross Hall. This building has not been in use for some time and will allow for the creation of additional campus green spaces.
Campus West Entrance – With the removal of the old Earth Science Building earlier this year, the university is enhancing the West entrance to campus at the intersection of University Avenue and 32nd Street with better walkways and a green space for students and faculty to enjoy.

“We at DCI are delighted to be a part of the design team for such a transformational project,” Luther said. “Just over a year ago, we were invited by WER Architects to join in an effort to take a look at a few small areas of campus. Little did we know that exercise would become a project which will literally shape the campus for decades. It is our hope that this project will help energize the campus and open the doors to the local community.” These projects are a part of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Centennial Campaign, the university’s largest fundraising effort in university history to raise $250 million ahead of its 100-year anniversary in 2027. Learn more about ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s efforts to provide great learning environments that encourage student success at the Centennial Campaign website.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Celebrates Military Heroes

John Hill — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 14:37:42 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock held a Veterans Day Ceremony to commemorate the university’s military students and veterans. “Friday’s Veterans Day ceremony and the ending of this year’s Homecoming week demonstrated how amazing this university’s staff is daily,” said Travis Weigel, director of military student success. “The Arkansas weather threw a wrench in our plans, but these professionals and our outstanding students adapted quickly. I thank everyone who helped or just came out to honor our ��Vlog��ý Little Rock veterans. During the ceremony, Chancellor Drale spoke of supporting our veterans and their importance to our community. While veteran student Jameice Flowers discussed how vital support and community are to adjusting to higher education after taking off the uniform. I would also like to thank Lakaia Massey for her wonderful rendition of the National Anthem.” Chancellor Christina Drale thanked ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s 548 student veterans and 81 faculty and staff veterans for their service. She recalled the history of Veterans Day. It began as Armistice Day at the end of World War I when Americans believed that would be the war to end all wars. After World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954, a day for Americans to gather and celebrate all veterans who have served their country. “We needed a day that would recognize that we will always have veterans and that veterans will always be the ones who have made the biggest sacrifices for our nation,” she said. “I want to recognize our Director of Military Student Success Travis Weigel for all of the great support he and his team provide for our military students and their families. We have made a commitment to our military students. We will help you, we will support you, and we will celebrate your success.” U.S. Navy Veteran Jamiece Flowers, a senior from McGehee, described how she plans to help fellow veterans through a career in social work after Arkansas social workers helped her through one of the darkest times in her life.

Chancellor Christina Drale speaks during a Veterans Day ceremony on campus. Photos by Ben Krain.

The ceremony ended with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Lakaia Massey, a veteran and sophomore at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Following the ceremony, the Military Student Success Center and William H. Bowen School of Law’s Student Veteran Organization provided food truck vouchers to military and veteran attendees as part of the Homecoming Week celebrations. Chancellor Drale invited everyone to consider how to honor veterans not just on one special day of recognition, but all year-round. “For the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, that way is to commit to being a military-friendly campus and to encourage veterans and active military to further their education with us as they translate their experience and their ambitions into the next chapter of their lives,” Drale said. “We further that commitment through participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program to ensure that earned military benefits cover 100 percent of a veteran’s education. We are proud of our designation as a Purple Heart University as we pledge to honor and support wounded veterans and their families.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Celebration in Honor of Veterans Day

John Hill — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 22:19:52 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is hosting a Veterans Day commemoration for the campus community, especially veterans and military families, on Nov. 11. Students, faculty, and staff will gather on the Fine Arts Lawn at 11 a.m. to honor ��Vlog��ý Little Rock veterans and their service. Chancellor Christina Drale will give the keynote address, followed by the playing of the National Anthem. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has a robust veteran population, from undergraduates and university staff to Ph.D. candidates and department chairs. This celebration gives the campus community an opportunity to honor them. The Homecoming food truck festival will commence at 11 a.m. The Military Student Success Center and William H. Bowen School of Law’s Student Veteran Organization staff will provide food truck vouchers to military and veteran attendees. “This is a small token of our appreciation to these men and women,” Director of Military Student Success Travis Weigel said. “We hope to serve them as honorably as they served our nation.”

Chancellor Drale Takes Part in Brookings Panel Discussing Leveraging Public Universities to Promote Economic Development

John Hill — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 19:29:11 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Drale has taken part in a panel discussion at in Washington, D.C. that brought together leaders in higher education and nonprofit policy experts to discuss the role that regional public universities play in promoting economic development for disadvantaged communities. In 2021, Brookings, an American research group founded in 1916, published the report, “,” which proposed federal grants of up to $50 million to regional public universities situated in low-income and economically distressed areas, with the aim of aiding those institutions’ community and economic development missions. Brookings identified at least 140 institutions that could be eligible for these grants, spread across 34 different states and Puerto Rico. The event, “Leveraging Regional Public Universities to Promote Place-based Economic Development,” took place June 28 at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. The event brought together congressional staff, higher education practitioners, and nonprofit policy experts who discussed how Congressional policy can support the mission of regional public universities to build economic development in low-income areas. The panel included Dr. Drale, Al Delia, vice president of regional development and engagement at Frostburg State University, Dr. Debasish Dutta, chancellor of University of Flint-Michigan, and Dr. Andrew Koricich, executive director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges and associate professor at Appalachian State University. Mark Muro, senior fellow at Brookings Metro, gave the opening remarks, and Robert Maxim, senior research associate at Brookings Metro, moderated the panel discussion. Dr. Drale discussed how ��Vlog��ý Little Rock supports the Little Rock and the Central Arkansas area as well as how funding challenges over the last decade has affected how ��Vlog��ý Little Rock carries out its mission. She also talked about how a federal investment of $50 million could help bolster the community and economic development in Arkansas. Following the panel, university representatives, congressional staff, nonprofit policy experts, and other stakeholders took part in an open discussion. Joni Lee, vice chancellor for university affairs, participated in the discussion.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Inaugural Campus Juneteenth Celebration

John Hill — Mon, 23 May 2022 13:01:22 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock community will come together on Monday, June 20, to mark the university’s first celebration of Juneteenth. June 19 is annually celebrated as Juneteenth, the oldest national commemoration of the ending of slavery in the country. The holiday originates from June 19, 1865, the day the last slaves in the country were freed in Galveston, Texas, at the end of the Civil War. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is proud to hold our first annual celebration of Juneteenth,” Chancellor Christina Drale said. “With our diverse campus community, the celebration of this important holiday highlights our commitment to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging while remembering this important moment in our nation’s history.” The celebration will provide ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students, employees, alumni, and friends with the opportunity to celebrate African American history and culture. Additionally, the celebration will feature a “Taste of Juneteenth,” a Black-owned food truck festival from noon-2 p.m. June 20. “I am so happy we are celebrating Juneteenth,” said Dr. Melvin Beavers, Chancellor’s DEI Fellow and director of first-year writing. “It gives us the opportunity to educate and reflect on the nation’s history. Additionally, it gives all a chance to come together to discuss our shared goals for racial justice at our institution and within our communities.”

Amazon Selects ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, ��Vlog��ý – Pulaski Tech for Career Choice Program

John Hill — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:08:02 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College were selected as education partners for Amazon’s Career Choice program, providing Amazon’s hourly employees in Central Arkansas with access to more than 180 accredited degree programs. “I applaud Amazon’s investment in its workforce,” said ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale. “This partnership reflects a recognition of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s commitment to developing the right mix of academic programs that intersect with career advancement and social mobility. The outcome will produce dividends for Amazon, the City of Little Rock, and the surrounding region for years to come.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and are the first higher education institutions in Arkansas to be named Career Choice Partners by Amazon, joining a select partnership of colleges and universities throughout the country who are helping Amazon employees achieve career success by providing them with access to comprehensive two-and four-year degree programs. “Through the generosity of Amazon and the quality higher education and training available at ��Vlog��ý – Pulaski Tech, access to the education necessary for future success has never been greater,” said ��Vlog��ý-PTC Chancellor Margaret Ellibee. “Having a company pay for an employees’ college education at the same time the employee has a great job removes some of the most significant barriers to attainment.” Amazon’s Career Choice program is an education benefit that empowers employees to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere. The program meets individual learners where they are on their education journey through a variety of education and upskilling opportunities including full college tuition, industry certifications designed to lead to in-demand jobs, and foundational skills such as English language proficiency, high school diplomas, and GEDs. In the U.S., the company is investing $1.2 billion to upskill more than 300,000 employees by 2025 to help move them into higher-paying, in-demand jobs. Amazon’s Career Choice program has a rigorous selection process for third-party partner educators, choosing partners that are focused on helping employees through their education programs, assisting them with job placements, and overall offering education that leads to career success.

Amazon Career Choice Program

“We’re looking forward to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and ��Vlog��ý – Pulaski Technical College coming on board as an education partner for Career Choice, adding to the hundreds of best-in-class offerings available to our employees,” said Tammy Thieman, global program lead of Amazon’s Career Choice program. “We’re committed to empowering our employees by providing them access to the education and training they need to grow their careers, whether that’s with us or elsewhere. We have intentionally cultivated a partner network of third-party educators and employers committed to providing excellent education, job placement resources, and continuous improvements to the experience. Today, over 50,000 Amazon employees around the world have already participated in Career Choice and we’ve seen first-hand how it can transform their lives.” For more information on Amazon’s Career Choice, visit: About the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College: The University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College provides access to high-quality education through university-transfer curriculum and workforce training. ��Vlog��ý – Pulaski Tech College offers associate of arts and science degree options, including programs in allied health and human services, aerospace technology, business, culinary arts, information technology, technical sciences, as well as continuing education and community services. The college awards Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees to graduates of the university-transfer program, as well as Associate of Applied Science degrees, technical certificates and certificates of proficiency. With tuition priced at $134 per credit hour for in-state residents, ��Vlog��ý – Pulaski Tech provides an affordable, student-focused path to success. For more information on ��Vlog��ý Pulaski Technical College, visit: . About the University of Arkansas at Little Rock: The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a metropolitan research university that provides access to a quality education through flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock prepares more than 9,000 students to be innovators and responsible leaders in their fields. Committed to its metropolitan research university mission, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is a driving force in Little Rock’s thriving cultural community and a major component of the city and state’s growing profile as a regional leader in research, technology transfer, economic development and job creation. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers learning, research, service, social and career opportunities that can only be found at a metropolitan university located in Arkansas’ capital city. Learn more at . Visit ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Admissions to learn more about educational opportunities for Amazon employees.

Little Rock Citywide Cleanup Event Set for March 12 with Kickoff at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

John Hill — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 20:26:38 +0000

Keep Little Rock Beautiful will host its annual city improvement and cleanup effort from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 12, across Little Rock. The cleanup is being held in conjunction with the , the annual spring statewide cleanup campaign promoted by (KAB). “So much can be accomplished when the community comes together to keep Little Rock clean and beautiful,” said Suzanne Hirrel, citywide cleanup coordinator. “Litter can leave a negative impact on our community. By participating in this year’s Great American City Wide Cleanup, local residents can help keep Little Rock a vibrant community.” Little Rock residents are encouraged to show their support for their city by participating in this year’s community improvement effort. Neighborhoods, organizations, church and youth groups, school groups and clubs, individuals, and businesses throughout Little Rock have organized cleanup teams in 50 areas of the city. This year’s official kick-off event will begin at 8 a.m. at the Coleman Creek Amphitheater at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. During a brief program, volunteers will hear from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale, State Representative Denise Ennett, and City Director Virgil Miller. Free parking will be available in Lot 10 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Public service is at the heart of what we do, and community engagement is a key institutional priority,” said Drale. “What better way to show our commitment than to roll up our sleeves in our own backyard to benefit the campus and surrounding community.” The Keep Arkansas Beautiful’s mascot “Otto the Otter” and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s mascot “Maximus” will be present at the event to support the cleanup effort. After the program, volunteers will get to work in cleanups organized at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and that area of the city. Volunteers should bring litter grabbers, work gloves, a refillable water bottle, wear boots or study shoes, and clothing that can get dirty. Litter grabbers and work gloves will be available for volunteers. In addition to the kick-off event, a free electronic recycling event will also take place in Lot 14 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock from 9 a.m. to noon. Computers, laptops, printers, cell phones, tablets, and keyboards will be accepted. Televisions will not be accepted during the drive. Participants may enter Lot 14 from West 28th Street. A listing of all the Little Rock cleanups on March 12 is available on the . Volunteers are encouraged to join a cleanup in their area. For more information, contact Suzanne Hirrel at 501-680-7061 or info@klrb.org.

Drale to Participate in Special International Women’s Day Bridge Builders Conversation

John Hill — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 14:13:18 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale will take part in a special at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, featuring inspiring women leaders of Arkansas. The program, which is presented by the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton School of Public Service, will feature influential Arkansas women who are leading in business, philanthropy, and higher education, through this period of uncertainty, activism, and change. Drale joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2006 and served as the associate dean of the College of Professional Studies, associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, interim executive vice chancellor, and provost prior to becoming ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s first female chancellor in 2019. In addition to Chancellor Drale, the program will also feature Victoria DeFrancesco, dean of the Clinton School of Public Service and political analyst for NBC News and Telemundo; Heather Albright, senior vice president and senior relationship manager in middle market at Bank of America; and Sherece West-Scantlebury, president and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. The program will be hosted at the Clinton Presidential Center and will also be livestreamed for those who are unable to join in person. Participants may register for the event and submit questions for the panelists .

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Issues Proclamation on National Day of Racial Healing 2022

John Hill — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 14:00:05 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has issued a proclamation joining the State of Arkansas in designating Jan. 18 as the National Day of Racial Healing 2022. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will join communities and campuses across the state in celebrating a weeklong schedule of events in observance of the National Day of Racial Healing. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation started the National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) in 2013 as part of its new Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) initiative aimed at revolutionizing the way that foundations fund nonprofits working on social issues. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock proclamation urges “all citizens to promote and engage in honest conversations about racism and racial healing. Transformation and change require us to commit to a vision that centers inclusion and equity; this means working together to ensure the best quality of life for everyone.” The proclamation coincides with the State of Arkansas’s observance of the National Day of Racial Healing. This will be the third consecutive year that NDORH has been officially observed in communities throughout Arkansas due to the organizing events of the Arkansas Peace & Justice Memorial Movement (APJMM), which is a partnership between the Washitaw Foothills Youth Media Arts & Literacy Collective and Just Communities of Arkansas. “While we all need to be fully engaged in the act of seeking truth and racial healing, no matter what demographics describe us, this transformational work is not for us,” said Kwami Abdul-Bey, co-convenor of APJMM. “It is for the next seven generations.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is joining APJMM, Arkansas Municipal League, the Association of Arkansas Counties, and the University of Central Arkansas to co-host a unique week-long schedule of virtual events planned across the state. In 2019, Gov. Asa Hutchinson issued the first-ever gubernatorial proclamation proclaiming a statewide observance of the National Day of Racial Healing in Arkansas. That same year, Little Rock School District Superintendent Mike Poore also issued the first-ever public school district-wide proclamation. Since then, nearly 150 elected mayors, county judges, university chancellors, college presidents, and school superintendents have joined to issue annual NDORH proclamations. This will also be the first time that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is hosting National Day of Racial Healing events. The Racial Barriers Committee, in partnership with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown, the Student Government Association, and the Graduate Student Association, has planned several virtual activities throughout the week to commemorate the National Day of Racial Healing. “The Racial Barriers Committee is very proud of the events we have planned in conjunction with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown,” said Chrissy Jones, chairwoman of the Racial Barriers Committee. “Our hope is that these events break down racial barriers to bring healing and promote unity on campus. Our purpose is to show our students, staff, faculty, and the world that the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is not just a place for some, but for everyone.” The lineup of events includes a virtual lecture with Dr. David Tell, author of “Remembering Emmett Till,” on Jan. 18, a panel discussion on the state of diversity and equity in Arkansas on Jan. 20, and a virtual open mic night with a theme of racial healing on Jan. 21. Visit this website for more information about ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s 2022 National Day of Racial Healing events.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Forge Institute, and ��Vlog��ýPB Announce Creation of Consortium for Cyber Innovation

John Hill — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 14:04:49 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has partnered with the Forge Institute and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to establish the Consortium for Cyber Innovation (CCI) to meet the country’s growing need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. The consortium will develop and align cyber education and grow applied research capabilities throughout the state. The consortium partners will collaborate on workforce development, research, and innovation to create a strategic industry cluster in emerging technologies that will support national defense and enhance Arkansas as a Cyber Defense State and cybersecurity hub. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is proud to join the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the Forge Institute in an effort to scale and leverage resources towards workforce development, research, and innovation in cyber technologies,” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale said. “Together, we are building the future of our state as we pursue the common goal of ensuring national security through strategic and collaborative workforce development, research, and innovation.” The Forge Institute develops capabilities to solve broad challenges in emerging technology, cybersecurity, and national security. Its experienced cyber operators and leadership team are leveraging their extensive national network to promote workforce training and research collaborations by joining forces with the academic resources at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and ��Vlog��ýPB. “The Consortium for Cyber Innovation is monumental to developing our high-tech workforce and developing new capabilities to prevent, detect, and mitigate emerging technology risks to businesses, including our nation’s critical infrastructure,” said Lee Watson, CEO of the Forge Institute. “Both campuses already have outstanding undergraduate and graduate computer science programs, cybersecurity resources, and world-class faculty. We’re excited to lend our expertise to this very important endeavor which will help fill the coming 3.4 million job gap.” Cybercrime is a growing threat that is expected to cost the world more than $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, according to Watson. This increase in cyberattacks is expected to open 3.4 cybersecurity positions in the next few years. There are already 1,400 open positions in Arkansas, and more than 467,000 open positions in cybersecurity in the U.S., Watson said. This collaboration expands an existing successful collaboration between ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and Forge Institute. Students who complete the Forge Institute’s IT/Cyber Fundamentals professional development course can apply to receive three credit hours in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s recently launched bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity. This recognition of learning outside of higher education is a bold step towards how colleges and universities can modernize their curricula to meet the needs of today’s students and industry. “We’re extremely excited to build this collaboration with Forge Institute,” said Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost for research and dean of the Graduate School at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “We view cybersecurity as an important field of study for our students, and the expertise Forge Institute lends offers a real-world perspective that can’t be simulated in the classroom.” The CCI builds on existing partnerships among the Forge Institute, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (U of A) that have already resulted in National Security Agency (NSA)-funded academic training and research programs. This includes the GenCyber summer camp for 7-12 graders, the Healthcare Cybersecurity Certification research project, and a new graduate certificate in cybersecurity education. Congressman French Hill said the creation of the CCI is a giant step in making Arkansas more competitive in cyber innovation, and that he is looking forward to following the consortium’s continued growth and success.

Dr. Al Baker, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock computer science chair, discusses a collaboration with ��Vlog��ýPB and the Forge Institute to establish the Consortium for Cyber Innovation with the purpose of developing and aligning cyber education and growing applied research capabilities in the state. Photo by Ben Krain.

“The University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff have taken steps to create a nurturing environment to promote computer science and cyber innovation,” Congressman Hill said. “This collaboration will take their commitment one step further.” Future research projects will include developing next-generation artificial intelligence capabilities to manage cybersecurity threats to both critical infrastructure and military and national defense networks. Advanced machine learning technologies will increase efficiency and expand near-term industry use of readily-available quantum computing capabilities. The CCI also plans to create a Strategic Initiative Office that will allow the consortium to obtain and manage large-scale federal funding for creating a sustainable network of education and research efforts in emerging technology and national defense. “As our state’s land grant, Historically Black University, ��Vlog��ýPB looks to contribute to the CCI’s strategic initiatives in a number of ways,” ��Vlog��ýPB Chancellor Laurence Alexander said. “Our expectation is that our university’s priorities of expanding computer education and the cyber workforce will lead to a more diverse industry workforce, reaching many of our underrepresented population. As such, the consortium will help build regional capacity to support economic growth and development across various industry sectors as the state recovers from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Industry partners who join the CCI can help in a number of ways, Watson said. They can hire new talent, especially Arkansas graduates, mentor students, bring in interns, help fund student research, and advise educators who are developing classes. David McCoy, principal security analyst, incident response commander, and head of forensics and investigation at Acxiom, a data management, data science, and privacy technology company, represented Acxiom as a founding industry partner. “I’m extremely honored to represent Acxiom in this effort to join these different entities together,” McCoy said. “The industry has been growing, to say the least, and to the point where you need formal tracks to get into what I do. We are getting into more formal education programs, which is going to be amazing, not only to the state of Arkansas but to the United States. Acxiom is super excited to join into this collaboration across industry’s public and private sectors sharing information, which is something we all need to do because the threats are real.” Globally, cybersecurity has become a trillion dollar industry with career opportunities open to thousands of Arkansans. Because of the state’s deep experience with data management, logistics, fintech, and other data-driven industries, Arkansas is well positioned to become a rallying point for the nation’s cybersecurity efforts. These opportunities produce good paying jobs for Arkansans. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is committed to growing a talented workforce of highly skilled cyber professionals in Central Arkansas,” Drale said. “Directly related to that effort is the applied research of our nationally recognized faculty in cybersecurity, including research on social media threats by our Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies. This collaboration sets the stage for additional partnerships and initiatives, and that will establish Arkansas as a national leader in cybersecurity and related emerging technologies.”

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Breaks Ground on Transformational Campus Improvement Projects

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Celebrates Military Heroes

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Celebration in Honor of Veterans Day

Chancellor Drale Takes Part in Brookings Panel Discussing Leveraging Public Universities to Promote Economic Development

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Inaugural Campus Juneteenth Celebration

Amazon Selects ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, ����Vlog��ý – Pulaski Tech for Career Choice Program

Little Rock Citywide Cleanup Event Set for March 12 with Kickoff at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock