Graduating associate dean says ‘it’s all about the students’

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 17 May 2019 13:10:21 +0000

A well-known associate dean at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock said he is looking forward to helping the “most important people on campus” after completing his college education. Richard Harper II, associate dean of students, graduated May 11 with a Doctor of Education in higher education administration. He wears many hats on campus, serving as the immediate past president of Staff Senate and the advisor to the Student Government Association. “Now that graduation is over, I plan to continually live by my professional motto,” he said. “I’m here to positively impact the lives of students. The other motto I live by is that students are the most important people on campus. Without them, there would be no purpose for us to be here. I will continue to advocate for students and make sure our services are high quality and continue to be an asset for higher education.” Although he usually attends graduation as a member of the administration to show support for students, Harper said he enjoyed taking his administrative cap off for a day to enjoy his graduation just like any other student with his immediate family, cousins from Mississippi, and godparents from Texas. “This year, I was just a student, and I loved walking across the stage in front of my friends and family and just cherishing the moment,” he said. Harper’s students have known of his doctoral aspirations and have been calling him “Dr. Harper” for some time, motivating him to complete his degree sooner rather than later. “Since I am currently SGA’s advisor, it’s a very cool experience, but also scary, that I get to help shape and mold our student leaders for the future,” he said. “A lot of the students were calling me Dr. Harper before I was done and that served as motivation. I want to inspire and motivate the students as well. If you work hard, stay focused, and do the right thing, you can achieve anything you want, whether it’s in education or in life.” Harper graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Central Arkansas. He came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2011 to pursue a Master of Arts in higher education administration. After working two years as a graduate assistant in the Office of the Dean of Students, Harper was hired full time as the assistant dean of students. “I was recruited as a graduate student by John Kuykendall, a faculty member in the higher education department at the time. I got a graduate assistantship, and I’ve been here ever since. I’m happy to be graduating and glad that chapter has come to an end. It’s been a lot of hard work, and it’s great to see my hard work actually be approved by my dissertation committee.” Harper’s dissertation, “A Wrong Made Right: A Qualitative Cross-Case Comparison Study Examining Program Influences On College Readiness, Persistence, and Student Success Outcomes at a Predominantly White University and a Historically Black College,” explored the outcomes of the implementation of the at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and Philander Smith College. The Donaldson Scholars Academy helps students who are at risk due to socioeconomic disadvantages or other factors improve their academic achievement and prepare for college. The programs include ACT Prep Express, which helps high school students in Pulaski County Special School District, Little Rock School District, and the North Little Rock School District prepare for high school graduation, the ACT, and college. The academy also participates in college fairs, hosts meetings with school counselors, facilitates college and ACT prep sessions, and offers fall retreats.

Richard Harper receives a Doctor of Education in higher education administration from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on May 11. Photo by Ben Krain.

Students can participate in the Summer Bridge Academy, a three-week residential program that prepares incoming freshmen for college-level work by eliminating the need for them to take remedial math and English courses. Students who complete the program and attend ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Philander Smith, or University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College are eligible for a $2,500 annual scholarship that is renewable for up to four years. “This program is a direct result from a 30-year plus desegregation school case,” Harper said. “Part of the settlement was that all the parties agreed that $10 million worth of funds be utilized to increase student success for minority students from Pulaski County Special School District. The students graduate high school, then come to the Summer Bridge Academy, and then they can get up to $10,000 in scholarships for four years to attend ��Vlog��ý Little Rock or Philander Smith. I call it a pipeline to student success.” Harper said he was interested in studying what makes the program successful so that it can be replicated at other colleges. “I believe that program can be replicated and can really change the narrative of underprepared students coming out of school districts,” Harper said. “When you look at this program, you see how many lives its touching, how many scholarships are awarded, and how many remedial classes are bypassed. How do they get students to bypass remediation, believe in themselves, and matriculate through college? These students are graduating at rates higher than other colleges.” Richard believes that factors like experiencing college life through the Summer Bridge Academy helps incoming students alleviate many of their fears about college. Having mentors that help them adjust to college, clearly outlined goals and expectations to progress in the program, and a group of peers to share their experiences all help students succeed in college. “High school students are often told that if you don’t get a high enough ACT score or do well enough in school that college is not for you,” Harper said. “You almost get trapped in another life. If you get these students in a specialized program that helps with academic, social, and financial problems, it exposes them to a different way of learning. We found that students respond well to that. They bypass remediation, do well in their college courses, and persist to graduation. At the end of the day, that is what we are here for.”

Collaboration to provide gifted and talented training for Pulaski Heights Middle School teachers

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 10 May 2017 16:21:39 +0000

Teachers from Pulaski Heights Middle School are going back to school at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to learn how to more effectively teach gifted and talented middle school students in mathematics and literacy. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education and the are teaming up to provide the teachers training though the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Education’s gifted and talented licensure program. “Training teachers in gifted, talented, and creative instruction and services is a hallmark of districts who are interested in advancing the performance and engagement of all students,” said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center. The online program offers dynamic coursework through which teachers will learn a broad range of skills for teaching advanced children, including identifying talents, designing and implementing curriculum, and addressing social and emotional needs. “Keeping advanced students engaged and making learning gains through the middle school years is critical to preparing them for bright futures,” said Dr. Christine Deitz, associate director of the Jodie Mahony Center. The Little Rock School District is covering the cost of tuition and fees so more teachers and students can benefit from the program. The collaboration began when Principal Darryl Powell started researching ways to keep his students and teachers at Pulaski Heights Middle School motivated and performing well. The school was recently recognized as an “Achieving School” as determined by results from the 2015-2016 ACT Aspire, a standardized test measuring how student perform in math and reading. Powell met with Robinson, Deitz, Jennifer Thomas, coordinator for Gifted Secondary Programs at Little Rock School District, and Dr. Daniel Whitehorn, associate superintendent of secondary education for the Little Rock School District. Joy Thompson, a sixth-grade English teacher at Pulaski Heights, is excited about the opportunity to enhance her teaching by earning the licensure. “I’m looking forward to learning unique strategies and approaches to help foster my students’ gifts in such a way that will cultivate and enhance their learning,” Thompson said. Dr. John Kuykendall, director of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s School of Education, is looking forward to the partnership and a continued relationship with the Little Rock School District. “The School of Education program in gifted and creative education is uniquely positioned to develop Pulaski Heights Middle School teachers’ classroom instruction for advanced learners,” Kuykendall said. Pictured in the upper right photo, from left to right, back row: Terese Oliver and Holly Wolfe; Front row: Jennifer Thomas, Dr. Christine Deitz, Dr. Ann Robinson, and Darryl Powell.

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

Graduating associate dean says ‘it’s all about the students’

Collaboration to provide gifted and talented training for Pulaski Heights Middle School teachers

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