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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk April 2

John Hill — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 14:43:43 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is fighting the epidemic of suicide by holding a suicide prevention walk on Saturday, April 2. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Counseling Services is partnering with the Arkansas chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to hold the fourth annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for Suicide Prevention beginning at the Donaghey Student Center mall area. “Having the walk on campus will encourage people to have conversations about the serious issue of suicide,” said Dr. Mike Kirk, director of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Counseling Services. “We also want to promote seeking help from a mental health professional as a positive behavior that healthy individuals participate in when appropriate.” Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with vendors, food, and music. The opening ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. followed by a one-mile walk around campus to promote suicide prevention. The event is open to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the public. There is no cost to participate. Any participant who raises $100 will receive a T-shirt. Those who cannot attend the walk in person can also join as virtual walkers. All proceeds will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. About 1,100 college students die from suicide every year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In Arkansas, suicide is the third leading cause of death for those aged 15-24 and the 10th leading cause of death in the state. Suicide prevention is especially important on college campuses since suicide is the second leading cause of death in the world for those ages 15-29, according to the . Participants may register for the walk at . For more information, contact Aresh Assadi at 501-906-3185 or axassadi@ualr.edu.

Assadi Earns Doctorate at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

John Hill — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:29:46 +0000

For more than a decade, Aresh Assadi has been helping the students and employees of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with career and personal counseling and mental health education. This month, Assadi, assistant director of counseling services at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, will graduate with a Doctor of Education in Higher Education with a concentration in student affairs. “It really feels amazing to be graduating,” Assadi said. “It’s been a long process to see this day. I’ve been working on my dissertation for six years. People are calling me Dr. Assadi, and it’s still a shock to me.” Assadi joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2010 as a therapist and career counselor, and began working on his Ph.D. in 2013. “I always knew I wanted to get a doctorate. It’s something I knew from a very young age,” Assadi said. “My father was a big proponent of higher education. He was an immigrant. Due to not having a firm grasp of the English language, he was often passed over on promotions. He instilled in me a strong work ethic and a love of education.” Over the years, Assadi said he learned important skills that helped him excel in his career. “I just learned so much in that program,” Assadi said. “It’s one of the biggest reasons I got promoted to begin with because I learned so many things along the way. One example is fundraising. During Dr. Barrett’s class, Bob Denman came in and talked about fundraising. After that, we ended up raising $60,000 for mental health programs and scholarships on campus.” In February 2020, Assadi was promoted to assistant director of Counseling Services just one month before the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools down. “With classes being remote, you would think it would be less busy, but it was the opposite for Counseling Services,” Assadi said. “We were the busiest we have ever been in the past year. I think the pandemic shone a light on how important mental health is. People were dealing with isolation, hopelessness, depression, financial problems, health issues, and more.�� It was a scary time for people, and it made the stigma of going and getting counseling less severe.” Meanwhile, Assadi completed his dissertation exploring masculinity, mental health, and attitudes towards willingness to seek help among male college students. “This is a common phenomenon across campus colleges,” Assadi said. “There is a lot of stigma when it comes to mental health in general. Younger people and men have even more negative attitudes when it comes to seeking help for mental health. That is very bad considering the high rates of suicide among college students. Early detection and treatment is crucial to treating mental health disorders. Stigma delays the process a lot and results in horrible consequences.” His advice for college students is to take care of their mental health. Assadi said students can get tips on how to keep healthy minds and bodies by checking out the Wellness and Inclusion Instagram page. “I really encourage students to take care of their mental health and engage in self-care,” Assadi said. “College students shouldn’t be scared to ask for help. It doesn’t matter how big or small your problem is, there is someone on campus who can help you.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s newest student support specialist wants to help students succeed

John Hill — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 19:25:50 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has hired a new student support specialist to provide students with the support and resources they need to succeed in college. Gertrude Thompkins, who joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in January, assists in the retention of undergraduate and graduate students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. She offers support and resources to students, including emotional and mental health, financial stress, academic support, and personal difficulties. “I’m an alumni, so being back on campus is really nice,” Thompkins said. “I enjoy working with students and helping them.” Thompkins works with existing campus services to provide referral systems for tutoring, mentoring, financial management, counseling, and health services. “Sometimes students aren’t aware of the Trojan Food Pantry, Counseling Services, and all of the different resources the university offers,” Thompkins said. “I try to relieve any stressors the students are having by connecting them with the resources they need.” In the future, Thompkins will also determine areas of need and develop and implement early intervention programs, seminars, student workshops, and related activities designed to improve student retention.

Gertrude Thompkins is a social worker on campus for the STEM and CHASSE colleges. Photo by Ben Krain.

“Ms. Thompkins’ addition to the Student Retention Initiatives office has been uplifting for students who face barriers to their student success,” said Heather Reed, director of student retention initiatives. “Ms. Thompkins helps students navigate campus and community resources to give them the assurance and support needed so they can focus on their academics.” Thompkins is a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor. She is a three-time graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with bachelor’s degrees in business administration and social work as well as a Master of Social Work. The new position is funded through a Student Success Endowment Fund that will expand and permanently support the university’s student retention and success initiatives. The Student Success Endowment Fund was created through a $25 million anonymous gift the university received in 2020.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock, TAO Connect Partner to Provide Students with 24/7 Access to Digital Mental Health Support

John Hill — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 19:17:50 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock has partnered with TAO Connect, a digital platform designed to make behavioral health therapy more accessible and effective, to provide the university community with unlimited access to TAO Connect’s digital mental health platform starting in the 2021 spring semester. Through the partnership, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Counseling Services can digitally expand its reach and overcome challenges the pandemic presented to university counseling centers across the nation by providing mental health support during this turbulent time from afar. One of the most notable benefits of TAO Connect is the ability for counselors to meet with students virtually through its HIPPA compliant video conferencing feature. TAO Connect’s technology can also be used in two additional ways: the counselors can individually assign the online-based sessions to students as a way to enhance virtual appointments, or users can independently sign up for the Self-Help feature for a completely self-guided experience. “Students’ mental health has been considerably impacted by the pandemic, and it was important to us that our counseling center adjusted to provide support through this time in a way that is both effective and efficient,” said Dr. Mike Kirk, director of counseling and health services at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “By partnering with TAO Connect, we’re able to meet our students where they are with evidence-based mental health support.” TAO Connect contains more than 150 online interactive sessions on anxiety, depression, substance abuse, anger, sexual violence, and more. Additionally, the platform offers a library of mindfulness exercises and journal prompts – which include an anxiety monitoring log and a relaxation and mindfulness log. It also includes The TAO Assistant, an AI chatbot that helps users personalize an experience specific to their needs. “With their college experience significantly altered, young people are more susceptible to mental health concerns, which impact not only their academics but their overall quality of life,” said Dr. Sherry Benton, founder and chief science officer of TAO Connect. “As a result of our collaboration, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is taking an important step in adapting to the environment and providing the community with access to mental health support.” TAO has been purchased for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock using funds from the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant that was awarded to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock MidSOUTH. This grant provides funds to campus organizations to increase awareness about suicidal behaviors and to enhance services for students to prevent suicide. TAO Connect is available for free to all ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students, faculty, and staff members. To learn more about TAO and its technology, please visit or .

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus Wellness Program to host De-Stress Fest May 1

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 17:23:01 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Student Wellness Program is hosting a De-Stress Fest on Wednesday, May 1, to help students de-stress in time for final exams. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center mall area. Students will have the opportunity to pet comfort dogs, relax in the massage chair, play baggo, and try yoga and relaxation activities. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus Garden Alliance, Counseling Services, Fleet Feet Sports, and the Arkansas Department of Health will host booths with activities and information. For more information, contact Karl Lenser at kjlenser@ualr.edu.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host suicide prevention walk April 13

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 13:37:01 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is fighting the epidemic of suicide by holding a suicide prevention walk on Saturday, April 13.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock Counseling Services is partnering with the Arkansas chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to hold an Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Campus Walk beginning at the Donaghey Student Center mall area. “The intent for bringing the walk to campus is to encourage conversation about the serious issue of suicide,” said Dr. Mike Kirk, director of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Counseling Services. “We also want to promote help seeking from a mental health professional as a positive behavior that healthy individuals participate in when appropriate.” Registration will begin at 11 a.m. Dr. Mark Allen Poisel, vice chancellor for student affairs, will give the welcome at noon, while the one-mile walk around campus will begin at 12:15 p.m. The walk is open to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the public. There is no cost to participate. Any participant who raises $100 will receive a T-shirt. Those who cannot attend the walk in person can also join as virtual walkers. All proceeds will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. About 1,100 college students die from suicide every year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In Arkansas, suicide is the third leading cause of death for those aged 15-24 and the 10th leading cause of death in the state. Suicide prevention is especially important on college campuses since suicide is the second leading cause of death in the world for those ages 15-29, according to the �� Participants may register by. For more information, contact Kirk at hmkirk@ualr.edu or 501-569-8651. In the upper right photo, over 100 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the public walked in the 2018 Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

Venezuelan student finds new home at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 13:34:56 +0000

When Katherine Zambrano first moved to Little Rock to live with her aunt, whose husband was ill, Little Rock seemed like a different world compared to her hometown of Caracas, Venezuela, with a population of more than two million people.�� “I came from a very big city, like Chicago or New York, and there is a lot of noise there,” said Zambrano, a 21-year-old senior. “Here, it is slow paced, and it is silent at times. It was hard to adjust, but I really love it now. The tranquility and calmness have grown on me.” Anxious to get started on her college education, Zambrano began at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock soon after she arrived in the spring 2015 semester. She is appreciative of the volunteers from International Student Services for helping her adjust to a new country. “International Student Services helped me to adjust to college life,” she said. “Student volunteers tell you about campus life and give you a tour of campus. Everything is overwhelming when you get here, so having someone welcome you and tell you where the best place to eat and hang out is very helpful.” In December, Zambrano will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication and media production and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She plans to work as a translator and in the communications industry. While on campus, Zambrano has received a variety of work experience to prepare her for the future. She has worked in the Office of Testing Services and International Student Services.��

Katherine Zambrano attends Mosaic Church where she worked as an intern translating Spanish and also works as a children’s Sunday school teacher with her husband. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

“In the International Student Services office, I have been able to work alongside incredible people who have become my friends and meet new people from all over the world,” she said. “My favorite part of being a student is getting to meet people from Argentina and Saudi Arabia and everywhere in the world. It’s great that we have such a cultured school.” On the communications side, she worked as a lab assistant for the School of Mass Communication, managing communication equipment used by students. She has also served as an intern at KATV and at Mosaic Church, where she served as a Spanish translator and created graphics. Zambrano also enjoyed working on “The Lunch Box,” a television news program produced by the School of Mass Communication, and a class documentary. “As a mass communication major, I was fortunate to work with a documentarist from HBO. He was our teacher for a semester, and we were able to make a documentary from scratch. It was great and an experience that I will never forget.” She is also actively involved in the community and volunteers at Mosaic Church, the children’s ministry at Fellowship Bible Church, and as a group leader for International Student Services. On campus, Zambrano has also served as president of the International Club and vice president of Genesis Campus Ministry, where she met her husband, David, who is studying to be a physician assistant at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The two were married at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs in 2017.

Katherine Zambrano has worked as a lab assistant in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock television production studio. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

One of her favorite teachers was Dr. Mark Giese, who retired from the School of Mass Communication in 2017. “He was the one who got me interested in media production,” Zambrano said. “I had one of his classes, and he was this person who wanted you to learn. He was very passionate toward filming and photography, and he wanted you to love it.” Zambrano is thankful to her friends in International Student Services and Counseling Services who helped her adjust to college life and make ��Vlog��ý Little Rock her new home. “I arrived in the U.S. three and a half years ago and was met with a lot of incredible people that guided me and taught me all I know now,” she said. “I knew English but that was where my knowledge stopped in terms of college, and I was met with so many people that wanted to help me succeed and that was the biggest incentive to continue going. I love the community, and people are so friendly, and people aren’t afraid to say hello and will come up and meet new people.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host first Self-Care Fair

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 14:14:21 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Counseling Services will host its first Self-Care Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will raise awareness about counseling services and other self-care services available at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Five booths, each representing one of Maslow’s five Hierarchy of Needs, will be set up in Ottenheimer Library as well as the Donaghey Student Center’s foyer and mall. Booths will represent physical needs, safety, relationships, self-esteem, and self actualization. The one-day fair will be held in lieu of Suicide Prevention Week in order to focus on the broader issues of self-care, though suicide prevention resources and awareness will remain a key part of its offerings. “Whether it’s mental health, physical health, or both, we want to show our ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community that we have resources available to help them and that we are here for them,” said Counseling Services Director Dr. Mike Kirk. The fair will feature a myriad of self-care resources, from massage chairs to opportunities to meet and talk to campus police. All attendees will receive a ticket that can be exchanged at Kona Ice for a free shaved ice after visiting each booth. Attendance is free and open to all members of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Employee Wellness Fair July 25

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:33:30 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host its annual employee wellness fair Wednesday, July 25.�� The health fair is open to all ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employees and will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and staff members can take advantage of free health screenings, including height, weight, body mass index, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, and body composition. Free chair massages will be available to all wellness fair participants, and employees from Rock City Running Store will give advice on running and walking shoes. Representatives from the, American Heart Association, Natural Grocers, Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, and the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Office of will be on site to meet with employees. For more information, contact Employee Wellness Coordinator Karl Lenser at kjlenser@ualr.edu. ��

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to hold trainings on sexual assault awareness

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 13:22:49 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host seven trainings in April to raise awareness of sexual assault, Title IX, and resources available on campus.�� The Office of Title IX will hold these training sessions from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Donaghey Student Center Room 214A. The workshops include:

April 3 – Consent and Sexual Assault
April 4 – Title IX Overview: Reporting and Resources
April 10 – The Reality of Sexual Assault and The Recovery Process
April 11 – Consent and Sexual Assault
April 17 – The Dynamics of Rape Culture
April 24 – The Reality of Sexual Assault and The Recovery Process
April 25 – The Dynamics of Rape Culture��

The workshops are open to all ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty, staff, and students. Participants should to register. For more information, contact ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Title IX Director LaTonda Williams at 501-975-2556 or lwdavis@ualr.edu.

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk April 2

Assadi Earns Doctorate at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s newest student support specialist wants to help students succeed

����Vlog��ý Little Rock, TAO Connect Partner to Provide Students with 24/7 Access to Digital Mental Health Support

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus Wellness Program to host De-Stress Fest May 1

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host suicide prevention walk April 13

Venezuelan student finds new home at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host first Self-Care Fair

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Employee Wellness Fair July 25

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to hold trainings on sexual assault awareness