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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Launches Leadership Academy to Provide Professional Development Opportunities for Business Community

John Hill — Wed, 12 May 2021 21:57:56 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has launched a new Leadership Academy to provide customized and affordable professional development training for local businesses and organizations. The Leadership Academy provides leadership development to support professional growth within the organization. The Leadership Academy offers a variety of training in areas including business decision-making, personnel management, and communication. Courses are offered in person or in hybrid learning. “The need for the Leadership Academy came from the industry,” said Dr. Otmar Varela, director of the Leadership Academy and professor of management. “After conducting several focus groups last year with local business experts in leadership development, we realized the need for the academy. We believe this program offers a tremendous opportunity to provide unique training for the business community.” The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Leadership Academy is a joint effort between the School of Business, the Department of Applied Communication, and the Office of Extended Education. “I love that the School of Business and the Department of Applied Communication are teaming up on this venture,” said Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, chair of the Department of Applied Communication. “We both have offered these types of workshops separately for years, but teaming up allows us to expand our offerings and tailor them to the needs of specific businesses in the community.” Training programs are tailor-made for each organization. The Leadership Academy experience begins with a client meeting to understand their specific needs. An expert facilitator will assess the organization and collaborate with the clients to create a custom-learning curriculum that supports the needs and goals of the organization. Clients are able to design their own curriculum and set the schedule and learning method that best fits their organization. Courses are offered in a variety of topics including strategic decision-making, performance management, and public speaking for professionals, as well as diversity management, emotional intelligence, and workforce engagement. The Leadership Academy faculty members will also work with organizations to create a personalized training that adapts to the attributes of participants. “I am thrilled that the School of Business and the Department of Applied Communication will be offering the Leadership Academy to Little Rock,” said Dr. Jane Wayland, dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services. “Businesses will be able to customize the training they need at a reasonable cost. High-quality instruction is assured by using full-time faculty who are experts in their fields.” The faculty instructors in the Leadership Academy include Drs. Naeem Bajwa, Richard Woodridge, and Otmar Varela from the School of Business as well as Drs. April Chatham-Carpenter, Gerald Driskill, Kristen McIntyre, Julien Mirivel, Bailey Oliver, Avinash Thombre, and Carol Thompson from the Department of Applied Communication. Christine Cotton serves as the partner from the Extended Education office. McIntyre, director of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Communication Skill Center, has collaborated with Varela for many years on offering communication workshops to business students and is excited to see the effort expand to the Leadership Academy. “It’s exciting to see our years of collaboration together formalized in the offering of such a valuable program,” she said. For more information on the Leadership Academy, including a free assessment of your organization’s training needs, contact Dr. Otmar Varela at oxvarela@ualr.edu or visit the Leadership Academy’s website.

Bassett finds new love of learning, second chance at college degree with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

John Hill — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 18:54:28 +0000

Julian Bassett, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in applied communication this month, said coming to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock made him a more independent learner and gave him a second chance to earn his college degree. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Bassett first attended Henderson State University and played on the men’s basketball team. Bassett admits he didn’t take college as seriously as he should have the first time around. After deciding to return to college, Bassett began taking classes part-time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2017 while also working full-time as an assistant store manager at AT&T. “This school really pushed me to learn how to not give up,” Bassett said. “I had to argue for my grades, build a portfolio, come up with my own research project, and use communication theories to support my research questions. The Applied Communication department pushed me into becoming comfortable being uncomfortable. It took lots of patience from my professors to help me through this transformation I was going through.” He found dedicated mentors in Dr. Kristen McIntyre, professor of applied communication, and Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, chair of the Department of Communication, who taught him about the value of positive communication. “Positive communication does change your world,” Bassett said. “If someone who is a doctor says you are smart, it makes you work harder. When you are told most of your life that all you are meant to do is play basketball, it can make it challenging when it comes to school. They really reshaped how I saw myself as a student, when there were times when I saw myself in a negative light. They became my mentors because they had such a positive impact on my life.” Bassett also credited the tutors at the Communication Skill Center for helping him develop great public speaking skills. “Dr. McIntyre and Dr. April (Chatham-Carpenter) introduced me to the Communication Skill Center,” Bassett said. “When it comes to speeches, the center helped me by giving me a trainer to help with research, writing, and public speaking. They give lots of positive feedback through the sandwich method.” Bassett’s professors credit his amazing work effort for his success at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Julian is an amazing young man,” Chatham-Carpenter said. “He has continued to work towards completing his degree part-time, while working full-time over the last few years. He has shown resilience in overcoming challenges that would lead many to quit. I admire Julian’s persistence and dedication to his learning!” Now that he has achieved his goal of completing his undergraduate degree, Bassett is looking forward to a career in human resources and eventually plans to get his MBA. “Me coming to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock made me a better student,” Bassett said. “It made me more independent. The biggest thing I had to learn was to be resilient. I was a quitter. I quit when assignments were hard. I didn’t know how to manage my own time. I wasn’t organized. When it came to big projects, I felt overwhelmed. The only way I was able to overcome that was to change my circle. Most of the people in my circle did not do well at school. I started hanging out with people who were really good at school. We didn’t have much in common at first, but we began to find things in common. Now I make sure that the company I keep includes quality, positive communicators.”

Wilkerson fulfills dream of earning college degree 55 years after graduating high school

John Hill — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 17:03:33 +0000

At 73, Carolyn Wilkerson has completed her lifelong dream of earning a bachelor’s degree.�� “My journey has been one the most rewarding personal decisions that I’ve ever made,” Wilkerson said. “This is probably the only major milestone that I have ever established for myself. I’ve done some things that I think are monumental but nothing of this magnitude, especially at my age. This has been quite rewarding. It’s been a phenomenal journey.” The Little Rock native will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in applied communication and a minor in sociology this month from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Wilkerson joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2016, fulfilling a promise she made to herself many years ago. “I didn’t go to college when I graduated high school,” she said. “I always said to myself that when I retire, I am going to go to college. After I retired, my daughter opened a daycare, and I started helping her. Then my children reminded me that I said I was going to go. I always wanted a college degree.” Having graduated from Little Rock’s Horace Mann High School in 1965, Wilkerson is the third of her high school classmates who have graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in recent years, including Philip Bryant in 2016 and Vivian Littrell in 2019. “When I came out of high school, I went to vocational school and I ended up with a very nice job,” Wilkerson said. “Once you get into the job market and you make good money, it’s hard to quit to go to school, especially as a mother and wife. I had a friend who encouraged me to go, Philip Bryant.” Being the eldest of eight children and only the second to earn a college degree, Wilkerson said her extended family has mixed views on her decision to pursue a college degree at 68.�� “Needless to say, every possible mental reason not to attend surfaced, reminding me of the time span, the young students on campus, and that real loud voice that said ‘You’re a grandmother,’” she said. “A couple of my sisters and some of my family members think I am crazy. They couldn’t believe I would do this at my age. This is something I wanted to do for me, not for anybody else.” Wilkerson and her husband, Ronald, pastor of Faith Temple Deliverance Church of God in Christ, have a blended family with a total of seven children, 24 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. “My husband has been the greatest supporter anyone could have asked for. He got his master’s degree three or four years ago, so whatever I needed to do to make the grade was okay with him,” Wilkerson said. “My children all graduated college and quite well, but I never saw that for myself. They said, ‘Momma, we got it from somewhere. I did not ever think that I would make the Chancellor’s List or the Dean’s List, but I’ve done that nine times and will graduate Cum Laude.”

Carolyn Wilkerson

Wilkerson has found several mentors on her road to success. “In applied communication, I would say my mentors are Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter and Dr. Kristen McIntyre,” Wilkerson said. “They were both phenomenal. Dr. McIntyre was the biggest cheerleader you could ever have. They just don’t get any better than Dr. David Briscoe in sociology. When I hit a slump, Ida Humphrey (senior instructor in mathematics and statistics) was my go-to professor.” McIntyre, professor of applied communication and director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communication Skill Center, said that Wilkerson helped many students find confidence during her time as an intern at the center. “Carolyn’s joy and enthusiasm for learning is contagious,” McIntyre said. “She’s always willing to try new things, tackling whatever challenges cross her path with grace and humor. She’s an amazing support to her classmates. During her time as a CSC intern, she was a favorite among students seeking help on their ACOM 1300 assignments. So much so, Carolyn inspired one of the incredibly anxious ACOM 1300 students she helped to join the CSC staff so she could continue building her communication skills and pass on that same support she received from Carolyn to others.” Now that her education is complete, Wilkerson will use her education to help students who attend the city-sponsored youth program, , which she has been helping to run since her husband started the program in 2011. The program serves at-risk youth ages 13-19 in Little Rock. She also wants to use her degree to help people and “do something that will make a difference in the community.” As she reflects on her long road to a college degree, Wilkerson has the following advice for college students. “I would say, especially for young people, that it is a mistake to doubt your capabilities,” Wilkerson said. “As a young woman, I doubted my ability to get into a college arena and really excel. As a senior citizen, I would say that it’s never too late to learn. I wouldn’t know if I hadn’t dared myself to take an adventure that most normally don’t take at my age. I don’t think anyone that wants a degree can’t get it. If I can do it, I believe anyone can do it.”

Faculty share online teaching strategies that create meaningful connections in support of student learning

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 12:47:43 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE) reviewed strategies for substantive contact in online teaching at its meeting Sept. 19.��

“Cori Schmidtbauer gave me great ideas for making my online pharmacology class interactive,” nursing instructor LaQuana Smith said. “She suggested online games, unfolding case studies, and using Blackboard Collaborate to record small groups. Thanks Cori!”

Dr. Liz Pierce, associate professor and chair of the Department of Information Science, Dr. Kristen McIntyre, associate professor for the Department of Applied Communication and director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communication Skill Center, and Cori Schmidtbauer, instructional designer for Scholarly Technology and Resources (STaR), shared their techniques with other faculty in attendance, stressing the goal of creating connection. Pierce explained that the Information Science department built a student profile to understand the characteristics and needs of students in their program. They found that most of their students prefer courses offered in the late afternoon or evenings on Mondays through Thursdays.�� “Our students arrive to class time around 5 p.m.,” Pierce said. “Holding class toward the end of the day works great, even for international students participating online from places like Singapore. The difference in time zones turns out to be very compatible when we schedule classes this way.” Students also prefer lively, engaging interaction and the ability to ask questions, even in an online experience. Pierce encouraged everyone to design a space that enables them to interact with their students and to make use of experts in the STaR office. “Students want to feel connected to their peers and the teacher,” Pierce said. “We use tools like multiple webcams with pre-set angles and on-screen chats so that students have both audio and text options for asking questions during a lecture. We want to give them a window into the classroom as if they were sitting in the front row.” Many classes are being offered in a “mashup” style. As McIntyre explained, in some classes, about half of the students are in the live classroom, while the other half interact online with peers and the instructor through Blackboard discussions, peer reviews, and other opportunities for connection. “I use low-threat activities to encourage peer-to-peer interactions that build community,” McIntryre said.�� Some examples McIntyre shared include encouraging students to create a social media connection outside of class, assigning peer reviews, hosting small group workshops online after 9 p.m. or on-campus during evenings and weekends, and inviting online students to participate in her on-campus version of a class anytime they want. “Facilitating opportunities for students to connect with one another requires low effort on my part and pays big dividends for student success,” McIntryre said. “I also require that they meet with me in-person or online within the first two weeks of class, just so we can get to know each other and kick start our connection. They can meet with me alone or in a group.” Schmidtbauer encouraged everyone to create a robust instructor presence in online courses as a way to engage students and avoid student isolation. “Humanize yourself to help students not feel isolated at their computers,” Schmidtbauer said. “Share your hobbies and interests. Post your photo and use 3-to-5-minute audio or video lectures to create a positive tone for the class.” Schmidtbauer suggested instructors maintain a sense of presence by using the many collaborative tools in Blackboard, using “SMART” (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) goals to achieve teaching objectives, providing timely feedback to students, and using both individual messages and announcements to engage the class. All faculty are encouraged to take advantage of the professional development opportunities offered each month through ATLE.�� “I love ATLE events,” said Cynthia Johnson, accounting instructor. “You never know what tidbits you’ll pick up. I’ve implemented ideas received at ATLE events that have improved my syllabus, class management, communication, and Blackboard site design. ATLE offers great help, atmosphere, and comradery.” RSVP for upcoming ATLE events at /atle/events/.

71-year-old working hard to fulfill dream of earning college degree

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:28:07 +0000

At 71, Carolyn Wilkerson of Little Rock loves life as a full-time college student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, working to fulfill a lifelong goal of earning a college degree.�� “The fact that I have decided to obtain a degree at my age would be surprising to most people,” she said. “Many of my peers are in awe when they discover a grandmother in their classes.” Wilkerson started attending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2016, fulfilling a promise she made to herself many years ago. “I didn’t go to college when I graduated high school,” she said. “I always said to myself that when I retire, I am going to go to college. After I retired, my daughter opened a daycare, and I started helping her. Then my children reminded me that I said I was going to go. I always wanted a college degree.” Beginning college at age 68 as an applied communication major turned out to be a unique experience for Wilkerson. “It was very strange and different,” she said. “I’m like the elephant in the room. When I first started, I would see students eyeing me, wondering what the grandmother was doing in the room. Most of my friends have been the professors, but I have made friends with quite a few young people over the years.” Wilkerson credits Ida Umphers, senior instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, as one of the teachers who has made a difference in her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “When I came to college, I took an entrance exam. My lowest score was math, so I had to take Foundations of Algebra with Ida Umphers,” Wilkerson said. “That was the first course in my entire life that I didn’t pass. I never considered myself good in math. I had to pass that class. Umphers was so encouraging. When I finished the course the second time, she sent me an email and congratulated me for making an A+ in her class. That was a big hurdle I had to cross. I don’t think I could have gone on if I hadn’t. That is what I consider my most momentous moment here. To fail the class was devastating, but to be able to pass it was amazing.” The long road to college After graduating from then Horace Mann Senior High School in 1965, Wilkerson attended Pulaski Vocational School for clerical job training. During her first job after vocational school, she worked for Westinghouse, which is no longer located in Little Rock, and remembers being the first black person in their office pool. She married her husband, Ronald Wilkerson, in 1993. They have a blended family with a total of seven children, 24 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Ronald is the pastor of Faith Temple Deliverance Church of God in Christ. Wilkerson describes being a pastor’s wife as a blessing that comes with many responsibilities. With a small congregation, she is often responsible for creating the church bulletins, doing the budget, cleaning the church, cooking for events, planning church events, and teaching Sunday School. Wilkerson also heads a women’s department with members from seven churches in her district. Being the eldest of eight children, Wilkerson said her extended family has mixed views on her decision to pursue a college degree. “I think my family thinks I’m a little crazy when I say that I was up until 3 a.m. working on homework,” she said. “My husband, my 88-year old mother (Bobbie Landers), and children are very supportive, but my brothers and sisters think I have serious issues, except for one brother who went back to school later in life. They accomplished what they wanted to in life, and the last thing they want to do during retirement is go back to school. “I have two daughters who graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, one that graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, who is a neurologist, two children currently working on master’s degrees, my husband has a master’s degree in divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary, and several grandchildren in college. Education is big because I know the importance of it.” After she graduates in 2020, Wilkerson will continue to use her education to help students who attend the city-sponsored youth program,, which she has been helping to run since her husband started the program in 2011. The program serves at-risk youth ages 13-19 in Little Rock, both male and female. “I would like to use the knowledge that I acquire for young people. With my acquisition of life’s tenure and the fact that I am a mother and grandmother coupled with my education, I can provide advice to young people if they will allow me,” Wilkerson said. “Through the youth program, I have already assisted with the use of computers, math, communication, and research skills to help youth at Bridge 2 Success. Some of them have begun to call me Nana and my husband Papa. You sense that they know we care. I do love them. There is no getting around it.” She has found a home in the Department of Applied Communication, where professors like Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter and Dr. Kristen McIntyre have helped her learn valuable skills. “The Applied Communication Department has introduced me to communication concepts that literally required me to think outside of myself and from another’s point of view,” Wilkerson said. “I now know what it means to consider the value of another’s culture and how we bring value to one another in important ways.” Wilkerson is thankful to all the people who are helping her complete her goal of earning a college degree at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “The sheer fact that I have returned to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for five semesters is proof that it’s never too late to realize a dream,” she said. “My professors and instructors have made me feel included in their classroom structure, without exception. I’ve needed assistance multiple times and I have never felt that it was a bother for any of them. My classroom experience has been great!” In the upper right photo, 71-year-old Carolyn Wilkerson, left, credits her success as a late in life student to Ida Umphers, right, senior instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Wilkerson says Umphers is one of the teachers who has made a difference in her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Photo by Ben Krain.

College of Social Sciences and Communication honors McIntyre, student research winners

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:54:39 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Social Sciences and Communication presented Dr. Kristen McIntyre with the Faculty Mentor Award and awarded six additional student research prizes during the college’s Research and Creative Works Showcase on Feb. 27.�� Dr. Julien Mirivel, interim dean of the college, said McIntyre is deserving of the award, which was created to celebrate a faculty member from the college who goes above and beyond in being a positive role model and mentor for their students. “She is always mentoring, always teaching, and always available to students,” Mirivel said. “I think this award is well deserved. We have great faculty in every unit of our college, and Kristen is a great example. She is very engaged with her students.” McIntyre, associate professor of applied communication, said she was surprised, humbled, and overwhelmed to receive the award. “I think the secret to being a good faculty mentor is listening,” McIntyre said. “I think you have to love your students, and you have to practice tough love sometimes. You have to give students what they need even if it’s not what they want.” The showcase featured about 65 presentations from students, faculty, and staff of the college, many of which highlight the college’s mission to apply “theory and research to drive social change and inspire human expression, reflection, and interconnection.” “I really believe that we use our own work not just to understand, but to reach out and try to improve the world around us,” Mirivel said. A prime example of the college’s belief in improving the world through research is the recipient of the Community Engagement Award, which recognizes the research project that most affects the community. Leonardo Moya, who is majoring in rhetoric and writing, won the award for his project, “Homeless in Little Rock.” Moya’s faculty mentor was Dr. Heidi Skurat-Harris. Additional award winners include:

��Student Government Association President Brian Gregory, a senior political science major, won the Undergraduate Research Award for his project, “Growing Grace.” Dr. Rebecca Glazier served as Gregory’s faculty mentor.
��Mass Communication student Dallas Smith won the Undergraduate Creative Works Award for his presentation of the film, “The Bombastic Scholastic,” which he and several of his colleagues from their Cinema Techniques class at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock produced. ��His colleagues on the project included Zatches Allen, Eric Holsomback, Bailey Park, and Nathan Treece.
��Mary Hughes, a criminal justice major, won the Graduate Research Award for her paper, “Is My Health Why I’m Scared? Examining the Effects of Perceived Health Conditions in Fear of Crime.” Her faculty mentor was Dr. Robert Lytle.
��Kristena Merritt, a graduate student in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing, won the Graduate Creative Works Award for her paper, “Powerfemme Conversations.” Dr. Londie Martin served as her faculty mentor.
��Tabrina Bratton, a criminal justice major, won the Poster Presentation Award for her research, “Predicting Regional Hate Crime Rates: The Relationship between Fundamentalism and Attitudes Toward Sexual Orientation.” Bratton’s faculty mentors were Dr. Tusty ten Bensel and Dr. Robert Lytle.

Iveta Imre, assistant professor of mass communication, headed the showcase’s task force, which included Chatham-Carpenter, Lytle, Martin, and ten Bensel. In the upper right photo, winners of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Social Sciences and Communication Research and Creative Works Expo (L to R) include Tabrina Bratton, Poster Presentation Award; Mary Hughes, Graduate Research Award; Kristen McIntyre, Faculty Mentor Award; Julien Mirivel, interim dean of the college; and Dallas Smith and Nathan Treece, Undergraduate Creative Works Award.

Dr. Kristen McIntyre to present during Leadership Lecture Series, Nov. 9

Jenny Lambert — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 15:00:18 +0000

The second annual Leadership Lecture Series, hosted by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Applied Communication, will continue on Thursday, Nov. 9, with a presentation from associate professor Dr. Kristen McIntyre, who will speak on “Connection, Not Perfection: A Communication Orientation to Public Speaking.” The lecture will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Room G of the Donaghey Student Center. The cost to attend will be $20 for guests and $5 for students with identification cards. As an associate professor in the Applied Communication Department, McIntyre teaches an introductory communication course and directs the Communication Skill Center, a free student resource that helps with the various stages of the speech development process. Outside of her work at the university, McIntyre has co-authored publications that have appeared in several academic journals, including “Communication Quarterly” and “Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education.” Community and business leaders, employees, and members of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community are encouraged to attend the lecture to gain knowledge of how communication can positively impact the workplace and community. For more information, contact April Chatham-Carpenter, chair of the Department of Applied Communication, at 501-569-3158.

Leadership Lecture Series to begin Sept. 28

Jenny Lambert — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 17:00:50 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Applied Communication will ��host its second annual Leadership Lecture series beginning Thursday, Sept. 28. The goal of the series is to generate a discussion among students and guests about ways they can create healthier interpersonal relationships, manage conflicts constructively, and embrace differences. Each session will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Donaghey Student Center Room G. The cost of attendance will be $5 for students with identification cards and $20 for other ��guests. Mike Hemphill, director of academic programming for the Clinton Foundation and manager of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program, will kick off the series with his presentation, “Leadership as Storytelling.” For 24 years, Hemphill served ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as the chair of the Department of Speech Communication and dean of the College of Professional Studies. He also held the title of provost and dean at the Centenary College of Louisiana, as well as associate dean for academic affairs and chief academic officer at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. Additional lecturers in the series include:

Kristen McIntyre: “Connection Not Perfection: A Communication Orientation to Public Speaking” – Thursday, Nov. 9
Gerald Driskill: “Leadership and Community Transformation: Co-Creating Counter Narratives” – Thursday, Feb. 22
Andrew Pyle: “Fostering Positive Communication to Prevent Self-Inflicted Crises” – Thursday, April 19

Organizers of the event encourage community and business leaders, employees, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students, faculty, and alumni to attend the series to understand the importance of communication and how it can positively impact the workplace and community. For more information, contact April Chatham-Carpenter, chair of the Department of Applied Communication, at 501.569.3158.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock accepting applications for Service-Learning Academy

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 16:24:29 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Community Connection Center will hold a Service-Learning Academy for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty members and instructors interested in integrating service learning into their courses.�� Service learning is a teaching strategy that combines community service with classroom instruction. Service learning teaches students civic responsibility and provides a practical application of the skills learned in the classroom. The workshop will run from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday June 5-8, in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock University District Building. Full-time faculty members and instructors will have the chance to earn a $1,000 stipend for successful completion of the workshop and a service-learning course. Led by Dr. Kristen McIntyre, director of the Communication Skill Center, the academy will cover all aspects of adapting a class into a service-learning course, including learning outcomes and assessment, relationships with community partners, reflection activities, and liability and access issues. Dr. Laura Barrio-Vilar, assistant professor of English and graduate of the academy, said the academy is a must for those interested in service learning. “Not only will you learn the theoretical and practical approaches to service learning, but you will enjoy being part of a community of individuals with a passion for teaching and learning,” Barrio-Vilar said. “The most enriching aspects of the academy are interacting with members of other disciplines, and learning best practices from the experts.” Full-time faculty and instructors who participate in all academy sessions and complete a course syllabus and teaching plan will receive a $500 stipend. They will be given an additional $500 stipend after teaching a service-learning course and providing feedback. Applications are due Monday, March 27. Fill out the to apply for the Service-Learning Academy. For more information, contact Betsy Hart at edhart@ualr.edu or 501.569.3424. In the upper right photo is��Dr. Kristen McIntyre. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.��

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host best teachers panel discussion

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 15:45:46 +0000

Five of the best instructors at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will share their secrets for successful teaching during a panel discussion on Thursday, March 9.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence��will host the Best Teachers at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock panel discussion March 9 in Donaghey Student Center Room 205D. The event will feature ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty members who were recognized with the college-level 2016 Faculty Excellence Awards in teaching.�� Panel members include Kelly Terry, professor of law; Gary Geissler, professor of marketing and advertising; Kristen McIntyre, associate professor of applied communication; Jess Porter, chair of the Department of History; and Ann Robinson, professor of gifted and talented education. Fill out this to register for the event. For more information, visit the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence website.

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Launches Leadership Academy to Provide Professional Development Opportunities for Business Community

Bassett finds new love of learning, second chance at college degree with ����Vlog��ý Little Rock