New School Year Brings Energy and Excitement to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

John Hill — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 16:33:51 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus was filled with excitement and energy Aug. 22 as thousands of students began the new school year. Students could be found all around campus Monday playing games in the quad, meeting at Starbucks for coffee, catching up with their friends, and enjoying life with their fellow students. “The joy of a new school year always brings excitement as we welcome new and returning students to campus,” said Kara Brown, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs. “We embrace this new era and welcome you to our Trojan Family!” Among the many things to be excited about on campus is that enrollment for first time-freshmen and transfer students is trending up for the first time in years. Currently, first-time freshmen are anticipated to increase by about 20%, while transfer students are on-target to see an increase of about 10%. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Board of Visitors also celebrated the enrollment news with the passage of a historic resolution during the board’s August meeting that thanked ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employees and community supporters who have invested their time and passion in the university. “We are deeply appreciative for the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by our faculty, staff, administration, and supporters in helping to build a better future for our community by fulfilling our mission to provide students access to an affordable and quality education,” the resolution states. Thomas Forcum, the new SGA president and a senior chemistry major, encouraged students to take advantage of all the opportunities available for the 2022-23 school year. “We’ve been given an incredible opportunity: to learn, to improve ourselves, to make friends, to volunteer, to enjoy the college experience,” Forcum said. “The great Roman poet Horace wrote, ‘Nil sine magno vita labore dedit mortalibus.’ Translated, it means ‘Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.’” Other ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students were also happy to be returning to campus. Adrien Mitchell, a sophomore civil engineering major, is concentrating on helping students in a new role as a Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC) mentor. “I’m a CLC mentor this year for the first time,” Mitchell said. “I met my mentees last Friday, and they’re really great. My mentors were great to me last year, so I hope to be a person that my mentees come to as well.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students participate in a Block Party Welcome Week event during the first day of classes for the Fall 2022 semester. Photos by Ben Krain.

Ryan Drown, an accounting major and new student on campus, was happy to start his college experience with the opportunity to spend more time with his older brother. “It’s definitely unique because the last time I had him in the same school as me was in elementary school,” Drown said. “It’s definitely a change, but I’d say it’s a welcome one. It took some of the pressure off all the first day jitters. It makes me happy knowing that my older brother is here and has my back.” Drown’s older brother, Bryce Colvert, a mass communication major, was also happy to be starting the school year with family by his side since it’s the first time the brothers have gone to school together in a long time. “I lived with my dad and Ryan lived with our mom during our childhood, so we didn’t get to have the traditional experience of going to the same school and seeing each other in the hallway,” Colvert said. “For me, it’s really exciting to get to be the cool older brother who knows his way around campus and knows the best spots to hang out. Now we’ll be able to grab lunch every week and hang out between classes, and I think it’ll ultimately help us become much closer.”

Brown Named New Student Affairs Leader at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

John Hill — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 12:39:36 +0000

Kara Brown has been named the new assistant vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “I am humbly excited about this new position and the new initiatives that I have been challenged to oversee,” Brown said. “I am looking forward to making a positive impact for our students and helping them grow during their educational journey as well as their life after college.” In her new role, Brown will lead the Student Experience Center and the Multicultural Center at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The initiatives in these centers also include Fraternity and Sorority Life, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Summer Bridge Academy, Dr. Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy, Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, and Student Affairs Diversity Initiatives. In collaboration with the campus community, she will also lead the development of a student experience plan. “Student experiences are essential to student life and student success at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Kara’s experience, leadership, and skill set are critical as she leads the execution of the student experience portfolio and develops the university’s next student engagement plan.” Brown joins ��Vlog��ý Little Rock from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where she served as dean of student life and associate dean of students for activities. Her nearly 15 years of experience in higher education include previously serving as the diversity programs coordinator at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, student activities coordinator at Boise State University, and a career coach at the University of Arkansas. “I am truly excited to return to the university that invested so much into me,” Brown said. “Seeing some of the faces of my old friends here has made my heart smile. Together, we will continue to go far and contribute to the educational growth of our students.” Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Education in workforce development education degree from the University of Arkansas. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in urban higher education from Jackson State University and was a 2022 fellow for the HBCU Executive Leadership Institute at Clark Atlanta University. She is a member of Delta Theta Sigma Sorority, Inc. and the National Association of Student Personnel Administration. A native of Pine Bluff, Brown and her husband Dr. Glen Brown, a chiropractor and 2nd Ward alderman, are the proud parents of two children, Kaitlyn and Trey.

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

New School Year Brings Energy and Excitement to ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Brown Named New Student Affairs Leader at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

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

New School Year Brings Energy and Excitement to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Brown Named New Student Affairs Leader at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock