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

LULAC recognizes ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as Latino Destination Campus

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 12:48:57 +0000

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) honored the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Latino Destination Campus award Sept. 13 during LULAC Council 750 Little Rock Scholarship Gala at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center. Receiving the designation as a Latino Destination Campus is a distinction awarded to a college or university that has a long-standing partnership with LULAC to provide support and scholarships to Latino students.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock was the first higher education institution in Arkansas to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with LULAC to create a partnership to recruit and retain Latino students on campus. Since 2006, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has provided a dollar-for-dollar match for students who receive scholarships from LULAC of Arkansas.�� Since 2010, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has served as an Ambassador-level sponsor of LULAC’s annual scholarship gala. This year, 11 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students received LULAC scholarships, while nearly 90 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students have received scholarships since 2010. Terry Richard-Trevino, professor emeritus of sociology and charter member of the Arkansas Council of LULAC, said there are several ongoing outreach efforts at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock that make it a good selection as a Latino Destination Campus.�� “At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, a LULAC Council was established in 2008 and has functioned continuously as both a student organization and a council which qualifies for matching monies for students in the selection for national scholarship recipients,” Richard-Trevino said. “ ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has also worked with faculty and the community to establish scholarships and internships, such as the Just Communities of Arkansas Internship Program and the endowed Jerry and Terry Richard Scholarship Award.”�� Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, accepted the award and highlighted the importance of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s relationship with the Latino community. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is thrilled to be honored as a Latino destination campus. We appreciate Dr. Richard’s leadership in this area and are honored to receive this special designation from LULAC,” Estes said.�� LULAC seeks to empower the Latino community at the local, state, and national level through its seven councils chartered in Arkansas. The organization focuses heavily on education, civil rights, and employment. Over the past 26 years, LULAC Council 750 Little Rock has awarded about $600,000 in college scholarships to 400 students. In the upper right photo, Sarah Beth Estes, right, dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, accepts a LULAC award on behalf of the university. Photo by Ben Krain.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Latino students receive LULAC scholarships

Janea Snyder — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 16:18:45 +0000

Eleven students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock have been awarded scholarships from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to continue their education this fall. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s students are among the 35 students from colleges and universities across the state selected for this year’s awards. The 11 students are collectively receiving $10,000, with some matching funds from the university. All students will be honored Sept. 13 at the LULAC Council 750 Little Rock Scholarship Gala beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, 1200 President Clinton Ave. in Little Rock. Tickets are $100 with proceeds benefiting scholarship funds for Latino college students. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student recipients and their majors include the following:

Jimena Balada, international business
Alexey Chacon-Perez, nursing
Jessica Gonzalez, sociology and psychology
Cesar Guerra Gonzalez, music education (Richard Family Fund Scholarship)
Janette Munoz, nursing (Patricia Guardado Scholarship)
Ashley Murguia Topete, international business and information technology
Paola Rodriguez, nursing
Yazmin Santillan, social work
Elizabeth Santillan, nursing
Luis Torres, construction management
Daisy Vasquez Guevara, international studies and Spanish

Three of the students will receive special scholarships. Janette Munoz, a junior, will receive the Patricia Guardado Scholarship, awarded in remembrance of Patricia Guardado, a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock sophomore who was studying international business at the time of her death. Her murder has never been solved, and LULAC has awarded a scholarship in her name every year to remember her and other students like her who want an education. Cesar Guerra Gonzalez, a music education student, will receive the Jerry and Terry Richard Family Fund Scholarship, an endowed scholarship awarded to deserving Latino students attending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, where Terry Richard is a professor emeritus. The scholarship recognizes academic excellence and requires 15 hours of community service with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock LULAC Council 771 or with another community agency that works with the Latino community.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock senior Ashley Murguia Topete will receive a scholarship co-sponsored by LULAC and Just Communities of Arkansas. She will graduate next year with a degree in international business. Inspired by her father, who is a truck driver, Topete is interested in a career in logistics. She is an intern at Just Communities of Arkansas this semester and serves as vice president of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s LULAC Chapter. “I wouldn’t have this opportunity without ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” she said. “The scholarship has also given the opportunity to give back.” Other scholarship recipients attend Arkansas Tech University, ASU-Beebe, Henderson State University, Southern Arkansas University, Hendrix College, Shorter College, and ��Vlog��ý-Pulaski Technical College. LULAC seeks to empower the Latino community at the local, state, and national level through its seven councils chartered in Arkansas. The organization involves and serves Latinos of all national origins and focuses heavily on education, civil rights, and employment. Over the past 26 years, LULAC Council 750 Little Rock has awarded about $600,000 in college scholarships to 400 students. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate Sandra Jobe relied on scholarships from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to help her defray costs while earning a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication in 2016 and then a Master of Arts in higher education this year. During her college experience, she fell in love with the campus environment and now works as a program specialist in the TRiO programs, a collection of federally funded programs designated to prepare low-income and first-generation students for college. She also serves as a council advisor for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chapter of LULAC. Tickets for the banquet can be ordered by email at lulac750@gmail.com. More information is available on LULAC’s

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students receive LULAC scholarships

Janea Snyder — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 14:47:56 +0000

Eleven University of Arkansas at Little Rock students were recently honored during a scholarship ceremony and banquet sponsored by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 750 Little Rock. The banquet, held Sept. 28 in the Great Hall of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, honored 56 students selected to receive scholarships from LULAC Council 750 Little Rock. Several central Arkansas colleges and universities, including ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, match the LULAC Scholarships and/or offer full scholarships to students who have passed the rigorous LULAC selection process. This year’s ��Vlog��ý Little Rock honorees include:

Christian Arreola – Business Management
Jimena Balada – Nursing/Foreign Languages
Sandra Carmona Garcia – Higher Education Student Affairs
Jessica Gonzales – Psychology/Sociology
Ashley Murguia Topete – International Business/Information Technology
Vivian Pineda – Nursing
Paola ��Rodríguez – Nursing
Elizabeth Santillan – Nursing
Yazmin Santillan – Social Work/Sociology
Claudia Vargas – Psychology
Daisy Vasquez Guevara – International Studies/Spanish

LULAC uses proceeds from the annual gala and donations from companies, individuals, and universities to fund scholarships for Latino college students, perform citizenship and voter registration drives, and conduct youth leadership training programs. Over the past 19 years, LULAC Council 750 Little Rock has awarded approximately $850,000 in college scholarships to 450 students. For more information about LULAC Little Rock visit , and for the national scholarship program, visit:

LULAC honors Chancellor Rogerson with President’s Award

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:39:53 +0000

Dr. Andrew Rogerson, chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, was honored for his contributions supporting the Latino community during LULAC’s () annual scholarship gala held Oct. 13 at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum.�� The President’s Award is LULAC’s premier award granted to an individual affiliated with an institution and recognizes the individual’s contributions and support for the Latino community. Chancellor Rogerson has been selected for his work with LULAC to create a job enhancement certification program as well as reconfirming a Memorandum of Understanding between the university and LULAC that continues a program where ��Vlog��ý Little Rock matches LULAC scholarships for students who meet the guidelines. “I was deeply honored to receive recognition for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and our work with the Latino community at the LULAC scholarship gala,” Rogerson said. “I was also gratified to learn that 12 deserving ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students had been chosen to receive scholarships.” Ten ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students received LULAC scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000. Scholarship recipients include Sandra Carmona-Garcia, graduate student in the student affairs higher education program; Andrea Elias, senior international studies and French major; Paola Moreno, sophomore nursing major; Gerardo Ramirez, sophomore architectural engineering major; Elizabeth Santillan, freshman nursing major; Yazmin Santillan, senior social work major; Claudia Vargas, sophomore psychology and human relations major; Daisy Vasquez, sophomore international studies and Spanish major; Lizette Vazquez, junior criminal justice major; and Juan Villasenor, freshman health science major. In addition, Janette Munoz, freshman nursing student, was recognized for receiving the Richard Family Trust Scholarship from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, while Ashley Murguia, freshman international business major, was awarded the Patricia Guardado Memorial Scholarship from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Proceeds generated by the annual banquet and by the organization’s Cinco de Mayo Festival fund scholarships for Latino college students. The fund also helps the league perform citizenship and voter-registration drives and conduct youth leadership training programs. LULAC seeks to empower the Latino community at the local, state, and national level through its seven councils chartered in Arkansas. The organization involves and serves Latinos of all national origins and focuses heavily on education, civil rights and employment. Over 18 years, has awarded approximately $750,000 in college scholarships to 400 students. In the upper right photo,��Chancellor Andrew Rogerson congratulates ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students who received LULAC scholarships during the Oct. 13 gala at the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Professor Emeritus Terry Richard named Humanitarian of the Year

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:31:18 +0000

A retired University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor—an advocate for the Hispanic and Latino communities—will be recognized by at its humanitarian awards ceremony.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock Professor Emeritus of Sociology Terry Richard will be honored at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, at the Jack Stephens Center on ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. Former ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Joel Anderson will present the award to Richard. “I do want to invite my colleagues at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to come to the banquet and help support an organization that develops inclusive programs for both youth and adults in our community,” Richard said. Since 1964, the Humanitarian Awards Celebration has honored one or more individuals who has demonstrated a significant commitment to building inclusive communities. These honorees have had a meaningful impact in improving social justice and human rights efforts through their work and community service. Richard is a charter member of the Arkansas Council of the (LULAC), the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, and has been an active member for more than 35 years. He served as state director from 2013 to 2015 and serves on the LULAC National Education Committee Richard has demonstrated his passion to help students in the central Arkansas area. As the head of LULAC’s university sponsorship committee, he organized the group’s first scholarship gala, which is now the primary fundraiser for LULAC scholarships in Arkansas. In the past six years, the organization has distributed more than $250,000 in scholarships and tuition waivers. More than $100,000 has been distributed to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students during this time. �� Richard helped Latino students enroll in college by creating Memorandums of Understanding between LULAC and six college and universities to ensure that students with a financial need can receive scholarships and additional funds. During his time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Richard published a variety of articles related to issues of race and ethnic relations. He served as the chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the graduate coordinator for the master’s program in gerontology. In 2012, he earned the faculty of the year award from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Government Association. He retired from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in December 2016 after 35 years at the university. For more than 20 years, Richard has worked with his twin brother, Jerry, to fund four endowed scholarships at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The most recent, the Wesley Trace Richard Memorial Scholarship, is named in honor of Richard’s son, a Marine who died in April from trauma suffered while serving in Iraq. Richard received his Ph.D. in sociology from North Texas University and his master’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. He also received post-doctoral certificates in social work and gerontology at the University of Kentucky and North Texas University. Tickets to the Humanitarian Awards Celebration are.

��Vlog��ýLR grad pays it forward after receiving overwhelming support

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 14:13:52 +0000

Thanks to the financial assistance she received to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a graduating student decided to dedicate her time to help high school students get into college.�� Sandra Carmona-Garcia, president of the ��Vlog��ýLR student chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), will graduate on Dec. 17 with two bachelor’s degrees, Spanish and mass communication with an emphasis in strategic communication. A firm believer in community service, uses her time to help high school students with the college application process and to raise money for student scholarships through LULAC. Although she had a 4.0 GPA in high school, Carmona-Garcia did not think she could go to college due to her immigration status. In 2012, during Carmona-Garcia’s junior year of high school, President Barack Obama ordered the immigration policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which, in part, allowed undocumented students to attend college. When Carmona-Garcia learned of the opportunity, she knew she wanted to attend college. However, she did not know how she would afford out-of-state tuition. “I was losing hope, and suddenly, I had an explosion of blessings,” she said. “The teachers at Central High School decided to get together and help me. I have a teacher that gave and still gives me a contribution to pay for my books. A person that I’d never met sent me a check to buy my computer and pay for some of my classes.” One of her teachers also contacted LULAC, who helped Carmona-Garcia find ways to finance her education. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Carmona-Garcia said. “That’s why I never take anything for granted. Whenever LULAC needs me to participate or needs my presence somewhere, I make sure I’m there.” Thanks to the overwhelming support she received, Carmona-Garcia made it her business to exceed collegiate expectations and help others along the way. She now goes back to her high school to enlighten students on their opportunities for higher education and show them how to reach their goals. “I’m an intern at Central, and I’m kind of like a career coach,” Carmona-Garcia said. “I help students to sign up for college, the ACT, and FAFSA. I also help them with their resumes and give them more information about college, because I know what it feels like to want to go and not be able to afford it.” Not only does Carmona-Garcia work to help students get into school, but she also teaches them how to express their gratitude. As president of ��Vlog��ýLR’s LULAC chapter, she makes sure members take every opportunity to thank those who supported them. “I have always emphasized the importance of community service,” Carmona-Garcia said. “I want those who have been helped to show that they’re thankful for getting a scholarship, a donation, or anything. For me, you have to be present, you have to volunteer, and you have to let them know that you’re thankful.” Because of her experience in high school and with LULAC, Carmona-Garcia believes she has finally found her calling. She plans to get her graduate degree in student affairs, so other students have better opportunities for higher education.

LULAC presents $1,000 scholarship to student in need

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:28:34 +0000

When Denilson Mendez was 4, his mother brought him to the United States so he could have a better life.�� “Life in Guatemala is not easy, and it started to get unsafe,” said Mendez, a sophomore majoring in systems engineering at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. �� Because Mendez falls under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), he is classified as a nonresident and pays out-of-state tuition and fees. The university’s student chapter of the (LULAC) donated $1,000 to Mendez on Oct. 26 to help him pay for his education. Sandra Carmona-Garcia, president of ��Vlog��ýLR’s student chapter of LULAC, said the group was moved to help such a deserving student who is so devoted to his education. �� “It’s always good to see the community and the school help the Hispanic community to succeed and help these students move ahead in their academic achievements,” Carmona-Garcia said. Mendez’s situation was brought to LULAC’s attention by an engineering professor, and the group is still looking for ways to help him pay for schooling, said Dr. Terry Richard, a professor of sociology and faculty adviser to LULAC. “We just want to be able to help pay tuition for this bright student who only wants to work and contribute to our society and community,” Richard said.

Coming to America

Mendez grew up in Long Beach, California. In 2012, he moved to Arkansas with his mother and younger sister. He graduated from McClellan High School in 2015. Now he dreams of becoming an engineer and fulfilling his mother’s dream of him getting a college education. He chose ��Vlog��ýLR because of its great engineering program, small class sizes, and proximity to home, but paying for his education has been a struggle. “I have spent 15 out of my 19 years being in the United States. I don’t even remember living in another country. I live five minutes from here, and I am still considered an out-of-state resident,” he said. To pay for his education, Mendez works 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Friday at a factory, except for Tuesdays. On those days, he arrives at 6:30 p.m., so he can attend his physics lab. He cannot afford to take a full class load and is taking eight credits this semester. With summer classes and a full-time job, Mendez hopes to finish his bachelor’s degree in five or six years. “It’s a marathon at this point,” he said. After he graduates, Mendez wants to work for the FBI. He is grateful to LULAC for helping him pay for his education. “It’s a relief since I am not able to apply for many scholarships,” he said. “This money gives me more time to keep studying.” In the upper right photo, ��Vlog��ýLR’s student chapter of LULAC��donated $1,000 to Denilson Mendez to help him pay for his education. Pictured, from left to right, are Jerry Richard Trevino, Denilson Mendez, Sandra Carmona, and Terry Richard Trevino. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ýLR Communications.��

��Vlog��ýLR students to receive League of United Latin American Citizens scholarships

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 18:40:36 +0000

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) will award scholarships to 26 University of Arkansas at Little Rock students at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30.�� This year, a total of 46 college students are receiving scholarships at the LULAC Council 750 Little Rock Scholarship Banquet at the Great Hall of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, 1200 President Clinton Avenue in Little Rock. ��Vlog��ýLR students receiving scholarships include Sharon Aldama, Jesus Avila Rojas, Crystal Alvarez, Sandra Carmona Garcia, Natali Carmona Garcia, Daniel Diaz-Artega, Adrianna Duran, Andrea Elias, Noemi Garcia, Brenda Ibarra, Georgina Lopez, Denilson Mendez, Luz Mendoza, Alma Morales Guardado, Vivian Pineda, Mariano Ramirez, Erika Ramos, Celina Reyes-Vasquez, Alondra Rodriguez, Yazmin Santillan, Edgar Suarez-Novia, Guadalupe Torres, Claudia Vargas, Daisy Vasquez, Jorge Vasquez, and Lizette Vazquez. The banquet’s featured speaker is Dr. Howard Baker Kurrus, attorney and former superintendent of the Little Rock School District. Proceeds generated by the annual banquet and by the organization’s Cinco de Mayo Festival fund scholarships for Latino college students. The fund also helps the league perform citizenship and voter-registration drives and conduct youth leadership training programs. LULAC seeks to empower the Latino community at the local, state, and national level through its seven councils chartered in Arkansas. The organization involves and serves Latinos of all national origins and focuses heavily on education, civil rights and employment. Over 17 years, LULAC Council 750 Little Rock has awarded approximately $700,000 in college scholarships to 400 students. Tickets for the banquet are $100 and can be ordered by email at lulac750@gmail.com. For more information on the scholarship program, visit. ��

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

LULAC recognizes ����Vlog��ý Little Rock as Latino Destination Campus

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Latino students receive LULAC scholarships

����Vlog��ý Little Rock students receive LULAC scholarships