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

Arkansas Department of Education Awards ��Vlog��ý Little Rock $175K Grant to Create Online Teaching Academy for K-12 Teachers

John Hill — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 19:53:42 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $175,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Education that will provide funding for a new online teacher academy for K-12 teachers in Arkansas.�� The 2021-2022 Online Teacher Academy Endorsement program will provide training for K-12 teachers in the state to learn more about online teaching and course creation by taking courses through the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Learning System Technology Education program in the School of Education. During the academy, participants will earn 15 hours of graduate credit as well as an endorsement in K-12 online teaching by the Arkansas Department of Education upon completion of a state assessment. The grant will cover tuition, books, and a state assessment for 20 K-12 teachers who are participating in the online teacher academy. Dr. Daryl Tate, assistant professor in the School of Education and coordinator of the Learning System Technology Education program, will serve as the director of the online teacher academy, while Sharonda Lipscomb, instructional design coordinator, will serve as the program administrator. “Educators in the 21st century need to have certain skill sets to be effective in their classes, whether they are teaching hybrid, fully online, or face-to-face classes,” Tate said. “This grant from the Arkansas Department of Education will help us prepare K-12 teachers to deliver quality online learning to their students.” During the academy, teachers will create an online course that they can use in their schools. During the spring showcase on April 9, 2022, teachers will present the design and development elements of their course to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty members for review. The participants will also have the opportunity to share ideas and receive feedback from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock eLearning instructional designers.

Sharonda Lipscomb will serve as the program administrator.

“What happened with the pandemic really got people’s attention focused on the quality of online learning,” Tate said. “Some teachers seamlessly moved over to online versions of their courses, while some were not ready for the fast transition caused by the pandemic. People want to be prepared, and teachers who complete this academy will enhance their online teaching and course development skills.” Teachers participating in the online teaching academy also have opportunities for further learning. Participants who complete the academy will earn the graduate certificate in Learning Systems Technology Education with the completion of one more course. They may also earn a master’s degree in education with the completion of six courses after the graduate certificate. For more information, contact Dr. Tate at datate@ualr.edu or visit the Learning Systems Technology Education program website.��

Adesoba selected as New Face of Tech Challenge Winner

John Hill — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 19:00:20 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student is one of 40 women from across the country that was recognized as an up and coming female professional in the technology industry as a winner of the .�� Originally from Nigeria, this New Face of Tech winner, , is currently a 28-year-old, second-year graduate student at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock where she’s pursuing her M.S. degree in information science and a M.S. in information quality.�� “It’s proof that my dreams and career aspirations in tech are valid,” Adesoba said. “I feel that my experiences have been valued. It proves that I am on the right track. It gives me inspiration to continue my education. It took courage to transition into the tech industry. As much as everyone can dream, it makes my dreams come alive all the more by being selected for this scholarship.” The New Face of Tech Scholarship Program is intended to fund and fuel the aspirations of talented female college students pursuing careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). The life-changing prize package includes a $1,500 grant, career-coaching sessions with HARMAN executives, and JBL products. Winners were selected based on the quality of their submission, including a demonstrated commitment to their career dream in tech and a clear vision for how winning the New Face of Tech Program will help them accelerate progress toward their dream. “The funding will help pay for academic and tech resources, including certifications that will accelerate the launch of my career,” Adesoba said. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in statistics from the University of Ilorin in Nigeria, Adesoba worked as a credit risk analyst with Nigerian banks before joining the information science program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “I felt like this would be an opportunity to understand how data governance worked, especially for large organizations,” Adesoba said. “My communication and interaction with my program, advisor, and alumni have been very open, supportive, and receptive. It’s been a great journey since I started last year at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. There are people who support my academic dreams and career goals. And my husband was coming for his Ph.D. at ��Vlog��ýMS, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to be close to my family as well.” At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Adesoba has worked as a graduate assistant with the offices of eLearning and STAR, where she conducted research on the most effective learning management systems in use at universities across the country. She is now a graduate research assistant with the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS), where she conducts research on video transcription and speech to text techniques for YouTube tracker development. Additionally, she analyzed and visualized YouTube video behavioral data. “We are extremely proud of Adeola Adesoba for winning the prestigious and competitive ‘New Face of Tech Scholarship’ that encourages women participation in STEAM disciplines – an effort that we champion and celebrate at COSMOS,” said Dr. Nitin Agarwal, Jerry L. Maulden-Entergy endowed chair and distinguished professor of information science and director of COSMOS. “Only 40 students were awarded the scholarship from across the nation. I congratulate Adeola for this commendable accomplishment that puts ��Vlog��ý Little Rock among the nation’s top schools!” Adesoba, who serves as vice president of the Society of Women Engineers student chapter at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, said it’s important for more women to get involved in the STEM field so they can provide more opportunities for women who are typically underrepresented in college and the career industry. “When women are represented in the STEM field, it gives opportunities for younger women to look up to other women in the field,” Adesoba said. “It makes you feel like you aren’t alone. These women represent opportunities for other women who are striving to go higher. When more women are working in STEM, those barriers are broken down, and doors will open for younger women to enter the STEM field. Women have a lot to contribute to the STEM field. By giving a lift to the dreams of women and girls, it provides opportunities for others to be inspired.” After she graduates with her master’s degree in December, Adesoba plans to earn a doctorate as well as pursue her professional dream to become a data scientist/data governance expert who helps businesses and organizations solve complex problems with data and machine learning techniques while also using technology for social good. “I want every other international student to know that there are a lot of opportunities around you,” Adesoba said. “Look at what communities can help you with your academic pursuits and career goals. You shouldn’t be afraid to try new things and to put yourself out there. There are others out there who will support your journey. I would recommend LinkedIn. You meet a lot of people and get a lot of information. To have a rich student experience, you need to look on and off campus to have a well-rounded experience.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock online graduate programs listed among the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report

John Hill — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 22:37:00 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been recognized as having some of the best online programs in computer information technology in the country. U.S. News & World Report ranked ��Vlog��ý Little Rock 19th in its 2021 ranking of “Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs.”�� “Our university continuously encourages innovative academic programming to help students and faculty achieve academic success,” said Dr. David Montague, executive director of online learning and faculty mentoring. “This significant accomplishment in these prestigious academic rankings demonstrates commitment to academic excellence, optimal functionality, accessibility, innovation, universal inclusion, and user-friendly education.” This ranking assesses online master’s degree programs in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, information systems, and information technology. For ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, this ranking includes the online Master of Science in information quality and Master of Science in information science programs. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock also ranked 19th in the 2020 U.S. News list. “We are really gratified to make the list again this year. The online degree market has become very competitive,” said Dr. Elizabeth Pierce, chair of the Department of Information Science, which houses both programs. “There are a lot of good schools offering good web-based degrees so we need to keep improving what we offer each year in order to stay a competitor.” The online master’s degree in information quality is a 33-hour program that can be completed in as little as 18 months. The program is designed to prepare students for industry and government careers as well as advanced doctoral studies. Developed with support from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Information Quality Program, the curriculum balances information quality theory with industry best practices using state-of-the-art technology. “The Information Quality Graduate Program was launched in 2006, and it’s the only graduate program in the U.S. devoted to the study of data governance and data quality management issues,” Pierce said. “The program is attracting a lot of attention from the chief data officers community due to the strong synergy between this program’s curriculum and the need for chief data officers to ensure their organization has trusted data that is available when needed.” The online master’s degree in information science is a 33-hour program designed to familiarize individuals with the advanced knowledge, skills, and technologies for working with large amounts of complex data. Students learn how to compete in an industry with an ever-present demand for new innovations in data science and analytics, advanced information systems design and development, and emerging information technologies. Both degrees serve as a stepping stone for other advanced graduate degrees, such as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Ph.D. in computer and information science. For the 2021 rankings edition, U.S. News evaluated schools on five categories, including engagement, faculty credentials and training, expert opinion, service and technologies, and student excellence. Dr. Nitin Agarwal, Jerry L. Maulden-Entergy endowed chair and distinguished professor of information science who teaches online courses in the graduate programs, said the professors work hard to meet the challenges of online students.�� “Online students face a variety of challenges,” Agarwal said. “Aside from technological challenges, online students�� miss peer-experience, engagement and participation during asynchronous classes, instant access to instructors and on-campus resources. We recognize these limitations of online education and make a concerted effort to improve students’ learning experience.”�� Pierce said that the success of the online programs is driven by several factors, including the use of innovative online technologies to deliver a live classroom webcast from video classrooms in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, skilled instructors, and support from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “In our programs, we have worked hard to improve the delivery of the online learning experience,” Pierce said. “We encourage students as much as possible to take their classes synchronously online to get as much interactive engagement with their instructors as if they were physically on campus. In addition though, we do offer students the flexibility to view the recorded sessions anytime their schedules do not permit them to join the live session at the given time. The other part of the equation is the quality of the program’s instructors and course content. In addition to our regular graduate faculty, we recruit highly qualified individuals from industry to teach specialized content so that our students can get the best combination of real world experiences coupled with sound academic principles.” Two of the information science professors who teach for the graduate programs, Dr. John Talburt and Dr. Richard Wang, were recently named to Chief Data Officer Magazine’s 2021 .

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s online Master of Arts in Mass Communication program ranked among best in nation

John Hill — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 13:22:48 +0000

College Consensus, a college review aggregator, has ranked the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s online Master of Arts in Mass Communication program 16th on its list of the degree programs for 2020.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock’s fully online master’s degree in mass communication emphasizes critical thinking in mass media and its strategic communication and journalistic practices as they relate to media content and its effects on the public as a whole. “The master’s degree is a well structured and flexible program for all interested in pursuing a graduate degree in strategic communication, journalism, and media research,” said Dr. Kwasi Boateng, graduate program coordinator. Divided into 11 courses, the 33-hour degree provides a media research choice that prepares distance learners to evaluate and conduct academic research in mass communication. Students are equipped with how to write and present their research findings to both academic and non-scholarly audiences. The professional mass media option gives students advanced professional experience in strategic communication/public relations or multi-platform journalism. All students will either create a professional project or write a master’s thesis for their capstone experience. College Consensus compiled its list of colleges and universities with online or hybrid master’s degree programs based on reputation, convenience, and affordability. Ranks were calculated with data from U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and each school’s College Consensus Score.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student discovers passion for bookbinding

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 14:16:32 +0000

In 2018, Mitchel Gundrum, a former executive information technology support specialist living in San Francisco, was ready for a career change.�� “I did some research and realized ��Vlog��ý Little Rock had the best professional and technical writing program online,” said Gundrum, a Wisconsin native. “I was working full-time, so I wanted to get my bachelor’s degree but needed the flexibility of an online program.”�� One of Gundrum’s spring 2019 classes included grant writing with Dr. Barbara L’eplattenier, professor of rhetoric and writing. Through this class, Gundrum wrote and earned a $19,500 grant from the Windgate Foundation for his favorite nonprofit, the San Francisco Center for the Book.�� The nearly $20,000 grant will help extend the center’s visiting instructors program, which provides workshops and lectures on the arts of letterpress printing and bookbinding. The funds will cover travel, housing, and lecture fees for six additional instructors for the center’s 2020 lecture series. Additionally, the grant will help students in need attend the workshops by covering class material fees and a student stipend.�� “The grant writing class was an amazing opportunity to get support for their organization,” Gundrum said. “It’s very difficult to get such a high level of instruction in such a niche market like bookbinding. To be able to get classically trained instructors in San Francisco is a great opportunity. I am beyond words at how well the project turned out. I’m trying hard not to get a big head over my first grant being successful, but it does make me want to try my hands at more grant writing.”�� After his success in the grant writing class, L’eplattenier recommended Gundrum apply for the. He spent the summer working as an archivist intern for the Lincoln Archives Digital Project, which is dedicated to digitizing all federal records housed within the National Archives created during President Abraham Lincoln’s administration.�� “I applied with Dr. Barb’s blessing. She gave me some assistance during the application since I tend to be a very lengthy, verbose writer,” Gundrum said. “I worked to digitally archive and translate more than 500 documents from 1861-1865, the years of Lincoln’s presidency.” The internship gave Gundrum a chance to get his foot in the door and gain some professional experience.

These are a selection of some of the Gundrum’s bookbinding work.

“I jumped at the opportunity,” Gundrum said. “For me, it was beneficial to work at the archives, to learn new technology, and to work with older documents that need to be preserved for the future.” L’eplattenier said Gundram is a great example of how ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students can use their classes to pursue meaningful interests. “Mitch is passionate about bookbinding and used the grant-writing class to develop a deeper relationship with an organization that focuses on bookbinding,” L’eplattenier said. “Then he used the requirements of his internship through The Washington Center to interview and network with prominent people in the book restoration world like Elmer Eusman, head of the Conservation Division at the Library of Congress, and Katie Wagner, senior paper conservator at the Smithsonian Institute Libraries. It’s really exciting and a wonderful example of how students can build on what they’ve learned in their classes with other experiences that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers” Gundrum, who graduated with his bachelor’s degree this month, has already embarked on the next step in his professional career. He has enrolled in the two-year bookbinding program at North Bennet Street School in Boston, one of a handful of programs in the country that offers hands-on book arts education taught by traditionally trained instructors. The two-year, comprehensive bookbinding program teaches students how to make, restore, and preserve books and other printed treasures.�� “Restoring old books and bringing them back to life is something that really clicked for me. I am out here in Boston to learn to professionally repair and restore old bindings,” Gundrum said. “I never thought I would go to school again after my bachelor’s degree, but here I am.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s online master’s program in information science ranked among best in nation

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 14:44:32 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s online master’s degree program in information science has been ranked among the best in the nation for the second time in 2019. OnlineMasters.com ranked ��Vlog��ý Little Rock seventh in its . The research identifies 47 top programs in the nation based on curriculum quality, program flexibility, affordability, and graduate outcomes. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranked ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as having some of the in the country. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence, with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock being selected as 15th on the list, up from 27th in 2018. The Master of Science in Information Science is a 33-credit-hour program designed to familiarize individuals with the advanced knowledge, skills, and technologies for working with large amounts of complex data. This degree also serves as a stepping stone toward pursuing other graduate degrees, such as the Ph.D. in Computer and Information Science. In addition to insights gained from industry professionals, OnlineMasters.com leveraged a data set comprised of interviews and surveys from current students and alumni. Each online degree program was analyzed with only 47 making it to the final list. The methodology incorporates the most recent data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System () and statistical data from the . Students who pursue this type of degree can also gain employment as systems administrators, systems architects, project managers, consultants, and analysts. “According to the , there is a high demand for skilled professionals in this field with most earning a median salary of $139K per year,” said Program Recognition Manager Barbara Montgomery. “The rapid job growth in this market is just one of the many reasons OnlineMasters.com researched, analyzed, and ranked the Top Master’s in Information Systems and Technology programs.”

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

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

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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s online social work graduate program ranked among best in country

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 14:15:39 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s online Master of Social Work program has been ranked among the best in the nation.�� OnlineMasters.com ranked ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as 25th on its list of the Best Online Master’s in Social Work Programs for 2019. The research identifies 45 top programs in the nation based on curriculum quality, program flexibility, affordability, and graduate outcomes. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Master of Social Work online degree program prepares social workers for advanced practice and leadership roles. The 60-hour program particularly focuses on clinical social work practice, where students will learn contemporary, evidence-informed practice approaches that can be used across a wide range of settings and with diverse individuals, families, and groups. This nationally accredited program can be completed in three years, which includes the completion of both course work and field internships. In addition to insights gained from industry professionals, OnlineMasters.com leveraged an exclusive data set comprised of interviews and surveys from current students and alumni. The methodology incorporates the most recent data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System () and statistical data from the . Most importantly, only programs from accredited nonprofit institutions were eligible. “According to the , employment for social workers is expected to increase by 16 percent over the next several years,” said Barbara Montgomery, program recognition manager. “This job growth is much faster than the average for all occupations, which means significant opportunities for new graduates.” Students who pursue a master’s degree in social work can gain employment as a mental health counselor, school social worker, foster care therapist, human service assistant and more. To access the complete ranking, please visit.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock ranked among colleges with best online computer IT programs

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 15:06:51 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has once again been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as having some of the in the country.�� Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence, with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock being selected as 15th on the list, up from 27th in 2018. This ranking assesses online master’s degrees in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, information systems, and information technology. For ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, this consists of the Master of Science in Information Science and the Master of Science in Information Quality online degree programs. “As we provide a mix of delivery modes to meet student needs, our online offerings grow,” said Dr. Lawrence Whitman, chair of the Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology. “Dr. Elizabeth Pierce, chair of the Information Science Department, has done an excellent job of implementing technology in a manner that is most effective for student learning. This ranking is the fruit of her and many others’ efforts to implement state-of-the-art technology in student learning.” Both programs offer night courses that are convenient for working professionals. All courses in the online program are tied to a live class, so online students get much of the same educational experience as on-campus students. “The students really like our format, which is different from many schools,” said Dr. John Talburt, coordinator of the information quality graduate programs. “We don’t use the old correspondence-style course. Every online class is anchored to an on-campus class. All students get their assignments and take their exams at the same time. Online students can participate during a live class or watch the recorded lectures when it is convenient for them.” The Master of Science in Information Science is a 33-credit-hour program designed to familiarize individuals with the advanced knowledge, skills, and technologies for working with large amounts of complex data. This degree also serves as a stepping stone toward pursuing other graduate degrees, such as the Ph.D. in Computer and Information Science. The online master’s program began in 2007 and currently has 17 students with 23 more students in the doctoral program. Graduates often work in data quality management and in data governance. The information science discipline is expanding rapidly thanks to an ever-present demand for new innovations in information retrieval, storage, processing, and analysis tools and techniques. “There is a huge emphasis on data quality, data governance, data science and how to get more value out of information. We were one of the first universities to offer graduate degrees in information quality,” Talburt said. “A lot of our online students are already working professionals, so having an online program in their area is very attractive.” The Master of Science in Information Quality��is a career-oriented program focusing on practice, skills, and theory. The 33-hour program, which began in 2017 and can be completed in 18 months, is designed to prepare students for careers in industry and government as well as advanced graduate studies. The curriculum balances information quality theory with industry best practices using state-of-the-art tools and technology. The course content has been developed with the support of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Information Quality Program and with additional help from leading practitioners and researchers within the information quality community. “Our intention is for the program to be challenging to people who do have a computing background, while being an option for more mature students who want to get into the computing field without having an undergraduate computing degree,” said Dr. Daniel Berleant, professor of information science and advisor for the graduate program. “Graduates are prepared for new jobs in data analysis and data manipulation, or to advance in their present jobs. The program electives help tailor the student to the type of position they want to get.” For the 2019 rankings edition, U.S. News evaluated schools on five general categories, including engagement, faculty credentials and training, expert opinion, services and technologies, and student excellence.

Veteran earning degree online to provide a better future for his family

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:28:24 +0000

When Jimmy Johnson, 52, of Benton, was called in for a fifth and final interview for a vice president position a few years ago, he was certain that his life was about to change.�� “I just knew that my experience would finally pay off and move me out of the horizontal status that I seemed to be stuck in,” Johnson said. “I can’t tell you how excited I was when they requested this last interview. I just knew that my life was going to change.” The interviewer asked Johnson one simple question. Do you have any college? He said no. “They had explained to me that they wanted me, but their policy was that individuals for these positions must have a college education,” Johnson said. “They were going to waive their requirement for an actual degree for me, but because I had no college, they could not waive that. You just don’t understand the depression that set in for me. I knew at that point that I would always be in a horizontal status unless I do something about it. This is when I decided to obtain a college degree.” Johnson, a veteran and father of six, always wanted to go to college, but circumstances in his life did not allow this after high school. At 18, married and with his first child, Johnson dropped out of high school to support his growing family. He spent a few years working as a cook at Shoney’s. When his first wife became pregnant with his second child and Johnson without health insurance, he joined the U.S. Army in 1987 and completed the tactical satellite/microwave repairer course. He served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He credits the U.S. Army for providing him with the skills to get the professional job he needed. “I owe the Army everything I have today. They gave me the experience that I needed to be in the profession that I am today,” he said. After 10 years in the Army, Johnson worked a variety of positions with 30 years experience in the telecommunications industry. He has worked as a transport engineer at Alltel Wireless, as a realtor and consultant, and owned his own business as well. Johnson currently works as a professional vendor manager at AT&T in Little Rock. After being unable to advance further in his career without a college degree, Johnson joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2016 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in applied science with minors in management and professional communications. “At my age, I could have taken college anywhere, but I didn’t want that,” Johnson said. “I wanted a campus feel, even though my schedule does not accommodate that. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock gave me that campus feel. When I graduate, I won’t feel like I went to an online school. I have made a point to meet every professor that I have had classes with face to face, even though they are online. Having access to the programs that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has to offer has benefitted me by allowing me to be a professional and a father. The services that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers gives me the flexibility to work on my studies on a schedule that fits my lifestyle.” He credits his wife Melissa and Kathy Oliverio, director of military student success at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, for encouraging him to complete his degree. “Kathy Oliverio is the one who told me I could do it,” Johnson said. “I was a nervous wreck. She told me, ‘Jimmy, you can do this.’ She is the one who really motivated me to just go for it. I keep in touch with her all the time. My goal is to graduate with a 4.0. She said, ‘for someone who is nervous, you have high goals.’ I said, ‘If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do this right.’ My wife, Melissa, is very supportive. She’s another one who told me, ‘Jimmy, go get your education.’” His schedule as a student remains hectic. Johnson has five adult daughters who no longer live at home. He also has a “late in life blessing” in the form of his 5-year-old son, Blake. After spending all day at work, Johnson is dedicated to spending as much time as possible with his son. “My son is my pride and joy to me,” he said. “From after work until he goes to bed, that time is his. Friday and Saturday are his. I start my schoolwork at 9 p.m. on Sunday and do school work until almost 2 a.m. every morning from Sunday through Thursday. This is Blake’s first year in kindergarten, and he didn’t like it as much. Hey, Daddy goes to school, too. It’s brought him around to saying that school is not so bad because Daddy’s doing it.” Once he graduates in 2019, Johnson hopes to move into management and eventually land the coveted vice president position. “With the diploma from this university and the experience that I have, I am hoping that for once in my life – instead of opportunity always passing me by – I will have a chance to pass up opportunities.” Johnson hopes that the lesson people take away from his story is to see the value of getting an education and to go for it. “I just wish that everyone that reads this really considers getting their education,” he said. “Without it, there is a good chance you will never achieve the goals that you are working for. Education is never ending. I have required training at AT&T. AT&T has a program called Workforce 2020 to make sure that their employees are keeping up with all the new changes in technology and education. Technology changes and management styles change. If you don’t keep up, you’ll be left behind.” In the upper right photo, online ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student Jimmy Johnson does most of his school work by night so he can spend time with his 5-year-old son Blake. Photo by Ben Krain.��

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

Arkansas Department of Education Awards ����Vlog��ý Little Rock $175K Grant to Create Online Teaching Academy for K-12 Teachers

Adesoba selected as New Face of Tech Challenge Winner

����Vlog��ý Little Rock online graduate programs listed among the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report

����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s online Master of Arts in Mass Communication program ranked among best in nation

����Vlog��ý Little Rock student discovers passion for bookbinding

����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s online master’s program in information science ranked among best in nation

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s online social work graduate program ranked among best in country

����Vlog��ý Little Rock ranked among colleges with best online computer IT programs