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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock announces 2019-20 Signature Experience Awards

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:16:50 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has selected nearly 125 students as recipients of 2019-20 Signature Experience grants.�� Since 2017, the program has provided ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students with a grant of up to $1,000 to fund a signature experience, such as a research project, creative activity, or community project, to enrich the students’ academic experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� This year’s 124 awards include projects that range from the delivery of drugs for bone tissue disease and cancer using nanotechnology and the creation of a voice-controlled drone to assist people with disabilities to the design and optimization of a portable medical scooter. For the first time, a subset of grants were awarded to freshmen, sophomores, and transfer students to encourage research projects by new college students. Also for the first time, Signature Experience grants were awarded to graduate students to encourage advanced research projects.�� “In support of retention efforts aimed at getting students involved in research so they identify with their majors or programs early in their academic careers, 19 percent of our grants went to support projects undertaken by freshmen, sophomores, or students in their first year as a transfer student,” said Dr. Ecke, director of the Signature Experience Program. “At the other end of the spectrum, for the first year since its inception, the Signature Experience Program funded 29 graduate student projects.”�� Recipients of the Signature Experience grants will exhibit their work at the 2020 Student Research and Creative Works Showcase on April 17, 2020.�� The Signature Experience grant winners and their respective colleges are as follows:

College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences

Zayna Abdulla, a junior studying English and biology, mentored by Anindya Gosh – “A Novel, Injectable Hydrogel Based on Guar Gum for Anti-cancer Drug Delivery” Reem Adai, a sophomore studying physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles By Laser Ablation” Anthony Aloi, a junior studying chemistry and biology – “Laser-induced Graphene Nanofiltration Membranes for Water Purification” Nabeel Alwan, a junior studying chemistry and biology, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “The Role of Functional Groups of Porphyrin as a Photodynamic Therapy Nanodrug” Emily Anderson, a senior studying biology, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Silver Nanoparticle Conjugated Glucose Oxidase for Prevention and Growth of Bacteria” Michael Appiah-Kubi, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Controlling the Pore Sizes of Graphene Oxide Nanostructures through Hydrothermal Reactions for Efficient Water Purification” Mujeebat Bashiru, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Room Temperature Phosphorescent Materials for Use in Optoelectronic Application” Assem Basurrah, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia Using MoS2-based Nanocatalysts” Alexis Boling, a freshman mentored by Sandra Leiterman – “Mom and Me STEM” Marvin Bonney, a graduate student studying applied physics, mentored by John Nichols – “Investigation of Strain Effects in Superconducting Magnesium Diboride Thin Films” Jess Brasher, a senior studying theatre arts, mentored by Lawrence Smith – “1,000 Cranes 10,000 Thoughts: Trans Narrative in Performance” Stuti Chatterjee, a junior studying chemistry and biology, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Effect of Nanoparticle’s Morphology towards the Cellular Uptake, Toxicity and Selectivity to Cancer Cells” Meghan Clark, a senior studying biology, mentored by Nawab Ali – “Effect of Oxidative Stress on Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis) Mediated via Endoplasmic Reticulum Multiple Inositol Polyphosphate Phosphatase 1 (Minpp1)” Sarah Coffman, a junior studying chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Esterification of Aromatic Aldehyde using Nickel” Thomas Coleman, a graduate student studying interdisciplinary studies, mentored by Heather Hummel – “Intersections of Poetry and Music” Ivy Crowe, a junior studying English, mentored by Jeffrey Condran – “Braddock Avenue Books Spring Catalogue at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference, San Antonio, Texas, March 2020” Iris Denmark, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – Synthesis of Conductive Materials from Chemically Treated Renewable Carbon Precursors for Use in Energy Applications Kajal Desai, a junior studying chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Graphene Oxide-MoS2 Composite Membranes for Arsenic and Lead Polluted Water Purification” LaDarius Doaks, a senior studying dance and psychology, mentored by Robin Neveu Brown – “WithIN MOTION: BFA senior Dance Project Film” Yousef Elbalawy, a sophomore studying biology, mentored by Nawab Ali – “Effect of Microgravity on the Expression of Multiple Inositol Polyphosphate Phosphatase” Rad Elsaidi, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Anti-Microbial Effects of GSDMD” Sakr Elsaidi, a post baccalaureate student studying biology, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Topological Nanomaterials” Taiwo Famuyiwa, a graduate student studying applied mathematics and statistics, mentored by Wei Zhang – “Develop New Machine Learning Methods for Integrative Analysis” Ashi Franke, a senior studying graphic design/web design and development, mentored by Lynne Ellsworth Larsen – “Bauhaus’ Renaissance and the Future of UI/UX Design” Luke Geoffrion, a graduate student studying applied physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Colloidal Topological Insulators” Cordell Gilreath, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Examination of the Enzymatic Characteristics of Borrelia Burgdorferi” Taylor Green, a senior studying theatre arts, mentored by Lawrence Smith – “Uncovering Elaine: The Story of the Elaine Massacre of 1919” Carmen Gutierrez, a junior studying dance, mentored by Stephanie Thibeault – “Nature vs. Nurture: The Roots of Movement Preferences Amongst Dancers” Yanping Harville, a senior studying biology and geology, mentored by Scott Woolbright – “Toxic Effects of Acetaminophen on Bacteria from a Probiotic Supplement Utilized as a Surrogate for the Human Gastrointestinal Microbiome” Tina Hesabizadeh, a junior studying biology, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Quantum Structructure of Selenium Nanoparticles” Evan Hicks, a senior studying physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Tellurium Quantum Wires” Amanda Jalihal, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Near Infrared Ionic Dye Pairs for Optimization of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells” Travis Jumper, a transfer student studying chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Polyamide Formation via a Nickel Pincer Catalyst” Rawan Kattom, a junior studying biology, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Cellulose-based Doped Carbon Materials for the Efficient Degradation of NPs Under Visible Light” Caroline Kornelsen, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Investigation of Förster Resonance Energy Transfer in Ionic Materials” Hannah Krehbiel, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Application of Ionic Materials in Organic Solar Cells” Thuy Le, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Understanding of Stretchability and Conductivity Characterization of PEDOT:PSS/ionic Liquid for Flexible Electronics” Samantha Macchi, a doctoral student studying applied science, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Molasses-derived Nitrogen and Silicon Co-doped Carbon Material for Use as Electrocatalyst in ORR for Fuel Cell Application” Mary Melissa Miller, a graduate student studying History of art, mentored by Floyd Martin – “Titian’s Venus of Urbino: A New Interpretation” Brandon Moore, a senior studying biology, mentored by John Bush – “The Use of a Dominant-negative Rab32c Protein from Slime Mold, Dictyostelium Discoideum, for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases in Humans” Gary Morris, a graduate student studying biology, mentored by Scott Woolbright – “Urban Ecology of Pearl Crescent Butterflies in the Little Rock Metropolitan Region” Daniel Nde, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Investigating Algae-derived Reduced Graphene Oxide Membranes for Ionic and Molecular Nanofiltration” Thao Nguyen, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Hong Li Wang – “Enzymatic Characterization of Bgp from B. Burgdorferi, the Main Causative Agent in Lyme Disease in the United States” Anil Parameswaran-Thankam, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Guar Plant Based Injectable, Thermoresponsive Hydrogel for Bone Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery” Lauv Patel, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Enzymatic Characterization of E11Q Mutant of Methylthioadenosine Nucleosidase from S. Aureus” Chandrasimha Penthala, a junior studying biology, mentored by John Bush – “The Synthesis and Testing of Nanostructured Stainless Steel Wires by In Vitro Antibacterial Studies for Dental Application” Humendra Poudel, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Synthesis of Nanomaterials and Its Application in the Biomedical Field” Atikur Rahman, a graduate student studying physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis and Characterization of Core Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles” Olgaaurora Rodriguez, a junior studying chemistry and biology, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Biomass-derived Nanofiltration Membranes for Drinking Water Purification” Taylor Scifres, a junior studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Soy Meal as Supercapacitor” Logan Sellen, a senior studying physics, mentored by Yslan Hicks – “Shelter We Seek: An Examination of the Cyclical Patterns of Abuse through Playwriting and Production” Tripti Shukla, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Enzymatic Studies of a Triple Mutant of MTA Nucleosidase from S. Aureus” Kaitlin Simmons, a senior studying molecular biotechnology, mentored by Qingfang He – “Effects of Phosphate Limitation on Contamination of Synechocystis sp. PCCC 6803 and a Histidine Kinase Deletion Mutant” Damanpreet Singh, a senior studying biology, mentored by Qingfang He – “Metabolic Engineering of Cyanobacteria for Sustainable Production of Cinnamic Acid” Peter Szwedo, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Small Molecule Activation Using a Nickel (II) Pincer Complex” Patrick Taylor, a junior studying biology, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers Jose Vivanco, a freshman studying physics, mentored by Tansel Karabacak – “Superhydrophobic Nanostructured Surfaces for Atmospheric Water Generator Application” Rebekah White, a graduate student studying applied bioscience, mentored by Qingfang He – “Functions of DspA in Photosynthesis and Cellular Fitness”

College of Education and Health Professions

Sedre’Auna Griddine, a graduate student studying health education and promotion, mentored by Katie Helms – “Exercise Incentive Programs: Motivation and Longitudinal Effectiveness” Eric Nix, a senior nursing major, mentored by Jennifer Bridges – “Nursing Students’ Knowledge of the Morse Fall Scale and the STRATIFY Tool” Kaylin Orrell, a senior studying communication sciences and disorders, mentored by Donna Kelly –” An Investigation of Evidenced-Based Treatments for Children and Adults who Present with an Acquired Language, Language-related and/or Cognitive Impairment”

College of Social Sciences and Communication

Mariam Bouzihay, a senior studying psychology and information technology, mentored by Sandra Leiterman – “Drone Rural: Classroom Exploration” Jacob Chisom, a graduate student studying applied communication, mentored by Avinash Thombre – “Diffusion of Climate Change Reducing Strategies in Farmers of Southeast Arkansas” Brandy Dailey, a graduate student studying public administration, mentored by Kirk Leach – “Evaluation of Batterer Intervention Programs as a Tool to Enhance Offender Accountability” Solomon Davis, a senior studying philosophy and interdisciplinary studies, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Working Better Together: How Material and Symbolic Transitional Justice Affect Post-Civil War Peace” Desiree Doyle, a graduate student studying applied communication, mentored by Avinash Thombre – “Arrival of Hybrid K-Pop culture in Arkansas: An Examination of BlackPink Adoption Among Young Adults” Sadie Goss, a junior studying criminal justice and chemistry, mentored by Robert Lytle – “Paying for Past Crimes: Employment and Prisoner Re-entry amongst Former Serious and Violent Offenders” Zachary Jones, a graduate student studying applied communication, mentored by Louise Lowe – “Ottenheimer Library Space and Perception Study: Evidence-based Inquiry Using Student-Led Focus Groups” Tiffany Meeks, a junior studying applied communication, mentored by April Chatham-Carpenter – “Growth, Maturity, and Stress: Study of Identity Changes through Early Management” Madison Rodgers, a junior studying political science, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Women in Government and the Relationship Between the State and Women’s Rights NGOs” Taylor Toombs, a junior studying political science, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Transitional Justice and Gender” Marisha Twillie, a senior studying applied communication, mentored by Kristen McIntyre – “The Power of Biracial Women’s Code-switching” Ashley Walker, a junior studying criminal justice, mentored by James Golden – “Evaluating Domestic Violence Batterer’s Intervention Programs and their Potential to Reduce Recidivism for Domestic Abusers” Joshua Williams, a sophomore studying international studies, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Arab-Israelis in Evolving Israeli Politics”

George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology

Alejandro (Alex) Alvarez-Barreiro, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering technology and Spanish, mentored by Sandra Leiterman – “BB-8 Continued” Andrew Bomberger, a senior studying computer science, mentored by Philip Huff – “Cyber Security Cloud Competition Controller” Jannice Bonilla, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Ashokkumar Sharma – “Multi-Configuration Tower Building Robot: An ASME Student Design Competition Contender” Justin Bullard, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Mamdouh Bakr – “Portable Folding Laptop Stand” Josh Carlat, a senior studying computer science, mentored by Sean Orme – “A Look into the Feasibility of Teaching Game Engine Design at the Undergraduate Level” Gabriel Castro, a transfer student studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Measurement of In-plane Surface Deformations of Planar Solids using the Method of Digital Image Correlation” Trey Chancellor, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Mo Bakr – “Development, Design, and Testing of Folding, Mobile Carpentry Work Bench” John Clements, a senior studying computer science, mentored by Ivan Rodriguez-Conde – “HMD-based Teleoperation of Wheeled Mobile Robots” Jamison Conatser, a senior studying electronics and computer engineering technology, mentored by Steve Menhart – “Voice Controlled Drone with Camera for Disabled Persons” Brandon Crawford, a junior studying e-commerce, mentored by Thomas Wallace – “Optimizing Workflow with Modern Technology and Ergonomics: A STEAM Project” Michael Davis, a junior studying information science, mentored by Philip Williams – “Heifer International Aquaponics Project” Merak Dyer, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu – “Kitchen Appliance Automatic Storage and Retrieval System” Jacob Earley, a junior studying geology, mentored by Margaret (Beth) McMillan – “Using Short-range Photogrammetry for 3D Digital Reconstruction of Arkansaurus Fridayi Fossil Bones” Gaige Ehrenworth, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Jan Springer – “Consumer Ray-Tracing in Real Time” Denver Ellis, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Jan Springer – “Student Exploration in Computer Graphics Through the Creation of a Rasterization Pipeline” Brandon Norman, a freshman studying computer science, mentored by Ivan Rodriguez-Conde – “Web System for the Visualization and Dissemination of Three-dimensional Content in the Field of Paleontology” Jack Gaston, a freshman studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Influence of Layer Thickness and Interface Bonding Strength on Energy Absorption Response of Polyurea Coated Glass Plates” John Graham, a junior studying engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Strengthening Behavior of 7075 Al Alloy After Strain Hardening Versus that of Precipitation Hardening” Anna Gayle Griffiths, a senior studying geology, mentored by Michael DeAngelis – “Improving ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Recycling Program” David Hough, a graduate student studying applied science, mentored by Michael DeAngelis – “Synthesis of Targeted Composition Nanoscale Olivine” Jacob Jackson, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Ashokkumar Sharma – “Removal of Water Turbidity Using Natural Coagulants” Matthew James, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Albert Baker – “Financial Literacy for Adolescents through Technology” Marcus Johnson, a transfer student studying computer science, mentored by Jan Springer – “Playlistify: Multi-User Application Interfacing with the Music Streaming Service Spotify” Michael (Tyler) Kee, a senior studying geological sciences, mentored by Laura Ruhl-Whittle – “Strontium Isotopic Ratios in Central Arkansas: Insight into Rock Formation and Water Quality” Nigel Kelly, a junior studying mechanical systems engineering, mentored by Jin Wook Lee – “Design and Fabrication of a Novel Flight Saucer” Joseph Kready, a junior studying computer science, mentored by Xiaowei Xu – “Neural Code Search” Trigun Maroo, a graduate student studying engineering science and systems, mentored by Andrew Wright – “Design of a Microphone Array to Facilitate Acoustic Localization” Amanda Martin, a senior studying Geology, mentored by Rene Shroat-Lewis – “Digitization of Economic Mineral Resources of Arkansas” Noah Mejia, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu and Ashokkumar Sharma – “Semi-Autonomous Multi-System Integration Tower Robot” Daniel Myers, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Chia-Chu Chiang – “Study of Open Source Operating System for Use as Instructional Aid” Uche Nwali, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Ashokkumar Sharma – “Design Modification of an Existing Hydraulic Ram Pump System to Improve Its Overall Performance” Brenda Nyangweso, a junior studying information science, mentored by Ningning Wu – “Application and Benefits of Cloud Development in the College of Engineering and Information Technology” Tarang Parikh, a senior studying electronics and computer engineering technology, mentored by Steve Menhart – “Solar Powered Raspberry Pi Car Audio-video and Camera System” Garrett Phelps, a transfer student studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Synthesis and Characterization of Epoxy Composites Modified with Micron-size Stiff and Compliant Fillers” Ryan Ronquillo, a junior studying information science, mentored by Philip Huff – “Reversus: Education in Reverse Engineering Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities” Shadrach Rubio-Pelayo, a freshman studying civil engineering and construction management, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu and Ashokkumar Sharma – “Unmanned Aerial Racing Cargo Vehicle: An ASME IAM3D Competition Contender” Sherif Selim, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Processing and Mechanical Characterization of Aluminum Foam Based Interpenetrating Phase Composites (IPC) Infiltrated with Solid and Hollow Glass Microspheres” Ramiro Serrano-Vergel, a graduate student studying information science, mentored by Ivan Rodriguez-Conde – “Enhancing User Experience in Custom Closets Prototyping Using Handheld-based Mobile Augmented Reality” Zachary Smith, a graduate student studying applied geology, mentored by Laura Ruhl-Whittle – “Quantifying the Impact of Urbanization on the Fourche Creek Watershed, Little Rock, Arkansas” Tiwari Snehil, a senior studying information science, mentored by Elizabeth Pierce – “Furrow Irrigation Web Application” Eric Sutherland, a junior studying mechanical systems engineering, mentored by Soheil Saedi – “Damping Capacity of Additively Manufactured (AM) NiTi Alloy” James Teem, a freshman studying computer science, mentored by Chia-Chu Chiang – “Integrating Voice Commands into Web Pages for Accessible Interactions” Stephen Vang, a senior studying mechanical engineering, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu – “Design and Optimization of a Portable Medical Scooter” Xingqiao Wang, a graduate student studying computer and information sciences, mentored by Xiaowei Xu – “Hierarchical Neural Language Model for Question Answering” Hunter Wright, a senior studying information science, mentored by Thomas Wallace – “MAACS: Multipurpose All-around Awesome Clustered Server”

College of Business

John Fetherston, a freshman studying business information systems, mentored by Kent Layton – “Water Purification for Maroa, Venezuela” Claire Herman, a junior studying economics, mentored by Casey Rockwell – “Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Ethical Concerns in the Supply Chain of a Consumer’s Raw Material through DNA Testing” Snehil Tiwari, a junior studying economics, mentored by Moiz Bhai – “A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Implementing Riparian Buffers in the Buffalo River Watershed”

Graduate Student Spotlight on Malik Williams

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 14:53:41 +0000

Meet Malik Williams, a native of Waldo, Arkansas (pop. 1,283), who will graduate this December with a bachelor’s degree in business information systems. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate the graduation of Williams along with hundreds of other students during a commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Jack Stephens Center.�� Tell us about a little bit about yourself. I’m an only child who is still a little country. I love hanging out with close family and friends, learning new things, and traveling to different places. I work part-time at the Genius Bar at the Apple store in Little Rock while going to school full-time. My mom taught me how to cook, clean, do laundry, and mind my Ps and Qs. My dad taught me the importance of hard work and said that I could do anything I set my mind to. Why did you choose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? When I was in 10th grade, the TRIO Talent Search college prep program helped me learn about colleges and universities in the state. My career coach helped me fill out college and scholarship applications. It was a choice between Southern Arkansas University and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. I chose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock because it is in the capital city and had the top business school in Arkansas. My mom wanted me to stay at home, but I felt like I needed a challenge and wanted to get out of my comfort zone. TRIO and all of the wonderful mentors helped me do just that. I can definitely say that I would not have been so exposed to so many opportunities if I had stayed in my hometown. Another thing that helped my decision was the Dr. Charles W. Donaldson Summer Bridge Academy (SBA) for high school students. I came up here for three weeks before the beginning of my freshman year to attend this program. This program pairs students with mentors that help them with their weaknesses in different areas to get them ahead of the curve in the first year of college. Why did you major in business information systems? During my freshman year, I was undecided, but I knew I wanted to do something in the business field that would help me make a good living. I chose business information systems because it is a versatile degree that contains all aspects of business mixed with information technology. I’ve always been interested in technology. (I’m the IT person in our family.) What kind of careers can you do with a business information systems major? There are so many choices such as marketing, management, project management, database administration, business analysis, coding, and software development and others. What companies are you interested in? Apple, Blue Cross Blue Shield or Southwest Power Pool would be great companies to work for. I’d like to stay in Little Rock to build a foundation, but would consider relocating. How would your professors describe you? I think they would say I am laid back and easygoing. I’m versatile and soak in new information like a sponge. My job at Apple has helped me develop people skills. Who were your mentors? My mom and dad are my life coaches. My cousin Montrell Turner is a business information systems graduate from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and has always had good advice for me. My hometown friend Corrigan Revels helped me early in my college career. The Summer Bridge Academy program helped me stay on track and connected me to the right people. What was your biggest challenge in college? Procrastination, and the balance of social life, school, and family. You have to figure out what is important. Learning about “delayed gratification” helped me put things into perspective. I listen to podcasts that motivate me and help me self-reflect. What was the toughest decision you had to make? Working part-time while going to school full-time. My parents wanted me to focus solely on school. What advice would you give to incoming students? Stay focused and keep a good balance. Don’t overwhelm yourself, because stress is real. Take care of everything on the front end and network. You can’t get by without help. Most of all, never lose sight of the goal and reason why you made the decision to come to college. This story was compiled by Toni Boyer-Stewart.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to honor student who died of cancer with posthumous degree

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 16:06:37 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor a Benton student who passed away from cancer last year with a posthumous business degree during the university’s fall commencement ceremony on Dec. 14.�� Tandie Kenser, 51, of Benton passed away Aug. 24, 2018. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock senior was only 23 credits shy of completing her dream of graduating from college. Kenser’s mother, Gennie Adair, will travel from her home in Vancouver, Canada, to receive her daughter’s degree. “I feel very honored to get her degree, and Tandie would be too,” Adair said. “It’s wonderful that the university is doing this for her. She had one more year to go, and I really thought she would live long enough. I used to pray that she would live long enough to walk down that stage, but she just didn’t make it.” When Kenser was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2011, her doctors told her she only had a few years left to live. Kenser considered how she wanted to spend her final years and decided to rectify her only regret: never earning a college degree. “There’s so many people who think they are too old or it’s too late, but it’s not,” Kenser said in a 2018 interview. “I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I love walking on campus. I like every professor I’ve had. It’s brought me joy.” In 2015, Kenser joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with the goal of earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in business analytics. With no time to waste, she immediately signed up for 18 credit hours. Shannon Gwinn, director of Student and Career Services in the College of Business, advised her to start with nine credit hours, a well-intentioned suggestion that was immediately rebuked. “She pointed her finger at me, and said, ‘Not only am I going to take 18 hours, I’m going to make a 4.0,’” Gwinn recalled, adding that it was the start of a beautiful friendship.�� “Tandie would be thrilled and honored to receive her degree,” Gwinn said. “It was her ‘bucket list,’ and she knew she didn’t have much time to earn her degree. Life threw a lot to Tandie, and she overcame it all except for cancer. I can only imagine the party she would be throwing for her family and friends to celebrate this.” Kenser did get the opportunity to celebrate her educational achievements. She completed 90 of the 120 credit hours she needed to graduate and was taking two additional classes when she entered hospice care on June 14, 2018. “She called me every single day,” Adair said. “She had never complained until the last phone call when she was taking summer classes. She called me and said, ‘I don’t know what I’ve read.’ She was so sad that she couldn’t comprehend what she read. That was the beginning of the end.” Instead of a funeral, Kenser told her family she wanted a party to celebrate life. The celebration, which included a mock graduation, was held June 30, 2018, at the home of Kenser’s daughter, Jessie Wright, in Bismarck, Arkansas, with faculty, staff, and classmates from the College of Business in attendance. Dean Jane Wayland recalls how excited Kenser was to wear a graduation cap and gown that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus Bookstore gave her as a gift. “Tandie was an incredible woman,” Wayland said. “She embraced learning all she could even during the most difficult times during her illness. She participated fully in all the opportunities of the college and encouraged her fellow students. She made friends easily and instilled joy to all around her.” During her college career, Kenser strived to be the best. She maintained a 4.0 GPA, all while serving as ambassador for the College of Business who constantly hosted study sessions for her classmates.

Tandie Kenser (seated) and her mother, Gennie Adair (center) visit Cindy Wallace (left) and Shannon Gwinn (right) in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business. Photo by Ben Krain.

“Tandie was simply amazing in so many ways,” Gwinn said. “She formed study groups with other students for almost every class she was in. She never gave a student an answer, but brought them along in the journey of learning how to achieve the answer. She was responsible for bringing the Reality Fair to our college.” Similar to the Game of Life board game, participants in a Reality Fair choose a career with a salary. They go to stations to make selections for housing, transportation, insurance, healthcare, and then must make a balanced budget. “We have continued to do the Reality Fair and have expanded it to high schools,” Gwinn said. “We went to Hall High School this semester, and it was well received from the students. That is because of Tandie and her passion for financial literacy.” Adair recalled a time when her daughter had undergone eight hours of chemotherapy and insisted that she be taken directly to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock afterward so that she could attend an extra-credit lecture about earthquakes. “She always wanted to keep that 4.0,” Adair said. “She felt she would let me down if she got less than 100 percent. I told her that was garbage. She could never let me down. The one thing I can say about going to the university is that she absolutely loved it. I really believe this is what kept her alive long past her expected survival. She only had a 25 percent chance of living two years, and she lived seven years and a month.” Last year, Adair started a scholarship in her daughter’s name to benefit non-traditional students attending the College of Business, and she is looking forward to meeting the first recipient of the scholarship during her trip to Arkansas. Adair and Kenser, who were both working single mothers during their lives, wanted to help single parents who are going to college. “I would say to younger students that it’s never too late to do what you want,” Adair said. “I didn’t go into policing until I was in my 30s. I was about the oldest one in the police academy at the time, and I was in the top of my class. Tandie and I are so alike in so many ways. When you want something when you are older, you do it because you want to, not because you have to. I think we are all capable of things far greater than we think we are. Hopefully, Tandie’s scholarship fund will help someone every year who really needs it. Tandie knew about the scholarship and was really thrilled that people would know how hard she tried to finish.” While Kenser will not get to walk across the stage to receive her own diploma this fall, her mother believes she found a sense of peace in the months before she died and no longer held any regrets about pursuing a college degree. “Life is not fair,” Kenser said in 2018. “Fair is just a four-letter word at our house. I’m not a sad person, though I leak a little now and then. I never thought I was getting out of this alive, so I’m redirecting. I’ve been able to give things away and see people enjoy them. I have a lot of love from my family and support from my school, and I know that I’ve been very blessed. I don’t have one thing that I wanted to do that I haven’t done.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock receives $62,000 donation to create scholarship for real estate majors

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 16:06:55 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $62,000 donation from the Arkansas Real Estate Foundation to create an endowed scholarship fund for real estate students. Board members of the Arkansas Real Estate Foundation and members of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission as well as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professors, staff, and real estate students cheered during the signing of the documents acknowledging the donation.�� “We are charged with educating the public and practitioners about real estate, and we felt there was no better way to do that than to support an institution that is changing the future of our market,” said Stuart Mackey, president of the Arkansas Real Estate Foundation. “We are just excited to invest in the education of students in Arkansas.” The Arkansas Real Estate Foundation Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually to a junior or senior real estate student who is an Arkansas resident and has a GPA of 2.75 or higher. The scholarship can be used for tuition, books, fees, or room and board. “The Arkansas Real Estate Foundation’s investment in the lives of our students and our College of Business will impact central Arkansas’s real estate industry for generations to come,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “As one of just three endowed scholarships supporting our real estate program, this gift will continue to grow in perpetuity, allowing us to support multiple students each year with the critical funds needed to continue their education. We are grateful for both The Arkansas Real Estate Foundation’s support of our students and their trust in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.”�� Vlog��ý Little Rock’s College of Business began its real estate program in the 1970s, but the college began revising the program in 2016 with advice from the local real estate community.�� “There is not a single person who hasn’t been affected by real estate at some point in their life, so this program really has something for everybody, said Dr. Mark Funk, chair of the Department of Economics and Finance. “The real estate market is changing constantly, and we felt there was an opportunity to better serve the real estate industry in central Arkansas. Our students were seeking more opportunities in the real estate community to prepare for their careers.”�� Elizabeth Small, former president and CEO of PDC Companies and PDC Construction, was hired as an instructor for the real estate program.�� “Real estate is my passion,” Small said. “I was in the real estate business for 32 years and decided it was time to make a change and do what I wanted to do since I was 4 years old, which was to teach. When I started two years ago, the list of real estate majors was short, but it has grown incredibly.”�� Since joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Small said the real estate program has placed an emphasis on building partnerships with the real estate community to provide opportunities for students to participate in real-world experiences before they graduate.

��Vlog��ý Little College of Business students, faculty, and staff participate in a scholarship signing ceremony with members of the Arkansas Real Estate Foundation Board to establish a scholarship benefiting real estate students in the Department of Economics and Finance. Photo by Ben Krain.

Members of the Arkansas Real Estate Foundation and other members of the local real estate community serve on a 13-member advisory board, as guest speakers in classes, and mentors to students as well as consult on curriculum development and provide internships opportunities.�� “We really appreciate the efforts of the Arkansas Real Estate Foundation,” Small said. “Stuart Mackey has been a great proponent for these scholarships, and the students are already asking how to apply. This is a signature day for the College of Business real estate program.”�� The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock real estate program prepares students for careers in real estate investment and management, real estate law, real estate title and research, property management, appraising, and bank lending.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock business students volunteer to feed the homeless

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 13:14:33 +0000

Members of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Phi Beta Lambda club had the opportunity to give back to the community by helping to feed the homeless at the Little Rock Compassion Center, an inner-city mission.�� Phi Beta Lambda members Chiquita Allen, Makayla Corbitt, Jessalyn Jackson, Shibani Lal, Pynshailang Nongsiej, and Hitaxi Patel volunteered at a dinner that fed more than 200 homeless people living in Little Rock Sept. 29.�� “The main goal was to feed the homeless individuals and bring a smile on their faces,” said Lal, a senior and vice president of Phi Beta Lambda. “This event and partnerships with different organizations helped the College of Business students get connected to different alliances in the heart of Little Rock and be able to support such a great cause.”�� The volunteers helped with everything from grocery shopping, cooking more than 10 dishes, and serving dinner to community members.�� “Their dedication through this opportunity ensured their hard work brought massive success,” said Pynshailang Nongsiej, president of Phi Beta Lambda. “The goal was to strive to do better, not only for ourselves, but to better the people and communities around us.”�� Phi Beta Lambda members worked with William and Rosemary Holloway, co-founders of the Little Rock Compassion Center, Nestor Martinez from Phi lota Alpha fraternity, and Faysal Ahmed, a member of Little Rock’s Bengali community.�� “We like doing this because it helps us come together and do something for the people who need it,” Ahmed said.�� Phi Beta Lambda is a business leadership organization which prepares college students to become future business leaders of America by providing numerous leadership and networking opportunities. The organization prepares students to become career ready after college and stay connected with the community.

Three ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students place first in national business legal writing competition

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 14:07:32 +0000

Three University of Arkansas at Little Rock students have been honored for their research highlighting what they call “unjust laws” that target vulnerable populations.�� The students earned first place for their legal writing skills from the Academy of Legal Studies and Business Conference in Montreal, Canada, in August. Their scores were based on a written law review article and oral presentation.�� Madeline Burke, senior international studies major, received the top student paper award in the individual category for her investigation of the use of an outdated maritime law used to limit shipowner’s liability in maritime accidents, while Ashley Murguia, senior international business major, and Alondra Cruz, sophomore marketing major, earned the top award in the group category for their paper investigating how the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) can be used to protect vulnerable immigrant populations. Dr. Casey Rockwell, assistant professor of marketing and advertising, served as the students’ advisor. “The University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the College of Business pride themselves on providing outstanding experiential learning opportunities to our students,” Rockwell said. “Through the support of the Donaghey Scholars program, the Signature Experience grants, and the High Impact Grants through the College of Business, students are able to present their research at the national and international levels to create a reputation of top notch scholars at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. We could not be more proud of their efforts.”�� Burke’s winning paper, “Duck and Cover: The Gross Attempts of Limiting Liability in the Titanic, Deep Water Horizon, and Table Rock Lake Accidents with the 1851 Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act,” highlights the antiquated 1851 maritime law that has come under scrutiny to limit damages sought by victims of maritime accidents.�� Ripley Entertainment Inc. and Branson Duck Vehicles cited the obscure law in the multiple lawsuits they faced after the July 17, 2018, Duck Boat tourist accident that resulted in the death of 17 people in Missouri.�� “The law basically says that the owners of a vessel can limit their liability to the value of the boat and pending freight after the crash if they had no privity or knowledge of what directly caused the accident,” Burke said. “Because the boat sank to the bottom and there was no pending freight, the company could have theoretically owed the families of the victims nothing if the court had allowed them to use the law. Since then, they have supposedly settled most of the lawsuits against them. However, it is an example of how corporations attempt to use outdated laws as a logistical and strategic maneuver in court.”�� Burke’s paper focuses on how the 1851 Shipowner Liability Act has been used by maritime corporations to limit their liability in tragic accidents. Some of the most famous incidents include the 1912 sinking of the Titanic and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.�� “In the 1800s, maritime commerce was inherently risky,” Burke said. “The passage of the law was to promote the American maritime industry. From my research, it seems that the right of a vessel owner to limit their liability is universally recognized by many maritime nations. The importance of the Titanic is it made the law applicable to foreign vessel owners. They attempted to limit the liability to around $90,000, the value of the remaining lifeboats, but they settled out of court for significantly more. It also raises the question of why the Shipowner Liability Act should apply to foreign vessel owners if its original purpose was to protect and encourage the American maritime industry.”�� Burke hopes her paper will draw attention to the harm this law can cause for the victims of maritime accidents and their families and that the U.S. government will adopt a change to the law.�� In 1976, the International Maritime Organization adopted a treaty called the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims. This treaty increases the amount of funds that victims can be awarded for personal injury and loss of life claims. The U.S. has not ratified this treaty, but Burke hopes it will be ratified in time to bring the maritime law up to date.�� “I want to highlight the gross inequity that this act can have on victims and to possibly encourage the U.S. to ratify the 1976 convention to better align itself with other maritime nations,” Burke said.�� Deidre Smith, director of the Arkansas Waterways Commission, wrote a letter of commendation for Burke and Rockwell.�� “Dr. Casey Rockwell has immense dedication to student research and developing scholars,” Smith wrote. “I know she must be extremely proud of working with Ms. Burke and seeing her excel and gaining recognition. Ms. Burke is an extremely bright and impressive young woman that I am honored to acknowledge for her vision for a better future concerning the maritime industry. It gives me great hope for the outlook of our nation if she is an example of the country’s future leadership.”�� Meanwhile, Cruz and Murguia won the group competition for their paper, “Using RICO as a Tool for the Defense of Immigrants: Ensuring Lawyer Ethics through Civil RICO.” The paper introduces a new application of civil RICO, in which the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) can be used to prosecute attorneys in enterprises that prey on vulnerable immigrant populations seeking legal and professional assistance.�� “As Latina women, both my partner and I have very close ties to this immigrant population, and we have both witnessed or know of someone that was affected by visa fraud or malpractice committed by attorneys,” Cruz said. “There are not that many avenues of aid or protection for immigrant populations, and we hope that through our paper, we can bring to light the realities of being an immigrant in the United States and open new means of protection to victims that fit the application of RICO we proposed.” Murguia said the research has given her an opportunity to be an advocate for immigrants seeking justice.�� “This is a population who have built their whole lives within the U.S. and want to do right, but attorneys prey on that vulnerability,” Murgia said. “Having the opportunity to shed light on the problem makes me very happy because it brings awareness to this hidden problem and also enforces the fair justice system that we believe we have. My partner and I are aware that we’ve scratched only the top of the problem, but we’re determined to be the voice of those who have been silenced.”

Business student selected for Forbes Under 30 Scholar Program

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 13:00:17 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock business student has been selected for the Forbes Under 30 Scholar Summit.�� Shibani Lal, who will graduate in May 2020, is looking forward to the conference to gain advice and investors for her future startup business.�� “I want to start my own marketing business where I can help businesses grow professionally and target more platforms through social media and digital marketing,” Lal said. “Marketing is the foundation of business.”�� Characterized by Forbes as the “world’s greatest event for young leaders, founders, investors, and creators,” the Forbes Under 30 Summit will take place Oct. 27-30 in Detroit. Forbes partners with schools and organizations across the U.S. to provide an opportunity for underrepresented college students to attend the summit.�� Winners of the Forbes Under 30 Scholar program get free access to the summit and the chance to participate in networking opportunities. Students can also meet investors, entrepreneurs, celebrities, musicians, fashion designers, sports stars, cultural icons, world-renowned chefs, educators, political leaders, and business icons. The summit also features a music festival, investor speed-pitching, industry-focused field trips, a pub crawl, a food festival, and a community service day.�� Lal got a start in marketing at her family restaurant in Little Rock, Star of India, where she leads the marketing, communications, and advertising efforts.�� “I started off in management, but I liked the marketing aspect better,” Lal said. “I have started my portfolio by promoting restaurants on social media, and that has inspired me to stay in marketing. Now, I mentor people on the marketing team,” Lal said.�� At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Lal put her social media and marketing skills to work by creating online recruitment strategies for Phi Beta Lambda, the college division of Future Business Leaders of America. Lal and fellow student, Bhavya Patel, finished in the Top 10 in a national social media challenge for Phi Beta Lambda in 2018. During the 2017-18 academic year, membership in Phi Beta Lambda at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock increased by more than 150 percent, the highest increase in the state of Arkansas.�� During the Phi Beta Lambda conference, a recruiter from a contractor company approached Lal with the opportunity to complete an internship as a brand ambassador for Amazon on ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s campus. The internship came with a paid trip to visit Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle, where Lal learned important skills.�� “Everyone who was offered an internship with Amazon was invited to Seattle to learn more about digital marketing, how to target more audiences, and promote through social media handles and word of mouth,” she said. “I learned how to do marketing very efficiently, and I was able to increase the revenue in my family’s business very quickly.”�� Lal learned about the Forbes Under 30 Scholar program while serving as an Amazon Prime student ambassador during the 2018-19 academic year. She knew the conference would be a perfect fit for her.�� “I will be able to meet investors and business professionals from across the globe so I can share my ideas and get feedback on how I can start my own business as an entrepreneur,” Lal said. “They have speed dating with investors, resume builders, and pitch competitions, all so I can gain a better understanding of how to be a successful entrepreneur.”�� Lal is grateful for professors, classes, and extracurricular activities in Little Rock that have played an important role in her professional development.�� “I have applied what I have learned from classes to real-world experiences,” she said. “I have participated in competitions and conferences that have given me a better understanding of how to open up my own business.”

College of Business to honor Jay Heflin, Rajesh Chokhani as Distinguished Alumni

Janea Snyder — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 18:12:41 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business will honor two Little Rock businessmen at its Distinguished Alumni Luncheon on Oct. 23. Jay Heflin with Legacy Termite and Pest Control has been named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, and Welspun Chief Operating Officer Rajesh Chokhani will receive the Dean’s Award for Excellence. The award luncheon, sponsored by Legacy Termite and Pest Control, will be held at the Little Rock Marriott, 3 Statehouse Plaza. Registration opens at 10:45 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. The Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor granted by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business, is given to a graduate who has made a significant impact in business or a nonprofit organization and has served the Little Rock community and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Heflin is vice president of administration for , a company he and his brother, Marc Heflin, and friend, Chris Maloch, founded in 2009. The Heflin brothers are third-generation pest control business owners who have followed in the footsteps of their grandfather, John Heflin Sr., and father, Johnny Heflin Jr. The company, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has five offices throughout central Arkansas and employs 30 people. Heflin earned a bachelor’s degree in general business from Ouachita Baptist University and an MBA from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 1994.�� “It helped tremendously,” Heflin said of his graduate work. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is big, but there was a tight-knit community of professionals within the College of Business.” Heflin is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XII. He is a member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Business Advisory Council, PARK Foundation, Arkansas Pest Management Association Board, chair of Easterseals Arkansas board, chair of the Arkansas Junior Competitive Tennis Council board, and a member of Second Baptist Church. ��“Jay Heflin has been a member of the College of Business Advisory Council since 2012 and has been a true advocate for the college and university,” said Jane Wayland, dean of the College of Business. “As an entrepreneur, Jay understands business risk and has been very successful. We are pleased to honor Jay and celebrate his many successes.” Dean’s Award for Excellence Rajesh Chokhani, chief operating officer of (USA), is this year’s recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence. The award is granted to a graduate of the past 10 years who has shown promise as a leader in business or nonprofit work and who is actively involved in serving Little Rock and the university. Chokhani has worked 25 years for Welspun, an India-based global company that employs more than 27,000 people at its pipe manufacturing, steel, and textile plants around the world. The company has produced enough pipe to stretch 8656 miles, the distance between Houston and Dubai. The company also holds records for manufacturing the heaviest pipe, the highest altitude pipe, and the longest pipeline in the world. Welspun’s textile division has plants in India and offices in New York and Manchester, U.K. The textile division manufactures soft furnishings like towels, bedsheets, linens, and rugs and currently holds exclusive contracts to provide towels for Buckingham Palace, Wimbledon, the Australia Open and World Championship Rugby. Chokhani first came to the U.S. in 2007 in search of a site to expand Welpun’s pipe manufacturing. He chose Little Rock for the plant, investing more than $300 million into the site which employs 1,100 people. Chokhani had planned to attend graduate school in India but discovered ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s MBA program. At the time, he was working about 80 hours a week during the two-year construction phase of Welspun’s Little Rock plant, but as soon as the project was complete, he enrolled in the graduate program. He was still traveling significantly for business and still carved out time to attend classes and study. “It was like a dream come true,” he said. “It was very interesting, and it was very intense.”�� Since then, Chokhani has stayed active in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community. He is involved with the College of Engineering and Information Technology since engineering is the base for manufacturing. “I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to meet with students,” he said. “Students seem so much more prepared now. They seem to know what they want, and they seem more involved with the community at large. I think the College of Business does a good job of getting students to serve beyond school.” Chokhani serves on boards for the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, Museum of Discovery, ��Vlog��ý-Pulaski Technical College, India Fest, and Harmony Clinic, which provides free healthcare to underserved families. “Rajesh Chokhani typifies a successful MBA,” Wayland said. “He understands the success of a business depends on the economic development in the region and, therefore, is a strong advocate for Little Rock. He is active in the community and is the perfect role model for our students.” Tickets to the College of Business Distinguished Alumni Luncheon are $125 each and are available at . For more information, contact Dr. Wayland at 501-569-3356 or jpwayland@ualr.edu. Photo above right: Jay Heflin (left), owner of , and Welspun Chief Operating Officer Rajesh Chokhani (right) will be honored at the College of Business Distinguished Alumni Luncheon on Oct. 23, 2019.

College of Business to host Carnival of Clubs Sept. 12, introduces Trojan Spirit Days

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 15:16:41 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock students and clubs are invited to represent their organization and recruit new members at the College of Business’s annual Carnival of Clubs event on Thursday, Sept. 12.�� Hosted by the, this year’s event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development and have the theme “South of the Border.” Carnival of Clubs attractions will include carnival games, contests, free popcorn, and a concert by Dazz and Brie, a female duo that combines rock and roll with soul music.�� For more information, contact the business dean’s office at 501-569-3356. Additionally, the College of Business will celebrate Trojan Spirit Days throughout the fall semester. Students are encouraged to show their campus pride by wearing their ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business t-shirts. Trojan Spirit Days will be held on Aug. 29, Sept. 12, Sept. 26, Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 13, and Nov. 14. Students may order a College of Business T-shirt for $12 at.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock professors chair national conference on global sales

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 13:16:33 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor has led an international conference on global sales that is raising the profile of the university’s professional sales program.�� Dr. Lenita Davis, director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Professional Sales Program, served as co-chair of the, which took place June 5-8 in Panama City, Panama. The conference brought together academics, students, and professionals involved in the research, teaching, and best practice of professional business to business sales and sales management around the globe.�� “This was the largest conference the organization has ever had and the first conference ever held in Latin America,” Davis said. “Panama connects both sides of the globe, and it is the hub of business and marketing and sales in Latin America. There were wonderful opportunities to connect with the culture and business community in Latin America at this conference.” The conference, which Davis co-chaired with Dr. Pia Hautamaki of Tampere University of Applied Sciences in Finland, gave educators an opportunity to collaborate with universities from across the world.�� “I got a lot of great ideas from people from all over the world that I can bring into the classroom that will help our ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students,” she said. “I partnered with a university in Finland to chair this conference and got amazing ideas on how they run their sales program. Another school in Ohio, for example, sends students abroad to become mentors to other sales students. Making those connections and learning about these opportunities helps students so much with their education and helping them to become mature business professionals. Some of the conference speakers have decided to stop in Little Rock in the upcoming year to meet our students.” This year’s conference theme, “Sales Ecosystems – Defining and Exploring how Various Levels of Connection and Interaction Affect the Selling Process,” was well received by conference goers and sparked an invitation to edit a special edition of a business and marketing journal.�� “Sales ecosystems have major implications for global sales,” Davis said. “When you connect with someone today, you aren’t just connecting with a single person. You are connecting with their whole network. Technology has disrupted and changed almost every aspect of the interactions and connections that occur in the sales process. The theory and research concerning ecosystems, the interactions and connections that occur between networks, is necessary given the trends and relevant issues that exist in global sales and logistics.”

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock announces 2019-20 Signature Experience Awards

Graduate Student Spotlight on Malik Williams

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to honor student who died of cancer with posthumous degree

����Vlog��ý Little Rock receives $62,000 donation to create scholarship for real estate majors

����Vlog��ý Little Rock business students volunteer to feed the homeless

Three ����Vlog��ý Little Rock students place first in national business legal writing competition