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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student’s Summer Internship Yields New Career Opportunities

John Hill — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 13:39:47 +0000

Kelsey Miller, a sophomore biology major from Hardy, Arkansas, spent her summer interning at the in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. As part of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, she was advised to start searching for an internship early on in her college career. She started looking in the spring semester of her freshman year, and when she hadn’t found anything by May, she started worrying that she’d have to hold off another year. Her mother, who is a hairdresser, tried a more unconventional approach. “My mom was cutting Grant Webber’s hair one day, and she mentioned to him that I’m really interested in zoology,” Miller explained. “He ended up being the manager of the hatchery nearby, and when my mom told him my credentials, he invited me to come visit.” Miller jumped at the chance. She set up a meeting with Webber, and he quickly offered her a position for the summer. She started a week later and spent the next three months feeding fish, cleaning tanks, doing maintenance work, and interacting with guests. As the only college student on staff, she was also responsible for doing statistical analyses of the fish who died and for moving smaller fish to separate tanks to provide less competition for food and more nutrients to increase their chance of survival. “It really opened my eyes,” Miller said. “When you think of zoology careers, you don’t think about how that relates to biology. I think that opened up new opportunities for me, especially since I don’t know what I want to do yet.” She initially thought she would go into forensics, but is now considering changing her plan. “If I found something like the fish hatchery, I’d definitely consider working there,” Miller said. “I loved it. Every day was different, and I never knew what was going to happen. It was also just really cool to know that I was doing something bigger than myself and helping take care of the environment.”

Graduate Finds New Love for Astrophysics Research at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

John Hill — Thu, 12 May 2022 12:51:27 +0000

Meagan Herbold, who will graduate in May, chose the University of Arkansas at Little Rock because she wanted to stay close to home and save money for graduate school. She ended up finding a tremendously supportive campus community as she pursued her undergraduate degree in physics. “It provided a solid academic foundation for further education, as well as a kind, supportive, and engaging physics department that genuinely cares about its students and allows them to engage in undergraduate research at every willing opportunity,” she said. Herbold added that the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program (a highly selective honors program) was also a monumental factor in her college decision, not only because of the generous financial package, but also for the immensely supportive and unique community. The Donaghey classes were “engaging and challenging – sometimes more so than my physics curriculum – and provided an indispensably well-rounded, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary based core education that was challenging and allowed me to grow as an individual outside my major,” she said. Those in the Donaghey community, likewise, have been influential in Herbold’s college career. “They have provided a diverse and supportive network from all backgrounds and fields, which is crucial to developing as an individual, especially in a small department like physics,” she said. Herbold grew up in Mabelvale, just south of Little Rock, and went to high school in Bryant, Arkansas. “My parents have always been academically supportive, and encouraged me to pursue higher education, but also emphasized the importance of a good work/life balance and having creative outlets beyond my academic pursuits,” she said. “I have been interested in the sciences from a young age, and I decided to study astronomy in high school.” Herbold recently displayed her scientific and creative interests at the Student Research and Creative Works Expo when she presented her project “Applied Physics for the Design and Construction of Articulated, Electronic Wings.” She builds and designs costumes based on pop culture. For her creative works project, she applied physics to construct 14-foot-long red wings to be worn by a human. She tied for first place in physical sciences at the expo. Herbold said she chose physics as her major at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock because “physics is for the people who ask questions.” “The tiniest atom to everyday motion, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, astrophysics…the list goes on and on,” she said. “I chose physics because I want to know how the universe works and why. Physics gives you all the tools to do just that. And if it doesn’t, we’ll eventually find a new equation, a new concept, etc., because the field is constantly evolving.” Her goal is to continue her studies in the field. “I intend to go to graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. in physics,” she said. “I have been accepted into several graduate programs, and ultimately decided to attend Ohio State University for their variety of faculty and research opportunities, as well as a generous fellowship offer. My intention is to pursue a career in astrophysics research.” Herbold has won several awards while at the university including, a NASA grant, a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Sustainability grant, and a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Signature Experience grant. She also received an Outstanding Graduating Senior Award from the Department of Physics and Astronomy and a DCSTEM Undergraduate Award. She will graduate with a 4.0 GPA and summa cum laude honors. Herbold said she has truly enjoyed her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Like at any university, there have been ups and downs, like a global pandemic,” she said. “Overall though, I am incredibly grateful and pleased with my undergraduate experience here. I am of course thankful for the education, but also for the faculty, staff, students, experiences, opportunities, and university as a whole as well.”

Graduating Student Spotlight: Sydney Kornelsen

John Hill — Wed, 11 May 2022 13:15:33 +0000

Donaghey Scholar Sydney Kornelsen will graduate on May 14 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a minor in music. She will attend UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in Fall 2022. Tell us a little bit about yourself. I grew up in Fallbrook, California, which is about an hour north of San Diego. My parents were big proponents of animal science when I was growing up. At age seven, I became heavily involved in the 4-H Club. Their mission is to provide opportunities for youth and adults to work together to create sustainable change. While at 4-H, I focused on dog projects, and was president in my junior and senior year of high school. Why did you choose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? My older sister, Caroline Kornelsen, was also a Donaghey Scholar. When I visited her, I felt Little Rock could be a place I could call home. I looked at other universities, but here I knew I wouldn’t just be a number among the masses. What are the major differences between San Diego and Little Rock? In San Diego, there is more of a push on pop culture, and it is more industrial. Little Rock is more laid back. California and Arkansas both have their perks and are just incomparable. The ocean is beautiful, but their wilderness doesn’t compare to the surrounding areas in Little Rock. The hiking here is awesome. Plus, Little Rock is a capital city. Why do you want to become a veterinarian? I have a deep interest in education and love animals. When I was growing up, everyone told me I would be a great veterinarian, but I was hesitant to believe them. A veterinarian’s job is to educate the public about the welfare of animals and now I see that is exactly the kind of career I want. I don’t have a primary focus yet, but I might specialize in exotic animals later. Why did you minor in music? Minoring is music allowed me to explore my love of education and honed my musical techniques. In high school, I had a varied musical background and was a trained classical musician. I played and taught piano, took voice lessons, and played the violin. My violin instructor at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Meredith Hicks, has been a significant influence. I also enjoyed learning how to conduct! I understand you own your own rabbitry. Yes! It is called Bunny Heights Rabbitry, which is a southern California and Arkansas rabbitry that specializes in Mini Rex rabbits. They weigh about four pounds and have a velvety, vibrant coat. In total, I have 15 rabbits, and breed and sell them as pets. I travel the country to shows similar to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Rabbits make great companions, and are actually better than dogs and cats. There’s not much upkeep. They like to play, toss toys, but they don’t like to snuggle too much. And they get so excited to see you when you come home. Who were some of your mentors? Dr. Stefanie Leacock, my genetics instructor, has been there for all of my academic pursuits. She was also the mentor for my Donaghey Scholar senior project, along with Dr. Michael Moore and Ms. Ronia Kattoum. I am so grateful for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program because they have bent over backwards for me. Tell us about your favorite memory at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? One memory that comes to mind was during my sophomore year. I was hammocking and studying with my friends near Coleman Creek on a perfect, beautiful day. The late nights studying organic chemistry in the library were also memorable. We did a lot of work on white boards. It was such a unique experience that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. This story was compiled by Toni Boyer.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate Follows in Family’s Footsteps

John Hill — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 14:00:47 +0000

For Ruby Trotter, graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has become a family tradition. Because she’s a double major in chemistry and Spanish, she will likely walk across the stage twice on May 14 – during the morning ceremony and in the afternoon. Joint degrees have also become a family tradition. “My mother, Idonia Mitchell Trotter (now Gardner), attended the University of Little Rock for undergraduate studies from fall 2002 to fall 2004 completing a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice as a first-generation college student,” Trotter said. “She is the youngest of eight children whose mother had only a 10th grade education and father with a 6th grade education.” Her mother was later accepted into the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and concurrently accepted into the Master of Public Service program at the ��Vlog��ý Clinton School of Public Service. “In May 2009, she became the first ever joint JD/MPS degree recipient in the world,” Trotter said. “I am very proud of my mom and saw first-hand how ��Vlog��ý Little Rock positively impacted her career and our lives.” In addition, Trotter’s aunt Regatta Mitchell graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences. As she reflected on her own time at the university, Trotter said she’s had an incredible college experience. “I am so very blessed to have gone to school here and met such amazing people and have opportunities that I’d never dreamed of when I was in high school,” she said, adding that she’s been involved with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, the Learning Assistant Program, the American Chemical Society, and many other campus groups. Trotter plans to apply to medical school in May and matriculate in 2023. “I would love to become a physician, specializing particularly in pediatrics, internal medicine, or emergency medicine,” she said. “During my gap year, I plan to move in with my husband in San Antonio, Texas, and will work either a research or public health position.” An accomplished violinist, Trotter (now Viera Corral) met her husband when they both played and made beautiful music together. “It’s been so cool to see my growth over the years, especially in high school where I was able to make Region Orchestra twice and play in the pit orchestra for two of our musicals,” she said. “This is actually where I met my husband, with him across from me playing viola. I love the violin and continue to use it as an outlet for the stress of my studies.” Trotter, whose other interests include nanomedicine, hiking, and learning new recipes, noted that she’s gotten a lot of help along the way to graduation. ”My motivations that have gotten me through these four years are my faith, my now-husband (as of March 2022), and support from incredible mentors, family, and friends,” she said. The Pine Bluff, Arkansas, native spent part of her childhood in Little Rock. She attended high school in Houston, Texas, before coming to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock through the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. The highly selective honors program enrolls 25 new scholars each year. “I actually came into college as a pre-medical biology major four years ago,” she said. “Dr. Mark Baillie was my General Chemistry I and II professor, and he made the course so interactive and interesting that I had a lot of fun in it.” During a conversation, Dr. Baillie pointed out that she was gifted in chemistry and asked why she wasn’t majoring in it. “I told him that I always saw chemistry as a hard subject and that I really liked biology in high school,” she explained. “He urged me to not run away from something that I love, no matter how hard it is. And, after a few days thinking about it, I decided to go and declare my chemistry major.” Trotter added a Spanish major after volunteering at and seeing the intense need for interpreters for the Spanish-speaking patients. The clinic is a free, non-profit medical and dental clinic in Little Rock. That experience and the support of university faculty were phenomenal, she said. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock truly has some of the best mentors that I could ask for,” Trotter said. “I want to thank Dr. Shawn Bourdo for all of his support over the years, for helping me to grow and giving me a home at the nano center, and for becoming like family to me. I’d also love to thank Dr. Mark Baillie, Dr. Michael Moore, Dr. Simon Hawkins, Dr. Jessica Scott, Ms. Ronia Kattoum, and Dr. Noureen Siraj for their encouragement, mentorship, and support over these four years.” Her time at Harmony Health Clinic “has been the most meaningful thing I’ve been able to do in my undergraduate experience. From medical receptionist work towards the beginning, to now being able to serve as an interpreter on the team, I’ve had such a meaningful experience helping so many patients receive free health care.” She is thankful for the clinic’s executive director, Angela Harris, and all of her fellow clinic volunteers. “Without coming to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I’m not sure if I would have been afforded the wealth of opportunities that I have been blessed to experience,” Trotter said. “The research done at our university is so engaging and interesting, and there is such an emphasis on getting undergraduate students involved in the laboratory,” she said, adding that her work at the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences on campus has been so rewarding. Trotter was published as a second author in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology last year. “This is something that I absolutely have not heard of at many other universities, so I am thrilled to have been able to research with these other scientists and to get to know them so well over the last three years,” she said. “There is truly a family environment at the Nano Center.” While attending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Trotter has received several awards including the Service to the Chemistry Department Award for her efforts as a learning assistant and a Signature Experience Grant for her research at the Nano Center with Dr. Shawn Bourdo. She was also a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipient, a very competitive and prestigious award for study abroad purposes, even though her travel plans were canceled due to COVID-19. In 2021, Trotter was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society as one of the top graduating seniors. She also received another Signature Experience Grant, and won first place at the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) conference for a poster presentation for her research on graphene nanomaterials and polymer biomaterials. She recently won an American Chemical Society (ACS) Local Outstanding Student Award and was honored as BA Chemistry Student of the Year at the Chemistry Department Award Ceremony on April 21. This story was written by Bobbie Handcock.

Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Cynthia Taylor

John Hill — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 18:11:50 +0000

As a woman to watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Dr. Cynthia Taylor, an associate professor of accounting, has been breaking barriers at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock ever since she stepped foot on campus. A native of North Little Rock, Taylor started at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 1986 as a member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program and was the first minority student to be accepted to the program. “My elementary school teachers always said I should become a teacher, and I started to think that I should become a professor,” Taylor said. “As a student here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I realized I didn’t have any minority professors in accounting. I realized there was a shortage of minority professors, and that I could combine my love for accounting with teaching.” In 1993, Taylor’s department chair, Dr. Jim Gaunt, encouraged her to join the Teaching Enhancements Affecting Minority Students (TEAMS) program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. TEAMS started in 1992 to encourage and support minority students as they travel down the educational pipeline. The program offered tuition assistance, textbook grants, professional development, and a network to help students achieve their academic goals. As a part of the Teams Program, Taylor earned a Master of Business Administration from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from Oklahoma State University. “I do believe I was the first TEAMS scholar to complete the program and return to campus as a faculty member,” she said. “It was a great program, and I think ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is to be commended for trying to increase the number of minority faculty on campus. Some might not know about the effort. I graduated with my Ph.D. in 1998, and I have been a faculty member since 1998.” During her 24 years as a professor at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Taylor is known on campus and in the School of Business as an advocate for students, receiving multiple awards for impacting students’ lives in a positive way. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Beta Alpha Psi Chapter, an international honors society in the School of Business that focuses on the recognition and success of financial information students and professionals. Taylor said that there is nothing in the world she enjoys more than helping her students. “Teaching really is my passion and my calling,” Taylor said. “I enjoy working with students. One of the most rewarding things for me is to see my students advance in accounting and do great things. A number of my former students are CPAs and CFOs at nonprofits and corporations, while many own their own businesses.” When Taylor received tenure in 2004, she became the first African American tenured professor in the former ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business. She hopes her story has inspired other minority students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to complete their education. “One of the objectives of the TEAM program was to have minority faculty in the classroom to encourage minority students to complete their degrees and to do good things in education,” Taylor said. “I think I have helped a number of minority students. I think it encourages them to complete their business degrees, particularly in accounting. I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to encourage minorities to pursue accounting as a career.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Honor Alum Dr. Sara Tariq at 2022 Taste of Little Rock

John Hill — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 14:23:05 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s highly anticipated culinary and social event, Taste of Little Rock, will return March 29. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will honor alumna Dr. Sara Tariq, associate dean for student affairs in the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (��Vlog��ýMS), as the 2022 Taste of Little Rock honoree. “I am deeply honored to be a part of Taste of Little Rock,” Tariq said. “As a child of immigrant parents from India, I have a first-hand understanding of the economic and social challenges that some students face. Getting a scholarship to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock allowed me to focus solely on my studies. The faculty at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock provided me with the mentorship and knowledge to take the next steps in my career, which included getting admitted to medical school at ��Vlog��ýMS.” The event is set for 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at the Jack Stephens Center. Taste of Little Rock raises funds to help students through the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association Scholarship Fund while introducing guests to some of the best food in the city from the finest restaurants in Little Rock. During the past 16 years, Taste of Little Rock has raised more than $682,000 for student scholarships. “We are excited to honor Dr. Tariq for her passion to impact the lives of Arkansans through education,” said Kristi Smith, senior director of development. “During her time as a student, she was enrolled in the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, which presented her with foundational tools of research and writing that she has used for the betterment of society. She is an outstanding example of the best and brightest from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock who have graduated and enjoyed success in their chosen fields. ” Tariq, who is well-known among ��Vlog��ýMS medical students as a compassionate educator and mentor, is a nationally recognized leader in medical education and an exceptional physician who teaches by example. She is a 1993 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock who holds a bachelor’s degree in biology. In 2018, Tariq was named Outstanding Alumni of the Year for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. This year, Hendrix College will award her the Ethel K. Millar Award for Religion and Social Awareness. Tariq received her medical degree from ��Vlog��ýMS in 1998 and completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She joined the ��Vlog��ýMS faculty in 2002 after serving as chief resident at Brown University. She is a professor of internal medicine and serves as medical director of the Center for Clinical Skills Education. A firm believer in giving back to the community, Tariq’s philanthropic efforts in the Little Rock community are immense. She has served as president of the board of the Harmony Health Clinic, which serves the uninsured and underserved population in Pulaski County, for the past decade, and has co-chaired the annual Bollywood Nights gala for many years. “I strongly believe in lifting others up so we can all be successful in this state,” Tariq said. “Delivering primary care to the uninsured people of Little Rock at Harmony Clinic, promoting social justice by serving on the board of Just Communities of Arkansas, and serving on Mayor Frank Scott’s transition team have helped me continue to serve the people of this state, but also helped me grow as an individual. I want future ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduates to have the same opportunities for growth and leadership as I have had. I am ecstatic to support ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students by raising money for scholarships.” In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tariq started a community mask campaign with two ��Vlog��ýMS physicians to financially support women who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. The women are given sewing machines to help stitch face masks and donate masks to those in need. So far, the campaign has raised more than $16,000 and distributed more than 4,000 face masks. “When the pandemic hit, so many people felt helpless,” Tariq said. “While small at first, now we are not only helping Muslims and immigrant communities, but we are also providing face masks to several faith communities, nursing homes, and churches whose congregations primarily consist of colored, marginalized, or low-income communities in central Arkansas.” Stephanie Caruthers, a managing partner at Trio’s restaurant and co-chair of Taste of Little Rock, emphasized the importance of raising scholarship funds for college students. Loris Fullerton, a member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors, is also serving as co-chair of Taste of Little Rock. “The Alumni Association scholarships are an important part of our support and advocacy for the university and, as an Alumni Association Board member, I am able to experience first-hand the impact of Taste of Little Rock scholarships,” Caruthers said. “I have had the privilege of interviewing scholarship applicants, and that process has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my board service. I am so excited about what we have in store for Taste of Little Rock this year!” Dozens of restaurants from across the capital city will serve a “taste” of one of their most popular, or new, offerings. From small bites, to drinks, to desserts – there will be a wide variety of delicious “tastes” to enjoy! General admission tickets are $75. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni who have graduated within the last five years can purchase tickets for just $35. Learn about sponsorship opportunities and purchase tickets to Taste of Little Rock at . For more information, contact Derrick Newby, associate director of membership and engagement at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, at dxnewby@ualr.edu or 501-916-3208.

Graduating Student Spotlight on Josiah Johnson

John Hill — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 13:51:39 +0000

Josiah Johnson, a Donaghey Scholar and senior from Sherwood, is graduating this semester with a BBA in finance and a BBA in economics. During his time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Johnson has been an integral part of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center’s Startup Team, which specializes in assisting clients who have never been in business or had to learn about business before. He’s also been recognized for his research that looked into the impact on small towns that have been featured on the TV show “Small Business Revolution.” His research project earned first place in economics during the 2021 Student Research and Creative Works Expo. What are your thoughts on graduating? I am excited. I started college a little later in life, and it’s nice to catch up to where my friends are. In this last semester, it feels that a lot of my efforts have been recognized. It’s validating that my four years have been worthwhile. Why did you start college a little later in life? I’m 25, so I started my freshman year when I was 21. I had a little later start than most people. I had Lyme disease in middle school that went undiagnosed for a while, and I actually never attended high school. After getting my GED, my first full-time job was a transition back into the real world. I knew I couldn’t go to a university straight off the bat, so I saved money for a little while. I actually wrote my Donaghey Scholars essay on the value of attending college. It allowed me to research the pros and cons of getting a degree. Why did you choose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? The first thing is that the college is close to my family and where I grew up. I wasn’t sure about relocating. For me, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was a good opportunity because of the proximity and familiarity. I was preparing to take out quite a bit of loans until I found out about the Donaghey Scholars Program, which ended up working out really well for me. Who were your favorite professors at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I have to mention Dr. Rhet Smith. I am co-authoring with him, and I am still entertaining the idea of getting a Ph.D. in economics because of him. Dr. William Jergins, Dr. Moiz Bhai, and Dr. Casey Rockwell were all wonderful professors as well. I am thankful to both Dr. Simon Hawkins and Dr. Jessica Scott from the Donaghey Scholars Program for their support and open office where I could always ask questions. What are some of the highlights from your college years? My favorite class has been applied econometrics with Dr. Jergins. I looked at the effect of earned income tax credit programs on personal consumption and estimated the effect it would have in Arkansas. Understandably, we might expect people who have earned income tax credits to increase their personal consumption. I was able to utilize everything I’ve learned in class and work. Going to present my research at the Southern Economics Association Conference this November was a totally new experience, and I was grateful for that opportunity. One professor liked my research so much that he wanted me to apply to his university’s Ph.D. program in economics. I also studied abroad right before COVID. It made me more open to international travel. I was in Seville, Spain, during spring 2020. I got to go skiing for the first time, and I actually thought I picked it up pretty quickly. Tell me about your work with the ASBTDC? My work at the ASBTDC has been great. I first went to one of their events, and asked if I could just volunteer for them. It just so happened that they needed someone to cover an employee who was going on vacation. After that, they offered me the job. The work I’ve done has complimented my education and made me realize my interest in market research. I love working with data and transforming that data into something that makes sense for people who don’t like crunching the numbers. With the Startup Team, I definitely have clients that I check in with often. I hope they will be very successful. The things I’ve learned in class and on the job can help entrepreneurs who haven’t done something like this before or maybe didn’t go to college or business school. It’s empowering that I can give recommendations to new business owners andI hope to visit those businesses once they open. What are you looking forward to after graduation? I have a great job here at the ASBTDC and I am weighing getting a master’s degree in business information systems. I’m still open to other job opportunities. Whatever I do, I would like it to involve research, big data, or business consulting. Those are the three areas that interest me the most. What advice would you give to new students? I’m a big fan of Google Calendar. I spent my first week of classes with my syllabi, and I put all of my due dates and all of my class dates in my calendar. I didn’t want to be caught by surprise. I definitely recommend the Mathematics Assistance Center where I had several tutors that were wonderful. I also encourage going to all the on-campus events and making connections. I loved living on campus and hosting game nights. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Part of me wishes I could be here longer. I’ve done a lot at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and I’ve enjoyed my time here. I couldn’t have imagined going to another school. The benefits that the Donaghey Scholars provided exceeded my college expectations. I loved my cohort and the community we’ve built. It’s intimidating starting college from scratch, and I felt that I started with a great group of friends.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate with a Passion for Green Energy is Putting His Engineering Skills to Work at Little Rock Startup

John Hill — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 13:44:40 +0000

Joseph Sepulveda, of Cabot, Arkansas, is fulfilling his dream of making the world a better place by designing solar arrays at an up and coming Little Rock startup company. Sepulveda will graduate Dec. 18 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Since May, Sepulveda has worked as a solar coordinator at Entegrity Energy Partners, where he is responsible for designing, constructing, and selling solar arrays. “I’ve always been passionate about the environment,” he said. “I had the opportunity to work at a green energy startup, and I realized I could work in solar. I wanted to learn how they design solar arrays and what are the layers of engineering that go into that. That passion has driven me to work in this field. I have a unique opportunity here to learn design for a company that is learning solar in real time. It’s been a great journey.” Sepulveda’s love of engineering came from his father, who would spend his days wiring homes and repairing radios, televisions, and other electronic devices. “Growing up, my dad was intrigued with electronics and electricity,” Sepulveda said. “I fully believe my dad is an electrical engineer without the degree. The military guided that knowledge and introduced it into airplanes. One of my dad’s friends from the Air Force had retired and started a small company in Memphis. He needed someone to be the floor manager, and the owner of the company said my dad was a perfect fit.” His parents and older brother and sister moved from Chile to Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1990s. The family later moved to Cabot after his father got a job at Falcon Jet in Little Rock. “I’ve followed along with my father by being an engineer, but I didn’t follow along the path of electricity, because electricity is still magic to me,” Sepulveda said. In 2017, Sepulveda graduated as valedictorian from Cabot High School and joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as a member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. “I also had an older brother who went through the Donaghey Scholars Program seven years earlier,” Sepulveda said. “When he was 21, my brother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The Donaghey Scholars were very accommodating and understanding of my brother’s situation. It was wonderful to see him accomplish his economics degree. I already had a warm feeling about the Donaghey Scholars and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock engineering, so I made the decision to join ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.” Sepulveda started off his career at Entegrity as an inside sales intern. He found out about the green energy startup company from another Donaghey Scholar who was interning there. After interning for seven months, Sepulveda was promoted to a sales and operations coordinator. During this time, he closed more than $20 million worth of energy service performance contracts and solar sales.

Joseph Sepulveda

In 2019, Sepulveda studied abroad to work as a lab assistant involving sustainability projects at Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, Chile. One of Sepulveda’s assignments was to design a housing unit for an air quality monitoring device. Sepulveda and his colleagues traveled to Coyhaique on the southern tip of Chile. This small tourist town is also known as the most air polluted town in all of South America. Sepulveda’s team visited the town to measure air quality levels and to help the people of Coyhaique understand how bad the air is polluted due to a heavy amount of wood burning. “Since it’s in the very south of Chile, it’s very cold there, even in the summer and especially at night,” Sepulveda said. “That coldness transforms into more wood burning. If you imagine a town of 25,000 people just burning wood throughout the day, there is an immense amount of smoke. Over the past 5-10 years, Chile has seen an unusual amount of respiratory issues coming from this town. It was troubling to realize some of the areas with the highest amounts of pollution are elementary schools. It’s a very complicated issue. You can’t just tell the residents to stop heating their homes by burning wood, or they will freeze to death.” The study abroad trip was also a homecoming for Sepulveda, who used the opportunity to learn more about his Chilean roots. “That was the most impactful moment of my college career,” he said. “I was raised in a Chilean household. Since I was born in the U.S., I’m very Americanized. I didn’t know the struggles that my parents went through in their country of origin. It was a very profound and impactful identity experience, and I wouldn’t have that experience without ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and the Donaghey Scholars.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alum Claire Herman Named Director of Acquisitions and Marketing at Converging Capital

John Hill — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 20:14:06 +0000

Claire Herman, a 2021 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, has just started an exciting new career opportunity as the director of acquisitions and marketing at Converging Capital in Little Rock. A native of Bigelow, Arkansas, Herman graduated in May with bachelor’s degrees in finance and economics. Prior to COVID, Herman had planned to travel to Thailand this year to teach English as a second language, but she said things have a way of working out. “It’s amazing to see that some things are just meant to be,” Herman said. “I am lucky that I started an amazing new job. Converging Capital has a great company culture. I am incredibly fortunate to work with Bryan Hosto, who is also an alumni of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Each role is critically important. When you give an idea, it’s heard and weighed on its merits and not on a person’s position. There are always opportunities to grow and succeed.” Converging Capital is an Arkansas company that works with banks, credit unions, finance companies, and other businesses to provide recovery solutions for their charged off and delinquent accounts. In her new role, Herman handles social media, the website, and marketing campaigns. On the acquisitions side, she conducts market research and assesses and evaluates new portfolios. “I love the ability to not be limited to just doing the same thing,” Herman said. “I can work in different capacities and pursue different opportunities. It keeps it exciting. It’s a fast-paced job.” At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Herman was a member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, Student Government Association, and was the co-chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk. “I truly believe that the faculty and administrators in the School of Business want to push you forward,” Herman said. “They push you to learn hard and soft technical skills. I was also a Donaghey Scholar, and that program enabled me to get a college education that I couldn’t receive without them. I was able to grow as a person, and that’s something I learned at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.” She found success in a number of student business competitions, winning ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Sold in 60 Seconds competition, and was a finalist in the e-Fest Business Plan Competition and the Arkansas Governor’s Cup. Herman also credits the professional work experience she received while a student as contributing to her success in the workforce. She worked as a market research assistant at the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, an intern at Arkansas District Export Council, and an accounting intern at DYNE Hospitality Group. “When I transitioned from a student to the workplace, I was ready to jump right in,” Herman said. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock made that transition a lot smoother, and I am so incredibly grateful for that. I had so many opportunities for internships.” Coming full circle, Herman plans to take a vacation to Thailand next year as well as start the part-time program at the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. She also plans on continuing to tutor with AR Kids Read. “Something I learned at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock that is helpful is to give yourself grace,” Herman said. “College is one of the most pivotal times in your life. You are growing. It’s also one of the most challenging. It’s incredibly important to give yourself grace and to have a healthy outlet. I am grateful for Donaghey Scholars, School of Business, and Health Services. I am incredibly grateful for everyone who invested in me and believed in me, and I look forward to paying it forward in the future.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Completes National Theatre Institute Theatermakers Summer Intensive

John Hill — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 13:35:47 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student completed a highly competitive four-week summer theater program where participants create new work while training with professionals and emerging artists. Gage Pipkin, a senior theatre major and Donaghey Scholar from Jonesboro, finished the National Theater Institute’s Theatermakers Summer Intensive program during June and July at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut. He was one of five playwrights in the 26-student program. Over the four-week program, Pipkin helped write four new shows, participated in daily master classes and workshops, and earned eight credit hours for college. “There are no other words to describe my experience at the National Theatre Institute Theatermakers program other than one challenging, magical state of existence,” Pipkin said. “To be able to make art unapologetically with others during such times is something I will never forget. NTI has opened the door to a whole community that I now cannot imagine my life without and taught me that art can be made anywhere as long as you have brave, trustworthy people in your company.” The National Theatre Institute led Gage to create a network of artists that he said will be valuable in his future career in the arts. “This program opened my world vastly to other artists,” Pipkin said. “Because we shared our artwork, I feel close to those people. Now I have a whole community of artists that is mainly on the East coast. My playwriting mentor for the program, we stayed in contact and we had a meeting about my work when I was in New York. Some of the other students may want to direct my work at their school. That is a possibility because of this program.” Two of the four original works that Pipkin wrote and were produced during the summer program include “ALEXANDRITE” and “OTHERWORLD: A Queer Nightlife Musical.” Set in a pseudo world reminiscent of the Salem witch trial period, “Alexandrite” centers on Ruby, a young woman who is sexually assaulted by the town’s pastor and later put on trial for being a witch. “It deals with taking power back and what happens when a person’s power has been stripped away,” Pipkin said. “’OTHERWORLD’ is the total opposite of ‘ALEXANDRITE.’ The play takes place in a fun, interactive nightclub environment. It’s like a children’s musical for adults, and it covers the journey of a fantasy club world.” Pipkin also earned an $8,000 scholarship to attend the Theatermakers Summer Intensive. He’s thankful to his mentors in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance and the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program for their support. “I wouldn’t have been able to take part in this opportunity without the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Theatre Department which so passionately supports the creation of new student work,” Pipkin said. “It was here that I realized playwriting was not a job or career but a duty that we as artists should take on in order to make sure the stages in this world reflect our current human condition. This department gave me the tools I needed to pursue such opportunities to practice my craft. I just am continuing to learn to use these very tools.” In the upper right photo, Gage Pipkin, center, is one of five playwrights who participated in the National Theater Institute’s Theatermakers Summer Intensive program this summer. Photo by Isaak Berliner, resident photographer for the O’Neill Center.

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