/news-archive/tag/elaine-eubank/ 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Thu, 24 May 2018 16:39:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /news-archive/2018/05/24/second-acce-cohort-graduates/ Thu, 24 May 2018 16:39:45 +0000 /news/?p=70663 ... Second ACCE cohort graduates from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock]]> Kari Lott has a dream to one day save up enough money to open and run her own restaurant, a dream she is determined to make come true through her hard work and inspiring attitude.聽 She is one of 12 students who celebrated their graduation from the 糖心Vlog传媒, Community, Career Development and Employment (ACCE) Program May 21 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The joint program between 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and gives students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a college experience and prepare them for competitive employment. 鈥淲hen I first got into the ACCE program, I was a little scared not knowing if I could do the work,鈥� said Lott, who now has a full-time job at the Movie Tavern and was selected to speak at the graduation ceremony. 鈥淭he program was built to help us all. All of our teachers helped out a lot. I worked hard at my internships to do what I needed to learn on the job.鈥� Given her desire to open a restaurant, it should come as no surprise that Lott鈥檚 favorite internship was building her culinary skills at Sodexo. 鈥淢y favorite internship was Sodexo, because I got to work in the kitchen,鈥� Lott said. 鈥淚 got to chop. I got to prepare the food and make sure it got on the line. Boy, let me tell you, it wasn鈥檛 always easy. With the help and love of our teachers, family, and parents, I made it through it, and I am proud to say I really enjoyed it.鈥� The program was established in 2017 with the knowledge that only 32 percent of working-age people with disabilities were employed from 2010 to 2012, according to the Department of Labor. Studies show that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in post-secondary education have better jobs and receive higher earnings. 鈥淲e are excited to continue our partnership with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to offer this important program and proud of our 2018 graduates,鈥� said Easterseals Arkansas President and CEO Elaine Eubank. The 12 members of the second cohort of the ACCE program were surrounded by teary eyed family members, friends, teachers, mentors, and co-workers who loudly cheered as each member crossed the stage to receive a certificate for the post-secondary education program during a special ceremony in the Engineering and Information Technology Building auditorium. The graduates include Nicholas Austin of Alexander; Joshua Fletcher of North Little Rock; Davion Green, Breah Hampton, and Curtina Jackson, all of Little Rock; Kari Lott and Chasity Mathis, both of Sherwood; Ford McGahee, John Rockefeller, Juan Rodriquez Jr., and Aaron Sullivan, all of Little Rock; and Jonmichal Walker of North Little Rock. While addressing the graduates, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson emphasized the importance of higher education, employment, and living independently for success. 鈥淣o matter what the situation, higher education levels the playing field and must be available and accessible for all,鈥� Rogerson said. 鈥淚f so, it will change your life for the better. This is a proud moment Class of 2018. You have worked hard and have earned a certificate of completion, an important qualification that shows you have completed a specialized training program and pathway to your future employment.鈥� Fletcher, a 2017 graduate of North Little Rock Premier High School, was recognized as the 2018 Associate of the Year for his exemplary work during his time in the ACCE program. He has interned with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Ground Services and The Showroom to build custom frames and will be joining the workforce working full-time with Dillard鈥檚 Fulfillment Center as well as intermediate work continuing at The Showroom. This year鈥檚 class has completed on-the-job training at various departments and聽organizations on and off campus, including Ottenheimer Library, Sodexo, Fitness Center, Grounds Services, Custodial Services, Athletic Department, Department of Nursing, Sequoyah National Research Center, Jodie Mahoney Center for Gifted Education, 糖心Vlog传媒MS/糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Speech and Hearing Clinic, Information Technology Program, MidSOUTH, School of Social Work, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Children鈥檚 Learning Center, The Showroom, and Easterseals Developmental Preschool. ACCE students also enjoyed student activities by attending Trojan games, Homecoming activities, and being active participants in the college experience. The students increased 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 initiative to engage in more community outreach, enhance learning opportunities outside the classroom and diversity and as part of their outlined strategic plan. ACCE also has a collaborative partnership with the College of Education and Health Professionals, where ACCE class instruction is held, for students to volunteer within the ACCE classroom. Additionally, ACCE students lead discussions in classrooms to share their experiences in the secondary special education system. All of the graduates were awarded a free membership to the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association and a gift bag. The program is continuing to grow as the third cohort of 糖心Vlog传媒, Community, Career Development and Employment Program participants will begin taking classes at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock this fall with 16 students. The ceremony鈥檚 commencement speaker, Alan McClain, commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, thanked the graduates for being an inspiration to those around them and strong addition to Arkansas鈥檚 workforce. 鈥淚n addition to my congratulations, my message to you is also to say thank you,鈥� McClain said. 鈥淭hank you for inspiring us with your dedication and perseverance for coming out here everyday and completing the requirements for ACCE. Please know that your involvement with ACCE has made a huge impact on the world around you.鈥� In the upper right photo, the 2018 graduates of the ACCE program include (L to R): Back row: John Steele, ACCE instructor, and graduates John Rockefeller and Breah Hampton. Middle row: Graduates Ford McGahee, Jonmichal Walker, Joshua Fletcher, Davion Green, Juan Rodriguez, and ACCE Instructor Leslie Harms. Front row: Kari Lott, Curtina Jackson, Chasity Mathis, Nicholas Austin, and Aaron Sullivan.]]> /news-archive/2017/10/12/taste-little-rock-2018/ Thu, 12 Oct 2017 16:02:10 +0000 /news/?p=68211 ... Taste of Little Rock to honor Alfred Williams and Elaine Eubank]]> The 15th annual Taste of Little Rock will honor Alfred Williams and Elaine Eubank for their lifetime of support to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.聽 Set for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the Jack Stephens Center on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus, Taste of Little Rock raises funds for the 糖心Vlog传媒 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. 鈥淲e are thrilled to honor Alfred and Elaine for their dedication, passion, and support of students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Andrea Angel, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淭hey have a legacy of giving within their family that has positively impacted hundreds of students at our university. The Alumni Association would not be as strong as it is today without the work of these two devoted alumni.鈥� During their more than 30 years of marriage, the couple has made an incredible impact on the university through their generosity of their time, support, and financial gifts. 鈥淚鈥檓 most proud of growing scholarships and creating scholarships for students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 improve as a city without higher education.鈥� Eubank graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 1975 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in sociology, and Williams in 1966 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history and political science. While Eubank serves as the president and chief executive officer of , a nonprofit organization that serves children and adults with disabilities, Williams serves as senior vice president and risk consultant for . Williams continues to follow in the footsteps of his father, Grainger Williams, who was devoted to supporting Little Rock Junior College, Little Rock University, and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Williams, former chair of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board, was honored as the 2013 President鈥檚 Award honoree, while Eubank received the university鈥檚 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award. As lifetime members of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association, Williams and Eubank understand that their contributions in support of higher education are for the greater good of the university and the community. They have recently named the university the beneficiary of their life insurance policy, making them members of the Heritage Society. Because Williams was taught that giving was the right thing to do, he endowed two scholarships, the E. Grainger and Francis Williams scholarship and the Elaine Eubank scholarship, as gifts to honor his parents and his wife. Following suit, Eubank surprised Williams by establishing an endowed scholarship in his name, the Alfred Williams scholarship. Williams鈥� sister, June, a former second-grade teacher, recently followed in her family鈥檚 footsteps to create a scholarship for future teachers. As the first person in her family to graduate from college, Eubank understands the importance of helping students earn a college degree. 鈥淎lfred had a traditional college experience, and I was more like one of the families that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock works so hard to help,鈥� Eubank said. 鈥淚t was more of a stretch for my family to send me to college. I appreciate 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 efforts to make college more accessible for students who otherwise would not be able to attend.鈥� Individual tickets are on sale for $75. Sponsorships are available by contacting Danielle Hendrix at 501-683-7502 or dnhendrix@ualr.edu. 鈥淚 love Taste of Little Rock. It鈥檚 a great way to see a lot of people in a relaxed atmosphere,鈥� Eubank said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no program. There are hundreds of people to talk to, and you can sample food from so many great restaurants in Little Rock.鈥� To order tickets, contact the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni office at 501-683-7208, email alumni@ualr.edu, or visit the Taste of Little Rock website.]]> /news-archive/2017/08/01/ua-little-rock-easterseals-arkansas-celebrate-1st-acce-graduating-class-in-aug-7-ceremony/ Tue, 01 Aug 2017 14:38:03 +0000 /news/?p=67551 ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Easterseals Arkansas celebrate first ACCE graduating class]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock and will commemorate the first graduating class of a post-secondary education program that allows students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have a college experience and prepare for competitive employment.聽 The first seven graduates of the 糖心Vlog传媒, Community, Career Development and Employment Program (ACCE) will be celebrated in a special ceremony at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, in Dickinson Hall Auditorium on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus. Important components of the two-semester program that began Jan. 30 include academics, social support, work exploration and job placement. Students learned independent living skills, while working at internships that provide on-the-job experience, career exploration and core employment skills. The program was established with the knowledge that only 32 percent of working-age people with disabilities were employed from 2010 to 2012, . Studies show that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in post-secondary education have better jobs and receive higher earnings. 鈥淲e are excited to partner with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to offer this important program,鈥� said Easterseals Arkansas President and CEO Elaine Eubank. 鈥淎CCE opens doors to opportunity and helps graduates live more independently.鈥� The positive impact of ACCE already can be seen. Student Charlee Brosh is the first student from the program to be offered a permanent job. Regarding her internship leading up to her job placement in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Audiology and Speech Pathology Clinic, she said she learned that 鈥渨ork could be fun.鈥� 鈥淚 learned job duties can be big or small like shampooing a carpet,鈥� Brosh said. 鈥淚 learned to use Excel. I thought it was hard at first, but it is not. I had to run the office while staff were in meetings.鈥� Of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock college experience, Charlee said she enjoyed meeting lots of people and seeing people she knows on campus. For more than 70 years, Easterseals Arkansas has been a resource for people with disabilities and their families. Its mission is to provide exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. In the upper right photo,聽Charlee Brosh, a student in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock/Easterseals Arkansas 糖心Vlog传媒, Community, Career Development, and Employment Program, signs an offer letter to work as a clinical technician in the 糖心Vlog传媒MS Audiology and Speech Pathology Clinic. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Communications.聽]]> /news-archive/2017/03/21/ua-little-rock-alumni-2017/ Tue, 21 Mar 2017 14:00:42 +0000 /news/?p=66646 ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumni keep giving back to the university]]> During their more than 30 years of marriage, they鈥檝e witnessed the impact they could have on the university through their gifts of time, support and financial gifts. 鈥淚鈥檓 a firm believer that the city grows or fails based on how we support higher education,鈥� said Williams, former chair of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board and 2013 Presidents Award honoree. To further continue their support of higher education and the university, the couple has made 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock a beneficiary of their life insurance policy. As lifetime members of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association, the couple understands that no matter the amount they contribute, what they choose to give is for the greater good of the university and the community. Because Williams was taught that giving was the right thing to do, he endowed two scholarships, the E. Grainger and Francis Williams scholarship and the Elaine Eubank scholarship, as gifts to honor his parents and his wife. Following suit, Eubank surprised Williams by establishing an endowed scholarship in his name, the Alfred Williams scholarship. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an easy step to make,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淲hen I became more involved with the Alumni Association, I found that even when we gave scholarships, students couldn鈥檛 afford the schooling because of books. It just seemed to me like we were just missing out, that I ought to be able to help in a way that gave them something that I didn鈥檛 have to struggle for.鈥� Williams and Eubank are content in their decision to name the university the beneficiary of their life insurance policy, which makes them members of the Heritage Society. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to know that in some small way, we can help someone else,鈥� said Eubank, who received the university鈥檚 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award. 鈥淭here are a lot of different ways to make a planned gift. It doesn鈥檛 have to be an astronomical amount. Even a small scholarship helps.鈥� As the first person in her family to have the opportunity to attend college, Eubank knows firsthand the importance of financial support in higher education. 鈥淚鈥檓 the student that I have heard Chancellor Rogerson talk so much about,鈥� Eubank said. 鈥淚t was a financial stretch for my family to try to send someone to college. The fact that it was an urban university, and I could live with my family while I attended school made it doable. Also, jobs were more readily available in Little Rock than in smaller college towns and I could work full time and go to school full time.鈥� Because she was always shuttling between work and school, Eubank never had time to be socially engaged with the university as an undergraduate student, as opposed to her husband, who was involved in just about everything on campus. 鈥淚t means a lot to me to be involved with the university now, because I really wasn鈥檛 when I was a student here, and that makes the present relationship even more important,鈥� Eubank said. Eubank graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 1975 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in sociology, and Williams in 1966 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history and political science. While Eubank serves as the president and chief executive officer of , a nonprofit organization that serves children and adults with disabilities, Williams serves as senior vice president and risk consultant for . He聽continues to follow in the footsteps of his father, Grainger Williams, who was devoted to supporting Little Rock Junior College, Little Rock University, and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. For more information on giving, contact Jan Davis, director of gift planning for the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association, at 501.683.7208 or at jpdavis@ualr.edu.  ]]>