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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate Shane Bowers Selected for Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts

John Hill — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 14:31:27 +0000

Shane Bowers, a 2016 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, has been accepted at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Bowers earned a Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from Northern Illinois University in 2019. The Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts is a non-studio doctoral program for artists and creative thinkers. Bowers said the new Ph.D. program that starts in the fall will allow him to explore beyond studio practice and open a new world of research and opportunity. “I explore what a socially political artist can translate through space and time in my most recent bodies of work,” Bowers said. “In this Ph.D. program, I am combining my art-making practice to do trans-disciplinary research with international connections, resources, and contribute a duality between theory and studio practice.” In addition to his doctoral studies, Bowers is the co-founder of two nonprofit galleries. “I’m a transgender artist that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and also a civil rights activist,” he said. Bowers founded the Unpacked Mobile Gallery in 2017 with Lauren Iacoponi and Naomi Elson. The mobile gallery provides a space for local artists to create, curate, and exhibit work in communities and public spaces around Chicago in the bed of a moving truck. It is committed to showcase artists that are not able to perform in a brick and mortar gallery. “We wanted to create a non-brick and mortar space that is culturally diverse for local artists in Chicago,” Bowers said. “We did shows in Chicago and offer artists the space, especially when they are underrepresented. Brick and mortar places often underrepresent people of color and the LGBTQ community.” The Dispatch Gallery, which is an extension of the Unpacked Mobile Gallery as a remote option, is a platform where artists can collaborate, showcase their work through livestream performances, video and film screening, and artist interviews. Dispatch is about inclusion and diversity, bringing together artists with culturally and diverse identities such as persons of color, LGBTQ, transgender, and gender non-conforming, immigrants, women, and individuals who do not identify with the mainstream culture. “We wanted to give an opportunity for emerging artists to have that space and for the public who wouldn’t expect a pop up mobile gallery in the back of a truck,” Bowers said. “T��n COVID-19 happened, so we created an extension of Unpacked Mobile Gallery. This is for performance artists that are not getting the space they need. We had our first show that had 27 domestic and international artists. We are happy to showcase all these artists.” Bowers is expected to complete his doctorate program in 2026. During the first three years, Bowers and his cohort will complete studies during the school year and travel to meet with his classmates during the summer. The first two summer programs will take place in New York City and Greece. During these summer residencies, Bowers and his classmates will visit art museums and art shows, learn about art history, and present research. During the fourth and fifth years of the program, Bowers will write a 400-page dissertation. This program is meant for professors, adjunct professors, and adjuncts of record,” Bowers said. “It’s great for continuing your career and adding that research component for your studies. I am studying gender studies, philosophy, and sound theory. I am trying to explore the Western dichotomy of gender roles.” Before Bowers arrived at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, he said he never seriously considered getting a graduate degree. A discovery while he was in the McNair Scholars Program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock led to an incredible change in his life. “I found out I was dyslexic when I was 23,” he said. “I struggled with reading and writing before then. It changed my entire life to not only be in the McNair Scholars Program because they gave me the tools to be able to be successful in my research. I was able to get through information so much quicker. There is a stigma on people who are dyslexic. They don’t think that you can get a graduate degree. People with dyslexia can get a master’s degree and a PH.D. and go into higher education if they want to. I think that’s important.” Bowers is also thankful to professors like Michael Warrick and Mia Hall who helped him become the artist he is today. “When I went into the art program, Michael Warrick was one of my mentors along with Mia Hall, who helped me learn about visual arts history,” Bowers said. “I started transitioning as a transgender person during my time at ��Vlog��ýLR, and I was also an artist and an advocate for LGBTQ rights. Now I can have two terminal degrees and bring a better pedagogy for artists to be successful. That is how ��Vlog��ýLR helped further my education. I just want to thank my mentors at ��Vlog��ýLR. I wouldn’t be here without them. They inspired my life.”

‘I am good enough:’ Graduating student uses words of affirmation to overcome pressures of college life

Jenny Lambert — Mon, 07 May 2018 14:48:59 +0000

As an African-American female raised by a single parent in a low-income home, Miracle Chase was always determined to tip the odds of life in her favor. Chase was the first person in her family to attend, and now graduate, from college. On May 12, the Earl, Arkansas, native will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock at only 20 years old. In high school, Chase was one of the smartest students in her graduating class, earning the rank of salutatorian, while accumulating more than 30 hours of college credit. When it came time to make the transition to college, however, thoughts of being subpar or less than intelligent clouded her mind. “I came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock knowing nothing about life outside of my little bubble,” Chase said. “Back home, everyone was rooting for me, but in actuality, I was lost and felt like I wasn’t good enough and did not deserve to be here.” Leading her high school class in grades gave Chase a boost of confidence that she was unsure she would experience in college. Rather than allow those thoughts to gain further traction, Chase decided to change her disposition and put just as much into succeeding in higher education as she had done in high school. “I had to tell myself, ‘I am good enough’ and ‘I am supposed to be here,’” she said. Starting out as a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock freshman, Chase had her mind set on becoming a social worker, but after applying for admittance into the program, she was denied. “Although I had more than enough credit hours, I wasn’t admitted due to a recent change in the admission requirements,” she explained. “I was completely devastated and didn’t know what to do next.” Chase was advised to give sociology a try since the major had many similarities to social work. Due to her love for people and interest in social issues, she decided to give it a try and hasn’t looked back since. Outside of the classroom, Chase keeps herself busy and is always looking for an opportunity to excel. She is a proud member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, McNair Scholars Program, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Honors College, African American Female Initiative, Circle K International, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She also serves as an ambassador for the College of Social Sciences and Communication. With so much on her plate, it’s been easy for Chase to find areas of her life that could use improvement, but she often pulls from words of encouragement that serve as pick-me-ups for when she doesn’t feel at her best. “I remember breaking down crying during my first research project with the McNair Scholars Program,” Chase recalled. “Minutes later, I watched a speech from former first lady Michelle Obama explaining how she dreamed about going to college and hearing people say it was unreachable. Her words, ‘You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages,’ have stuck with me until this day. I reflected back on all the struggles I’d been through and I took it as a fuel to exceed my goals.” Chase also found support in the people who love her and continue to light her fire, including her family, close friends, and church members. “T��y have heard my excuses and made me work harder,” Chase said. In addition, Chase met professors and professionals who helped to make her educational journey one to remember, including Nicholas Steele, Drs. Ge Chen, Adriana Lopez, Simon McClain, David Briscoe, and Amin Akhnoukh. “If I could change anything about my experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I wouldn’t,” Chase said. “Everything happens for a reason, and every event or experience shapes us for the next.” After graduation, Chase plans to spend her summer attending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s counselor education program.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock honors Staff Achievement Award winners

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 18:32:51 +0000

Ashia Hall Muhammad believes helping those in need is her calling. Muhammad, assistant director of the McNair Scholars Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, spends more than 500 hours a year volunteering with Jack and Jill of America, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Arkansas Council for Women in Higher Education. For her efforts, Muhammad received the Community Service Award during the April 20 Staff Achievement Awards Ceremony at the Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology. Muhammad was joined by Larry Rhodes, instructional technology specialist for the College of Social Sciences and Communication, who received the Ben Fry Service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Award, and Victoria Rand, administrative assistant for the Department of Physics and Astronomy, who was the winner of the Personal Growth Award. The campus community submitted nominations for the Staff Achievement Awards, with an independent judge selecting the winners. Each winner received $1,000. The ceremony also recognized staff members for years of service, graduation, and retirement. “T�� achievement awards really highlight the incredible staff at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” Staff Senate President Laura McClellan said. “Reading the nomination letters is such a source of encouragement. Our staff are dedicated, creative problem-solvers devoted to our students and to the work we all do on campus. It’s been my honor to be on the achievement awards committee.” This year’s nominees include Jesse Ball, Katie Becker, Deborah Cook, Heyam Dannawi, Shawna Diaz, Trakenya Dobbins, Nihal Erian, Terry Harrison, Darrell Heath, Randy Henslee, Devon Holiman, Kim Jackson, Rachel Jones, Stephanie Jones, Karl Lenser, Meaghan Milliorn, Geoff Nash, Kathy Oliverio, Mia Phillips, Victoria Rand, Andrew Robbins, Andrijana Vukovich, Estelle Wells, Cheryl Wilcox, and Angela Willis. Lindsay Wheeler and Amber Krum are the recipients of the $250 Staff Senate Scholarship for employees continuing their education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, while Frances Frazier won the $75 Jerry Crittenden Book Scholarship. Sodexo, Disability Resource Center, and Mickey’s Cakes and Sweets sponsored the event, which was hosted by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate.

Community Service Award

Muhammad is president of the Greater Little Rock chapter of Jack and Jill of America. In this position, she partnered with St. Mark Baptist Church and Engineering for Kids of Central Arkansas to host a free robotics summer camp for middle school students. From 2014 to 2016, she was on the National Public Relations Committee for Jack and Jill of America, where she developed social media guidelines and marketing and branding campaigns for the organization. With Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Muhammad is part of a team that meets with 40 local high school students every month to provide workshops on college, career exploration, community service, and environmental ownership. She believes it’s important to foster community service in the next generation. In the past year, Muhammad and the high school students she mentors organized a college fair, made blankets for the homeless and fed them, and cleaned up a local park. Muhammad is the president of the Arkansas Council for Women in Higher Education, where she has served on the executive committee for six years. Marty Mayfield, fiscal support analyst in the Academic Success Center, nominated Muhammad for the award.

Ben Fry Service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Staff Senate President Laura McClellan (left) and Ben Fry Service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Award Winner Larry Rhodes (right)

Rhodes is described as a dedicated and invaluable staff member. In addition to his regular duties, Rhodes serves on the university-wide technology initiative and as the photographer and graphic designer for the College of Social Sciences and Communication. His work greatly increased the profile of the college. “It is difficult to capture Larry’s commitment to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and this college in words,” wrote Dean Lisa Bond-Maupin, one of two people who nominated Rhodes for the award. “It does not seem enough to say that he is by far the most dedicated employee I have encountered in 25 years of higher education.” “Larry’s day-to-day mode of operations is to exceed expectations, continuously improve, show kindness, and contribute where he is needed most,” Bond-Maupin wrote. “He is a wonderful, warm ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community member known to volunteer to take wedding or family photos for a strapped colleague.” Rhodes also put his photography skills to use while serving as a chaperone for a group of 15 students who traveled to Morocco in November 2016 to attend the International Model Arab League. “Larry was not only an excellent traveling companion; he turned out to be an incredible photographer,” wrote Dr. Rebecca Glazier, who also nominated Rhodes for the award. “T�� students documented our travels through a blog, and Larry provided most of the pictures. When we got back to Little Rock, the students were able to share their adventures with the community through a public event that prominently featured Larry’s photographs.”

Personal Growth Award

Staff Senate President Laura McClellan (left) and Personal Growth Award Winner Victoria Rand (right)

Rand is described as an independent, hardworking employee who strives to learn new things. Haydar Al-Shukri, interim chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, nominated Rand for the award. “She is a brilliant woman, with the ability to grasp complex ideas and find practical solutions to difficult problems in the shortest possible time,” Al-Shukri wrote. “Throughout her work at the department, she expressed the ability of independently conducting scientific study. She is invariably pleasant, polite, and professional, but she is tenacious and aggressive in going to the heart of any project she works on.” In the upper right photo, Staff Senate President Laura McClellan (left) honors Community Service Award Winner Ashia Hall Muhammad (right).

��Vlog��ýLR names new director of TRIO programs

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 20:59:18 +0000

In 2014, Dr. Ge Chen left behind her dream job as the senior administrator and executive director of TRIO programs at the University of Texas at Austin. Her only child, Cindy Gandhi, was working at a very intense medical residency program. So Chen retired, packed up, and moved to Little Rock to help Cindy with her three young children. Two years later, Chen’s daughter is a successful surgeon working at the Veteran Affairs office in Little Rock, and Chen is getting a second chance to work with first-generation and underrepresented students through the TRIO program. “I carry so much pride and passion for TRIO students,” she said. “This is a very diverse and talented student population, but also the population that faces formidable challenges and obstacles. With support and resources, these students can succeed and achieve their academic goals and personal dreams and become leaders of the future.” Chen began work as the new director of ��Vlog��ýLR’s TRIO, Student Support Services, and McNair Scholars programs on June 1. TRIO is a set of federally-funded college opportunity programs, including ��Vlog��ýLR’s Student Support Services and McNair Scholars Program, that motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their pursuit of a college degree. Student Support Services provides academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, and other support necessary for the completion of a bachelor’s degree. The McNair Scholars program is a TRIO program with the goal of supporting undergraduate students who would like to attend graduate school and pursue their doctorate degree. ��Vlog��ýLR has approximately 260 undergraduate students participating in Student Support Services and 26 students in the McNair Scholars program. “I still have a lot to learn to be able to serve the programs and the participants effectively,” Chen said. “I want to reach out and connect with all the departments and offices at ��Vlog��ýLR so we can bring comprehensive resources to the programs and the students. I also want to learn and find opportunities to further enhance our services and maximize student learning.” Chen holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeast Normal University in the Jilin Province of China. She worked as an English instructor and director of exchange programs at Northeast Normal University in China before moving to Arkansas to pursue a graduate degree. She earned a master’s degree in secondary education and a doctorate in education in curriculum and instruction from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. After graduation, she worked as a TRIO Upward Bound coordinator at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. Since then, she has devoted her knowledge and expertise serving underrepresented students by improving access to higher education and promoting academic advancement. In her most recent position at the University of Texas at Austin, Chen oversaw seven student success programs. She brings extensive experience and skills in leadership, program development, budgeting, assessment, and grant writing. In addition to being a proud mother and grandmother, Chen is also an avid pingpong player, gardener, and fan of classical music. As a Chinese American, she is actively involved in promoting culture and traditions in the local Asian and Chinese communities.

��Vlog��ýLR alum receives prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 17:50:13 +0000

Thanks to a prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship, University of Arkansas at Little Rock alumnus Jermaine Marshall will no longer have to work as a teaching assistant to support himself as a first-year doctoral student in Notre Dame’s computer science program. Instead, he will be able to devote more time to his research involving the analysis of data from social networking websites. Marshall, 23, of Helena, Arkansas, has been named a 2016 recipient of the . He graduated from ��Vlog��ýLR in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. For 2016, the National Science Foundation awarded 2,000 fellowships from nearly 17,000 applicants. The fellowship provides three years of financial support through a $34,000 annual stipend and $12,000 cost-of-education allowance to the student’s graduate institution. “It just lit up my whole day,” Marshall said. “T��y only have an 11 percent acceptance rate. I didn’t think I would get it, but it happened.” The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. Marshall’s current research involves social sensing, which uses the massive amount of information people share through social networking websites as research data to discover trends and influences. However, the information people share on social media is not always accurate. Marshall is developing a program that will detect when this information is accurate. “People may lie or report false information on social media,” Marshall said. “My goal is to develop a framework to tell when people are reporting truthful information on social media and determine how that information can be useful to society through research.” In 2015, Marshall was named a National GEM (Graduate Engineering Degrees for Minorities) Ph.D. Science Fellow. The GEM Fellowship greatly increased Marshall’s chances of acceptance into distinguished Ph.D. programs. He also received a paid summer internship with Adobe, a global leader in digital marketing and media. Among his many distinctions at ��Vlog��ýLR, Marshall was a McNair Scholar, a Donaghey Scholar, an African American Male Initiative Program member, an Engineering and Information Technology Ambassador, a former EIT Summer Undergraduate Program of Entrepreneurship and Research Scholar, a member of the Dean’s List, and an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Kappa Psi Chapter. “T�� Donaghey Scholars and McNair Scholars programs helped me pursue research and taught me how to get involved with it,” he said. “T��y helped me get to the point where I could do research, apply to graduate school, and get accepted into a prestigious program. They really helped me prepare for my future.” Marshall thanked the African American Male Initiative and Alpha Phi Alpha for giving him the support he needed to complete his degree. “T��y helped give me the motivation and support to pursue my dreams,” he said. This summer, Marshall will be a software engineering intern at Intel. After his anticipated graduation from Notre Dame in 2019, Marshall plans to continue his research into social networking websites at a research lab and eventually open his own social networking company.

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate Shane Bowers Selected for Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts

‘I am good enough:’ Graduating student uses words of affirmation to overcome pressures of college life

����Vlog��ý Little Rock honors Staff Achievement Award winners

����Vlog��ýLR names new director of TRIO programs

����Vlog��ýLR alum receives prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship

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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate Shane Bowers Selected for Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts

��Vlog��ý Little Rock honors Staff Achievement Award winners

��Vlog��ýLR names new director of TRIO programs

��Vlog��ýLR alum receives prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship