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

Vandiver named general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 19:53:55 +0000

Nathan Vandiver has been named general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio, home of K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5.�� “I’m excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Vandiver said. “Public radio is an essential media service for our community, and I am honored to be able to lead this organization. I look forward to continuing the work of our staff and the Friends of K��Vlog��ýR/KLRE board has done these past three years to grow our service and find new ways to engage with our community.” Vandiver, who also works as the program director, has served as the interim general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio since 2016. He is responsible for developing and maintaining program policy, supervising programming staff, selecting on-air programming, and overseeing the quality of on-air sound. “During this time, he has led the radio station in a strong and positive direction, and I very much appreciate his continued leadership,” said Dr. Julien Mirivel, interim dean of the College of Social Sciences and Communication. “I will look forward to seeing our public radio continue to thrive under his guidance in the many years to come.” During his time as interim general manager, Vandiver has overseen upgrades to KLRE’s and K��Vlog��ýR’s control rooms with new broadcast consoles and audio control systems, expanded development efforts with an increased focus on major and planned gifts, and two years of significant growth in revenue from underwriting and individual giving. Vandiver received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2011. He started his career at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio as an intern in the spring 2009 semester. After a successful internship, he was hired as a part-time reporter and anchor. Vandiver was promoted to program director in 2013. Vandiver lives in Little Rock with his wife, Julie, and sons, Henry and Charlie.�� “I began my journey in radio as a listener,” Vandiver said. “I found public radio at a time in my life when I was seeking a broader perspective on how the world around me worked. My experience at K��Vlog��ýR began with an internship. As a university licensee at the state’s only metropolitan university, I look forward to providing similar opportunities for students to learn broadcasting and journalism through internships at a professional media setting.” Last year, Vandiver was honored with the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network 20 over 20 Award. The award celebrates the accomplishments of nonprofit professionals over the age of 20 and establishes them as emerging or current leaders in the nonprofit sector. Vandiver said the key to success for a nonprofit organization is focusing on the people the nonprofit serves and carrying out the organization’s mission. “As a public radio station, we keep our listeners first and foremost in our minds when we make decisions,” he said. “To connect to other nonprofits, keeping those we serve in the forefront of our minds is the key to success and not losing sight of our mission. While public media stations like KLRE and K��Vlog��ýR are essential public services, we must continue to work to build them up, tell their stories and expand their services.”

��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 Infinity Wallace

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:33:08 +0000

Infinity Wallace is a first-generation student who will graduate on Dec. 14 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She graduated this past May with a bachelor’s degree in social work, and is currently enrolled in the Master of Social Work program.�� Tell us a little bit about yourself. I’m originally from Little Rock and graduated from Hall High School. I have lived in places such as Memphis, Nashville, and New Orleans. I have three sisters on my mom’s side and three brothers on my dad’s side. Why did you choose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? It’s complicated. My mom had a drug problem and experienced domestic violence with my dad. I wanted to stay close to home to be near my sisters while my mother and father were in prison. They have since been released. My sisters are now 21, 26, and 30. While my parents were incarcerated, we had to take care of ourselves. Why did you choose your major? While growing up, I had a hard time in school and at home and couldn’t make academics a priority. The struggle was even harder for my peers. At least I had my sisters as resources because there wasn’t a lot of help in school. It’s hard to focus on school when you have so many problems with drugs and poverty in the community.�� I wanted to make a change in the world, so I talked to someone in the psychology department from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and they suggested social work. I took criminal justice electives and learned that people of color are overrepresented in prisons and jails. What were your favorite courses? I loved the policy course taught by Dr. Michael Pelts. I learned about policy and how we are all affected by it. Being a first-generation student, I didn’t know about politics and the broader system. This course taught me about policy and how we can affect change. In my juvenile mentor class with Dr. Tusty ten Bensel and Mrs. Raptopoulos, I learned about at-risk youth and the juvenile justice system. In addition to being a mentor, we also got to go to the courthouse and meet with judges. What activities and work are you involved in? I write spoken word poetry and performed at events such as the Arkansas Literary Festival. I’m a juvenile mentor in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Criminal Justice program, a graduate assistant and intern in the School of Social Work, an ILEAD Life Skills Coach at Children International, and a relief hotline advocate at Women and Children First Domestic Violence Shelter. How would your friends describe you? Dependable, strong, determined, and caring. I always hear I have a good heart. I get this from my mom. Who were some of your mentors? My sisters and several teachers from high school and college. Ms. Diggs at Hall High School and Ms. McAdoo from Central High helped me with my poetry. Dr. Pelts and Dr. Burse at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock went the extra mile to help out. Their doors were always open. What is your favorite memory of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? When I graduated in May, it was the best memory in my life. I am the first person in my family to get not one but two degrees! I wasn’t going to walk in December since I had already done it in May, but now I’ve changed my mind. My family and friends will all be there. What do you plan to do after graduation? I want to stay home, help our community, and maybe work in a juvenile detention center. Some day, I want to run for president! The policy course I took here has inspired me to do so much. My passion was already there, but the policy course cemented it. What would help our community? People deserve the resources if they don’t have them. If you haven’t experienced this, you don’t know how severe the pain is. I know from first-hand experience what it is like not to have shelter, food, and clothes. I’ve stayed in every shelter in Little Rock. I want to help all people, such as people of color who are oppressed and over-represented in the criminal justice system. Most people are oblivious and feel they don’t need to act on anything. We need to provide shelter, quality education, employment, and more resources and opportunities to underserved communities.�� What makes you different? My ability to use my past experiences as a way to make life better. Some of us don’t make it out. God wanted me to make a difference. Infinity is a great name. Why were you named that? My mom was being creative and said it was a Christian’s destiny to go to heaven for infinity. My sisters’ names are Heaven, Destiny, and Kristian. This story was compiled by Toni-Boyer Stewart.

Graduate Student Spotlight on Shakayla Zoss

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 13:42:17 +0000

Meet Shakayla Zoss, president of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and a communications intern for the Arkansas Fly Fishers. Zoss is set to graduate with a degree in mass communications with a concentration in strategic communications and a minor in marketing. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate the graduation of Zoss and hundreds of other students during the 9:30 a.m. commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 14, at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Jack Stephens Center. Tell us a little about yourself? I’m originally from Fouke, Arkansas, and I graduated from Genoa Central High School. I will be graduating this fall with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication with an emphasis in strategic communication and a minor in marketing. Currently, I’m interning at BSR and the Arkansas Fly Fishers. I’ve also been a work-study student at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International since I started here in August 2016. Why did you choose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? The location of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is what really made me want to attend. I love living in the city, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock allowed me to be in the city without being too far away from home. Why did you choose your major? I chose my major because I’ve always loved writing and designing, and PR (public relations) allows me to be a storyteller by using both of those things. How would your friends describe you? My friends would probably describe me as a go-getter. They have been some of my best cheerleaders while I’ve been in school. What were your favorite subjects? Some of my favorite subjects have been the journalism, public relations, and applied communications classes that I have taken. What activities were you involved in on campus? Some activities that I’ve been in were the Public Relations Society of America, Kappa Tau Alpha, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and I’ve written a couple of articles for The Forum. Who were some of your mentors? My mentors have been Professor Barnes; Suzette Anderson, the business manager at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International; and Stephanie Jones, the volunteer coordinator at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International. What is your favorite memory of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I think some of my favorite memories at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock have been in PRSSA. It’s been really fun connecting with new students, networking, and planning events. Can you elaborate on what it is that you do as president of PRSSA? PRSSA at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is a professional development group open to all students in any major. We have workshops that help students work on different skills related to public relations, internships, and ambassadorships opportunities, networking events, scholarships, and a job board for when you graduate. As the president, I worked with the vice president to help recruit new students, our semesterly fundraiser, and plan events and meetings. What do you plan to do after graduation? My biggest plan is to find a full-time job within my field and start working towards getting my accreditation in public relations in the next five to six years. How did you ��Vlog��ý Little Rock help you succeed? The professors at the School of Mass Communication are all so amazing. They are really sincere and want you to do well. I also loved that they had experience working in the fields that they were teaching, and the stories and advice that they would share. What advice would you give to a new student? Do as many internships as you can through school. This story was compiled by Alex Brown. Graduation photo of Shakayla Zoss by Hayden Valentine of Unparalleled Images.

Tre’ Day 8th Annual Tennis Tournament raises $7,500 for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock scholarship

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 12:56:08 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received more than $7,500 for student scholarships in mass communication after a successful tennis tournament Power 92 organized by radio deejay and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus Travis Rowan.�� “The tournament went great,” Tre’ Day said. “We had fantastic weather and 125 players and a stupendous silent auction. I want to thank Dairy Queen and Whole Hog Café for donating food for all the players and volunteers. I just want to thank everyone for giving back. People always thank me, but it’s really about the people who participate and the businesses who support us who make the difference.” Dr. Julien Mirivel, interim dean of the College of Social Sciences and Communication, said the tennis tournament is a key example of how alumni can combine their passions with the spirit of giving to help the university. “Every year, tennis players across the state come to compete to raise funds to benefit mass communication students in the College of Social Sciences and Communication,” Mirivel said. “This scholarship project supports high school students who want to pursue a degree in journalism or radio, television, and film. Not only are we able to provide financial support to our students, but we can use this wonderful scholarship to recruit high school students across the state. We are so grateful for Tre’ Day’s leadership and for his continued support of our students.” Education has always been important to Tre’ Day, who graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication in 2000 and a 4.0 GPA. Once supported by a scholarship from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Tre’ Day has continuously and generously invested in education through his longtime scholarship program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. In 2018, he celebrated his milestone 40th birthday with a $10,000 donation to the scholarship fund. “If I hadn’t gotten that scholarship, I would have gone into the military and who knows where I would have ended up,” Rowan said. “Somebody before me raised money for a scholarship for me, and now I want to pass on the gift of education.” The 8th annual Tre’ Day Charity Classic was held over Labor Day weekend. This year’s tournament featured 125 players in the double-elimination tournament. Tre’ Day’s wife Malika also had a big day as the winner of two of the tournament’s divisions. “It was an amazing day,” Malika Rowan said. “I’ve played in the tournament the past three years, and it was my first time to take home one of the coveted bobble head trophies. It’s always fun to play with people you know and want to beat, but I always say to have fun first. It’s for a good cause after all.” Tre’ Day began his radio career in 1996 right out of high school. The name of his popular radio personality was given to him by his basketball teammates after hitting 11 three-pointers in a single game. While a full-time student at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Tre’ Day worked his way up from an internship to a full-time position at KIPR 92.3 FM, where he currently works as both the assistant program director and the host of the popular afternoon drive show, “Take it to the House.” Tre’ Day’s scholarship is open to students in the Department of Mass Communication pursuing a degree in film, radio, or television and who graduated from an Arkansas high school. Freshman applicants will have preference, but upper-level students are eligible. What a difference that scholarship has made. Each of the 11 students who have received the have gone on to graduate from college, and Tre’ Day remains a mentor to many of them. “It’s been a joy to see how they grow in college and where they are today,” Tre’ Day said. “It makes your heart feel good.” Anyone who is interested in making a donation to the scholarship can click on this link and select the Treday.com Scholarship Project/Fund. In the upper right photo, Power 92 radio deejay and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus Travis “Tre’ Day” Rowan competes in his annual tennis charity tournament to raise money for mass communication scholarships at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.��

Former ��Vlog��ý Little Rock SGA president utilizes political expertise on presidential campaign trail

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 13:29:02 +0000

A former University of Arkansas at Little Rock Student Government Association president is putting his passion for politics to work as a political organizer trying to elect the next president of the United States.�� Brian Gregory, the 2017-18 SGA president and life member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association, is now working in Iowa for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Ever since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2018, Gregory has immersed himself in political campaigns. His first post-college stint was as campaign manager for Little Rock mayoral candidate Warwick Sabin, followed by a job as campaign field director for a mayoral campaign in Alabama. The chance to work on a presidential campaign was too good an opportunity for Gregory to pass up. “I had the chance to interview for the Warren campaign, and I jumped at the chance,” he said. “If I was good enough, I wanted to work for a presidential campaign. It was my dream. Now I’m working on this campaign, and I’ve moved to Iowa. It has been a bit of a whirlwind since graduation, but it’s a good time.” Stationed in Waterloo, Iowa, Gregory’s duties include managing campaign interns and employees, recruiting and organizing volunteers, canvassing, and getting people to the polls for the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses on Feb. 3, 2020. Gregory said that he has gained vast experience by working in Iowa, one of the most important political battleground states in the presidential election. “Iowa is the first state to have a primary, and it introduces the country to the major political candidates in the presidential campaign,” he said. “This is a chance for Iowa to be involved in the process, and it invigorates the states every four years when they have it. They always say that if you want to learn how to organize, Iowa is the place to go. It’s the toughest, but it’s the most rewarding place to be. Most candidates who do well in Iowa gain a lot of momentum going forward in their campaigns.”�� While talking with Iowa’s citizens, Gregory has found that the two issues voters seem to worry about the most are healthcare and jobs. “Healthcare debts and costs are rising by the minute, and a lot of people are going into debt because of that,” he said. “People just want to know that they can take care of their family members who are sick and will have a job to put food on the table. Those two issues are always Numero Uno in elections.” His time in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s SGA has been essential to building critical skills for his political career.

Brian Gregory campaigns for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign in Waterloo, Iowa.

“I’ve tried to determine what is the most important issues to the people. I’ve always tried to remember people who were patient with me and explained things to me in SGA, because there were times when I needed a kick in the butt as a leader,” Gregory said. “I tried to sit down with my senators and executive committee as often as possible, and I’ve tried to implement that in Iowa. I’m trying to build relationships with people, so I will really be able to work well with building a volunteer base and get people connected to different issues that are important to them. Otherwise, you won’t succeed if you don’t get people interested and involved in the issues.” While Gregory may consider running for office one day, he has a lot to accomplish before in the meantime.�� “I’d like to get a graduate degree in public policy and go to law school,” Gregory said. “I would love to work on a federal campaign or state-wide race. Maybe in the future, if I’m likable enough, I’ll run for office someday, but public advocacy is where my passion lies. I want to hear people’s stories and tell their stories in a way that moves people to take action.” Dr. Rebecca Glazier, associate professor in the School of Public Affairs and Gregory’s advisor on his Donaghey Scholars final project, said Gregory was a great student with a head for politics. “As a political science major, Brian was always interested in politics, but more than other students, he cared deeply about the implications of public policies,” Glazier said. “He wanted to better understand how the policies governments implement impact real people. I think he saw the potential for making a difference there and wanted to take it.”�� Gregory said he owes his success to many people at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Faith Thomas, his vice president in SGA; Drs. Jessica Scott and Simon Hawkins of the Donaghey Scholars Program; and political science professors Glazier, Christopher Williams, Joseph Giammo, and Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm.�� “I want to thank all of my professors, especially those in the political science program,” Gregory said. “They taught me to think of politics in different ways. I am also very thankful for all the opportunities the Donaghey Scholars and SGA gave me to get involved in projects around the city. Drs. Scott and Hawkins really motivated me not to sell myself short. I wouldn’t be in this position without them.” In the upper right photo, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alum Brian Gregory, right, is working on the presidential campaign of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, left, in Iowa.

Texas couple celebrates wedding anniversary with $25,000 gift to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Janea Snyder — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 16:06:35 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus Patrick Rhode and his wife Leslie decided to do something different for their 23rd wedding anniversary earlier this year. Instead of giving gifts to each other, they chose to give the gift of scholarships to students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s School of Mass Communication, one of four Arkansas universities from which Patrick and Leslie received degrees. The couple pledged $25,000 to endow a scholarship fund that will provide emergency assistance for students in the School of Mass Communication. Recipients of the Patrick and Leslie Rhode Endowed Scholarship can use the funds for tuition, books, fees, room and board, and any expense related to the student’s success. Selection preferences will be given to students who work full-time while obtaining their degree, and academic accomplishment will be considered. “This special anniversary gift from Patrick and Leslie is deeply meaningful to us,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “I thank them for choosing to believe in the potential of each of our students to thrive just as they have in their professions.” A native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Patrick Rhode currently serves as U.S. vice president of corporate affairs for the global infrastructure firm, Cintra. “We are all fortunate to live in a country where you don’t have to look far for inspiration,” Patrick Rhode said. “It lives everywhere around us and in the determined eyes of young people who balance work and school every day for a chance at an unknown story that awaits. Leslie and I have longtime ties to central Arkansas, and we appreciate what ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is doing to support students who are dreaming about their futures with their families in mind.” Leslie Rhode, a former television news anchor and reporter in Washington, D.C. and Austin, Texas, got her career start in Arkansas and is thrilled to now be giving something back to students exploring careers in communication in her home state. “Both Patrick and I grew up watching Arkansas television news reporters, and I always dreamed of becoming one of them,” she said. “Our careers have taken different twists to different cities, but the dreams we had as kids are universal in students everywhere trying to better themselves and their communities. We are proud to play a small role in fulfilling those dreams for students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.” Patrick Rhode earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Arkansas in 1991 and enrolled in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s bachelor of mass communication degree program in search of a new career path. He left in 1993 – just three credit hours short of completing the degree – to work as a television reporter for the CBS affiliate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He completed the degree in 2016 and was honored as the School of Mass Communication’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2018. The School of Mass Communication is part of the university’s College of Social Sciences and Communication, whose mission is to drive social change and to inspire human expression, reflection, and interconnection. “Both Patrick and Leslie Rhode exemplify our mission through their work and career, but also now through their recent gift to the School of Mass Communication,” said Julien Mirivel, interim dean of the . “For generations to come, students will benefit from their gift and be able to finish their degree in spite of the many challenges they face. We are grateful for their generosity and the support for our students.” Patrick Rhode’s career path has landed him numerous high-profile, senior executive roles in private industry and government, including special assistant to the president of the United States, NASA senior advisor, FEMA chief of staff, and associate administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration among other notable positions. Patrick and Leslie have two children and now live in Austin, Texas, although Arkansas will always be a home close to their hearts. They say they look forward to seeing their scholarship recipients chase their dreams just as they did after graduating from Arkansas universities. (Photo top right) Leslie and Patrick Rhode have created an endowed scholarship to assist students in the School of Mass Communication.��

To The Rescue: ��Vlog��ý Little Rock gamers create simulation about saving dogs at rescue shelters

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 13:57:56 +0000

Two University of Arkansas at Little Rock students are raising awareness of animal rescue shelters while creating a fun, interactive game that will melt your heart.�� is a dog shelter simulation game that allows players to understand the ins and out of running a dog rescue shelter. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate students and best friends Olivia Dunlap and Tanner Marshall have been working on the game as a pet project for the past 2 ½ years. Dunlap and Marshall are roommates and the proud pet parents of a dog jovially named Keanu Reeves. “We were walking to class one day, and Olivia pointed out that there are a lot of interesting emotional decisions to make if you create a game about running a dog shelter,” Marshall said. “You have limited resources, limited time, and you have to help as many animals as you can while making some hard decisions.” In the game, a player is the sole volunteer who is responsible for running the shelter, taking care of the dogs, and making sure they are adopted into their forever homes.�� “The goal is to keep the shelter open for as long as possible and to get as many dogs adopted as possible,” Dunlap said. “You rely on donations to keep the shelter open. Some dogs have certain health or behavioral issues that make it more expensive to take care of them. People come in looking for specific things that will affect how likely they are to adopt.” The player also has to make tough decisions that Marshall and Dunlap admit can be heart-wrenching. “One of the game’s unexpected challenges is disease outbreaks,” Marshall said. “Your shelter can be running along fine and suddenly you get a heartworm outbreak that is very expensive to treat. You suddenly have to make a decision about if you have enough money to treat all the dogs, or if you might have to euthanize the dogs if you don’t have enough money to keep the shelter open while treating all the dogs. That’s a good example of the kind of emotional decisions you have to make. It’s sad and it’s part of why we wanted to make the game. Someone out there has to make these decisions and help as many animals as they can. It’s good for a potential pet adopter to think about these things.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate students Tanner Marshall (left) and Olivia Dunlap (right) are developing a dog rescue video game, “To The Rescue.” Photo by Ben Krain.

Although there is a child-friendly mode for younger players, the game makers feel it’s important to raise awareness about the issues faced at rescue shelters. “It’s a fun game, but we didn’t want to shy away from some of the issues that people might be unaware of,” Dunlap said. “We want to raise awareness for animal shelters. That’s why we will donate 20 percent of the profits to animal shelters.” The game was created with Joseph Williams, associate professor in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing, who worked on sound design, and Byron Buslig, a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus who served as the game’s artist.�� “Part of our journey was seeking out like-minded people, and Joseph Williams was the most influential person in that regard,” Marshall said. “We have done several independent studies with him. That is how we met Byron, working on a small independent game prototype. That is how we were able to get a game-oriented education. Having access to the CRUX lab in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing has been invaluable. We are happy that it is here on campus since the workspace really helps us to develop our games.” The game creators will launch a Kickstarter campaign for “To The Rescue” on Aug. 6, where they hope to raise enough money to complete the game and manufacture the first orders. “To The Rescue” is expected to be available on PC and Mac OS computers in early 2020. The game is available to add to your .

Doctoral student lands criminal justice faculty position in California

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

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

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

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

Surprise family visit makes commencement even more special for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock grad

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 16 May 2019 17:53:28 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate got the surprise of a lifetime when her family from California flew all night to surprise her on graduation day.�� Vivian Littrell’s May 11 graduation from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice was already a special event, since the 71-year-old grandmother of four and mother of two was finishing her lifelong goal of earning a college degree. “I decided that I wanted to complete my bachelor’s degree before my youngest grandchildren were out of high school,” said Littrell, a first-generation college student from Little Rock. “I’ve been out of college since 1984, when I last attended Philander Smith College. I wanted to major in adult education with a minor in psychology. That was my objective back then, but now many years later, I have a different agenda.” Littrell has always been passionate about helping others and dreamed of being an attorney. She now hopes to use her degree to help minorities navigate the criminal justice system. “I want to volunteer with a nonprofit to help people navigate the criminal justice system who have no idea what is going on,” she said. “So many people are caught up in the criminal justice system that don’t know anything at all about the procedures, and I want to use my knowledge to help them.” As a divorced single mother, Littrell left college 35 years ago to concentrate on providing for her children. She spent her career working in employment training and counseling and as a recruiter for adult education, so Littrell never forgot the importance of a good education and career. Her family has been immensely supportive and gave her a nudge to return to college. “It was my daughter Tyrneese who suggested that I return to college after I had bilateral knee surgery in 2011,” she said. “She told me to find something to do, and a good thing to do would be to return to school and complete my bachelor’s degree.” When Littrell enrolled at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2013, she took classes on the Little Rock campus but eventually opted to go online because it was more convenient for her as she cares for her 93-year-old mother. She’s grateful to the many professors and staff members who have helped make her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock a success. “When I first came, I was nervous. I’m thankful to Ms. Susan Boling, who helped me a lot. She taught me academic literacy,” Littrell said. “I’m also grateful to criminal justice professors Dr. James Hurst and Dr. Timothy Brown and Ms. Karen Wisdom. Most of my instructors were sensitive to the needs of a nontraditional student and worked with me in getting a clear understanding of what was expected of me. Many of my classmates were kind enough to help me with notetaking in class. I also have to give kudos to the entire staff in Student Support Services and the Disability Resource Center.” Littrell is also especially grateful to Dr. Andrew Deiser, interim chair of the Department of World Languages, who helped her pass her foreign language requirement. “I didn’t know anything about a foreign language, and Dr. Deiser tutored me one-on-one himself,” Littrell said. “There are also two young ladies in that division, Bryana Herrera and Autumn Payne, who tutored me as well. Dr. Deiser has helped me more than any other professor at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. He did everything he could to help me pass my Spanish course. Without him, I wouldn’t have graduated. I also wouldn’t have graduated without the help of my department chair, Dr. Mary Parker, or Reed Claiborne from the Disability Resource Center. ” Since Mother’s Day was the day after graduation, Littrell’s son Corey planned a brunch on Saturday where family members from Bryant, Dumas, Hot Springs, and Little Rock were planning to visit. Littrell, an inquisitive woman who loves a good mystery, had suspicions that her son was keeping a secret.

Graduate Vivian Littrell, right, reacts reacts in shock after her niece Chauntee Coleman, off camera at left, makes a surprise visit to Littrell’s graduation ceremony at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on May 11. Photo by Ben Krain.

“My son told me I better clean my room before ‘they come,’ and then he trailed off,” she said. “I don’t know who ‘they’ are, and I wonder if someone is coming that I don’t know about.” On the other side of the country, Littrell’s niece, Chauntee Coleman, graduated from the University of Southern California with a Ph.D. in social work on May 10, one day before Littrell’s graduation. Littrell was disappointed that she wouldn’t get to see her niece graduate, but didn’t know her family had a big surprise in store. “My aunt has been the rock of the family and has made many sacrifices for her children, nieces, and nephews along the way,” Coleman said. “My entire family and I flew overnight after my graduation to attend my aunt’s graduation and support the final stop of her educational journey. She was quite disappointed that she would not be able to see me graduate due to the proximity of dates.” At the special brunch where Littrell did not suspect she would receive a surprise visitor, the appearance of her baby sister from California was the first of many surprises. “During the prayer, while we were holding hands, I felt a sudden jerk then opened my eyes. I saw my baby sister standing next to me! They say I jumped out of my shoes!” Littrell said. “At the graduation, Ben Krain (university photographer) came up to me and told me he had another surprise for me. A woman walked out covered in graduation regalia. I couldn’t figure out who it was. When I realized it was my niece, I lost it. I couldn’t believe she was there. It was just so special. And to learn that my niece’s husband and children had come too, it was more than I could take!” Littrell’s special day was made even more perfect since her niece was allowed to attend the ceremony and be by her side as she received her degree. “For the school to take the time to help with this and to let my niece walk and sit with me while I received my degree, it was just overwhelmingly special,” she said. “I will cherish this special moment forever, and I will forever be grateful to God and everyone for making my day so special.” In the upper right photo, Vivian Littrell, right, reacts with tears of joy after her niece Chauntee Coleman, left, makes a surprise visit to Littrell’s graduation ceremony at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Photo by Ben Krain.��

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

Vandiver named general manager of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio

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

Graduate Student Spotlight on Infinity Wallace

Graduate Student Spotlight on Shakayla Zoss

Tre’ Day 8th Annual Tennis Tournament raises $7,500 for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock scholarship

Former ����Vlog��ý Little Rock SGA president utilizes political expertise on presidential campaign trail

Texas couple celebrates wedding anniversary with $25,000 gift to ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

To The Rescue: ����Vlog��ý Little Rock gamers create simulation about saving dogs at rescue shelters