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

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.

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.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock receives $21,000 for criminal justice scholarships in honor of John Boyeskie

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 07 May 2019 13:16:17 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $21,000 gift to provide student scholarships in honor of the late John Boyeskie, a 1999 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Ron Boyeskie, vice president of , Inc. and his wife, the late Connie Boyeskie, former general manager at ASCO Hardware who passed away in January, made the donation to provide scholarships for criminal justice students in honor of Ron Boyeskie’s late brother, John. “The reason Connie and I wanted to do this is to provide a legacy for John,” Ron Boyeskie said. “He had such a passion for criminal justice and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The Criminal Justice Department is where John really connected with people later in life. He bonded with the professors, and they challenged him.” In 2003, the Boyeskies established the John A. Boyeskie Memorial Scholarship in honor of John, who passed away in 2002 at age 54, with a $15,000 donation. The new gift raises the scholarship endowment to $50,000. “Ron and his late wife Connie have made such a wonderful gift to the Department of Criminal Justice and our students,” said Dr. Julien Mirivel, interim dean of the College of Social Sciences and Communication. “Their gift is especially meaningful because it is designed to support our graduate students and provide the right financial support to help those students be successful. With their additional gift, Ron and Connie have created a legacy of influence and a shining memory of John, which will live on in every student awarded a scholarship in his name.” John Boyeskie returned to school in 1997 after selling his business to take on a new challenge in life. He graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a master’s degree in criminal justice. “John was always very disciplined, an avid reader, and a genius,” Ron Boyeskie said. “He had a burning desire for more knowledge. He found a place to call home in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Criminal Justice Department. He dearly enjoyed his time here because he was challenged and enjoyed relationships with the professors. My wife and I started the scholarship with the intention of helping students follow their dreams in criminal justice.” Dr. Mary Parker, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, remembers John Boyeskie as a very intelligent student who challenged the status quo. “John was one of the most challenging students I ever had in the classroom – in the best way possible,” Parker said. “He forced you to question your own perspective on issues and topics while you were forcing him to question his perspective. He had no tolerance for the status quo. Through his unique way of making us dig deeper, he made us all better students, faculty, and human beings.” While pursuing their undergraduate degrees at what is now the University of Central Arkansas, the Boyeskie brothers roomed together and worked multiple jobs to pay for their college education. Ron Boyeskie hopes that this gift will make it easier for working adults to earn their college degree. “John was my baby brother, and he left the world too soon,” Ron Boyeskie said. “I wanted everyone to know who he is and have a scholarship to champion his name. It’s something that Connie and I wanted to do in his memory. Last year, Connie and I started talking about what an additional donation could provide. This scholarship is giving someone an opportunity, especially upperclassman students who are working and struggling to get a degree. John and I both did the same thing when we were getting our undergraduate degrees. This is an opportunity to give back.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host book signing with ‘Murdered Without Cause’ Author Genie Massey

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:44:31 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a book signing with Genie Massey, author of “Murdered Without Cause,” on Wednesday, April 17. The book signing will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus Bookstore in the Donaghey Student Center. “Murdered Without Cause” is a true crime story regarding the murder of Massey’s aunt, Tresia Jester, at the hands of an armed gang at a filling station in Pine Bluff on March 21, 1992. Sherman Noble, a Little Rock resident, and two companions attempted to steal a BMW from Jester, who was parked by a pay telephone at a service station. As Jester tried to leave in the car, Noble fired a sawed-off shotgun and killed her. The book was written to educate and support survivors of victims of homicide and domestic violence who are devastated with grief from losing a loved one. Her book shares the ripple effects and impacts that Massey and her family endured following the death of her aunt. “There was no book or grief group in 1992 that could inform us of the aftermath we would face for many years to follow,” Massey said. “We suffered unfathomable turmoil before any renewing of the spirit could take place. Reaching out to other survivors that are suffering grief in this way, as my family once did, promotes justice, gives support, and restores lives.” Massey, a legal assistant and Christian writer born in Arkansas, has worked as a counselor in rehabilitation centers and shelters for domestic violence and rape victims. With the publication of Jester’s story, Massey continues to give back to the community of survivors, in this case victims of homicidal acts, encouraging a sense of hope and the strength to move into a new purpose in life. The event is sponsored by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus Bookstore and the Department of Criminal Justice. Copies of “Murdered Without Cause” are available for purchase in the Campus Bookstore for $18.95.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to ‘Take Back the Night’ April 10

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 16:59:53 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is joining a nationwide effort to raise awareness of sexual violence and human trafficking by hosting the “ event on Wednesday, April 10. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., while the event will begin at 6 p.m. in Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall. It will feature a community fair of organizations and agencies who provide services, resources, and advocate for victims of sexual assault and human trafficking. Speakers will include representatives from Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ACASA) and survivors of sexual assault as well as a performance by singer Tara Riley of the band Moxie. The event will conclude with a candlelit vigil and march across campus to show support for those affected by sexual violence beginning at 8 p.m. “April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, so we are holding this educational event to bring awareness of sexual assault to our students and our community,” said Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, graduate coordinator in the Department of Criminal Justice and the event’s organizer. One in four women and one in six to eight men will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes. College-aged women (18-24) are three times more likely to be victims of sexual violence, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). “One of my research areas is looking at sexual violence against women and children internationally and domestically,” ten Bensel said. “One of those areas that I find dear to my heart is helping victims get the services they need and providing solid research in how we can reduce victimization from happening in the future.” For more information, contact ten Bensel at ixzohra@ualr.edu.

Outstanding Women of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Tusty ten Bensel

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 21:52:48 +0000

In honor of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is featuring stories about the “Outstanding Women of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” faculty, staff, students, and alumni who are serving as leaders and making a difference for the university and their communities. Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, graduate coordinator and associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, is a firm believer in using her research to make positive changes in the world. “One of my research areas is looking at sexual violence against women and children, both internationally and domestically,” she said. “My goal is to provide solid research on sexual victimization, offending patterns, and how we can reduce victimization from happening in the future. I hope my research paves the way to reform and sheds more light on what happens in our communities.” Ten Bensel is a premier scholar specializing in violence and victimology in the criminal justice field with over 20 published articles in peer-reviewed journals, two books completed, and multiple grants. One of the ways she is giving back is by organizing ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s “Take Back the Night” event on Wednesday, April 10. The event, which was held at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for the first time last year, is a nationwide effort to raise awareness of sexual violence and human trafficking. Statistically, college-aged women (18-24) are three times more likely to be victims of sexual violence, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). “The reason we do this event is to bring awareness of sexual assault on college campuses and the community,” ten Bensel said. “The more educated we are about sexual assault on our campus and the community, the more likely we are to reduce the amount of sexual assault that occurs in our state.” She is a founding and current board member of Sex Offense Policy Research, a national organization that focuses on policy research in sexual offending and victimization. Additionally, ten Bensel is an active mentor who is involved with multiple research studies with students. “My students are gathering data on end-of-life care in corrections and the life histories of violent female offenders,” she said. “I also have students who are working on identifying services available for victims of sexual violence in Arkansas, neighborhoods and reentry into society after being in the criminal justice system, and homeless LGBT youth and their experiences with victimization.” In 2018, ten Bensel was awarded the College of Social Sciences and Communication Innovative Program award for the Juvenile Justice Mentoring Program. The mentoring program began years ago after criminal justice faculty members received a grant. “When the funding dissipated, the program ended,” ten Bensel said. “I really liked the idea of our students learning how to work with and learn from different agencies and stakeholders in the juvenile justice community as well as being good role models for our youth who need that extra support.” Ten Bensel restarted the program in 2017 with four pairs of mentors and mentees for both academic years. She’s added several educational and social components to the program. Mentors learn about the best practices in the juvenile justice system and meet with a variety of guest speakers, including judges, lawyers, guards, detectives, and community advocates. The mentees also learn about financial literacy, education opportunities, and employment preparation. “We’ve also incorporated hands-on activities so the mentors and mentees stay bonded together,” she said. “We’ve gone to a Trojan basketball game, went bowling, and had a college day where the mentees shadowed their mentors at college all day. These kids come to campus and are unaware that they could go to college. It’s seems so unattainable to them. I hope it will help the mentees stay out of the criminal justice system. Even if we can pave the path of one mentee of going to college or getting a full-time job and staying off the streets, I think we have done our job.” She is also the director of the Justice Research Policy Center at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. This summer research program, currently in its second year, provides an opportunity for criminal justice students in Arkansas to participate in a one-month intensive research course. “Students learn how to conduct research step-by-step and work with criminal justice professors to collect and analyze data, write a research study, and present it on campus as well as at a regional or national conference,” ten Bensel said. “Students live in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s dorms and receive a $2,000 stipend. All four of last year’s participants have joined or are about to join our criminal justice graduate program.” Ten Bensel graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminal justice. She received her Ph.D. in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha. She is also a member of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, the American Society of Criminology, has completed the Women in Education Leadership program conducted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and received the 2018 Educator of the Year award from the Single Parent Scholarship Foundation of Arkansas. For women who are looking to work in the criminal justice field, ten Bensel offers the following advice. “I would advise females to figure out what their passion is within criminal justice,” she said. “Doing research in criminal justice can be extremely difficult because we are going out into the field and talking to victims and offenders. It can take an emotional toll. I would find the one area you are dedicated to and see where that leads you. At the end of the day, I think that is what will keep you grounded.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock researchers to investigate if religiosity is connected to misconceptions about sexual assault

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 13:27:43 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student is researching the relationship between religiosity, sexual misconduct, and rape myth acceptance. Michael Meziere, of Little Rock, is examining if religiosity plays a factor in the misconceptions and myths surrounding sexual assaults on college campuses. To carry out this study, Meziere will conduct surveys to gather information on religious beliefs and sexual attitudes. “In society, the acceptance of rape myths, which lead to placing the blame on victims of sexual assault, is a real problem,” Meziere said. “There are not many studies that focus on religiosity and rape myth acceptance, so this will hopefully add some good data to that research area. We hypothesized that people who identify as very religious will be less likely to engage” After discussing victim blaming among sexual assault victims in the classroom, Michael Meziere, a senior criminal justice major, got interested in doing research on the topic. Dr. Molly Smith, assistant professor of criminal justice, who specializes in research on sexual assault, rape myths, and the commercial sex trade, is serving as Meziere’s mentor. “Michael’s research focuses on how religiosity impacts sexual victimization and sexual offending, particularly among college students,” Smith said. “While past studies have looked at these relationships individually, there has been minimal research on how they may be moderated by rape myth acceptance (false perceptions about the extent and nature of sexual assault). This is problematic given the high prevalence of sexual victimization and rape myth acceptance on college campuses, as well as the impact that religiosity may have on victim assault recognition and reporting. Michael’s study intends to increase our understanding of these relationships, and thus potentially inform future policy initiatives aimed at curbing victimization.” Meziere will conduct a survey during February and March to see if there is a connection between a person’s religiosity, morality, and their acceptance of rape myth. He plans to present the results of his research at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences annual meeting in Baltimore in March and the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Research and Creative Works Expo in April. “I hope this study will help the cause of preventing sexual assault across America and give researchers better insights to prevent sexual assaults from happening in the future,” Meziere said. The research is funded by a $2,125 Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) award from the Arkansas Department of Education and a $625 match from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Office of the Vice Provost for Research.

Volunteers needed to mentor youth offenders re-entering society during 2019-20 school year

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 15:06:26 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Criminal Justice is seeking student applications for a mentoring program to help youth offenders successfully re-enter society after being in the juvenile justice system during the 2019-20 school year. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students in the Juvenile Justice Mentoring Program will mentor young offenders as they transition out of residential facilities and back into their communities. “This program offers students a unique opportunity to experience juvenile justice from inside the system and positively impact the lives of youth right here in our communities,” said Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, associate professor of criminal justice who is leading the mentoring program. Participating ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students will mentor youth for two hours a week while they’re in a juvenile justice facility and after they’re released. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students interested in participating must be at least 21 and pass criminal records and reference checks. They also must be interviewed by criminal justice faculty members and participate in a two-semester academic course worth six credit hours that will meet once a week during the fall 2019 and spring 2020 semester. During the fall 2019 semester, students will learn about the juvenile justice system and be trained as a mentor. The second semester in spring 2020 will be devoted to learning how to help mentees successfully re-enter society after incarceration. Mentors will learn how they can help their mentees with tasks such as getting a job, going back to school and opening a bank account. Mentors also will help youths learn how to handle personal conflicts, family problems, and anger management issues, ten Bensel said. “These juveniles face a lot of obstacles in their life, and they often don’t have the stability of one person they can count on,” ten Bensel said. “I hope our students can be that one person who is a role model and someone they can look up to.” For more information and to apply to the program, contact ten Bensel at ixzohra@ualr.edu.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s online master’s criminal justice programs earns top rank

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 15:02:29 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s online master’s degree program in criminal justice has been ranked among the best in the country for the second time in 2019. OnlineMasters.com ranked ��Vlog��ý Little Rock 24th in its 2019 list of the. The research identifies 50 top programs in the nation based on curriculum quality, program flexibility, affordability, and graduate outcomes. Additionally, SuccessfulStudent.org ranked ��Vlog��ý Little Rock 25th in its article featuring the. and was the only school in Arkansas selected for the list. The online Master of Science in criminal justice is a 36-credit hour program designed to help graduates develop the essential knowledge and skills needed to become an effective practitioner or supervisor in the criminal justice system. Today’s tense social climate means there is an increasing need for criminal justice professionals who have relevant insight into the sociological, legal, and practical areas of law enforcement as well as the skills to critically think, problem-solve, and lead. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students will receive advanced academic training, special expertise in advanced issues, supervisory and administrative proficiency, and the methodological and statistical skills necessary to understand research and new developments within the criminal justice system. Graduates will gain applied knowledge enabling them to rise toward the highest levels in criminal justice organizations. In addition to insights gained from industry professionals, OnlineMasters.com leveraged a data set comprised of interviews and surveys from current students and alumni. Each online degree program was analyzed with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology incorporates the most recent data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System () and statistical data from the . “Professionals with a master’s in criminal justice can distinguish themselves as leading experts in the field,” said Barbara Montgomery, program recognition manager. “Students who pursue a master’s in criminal justice can gain employment as corrections managers, FBI agents, forensic accountants, forensic psychologists, paralegals and more. The steady job growth in this market is just one of the many reasons OnlineMasters.com researched, analyzed, and ranked the Top Master’s in Criminal Justice programs.”

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

Graduate Student Spotlight on Infinity Wallace

Doctoral student lands criminal justice faculty position in California

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock receives $21,000 for criminal justice scholarships in honor of John Boyeskie

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host book signing with ‘Murdered Without Cause’ Author Genie Massey

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to ‘Take Back the Night’ April 10

Outstanding Women of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock: Tusty ten Bensel

����Vlog��ý Little Rock researchers to investigate if religiosity is connected to misconceptions about sexual assault