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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Students, Community Members to Discuss Study Abroad Trip to Spain and Religious Tolerance Efforts in Aug. 31 Panel

John Hill — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 20:42:36 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a free community panel where students will share their experiences studying abroad in Spain and prominent community members will discuss efforts to promote religious tolerance in Arkansas and their experiences with prejudice.�� The panel discussion, entitled “Together Little Rock,” will take place in the Legends Room of the Jack Stephens Center at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31. The panel will include Mayor Frank Scott Jr., Dr. Sara Tariq, co-founder of the Madina Institute and board member for the Interfaith Center, the Hon. Annabelle Imber Tuck, board member for the Interfaith Center and Congregation B’Nai Israel in Little Rock and the first woman elected as a justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and study abroad participants Torri Richardson and Nick Junker. The students who attended the trip, all part of the course, will also be in attendance to talk about their experiences abroad and share photos and souvenirs with the audience. Students who went on the trip include Steve Abouem, Armando Arellano, Madison Ellis, Scott Filek, Owen Hayes, Nicholas Junker, Kenedy Kuchinski, Torri Richardson, Misty Roberts, Alexander Shahegh, and Isaac Thomas. Dr. Rebecca Glazier, professor in the School of Public Affairs, accompanied the students on this trip as their faculty advisor. The group spent 12 days in Spain this summer visiting spots in Madrid, Toledo, Granada, and Salobreña. “Most of them had never been out of the country, and some hadn’t even been on an airplane before,” Dr. Glazier said. “I’m glad they were all able to come. We went deep and saw much more than just the top tourist attractions, and it was a unique experience that the students wouldn’t have gotten by themselves or with a tour group.” One of the most significant activities was the opportunity to connect with a nonprofit organization centered in Spain called Arco Forum. It is run by refugees, mostly from Turkey, who have set up cultural programs and efforts to help other Muslim refugees integrate to Spain. “The students had a lot of fun, but the trip also opened their eyes to Islamophobia and prejudice in the country and around the world,” Dr. Glazier said. “This event will be a good way to open that conversation here in Little Rock and ask what we can do better and how we can better connect with their community.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Partners with City of Little Rock on New OpportUNITY Equity Initiative

John Hill — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 14:00:18 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock joined the City of Little Rock during its launch of OpportUNITY Little Rock: A Citywide Movement for Equity. Mayor Frank Scott Jr., Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and John Burgess, 2021 chairman of the Little Rock Regional Chamber Board of Directors Oct. 6 at Entegrity Energy Partners, the largest energy services company in the region and a unique provider of optimized building performance. “True diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a token or counting a number. It’s ensuring you that you’re creating true opportunity,” said Mayor Scott Jr., a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus. “As we embark on this journey, it’s crucial to the future of our economy that businesses get involved with this movement so that we can collectively make a sizable impact on our city.” The program is a public-private partnership that bridges access and opportunity by training business leaders to bolster their internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and support minority and women business enterprises (MWBEs) to competitively engage as suppliers. It is also designed to help grow recruitment networks and enhance retention and development of a diverse workforce. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is extremely proud to be partnering on this initiative to provide training on diversity, equity, and inclusion at work to support commerce and equitable economic development in Central Arkansas,” Estes said. “This course will provide leaders with a strong foundation for DEI work, tools for ongoing efforts through a growing collaborative resources library, and ongoing support for those pursuing related goals at their own institutions.” The program is part of a larger vision for a more equitable business environment that reflects the diversity of Little Rock’s population, growing economic development through diversity in perspective, services, outlook, and business objectives. “I cannot emphasize enough the significance of our businesses leading the way by participating in this movement,” said Dionne Jackson, Ed.D., Little Rock’s chief equity officer. “We must realize, with the growth of our city and moving towards a global majority, we must have businesses that are better equipped to serve as a bridge to access and opportunities. Yet as the city asks businesses to join OpportUNITY Little Rock as a movement, we recognize our own responsibility for modeling effective practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion, too.” Four supporting programs were announced today, including a supplier drive to counsel and register new City vendors, drop-in office hours to assist MWBEs in certification and navigation of the process for becoming certified, a multi-agency seminar on doing business with government entities, and a multi-week course for business leaders on strengthening diversity within their organizations led by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Extended Education and the Chamber. “The Little Rock Regional Chamber is thrilled to partner with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on this targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion training for business leaders,” said Burgess, of the Little Rock Regional Chamber, of the seminar. “We also look forward to working closely with Mayor Scott and the OpportUNITY Little Rock team as we all work to build stronger and more meaningful opportunities for minority-owned businesses to thrive within Little Rock’s growing economy.” By joining OpportUNITY Little Rock, businesses will receive regular updates on DEI best practices, as well as information on resources and support programs to assist them in becoming competitive suppliers for public sector purchasing contracts. For more information, .

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to hold virtual conversation with Mayor Scott, Sen. Elliott, and Jannie Cotton

John Hill — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 17:53:58 +0000

As a celebration of Black History Month, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Student Government Association will hold a virtual conversation with prominent Black leaders in Arkansas.�� The event, “The Making of a Leader: An Open Discussion with Prominent Black Community Leaders,” will take place Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom. The event will feature Mayor Frank Scott Jr., Sen. Joyce Elliott, and Jannie Cotton, a mental health policy leader and advocate. “The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Government Association is excited to host Mayor Frank Scott Jr., Senator Joyce Elliott, and Jannie Cotton on Feb. 24 as we discuss their impact on both the Little Rock community and the state of Arkansas,” SGA President Landon DeKay said. “With their expertise, we will examine how they paved the way for African Americans in Arkansas. We hope this open discussion will provide words of guidance and encouragement to all students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock wishing to break through the barriers in their life.” Mayor Scott, a graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, is the 73rd mayor of Little Rock and the city’s first Black elected chief executive. Sen. Elliott, a former public school teacher, has a reputation as a strong advocate for education and was the 2020 Democratic candidate for Congress. Cotton, a licensed professional counselor, was the first African American woman in the state to serve as CEO of a community mental health organization.�� A Zoom link for the event will be emailed to all ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students the week of the event. For more information, please email sga@ualr.edu. Members of the public may register for the event .

City of Little Rock, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock announce revitalization plans for Asher Avenue Corridor

John Hill — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 14:40:47 +0000

Chancellor Christina Drale joined Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. at a Sept. 2 press conference at the Robinson Center to announce revitalization plans for the Asher Avenue corridor and the University Plaza shopping center.�� The plans are part of an effort to increase quality of life, bring in businesses and residences, and spur economic growth in an underserved area of Little Rock. “…Over the past 20 months, we have been very intentional,” said. “We have been able to move from platitudes to policy to proactive action. One of those actionable efforts has been the revitalization of Asher Avenue. To help revitalize an area, you must first focus on how do you enhance an area.” Along the Asher Avenue corridor, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock owns the University Plaza shopping center, University Village apartments, and the Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex, which is home to the women’s soccer team and men’s and women’s track teams. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock has long been an anchor in this important crossroads entrance to our city,” Chancellor Drale said. “Our campus, in recent years, has expanded to the south side of Asher Avenue. We envision development that would create a safe and attractive entrance into these facilities off of Asher Avenue.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s most significant revitalization plans revolve around the redevelopment of the University Plaza shopping center, which the university purchased in 2004. The center is home to Big Lots, , Sequoyah National Research Center, Department of Public Safety, and additional campus units. “We have owned the property for a number of years and used it to house various departments that had space needs,” Chancellor Drale said. “However, our plans have always been to rebuild this center with a focus not just on our campus needs, but also how those might intersect with the interests of business and the concerns of the community in which we live.”�� Vlog��ý Little Rock is in the planning phase for redeveloping the center, and is in talks with partners, including the City of Little Rock, about the design of a public-private partnership for the project. “A redeveloped center on the south end of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus will provide an important face to the Asher Avenue corridor,” Chancellor Drale said. “It will add to the positive development the mayor sees for this part of Little Rock, and we are proud to be a part of these changes. We will work with neighborhoods and other stakeholders to create a center that serves the campus and the community.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale (right), Mayor Frank Scott Jr. (left), and business owner Tracy Johnson (center) review plans for revitalization efforts along Asher Avenue during a Sept. 2 press conference at Robinson Center. Photo by Ben Krain.

The University District Development Corporation will be a vital part of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s revitalization efforts in the neighborhoods surrounding the university. University District is an initiative with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and its partners to increase home ownership, job growth, public safety, and neighborhood amenities in the areas around the university.�� “The University District area is full of potential for growing new businesses, attracting new residents, and for becoming a new region of exciting opportunity in Little Rock,” Chancellor Drale said. “The University District office, along with the Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center and the Arkansas Economic Development Institute, both at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, are excited and primed to be collaborators with the City of Little Rock in this significant endeavor.” The City of Little Rock’s revitalization plan will include a multi-pronged approach. One part of that vitalization effort included partnering with the Arkansas Department of Transportation to repave and resurface Asher Avenue and South University Avenue. Little Rock Planning and Development Director Jamie Collins said city officials have been meeting with the owners of buildings that have fallen into disrepair to discuss if the owners plan to renovate, demolish and rebuild, or sell the properties. Three such buildings are located at 5518 W. 33rd St., 4500 Asher Ave. and 3004 Lewis St. Collins said he expects to see significant progress on the properties within three months. The City of Little Rock, Central Arkansas Water, and Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority also announced economic incentives to encourage redevelopment of areas south of I-630 and east of I-30. The City of Little Rock will waive building permit fees, while Central Arkansas Water and Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority will forgo developer payments, including fees for water and sanitation infrastructure. The incentive package is the first of its kind in Little Rock, and city officials hope it will bring more businesses and generate more revenue for Little Rock. “This is an exciting day as we revitalize Asher Avenue,” Mayor Scott said. “It’s an exciting day as we work in partnership with an anchor institution of the likes of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to also revitalize Asher Avenue, focusing on retail development along that corridor area. It’s an exciting day to work with our property owners in that area as well. We are all focused on one thing. How do we develop, how do we redevelop, and how do we increase vibrancy south of I-630 and east of I-30 for this day and forever more?”

DiPippa, Trevino-Richard chosen for Little Rock committee conducting independent review of LRPD

John Hill — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 15:21:48 +0000

Two members of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock community have been selected for a committee responsible for conducting an independent review of the Little Rock Police Department. John DiPippa, dean emeritus and distinguished professor of law and public policy of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, and Terry Trevino-Richard, professor emeritus of sociology and anthropology, are members of Mayor Frank Scott Jr.’s nine-member committee that includes seven lawyers, a retired police officer, and a sociologist. “I am honored to be chosen to serve on this committee,” DiPippa said. “This is a difficult moment for our country, but we have the potential to create true equity and fairness.” The City of Little Rock will hire a law firm that will conduct a fact-finding process and present its findings to the committee. After reviewing the findings, the committee members will provide recommendations to the law firm, who will present a final report to the city. Trevino-Richard said he is looking forward to the opportunity to work with a group that has been empowered to make recommendations to improve policing in Little Rock. Having researched similar boards across the country, Trevino-Richard thinks Mayor Scott has made changes that will make this committee more effective than others he’s studied. “In the case of Mayor Scott’s Board, he has empowered them with investigative oversight and the members are community representatives, not just former law enforcement personnel,” Trevino-Richard said. “So there is an excitement in knowing that there will be outreach to the community to really look at ways to make Little Rock safer and much more comfortable with policing if we do our job correctly.” DiPippa thinks the committee may review similar bodies tasked with reviewing law enforcement to look for best practices on how to proceed with the independent review. “I am hopeful that my background in the law will help the committee achieve the mayor’s goal to ‘foster a more unified police force to create a safer Little Rock,’” DiPippa said. Trevino-Richard believes some of the ideas the committee will discuss include de-escalation training for officers, ending qualified immunity for the police, more community involvement via programs to link residents to the officers that patrol their areas, and recruiting more community members to the police force who will also live in the communities they police. “We will be addressing a variety of issues and making those known to the mayor, police chief, and public,” Trevino-Richard said. “Mayor Scott deserves kudos for trying to take direct action to make the city safe, secure, and satisfied with our criminal justice/policing system.” As the lone sociologist on the committee, Trevino-Richard said he plans to review models of policing that have had success in reducing the negative views of the police through community involvement.

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Students, Community Members to Discuss Study Abroad Trip to Spain and Religious Tolerance Efforts in Aug. 31 Panel

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Partners with City of Little Rock on New OpportUNITY Equity Initiative