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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Trojan Drive-up Aug. 7

John Hill — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 13:00:35 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will hold its first Trojan Drive-up from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7. Tents will be set up and staffed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, TRiO Student Support Services, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Health Services, the Disability Resource Center, and Orientation and Transitions. Students will be able to apply for admission for free, turn in any missing documents needed to complete admission, talk to financial aid advisors, take a socially distant tour of campus, learn about health and safety guidelines regarding COVID-19, complete orientation requirements, and more. Participants are asked to wear a face-covering and follow social distancing guidelines. Hand sanitizer will be available at each tent. Tickets will be available for a visit to the Kona Ice snow cone truck during your visit. Free parking is available in Lot 10 next to the residential housing, West Hall. This lot can be accessed from Fair Park Avenue and 30th Street. The welcome tent will be located in Lot 10, while the additional tents will be set up along Campus Drive. Those who would like to attend can register by by Thursday, Aug. 6.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock grad Tichina Taylor overcomes stroke to earn college degree

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:50:54 +0000

After her freshman year of college at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Tichina Taylor experienced a debilitating stroke. Thanks to her strong will to continue pursuing her degree, with lots of support from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Disability Resource Center and Student Support Services, Taylor will graduate Dec. 14 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a certificate in nonprofit management. How were you able to overcome the effects of having a stroke and complete your college degree? I was 19 years old when I experienced the stroke. It happened during the summer break after my freshman year at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. My family and I were shocked because we had assumed that only elderly people have strokes. A stroke is so frustrating. I was partially paralyzed and suffered memory loss. I couldn’t get my thoughts out, and when I did speak, I sounded like a preschool child. The stroke forced me to learn everything all over again. My memory couldn’t grasp any information given to me. I survived, though, and was determined to finish my education. So, I went to the Disability Resource Center at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and spoke to the director, Reed Claiborne, and he helped me. I was not going to give up on a college degree, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was committed to supporting my goal. The Disability Resource Center would ensure I had access to alternative formats of my textbooks and most other course materials that I could listen to for each of my classes. They notified my instructors of the appropriate accommodations for each of my courses. The Disability Resource Center focuses on making the learning experience accessible. The DRC helped me meet my needs as a stroke survivor. Student Support Services played a big role in my success, too. If I could not understand what I was reading or a concept from class, it used to make me so frustrated I would cry and not know what to do. Once I started working with tutors, I knew that I could highlight a passage of text or bring notes from class and talk with them about it. They helped me understand what I was reading and the concepts explained in class. It made all the difference in my ability to complete assignments. I discipline myself to always keep a smile on my face and never let myself give up. I also give praise to God. He helps me. God brought wonderful people into my life to support me, and opened my mind so that I can learn. I am so thankful for my professors’ support, the Mathematics Lab, Student Support Services, and the Disability Resource Center. I could not have completed my degree without each of them. Everyone who serves as a tutor on this campus personally benefits the lives of the people they coach, probably more than the tutors even realize. What are your goals and why did you choose to study sociology and nonprofit management? I’ve been interested in the study of social problems since high school. My youth experience in the Boys & Girls Club’s Go Girls program shaped my thinking a lot in terms of what it means to live a healthy life with a positive mindset. My life goal is to open a nonprofit center to support verbally and physically abused women. I want to help other women learn to live a happy life, free from abuse. I’d also like to work in real estate. What does having a college education mean to you? ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has made a significant difference in my family’s life. My sister and I are first-generation college students, and our degrees are empowering us to contribute good things in the world at a higher level than if we hadn’t been exposed to higher education. My sister, , earned two degrees at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, all while raising young children. Her influence and support in my life has been amazing. We wrote a book together about my stroke and recovery. It’s called, “,” and was published under her own business label, de. I am so proud of her. I want to encourage students who may be dealing with life struggles. Don’t give up! Life is going to hit you with many obstacles, but strive to achieve your goals and stay positive. You can and you will succeed. I made it.

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 senior overcomes injury to complete college education

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 09 May 2019 13:34:06 +0000

In 2016, Kaiden O’Suilleabhain’s life was on track. He had just graduated from the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College and was about to start school at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as an engineering major. His life soon took an unexpected turn he wasn’t sure he would ever overcome. “I had sudden cardiac arrest and suffered a brain injury. I was actually in a coma the first day that classes started,” O’Suilleabhain said. The year and a half that followed his injury would prove to be an intense journey through an extended hospitalization, rehabilitation, recovery, and setbacks, but O’Suilleabhain fought hard to get his life back and started at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in fall 2017. All his hard work paid off, and he will graduate May 11 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in professional and technical writing at the Jack Stephens Center. “Being back in college gave me a sense of normalcy I didn’t have anywhere in my life, so I fought my doctors to get back to college as quickly as possible,” he said. “The thing about coming back to school so quickly after an injury is that I wasn’t completely fixed.” Recovering from his injuries was not the only roadblock O’Suilleabhain faced in his efforts to complete his college degree. “Because of the fact that I mysteriously did not show up to class, I lost my scholarship,” he said. “The doctors told my parents I wouldn’t survive more than a couple of days, so they were more interested in getting my family in to see me before I passed. They didn’t know they needed to contact the school. Sharon Downs was very instrumental in helping me get the scholarship back, and I probably wouldn’t have made it back to school without her. The Disability Resource Center was also very helpful in getting me back to school.” O’Suilleabhain joined the Department of Rhetoric and Writing after getting some advice from a friend. “I originally came here to study engineering, but after my injuries, the doctors told me that I couldn’t pursue that,” he said. “A friend told me about the Rhetoric and Writing Department because she knew that I liked writing.” While at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, O’Suilleabhain greatly sharpened his writing, editing, and design skills while working at the University Writing Center and interning at the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp., where he wrote and edited safety training materials for electric workers. “I loved my internship. I learned a lot about writing in the real world,” O’Suilleabhain said. “The audience I was writing for was rural electrical workers, pretty much the opposite of me. My job was to make the technical writing clean enough and in the right terms that people will want to read it. I have to look at all the obstacles people have to reading these manuals and overcome those preemptively.” O’Suilleabhain credits the rhetoric and writing faculty members with keeping him motivated and on track to complete his education. “For me, the faculty is my favorite part of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. I’ve had some professors who really motivated me. I’ve had my health and other things on my mind while in college, but my teachers have kept me motivated,” O’Suilleabhain said. “Dr. Karen Kuralt stands out. She is one of the teachers who seems very excited about her work. I took one of her classes my first semester. Being a writer wasn’t my original plan. I was still feeling nebulous, and she helped me feel like I belong.” After graduation, O’Suilleabhain plans to work as a technical writer. “Graduation is pretty exciting,” he said. “Finishing college feels a lot like getting my life back in a way. This injury derailed my life, and I definitely feel accomplished now that I am graduating. This is a big step in rebuilding my life.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock honors Seamon, Lott, and Hoover as Staff Achievement Award winners

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 01 May 2019 13:15:29 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Staff Senate honored three of its staff members for excellence in the areas of service to the university, community service, and personal growth. Each winner will receive a $1,000 prize. Michael Seamon, assistant director of operations in facilities management, received the Ben Fry Service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Award. He was joined by Wanda Hoover, assistant dean for external relations in the William H. Bowen School of Law, who won the Staff Achievement Award for Community Service, as well as Ann Marie Lott, interpreter and transcriber coordinator for the Disability Resource Center and recipient of the Staff Achievement Award for Personal Growth. “In 1989, the university initiated an awards and recognition program to honor staff members who have brought recognition to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock through personal growth, service to the university, and service to the community,” Staff Senate President Angie Faller said. “These awards give the campus community an opportunity to recognize the work, dedication, and passion of our staff.” More info about the Staff Achievement Award winners:

Michael Seamon

Seamon began his career at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on June 12, 1978, and will soon celebrate his 41st anniversary with the university. His colleagues describe him as the “go-to guy” for anything to do with mechanical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems on campus.

Staff Senate President Angie Faller (right) presents the Ben Fry Community Service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Award to Michael Seamon. Photo by Ben Krain.

He joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock immediately after high school and has worked as a tradesman, on-call mechanical staffer, and shop supervisor before moving into his current role of assistant director of operations. Seamon is the first responder for storm recovery and clean-up efforts and leads the snow and ice removal crew. Last year, he was honored with the Facilities Management VIP Award. “Throughout the years, Mike has consistently gone above and beyond to serve the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community,” David Millay and Sandra Vail of Facilities Management wrote in their nomination letter. “Mike has never failed to respond to calls for help no matter the time or day. Mike’s commitment to ��Vlog��ý little Rock is unequaled and unparalleled.”

Wanda Hoover

Hoover is actively engaged in the community and belongs to many civic organizations in Arkansas. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership and as membership engagement chair of the Rotary Club of Little Rock. In 2018, she was recognized as the Rotary Club’s Person of Action. Last year, she joined the City of Little Rock’s Arts and Culture Commission, which she will chair in 2020. “Wanda is an outstanding staff member, deserving of recognition for her service to the community,” Ashley Nipp, alumni and development associate at Bowen, wrote in her nomination letter. “She is an exemplary leader who gives tirelessly of her time, energy, and resources.” Hoover is also a member of the Arkansas Women’s Leadership Forum, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and an active sustainer of the Junior League of Little Rock. In addition to her civic involvement, she serves as the program chair for the Arkansas Women’s Executive Forum and has been selected to serve as president of the forum next year.

Ann Marie Lott

As an American Sign Language/English interpreter, Lott has dedicated much of her time to the growth and development of the interpreter population in Arkansas. At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, she is an active ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Sign Language Klub and mentors students enrolled in the Interpreter Education program. “Working at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has afforded Ann Marie the opportunity to be close to the main pool of new and enthusiastic students in the field of interpreting, and you can always find Ann Marie in the mix with the group,” Ashley Beaty, staff interpreter with Disability Resource Center, wrote in her nomination letter. “She is always offering time to students to help them to foster growth and improve skills.” In the community, Lott chairs the professional development committee of the Arkansas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and is currently planning its conference, and she is an active member of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

Finalists for Staff Achievement Awards announced

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 20:07:47 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Staff Senate has announced the eight finalists for the 2019 Staff Achievement Awards. A $1,000 cash award is given to the top staff member in each of three categories: Ben Fry Service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, community service, and personal growth. The winners will be announced at the Staff Awards Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 26, in the Schueck, McCarty, Lexicon Inc. Auditorium in the College of Engineering and Information Technology. “The staff members are a vital part of the success of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” said Staff Senate President Angie Faller. “The finalists for the Staff Achievement Awards highlight our staff members’ incredible commitment to the university and community through hard work, service, and dedication.” The winners of the Staff Senate Scholarship and Jerry Crittenden Employee Book Scholarship also will be announced during the awards ceremony. Staff members who are celebrating work anniversaries, have graduated in the past year, and retiring also will be recognized. Members of the university and community are encouraged to attend the awards ceremony and reception to celebrate the achievements of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock staff members and to wear ��Vlog��ý Little Rock colors and apparel to show school spirit. For more information, contact Angie Faller at 501-916-5905 or amfaller@ualr.edu. The finalists include: Ben Fry Service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

John Evans, associate athletic director for facilities and events, Little Rock Athletics
Shannon Kardiak, administrative specialist, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Michael Seamon, assistant director of operations, Facilities Management

Community Service

Ashley Beaty, staff interpreter, Disability Resource Center
Wanda Hoover, assistant dean for external relations, William H. Bowen School of Law
Kelly Rigby, administrative projects coordinator, William H. Bowen School of Law

Personal Growth

Ann Marie Lott, interpreter/transcriber coordinator, Disability Resource Center
Freta Rogers-Mason, information technology coordinator, Ottenheimer Library

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student to give TEDx talk on service animals

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 19:31:41 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student gave a TEDx talk at the University of Arkansas at Monticello on March 26 to share her story of how two service dogs have dramatically changed her life for the better. “Service dog handlers are already behind the 8 Ball because they have any number of disabilities with which they have to deal on a daily basis,” said Emilia Rak, a junior social work major at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Our service dogs are not merely cuddly pets or cool accessories for aggregation. They are invaluable assets that help to mitigate aspects of our disabilities so that we can have an improved quality of life. We don’t want or need special treatment. We just want to be treated with kindness and respect, like everybody else.” Rak was one of the speakers selected for the �𱹱�Գ�.��Four years ago, Rak, who said she has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because she was a victim of domestic violence, could not imagine how far she has come with the addition of a service dog in her life. “I want people to understand how invaluable service dogs can be to their handlers for a wide variety of disabilities,” she said. “They have service dogs for autism, diabetes, hearing loss, and now they are realizing how helpful service dogs can be for people who have PTSD from domestic violence. Without a service dog, I never would have been able to come back to school. My life would just be trips to the doctor’s office and back home.” Rak’s service dog, Rooster the King of the Universe, helps her with anxiety, panic attacks, concentration, and nightmares. “When Rooster senses that I’m anxious, he’ll step between me and other people. If I am having a panic attack, he will push up to me and lay on me and calm me down,” she said. “Within a week of getting my first service dog, I reduced the amount of medication I was taking by half.” Because of her service dog, Rak often faces uncomfortable situations. She has been denied service in restaurants and hotels, and some people believe that she is faking having a disability. “Some people think I have a dog because I want attention,” Rak said. “I was physically assaulted eight months ago in a gym by a woman who thought I didn’t need a service animal because I wasn’t blind. One lady in Walmart prayed with me to restore my sight because she assumed I was blind. I didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth. People will thank me for my service because they automatically assume that I am a combat veteran as the public is becoming more aware of PTSD service dogs for veterans.” The most common problem Rak encounters is that people want to pet her service dog. “The reason you are not supposed to pet a service dog is because they are working. If the dog is distracted, then the handler’s well being could be compromised,” Rak said. “All service dogs are not allowed to sniff. They can’t run around with kids. They don’t beg for food. They don’t chase squirrels. They don’t bark unless they are trained to alert someone about a problem. It can take as long as three years to train a service dog. People don’t realize how hard it is for these dogs. They are trained to be totally devoted to their handlers when they are working. “I just want people to think. These are not show ponies. They are hard-working service dogs. For all the well-meaning dog lovers out there, you’d be surprised how many people, like doctors and politicians, don’t know that they aren’t supposed to pet a service dog. If I say no, it doesn’t mean I’m the Wicked Witch of the West. It just means no.” Rak, who got married at age 21 when she lived in New Jersey, said she developed PTSD and bipolar disorder after losing custody of her four daughters to her ex-husband. “All those years ago, when my ex took my children from me, I felt that I was the lowest form of life,” she said. “Emotionally, I was devastated. That’s how I became disabled. After years and years and hundreds of thousands dollars wasted in court, the attorney finally told me, ‘I can’t take any more of your money. It’s best for you to go home and wait for your daughters to come to you once they turn 18.’ That is when I slid into another reality.” Thirteen years ago, Rak married her second husband, Dale, and the couple moved to Texas and then Little Rock. After recovering from a suicide attempt four years ago, she decided to go back to school and was accepted into a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock honors college program. That is also when she got her first service dog, Chester the WonderDog, a rescue from Rock City Rescue. “So far I’ve managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA, and it makes me feel very good, especially due to the disabilities that I now struggle with,” she said. “I’m 51, and I realized there is more life behind me than there is ahead of me. I want to live the kind of life that my daughters will be proud of.” Throughout her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, the Disability Resource Center has been of tremendous help to her. “The Disability Resource Center has been very helpful in contacting my professors and communicating my accomodations, and there is a group for people with learning disabilities that I have attended,” she said. “That is another reason why I am so enthusiastically trying to lure people to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Between the professors, Disability Resource Center, and the Writing Center, everyone here is so willing to help you succeed.” Rak encountered another misfortune last year when her first service dog, Chester, unexpectedly died, and she had to drop out of school for a semester while she trained Rooster. “The grief of having him die so suddenly, but then to train another dog and maintain school was too much,” she said. “It takes a tremendous amount of energy to train a service dog. Without the trainer that Rock City Rescue provided, I never could’ve done the job.” Now back in school, Rak is on track to graduate in 2020 and is dedicated to spend the rest of her career paying forward the kindness she received when she needed help. “I want to help people,” she said. “There were a lot of social workers who were kind and empathetic and helped me to get the services I needed when I needed them the most. I want to give back by paying it forward, and social work is my way of giving back. I want to be an art therapist eventually.” Now that Rak is at a good place in her life, she is committed to giving back and spreading awareness about service animals, mental health awareness, and suicide prevention. She produced a video that is used on the School of Social Work’s website as a teaching tool about mental health stigma and has given a lecture on stress management at the Arkansas State Hospital Auxiliary. She also creates one-of-a-kind mugs that she delivers to people and organizations who are making a difference for people affected by mental health struggles. “This project serves as my own art therapy. The mugs take two to six hours to make,” she said. “There’s no room for negative noise to get in my mind when I am making art. The point of the mug is to have something that makes people smile, even if it’s just for a little while. Because, as my favorite quote says, ‘just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.’” In the upper right photo, Emilia Rak pets her service dog, Rooster. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student fulfills dream of earning college degree

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 14:36:03 +0000

On May 15, Carlene Akins, 44, of Little Rock, fulfilled her decades-long dream of earning a college degree as she graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication surrounded by family cheering for her. “I am so excited about graduating because I didn’t think I was smart enough,” Akins said. “I used to think that people who didn’t go to college were just lazy or not smart enough, but now my whole mind frame of going to college is different. I think if you want to achieve that goal, that you should do it, no matter how long it takes you, no matter what stands in your way.” Akins grew up in Ferguson, Missouri, one of 10 children and the first in her family to earn a college degree. “I’ve always wanted a college degree,” she said. “My mom said I wasn’t college material, that I would just be a wife and mother. I have two kids and two grandchildren. I had my oldest daughter at 21, but I still wanted to go to school. I saw the difference between having an education and not having one. Mostly, I want to show my two girls that no matter how your life turns out and what happens in it, that you can turn it around. At the same time, I wanted to prove to my parents that I was more than just a wife and mother.” Before she moved to Little Rock, Akins worked as a paramedic in the St. Louis area. She decided to return to school after realizing that paramedics made less money than what she used to make in Missouri. She first attended University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College and then transferred to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2014. “I chose mass communication because I have the gift of gab. I could sing, and I wanted to learn how to produce audio,” Akins said. “I ran into David Weekley (senior mass communication instructor), and he said, ‘Why would you chop your legs off and do one thing, when you can do a whole array of skills?’ I went home and thought about what he said and did the assessment to see what I was interested in. After I took a few classes, I got good grades. I took an audio and media broadcasting class, and I felt like I found my voice. I felt like I wasn’t important because I didn’t have a voice. I took more classes about media production and creating content. I felt like I was telling the story of how I feel.” Akins has faced many challenges in earning her degree. While at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, she was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. Her diagnosis was so grim at one point that her husband took her on a spontaneous vacation to Europe because the doctors told him she would not survive. “It was a learning experience,” she said. “I survived, and I’m stronger for it.” Born three months premature, Akins has severe visual impairment due to Retinopathy of Prematurity, which made it difficult for her to read class materials and get to class since she cannot drive. “I did use Disability Resource Services a lot. They are a lifesaver,” Akins said. “My vision kept me from doing a lot of stuff. Sometimes, I get a little anxious when it comes to my disability, but I don’t use it to make excuses. It makes me stronger.” Akins credits Weekley, who inspired her to expand her horizons in mass communication, as well as Sonny Rhodes, associate professor of mass communication, and Jana McAuliffe, assistant professor of philosophy, for inspiring her to do her best at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Dr. Sonny Rhodes was good. He made you want to do your homework, and he made you want to learn,” Akins said. “He valued you as a student and made sure you were getting what you needed to learn. He was one of my most valued professors. Jana McAuliffe taught me ethics. She was very challenging, but she made me want to succeed. She made me become a critical thinker.” Akins, who currently works at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, is looking forward to traveling to Tokyo, Japan, in May 2019 to begin a six-month internship, where she will get experience in mass communication, broadcasting, public relations, and analytics. In the upper right photo, graduate Carlene Akins (right) receives her diploma from Dr. Julien Mirivel, dean of the College of Social Sciences and Communication. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock commencement set for Dec. 16

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 14:20:26 +0000

More than 1,200 students are expected to graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Saturday, Dec. 16. Commencement will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Jack Stephens Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. The Jack Stephens Center will open for guests at 8 a.m. Guests are advised to arrive early. Graduating students should arrive at least one hour early and meet in the Derek Fisher Court on the first level of the Jack Stephens Center. The Jack Stephens Center is accessible off 28th Street via Fair Park Boulevard or University Avenue. Guests are encouraged to park in the lots nearest the Jack Stephens Center — Lot 13, Lot 14, and Lot 16. However, all interior campus parking lots will be open during commencement, including the parking deck and Lot 8. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Jeremy Lane, will provide music for the academic processional. Featured music will be provided by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Concert Choir, led by Dr. Bevan Keating. Dr. Kathryn A. King, assistant professor of anthropology and the winner of the 2017 Ted and Virginia Bailey Foundation Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching, will give keynote remarks, followed by the conferring of degrees by Chancellor Andrew Rogerson. Immediately following the ceremony, a commencement celebration for the graduates and their guests will be held at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center with desserts provided by Community Bakery. Rogerson also will host a light breakfast and reception for faculty and staff from 7:30-8:45 a.m. in the Legends Room to celebrate ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employees’ contribution to helping students succeed. Special seating will be available for guests with disabilities. For more information, please contact the Disability Resource Center at 501-569-3143.

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