- University News Archive - Vlogý Little Rock /news-archive/tag/information-quality/ Vlogý Little Rock Tue, 15 Mar 2022 12:46:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Talburt Recognized as Leading Data Academic Leader /news-archive/2022/03/15/talburt-leading-data-academic-leader/ Tue, 15 Mar 2022 12:46:04 +0000 /news/?p=81106 ... Talburt Recognized as Leading Data Academic Leader]]> CDO (Chief Data Officer) Magazine announced Talburt, professor of information science and Acxiom chair of information quality, as a member of its . “I feel very honored to be named to such a select group of individuals,” Talburt said. “I believe the reason I was named is primarily because Vlogý Little Rock was willing to take a chance in 2006, go against the normal academic trends, and establish a graduate program in information quality in collaboration with MIT. This has given our program great exposure and growing enrollments. I am happy that data has come into parity with programming and is no longer considered a second-class citizen in the world of information technology.” The Leading Data Academic Leaders List 2022 honors great academic leaders, introducing them on a global platform where they share their insights and work, highlighting their significant successes in the previous year, the challenges they faced, and their aspirations and goals for 2022. Talburt has been instrumental in building the Information Quality Graduate Program at Vlogý Little Rock. The program includes the graduate certificate in information quality, the M.S. in information quality, and the Ph.D. in integrated computing with an emphasis in information quality. At Vlogý Little Rock, he also serves as executive director of the Center for Advanced Research in Entity Resolution and Information Quality and coordinator of the Ph.D. program in computer and information sciences. “The information quality, information science, and computer science graduate programs are experiencing dramatic growth,” he said. “I believe the university’s future is in research and graduate studies. We will always have an obligation to serve our undergraduate students, but our future growth will come at the graduate level. We are already recognized as the leading institution in Information Quality graduate education.” U.S. News & World Report has ranked Vlogý Little Rock 19th in its ranking of in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Talburt first joined Vlogý Little Rock in 1983 as a professor in the newly formed Department of Computer Science, which he chaired from 1986-1993. He left the university in 1995 to lead a research and development unit at Acxiom, where he learned about the power and value of data. In 2005, Talburt returned to Vlogý Little Rock in the newly formed Information Science Department as the Acxiom Chair of Information Quality. “I believe the next big area of focus in IT will be around metadata, i.e., data describing other data,” Talburt said. “Well-curated and managed metadata will be the key to data process automation and the ability for organizations to exercise authority and control over their data assets. How can you effectively use your data to create value if you don’t know what data you have and what’s in it? This is the role of metadata, and I think it will be the next big area of research and development. The university is already involved in a major NSF grant investigating ways to automate data curation (processing) and data governance.” You can read the full article on .]]> Adesoba selected for data science internship at IBM /news-archive/2021/06/11/adeola-adesoba-ibm-internship/ Fri, 11 Jun 2021 13:46:17 +0000 /news/?p=79138 ... Adesoba selected for data science internship at IBM]]> Adeola Adesoba, a graduate student at Vlogý Little Rock, has been selected for a competitive summer internship with IBM. Adesoba will work as a cognitive engineer/data science graduate intern with IBM’s Global Business Services Team from June 1 to Aug. 13. “IBM is such a large tech organization,” Adesoba said. “Being recognized as someone with the skills they are looking for made me excited. As a data scientist, I will utilize IBM’s technologies to build solutions for the world’s most difficult challenges and help our clients do the same.” As an intern, Adesoba will be responsible for successful delivery of data science solutions and services in a client consulting environment. She will lead strategy discussions and help to design and develop a solution that meets client’s goals and outcomes. She will also define key business problems to be solved and formulate mathematical approaches and gather data to solve those problems. Adesoba is a native of Nigeria who is pursuing a M.S. in information quality. 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 Vlogý Little Rock. She is also a graduate research assistant with the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS) and a Devops engineer intern with nClouds. Adesoba is planning to graduate in December. “I believe the internship will be a stepping stone for me as a data scientist,” she said. “I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity. I’m just very excited to start in June and get my hands on this real work industry experience that will give me a head start in my career when I graduate.”]]> Adesoba selected as New Face of Tech Challenge Winner /news-archive/2021/02/02/adesoba-tech-challenge-winner/ Tue, 02 Feb 2021 19:00:20 +0000 /news/?p=78231 ... Adesoba selected as New Face of Tech Challenge Winner]]> 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 Vlogý 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 Vlogý 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 Vlogý Little Rock. There are people who support my academic dreams and career goals. And my husband was coming for his Ph.D. at VlogýMS, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to be close to my family as well.” At Vlogý 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 Vlogý Little Rock among the nation’s top schools!” Adesoba, who serves as vice president of the Society of Women Engineers student chapter at Vlogý 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.”]]> Vlogý Little Rock online graduate programs listed among the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report /news-archive/2021/01/26/best-online-program/ Tue, 26 Jan 2021 22:37:00 +0000 /news/?p=78222 ... Vlogý Little Rock online graduate programs listed among the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report]]> 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 Vlogý 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 Vlogý Little Rock, this ranking includes the online Master of Science in information quality and Master of Science in information science programs. Vlogý 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 Vlogý 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 Vlogý 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 . ]]> Graduate Spotlight on Esther Mead /news-archive/2020/12/16/esther-mead-commencement/ Wed, 16 Dec 2020 20:02:48 +0000 /news/?p=78087 ... Graduate Spotlight on Esther Mead]]> Esther Mead is graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock this month with a Ph.D. in integrated computing with an emphasis in information quality as well as post-doctoral research position to continue her research at Vlogý Little Rock’s Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (). “Obtaining a Ph.D. represents the self-actualization of my highest academic goal,” Mead said. “It’s sort of like reaching the summit of a great mountain that you have been struggling to climb for several years. This has been my goal since I began my academic journey, and to have finally reached the summit is like a dream come true. I only wish that my father could have seen it.” Mead is a first-generation college student who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Bachelor of Business Administration, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas. She then taught marketing research and consumer behavior courses at San Diego State University for four years before returning to Arkansas to help care for her father, who had been diagnosed with prostate and bone cancer, and to pursue a Ph.D. “Although I was leaving a great position at SDSU, I could take the opportunity to achieve my highest academic goal,” Mead said. “When I arrived back home, however, I discovered that the problem was a lot more complicated than I had anticipated. Not only was my father suffering, but my youngest sister and her young son were also suffering from problems. Both my sister and her son have learning and behavioral disorders, and since they and my parents were all living in the same household, there was a great amount of disorder and tension.” Mead said she took one year to fully concentrate on helping her family. She cared for her father and helped her sister find a job and move to a new apartment before Mead moved to Vlogý Little Rock. In 2016, Mead entered the master’s degree program in business information systems at Vlogý Little Rock. She discovered COSMOS after enrolling in the integrated computing doctoral program. “I was impressed by the level of professionalism and societal impact of the work that I had read that was coming out of the organization, and was immediately interested in figuring out a way to become part of the team,” Mead said. “As part of COSMOS, I have been privileged to be part of several important research works. These include numerous analyses of bots, toxicity, and misinformation campaigns on social media platforms.” Her research has aided in the identification and subsequent mitigation of malicious actors that infiltrate the public information space that have drastic effects on society. One of the research projects Mead participated in was a website that tracks the spread of misinformation regarding COVID-19. “There was a tremendous amount of disinformation circulating on social media platforms about COVID-19, which several of my family members believed!,” Mead said. “This led me to become involved in a COSMOS-led effort to create and curate a website that kept track of these various COVID-19 misinformation items and provided disproof. Additionally, I am continually taking great care to ensure that my elderly mother is staying safe, and likewise for my sister and her son.” During her time at Vlogý Little Rock, Mead has found many mentors in the computer science and information science departments. “, for example, not only has given me the most professional and technical advice I have ever received as a student, but he is also extremely empathetic and optimistic,” Mead said. “Additionally, Dr. Mariofanna Milanova has given me a tremendous amount of one-on-one guidance and support. Dr. Elizabeth Pierce is another professor for which I have an extreme admiration. Dr. Pierce has given me her valuable time to talk about research ideas and life in general. And, Dr. John Talburt, who has not only given me valuable advice about research, but has also provided his time to simply chat whenever I needed it.” Now that Mead has achieved her long-term goal of earning her doctorate, she has accepted a position as a post-doctoral researcher at COSMOS and will continue research regarding numerous aspects of social media data analysis and online behavioral studies, mentor new student researchers, and hopes to become a professor again in the future. “I am extremely proud of Esther,” Agarwal said. “She is everything a professor could ask for in a graduate student – intelligent, motivated, dedicated, communicator, leader, team player, and educator. She will inspire a generation of students to learn, achieve, and aspire.”]]> Vlogý Little Rock graduate programs listed among the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report /news-archive/2020/01/21/us-news-computer-information-technology/ Tue, 21 Jan 2020 17:20:11 +0000 /news/?p=76015 ... Vlogý Little Rock graduate programs listed among the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report]]> 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 Vlogý Little Rock 19th in its 2020 list of the “Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs.” “Our university continuously seeks innovative and resourceful strategies to help students and faculty achieve academic success,” said Dr. David Montague, 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 category ranked online master’s degree programs in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, information systems, and information technology. For Vlogý Little Rock, this ranking includes the online Master of Science in information quality and Master of Science in information science programs. 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,” said Dr. Elizabeth Pierce, chair of the Department of Information Science, which houses both programs. “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 Vlogý Little Rock’s Ph.D. in computer and information science. U.S. News ranked programs based on engagement, faculty credentials and training, expert opinion, services and technology, and student excellence. Programs ranked high on the list demonstrated quality online instruction that promotes participation in courses, accessible and responsive instructors with strong academic credentials, diverse online learning technologies, and strong student accomplishments. 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 College of Engineering and Information Technology, skilled instructors, and support from Vlogý Little Rock “We are very picky about who teaches in our program,” Pierce said. “For our technical classes, we use faculty who are extremely knowledgeable in their field of expertise. For our more techno-professional classes, we recruit experts from the community to ensure our students are getting real-world instruction, such as Dr. Eric Nelson from Acxiom, Dr. Jennifer Davis, chief privacy officer for the state of Arkansas, and Dr. Timothy Holthoff, chief technology officer at Arkansas Court Information Systems. This would not be possible without the support of Vlogý Little Rock administration in helping us to find the dollars and resources to improve our teaching facilities and to hire top talent to teach in our programs.”]]> Vlogý Little Rock ranked among colleges with best online computer IT programs /news-archive/2019/01/15/ua-little-rock-best-online-computer-it-programs/ Tue, 15 Jan 2019 15:06:51 +0000 /news/?p=73108 ... Vlogý Little Rock ranked among colleges with best online computer IT programs]]> 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 Vlogý 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 Vlogý 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 Qualityis 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.]]> Vlogý Little Rock unveils new early entry programs for graduate degrees /news-archive/2017/08/07/early-entry-graduate-degrees/ Mon, 07 Aug 2017 13:30:41 +0000 /news/?p=67579 ... Vlogý Little Rock unveils new early entry programs for graduate degrees]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is continuing its promise of making college more affordable and accessible with four early entry programs that offer an affordable fast track to earning a master’s degree. “I am very excited that Vlogý Little Rock Graduate School, in collaboration with the colleges, has created this new pathway via early entry programs for our undergraduate students to secure advanced degrees in less time and less cost,” said Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharyya, interim dean of the Vlogý Little Rock Graduate School. Beginning in the fall, master’s degrees will be available in public administration, information science, information quality, and construction management via early entry programs. Students who successfully complete one of these four programs can shave off almost a year from their studies by enrolling in the early entry program. A key aspect of these fast-track programs is that students have the opportunity to take up to 12 course hours in classes that will count toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students can enroll in an early entry program after they have earned 75 undergraduate hours and can begin taking dual-credit courses once they have earned 90 undergraduate hours. To be accepted to an early entry program, applicants must have a minimum 3.2 GPA, must submit applications to the graduate program and the Vlogý Little Rock Graduate School, and must complete an early entry program form. As master’s degrees are becoming more commonplace in the workforce, earning a degree one year earlier allows students to save money on tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. They also can enter the workforce faster, while earning professional skills to get ahead in the workplace. “These programs are going to save students a lot of time and money by fast-tracking their classes and degrees,” said Dr. Jerry Stevenson, coordinator of the Master of Public Administration Program. Graduates of the Master of Public Administration program have found fulfilling jobs in key government positions and nonprofit organizations and also have launched successful careers as lawyers, educators, lobbyists, campaign consultants, and business executives. “Many state, local, and government employees will be retiring over the next couple of years, so there is a lot of growth opportunity in the public sector,” Stevenson said. “The baby boomer generation is slowly retiring. It’s time for the other generations to get on board.” With the information science and information quality early entry programs, students have the flexibility to work full time after earning their bachelor’s degree, since classes are offered in the classroom and online. “These students don’t have to put their careers on hold,” said Dr. Elizabeth Pierce, chair of the Department of Information Science which hosts the information science and information quality graduate programs. “They can go into the workforce and still continue their master’s degree studies. This means they can get an early start in the workforce and get more professional experience than most students their age.” The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the early entry programs in April. Plans for additional master’s degree programs are under way. “The four programs are the tip of the iceberg—I expect more to come in the near future,” Bhattacharyya said. For more information, please visit the Vlogý Little Rock Graduate School at /gradschool/undergraduate-credit-collaboration-programs. ]]> Vlogý Little Rock online information quality program nationally ranked /news-archive/2017/07/24/information-quality-online-master-program-national-rank-college-choice/ Mon, 24 Jul 2017 20:54:36 +0000 /news/?p=67520 ... Vlogý Little Rock online information quality program nationally ranked]]> College Choice recently released its list of the Vlogý Little Rock, the only Arkansas school included in the ranking, was No. 27 in the nation. In compiling the list, the publication factored tuition costs and the College Choice Score — created based on schools’ reputations and their return on investment. The organization derives its score from a national survey of freshmen by UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute and from data compiled from sources such as U.S. News & World Report, the National Center for Education Statistics, and PayScale.com. “The end result is a list of schools that balance cost, reputation, and, ultimately, what they can do for you and your unique goals,” a College Choice article announcing the rankings said. Since the Vlogý Little Rock Master of Science in information quality online program began about 10 years ago, the university has focused on giving students options in how they learn and prepare for their careers, said Dr. Elizabeth Pierce, Vlogý Little Rock chair of the Department of Information Science and associate professor. “I think the biggest benefit — and what makes us unique — is that we do not do the canned online experience, where the material is put out there and it’s static,” Pierce said. “It’s very important to us that everybody feels like they’re getting a quality experience.” While students taking the course online can review materials and watch replays of lectures, they also have the option to participate in the sessions live through video streaming. The technology lets them view everything the professor is presenting while also interacting with the lecturer and fellow students. “We want them to feel like they’re sitting right ‘front and center’ in the classroom,” Pierce said. Students who regularly attend the physical class also can participate in the online version or view the recorded sessions as their needs and schedules change from week to week, Pierce said.

Strong job outlook

Now is an excellent time to consider an information technology career, said Dr. John Talburt, professor of information science and one of the founders of the university’s program. College Choice, citing U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projections, called the outlook for the profession excellent, with high median earnings and a job growth rate in the double digits by 2024. Many employers are starting to recognize data as a valuable asset separate from the information technology infrastructure, Talburt said. As those organizations look for the best ways to get value out of their data, Pierce said, some are struggling to find employees with the right mix of talent, training, and interest. The Vlogý Little Rock program fills that gap by equipping graduates to collect and validate data and then get it into a format that can be used for the company’s competitive advantage, she said. As the goals and strategies of employers have changed, the Vlogý Little Rock program continues to position students for success, Talburt said. Employers are increasingly finding the need for data governance, Talburt said, and a data governance course has been part of the Information Quality master’s degree program from the beginning. “We’ve always taken a very broad view of information quality,” Talburt said. “We feel the students are very well rounded coming out of the program.” The university has collaborated with the on its information quality programs, most recently on the Institute for Chief Data Officers at Vlogý Little Rock. The institute is led by Executive Director and Founder Dr. Richard Wang, who also has been the director of the MIT information quality program. Talburt redited Vlogý Little Rock College of Engineering and Information Technology Dean Larry Whitman for his role in the Information Quality department’s success, noting that Whitman put an excellent team in place for the program that celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2016. ]]> Staff members honored for achievements /news-archive/2017/04/20/staff-achievements/ Thu, 20 Apr 2017 21:24:27 +0000 /news/?p=66908 ... Staff members honored for achievements]]> More than 160 Vlogý Little Rock staff members celebrated work anniversaries of five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 years. Phyllis Poche, director of the Census State Data Center at the Institute for Economic Advancement, was honored for her landmark 45-year anniversary at Vlogý Little Rock. Jada Aitchison, Linda Barker, Mildred Holley, Sharon Linz, and James Wilson were recognized for their 35-year anniversaries. Twenty people retiring from Vlogý Little Rock were also honored at the ceremony, including Richard Anderson, Betty Alexander, Mary Bennett Baxley, Oliver Brown, Linda Burnett, Ronald Copeland, Kenneth Early, Betsy Fribert, Laura Grace, Sandra Greenwood, Michael Harper, Jesse Mason, Edwin Moore, Doris Porter, Karen Roberson, Catherine Cox Shank, Sandra Bates Slaughter, Alton Spann, Marilyn Whitfield, and James Wilson. Twenty-three staff members earned degrees during the 2016-17 academic year, including:
  • Dana Ball, master’s degree in information quality
  • Devin Banks, bachelor’s degree in mass communications
  • Michelle Butler, master’s degree in information quality
  • Jeremy Chamberlain, Ph.D. in applied science
  • Talethe Collins, bachelor’s degree in political science
  • Brandon Dorse, bachelor’s degree in mass communications
  • Patricia Duran, bachelor’s degree in health, human performance, and sport management
  • Brenda Glover, bachelor’s degree in criminal justice
  • Forrest Goss, bachelor’s degree in world languages
  • William Grimmett, master’s degree in art
  • Cody Henslee, master’s degree in learning systems technology
  • Andrea Jefferson, bachelor’s degree in criminal justice
  • Jared Lemus, bachelor’s degree in psychology
  • Cindy McDonald, bachelor’s degree in accounting
  • Taiquera McNeely, master’s degree in counselor education
  • Victoria Rand, associate’s degree in engineering technology
  • Pamela Reed, master’s degree in professional and technical writing
  • Stephen Roberson, master’s degree in business information systems
  • Brandon Scott, master’s degree in higher education
  • Joshua Thomsen, Master of Business Administration
  • Whitney Walker, bachelor’s degree in sociology
  • Joshua Webb, bachelor’s degree in health, human performance, and sport management
  • Belinda White, bachelor’s degree in speech communication
Sodexo, Disability Resource Center, and Mickey’s Cakes and Sweets sponsored the event, which was hosted by the Vlogý Little Rock Staff Senate. In the upper right photo,Judy Williams (left) and Klansee Tozer (right) from the Office of Communications and Marketing celebrate their 10-year work anniversaries at Vlogý Little Rock.]]>