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

Graduating veteran plans to become social worker to continue helping recovering veterans

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 19:56:29 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate is continuing his education to become a social worker so that he can help other veterans who are facing recovery and mental health issues.�� John “Chris” Short of Little Rock graduated Dec. 14 with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree and a minor in psychology. The Bachelor of Applied Science program is designed for working adults who have completed 40 hours of technical military credits. Short started college at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2001. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Short wanted to serve his country and joined the U.S. Army in 2002. He completed basic training and infantry school at Fort Benning, Georgia, and then was stationed in Hawaii until he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2004. “I got promoted to team leader, and right after I got promoted I got caught in an IED on March 29, 2005,” Short said. “I lost my leg below the knee and had a traumatic brain injury. There was a time in my life when I had to learn how to walk and read and write again. I spent the next two years at Walter Reed Medical Center recovering.” Short retired from the military in 2007 as an E5 sergeant and a recipient of the Purple Heart, two Army Commendation Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a host of additional commendations. He moved to Fayetteville, where he enrolled at the University of Arkansas atFayetteville for a few years and also worked in construction and as a fly fishing guide.�� During this time, Short suffered from untreated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and recalls that his life took some “dark turns” before he sought treatment at the Veterans Affairs hospital in 2014 and got on the road to recovery. It was after he began working at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System that he decided to finish his college degree.�� “My boss, Dr. Estella Morris, who is the director of the healthcare for homeless veterans program, kept asking me why I hadn’t reenrolled in school,” Short said. “She is a big advocate for the social work program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. She thought I would really be able to help people by pursuing my education. After I started as a peer support specialist in 2016, me going back to school inspired a lot of other veterans.” As a certified peer support specialist, Short works with veterans who are recovering from a variety of issues, including PTSD, addiction, and depression.�� “I love my job. I help people move their life in a positive direction and recover from what they are struggling with,” Short said. “I get to work with veterans and people in recovery, and I am passionate about that because I am a veteran. It helps that I am able to relate to what many of the veterans have gone through. Watching people get into recovery and make positive changes in their lives is a very powerful experience. To me, there’s nothing better.”�� Now that he’s graduated, Short plans to apply to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s graduate program in social work. He wants to become a social worker so he can continue helping veterans. “I’d like to do what I do now but with a license,” Short said. “Continuing education is very important to me. I didn’t value it when I was younger, but today I recognize how important education is. When I had a TBI, I forgot so much of what I learned in school. When I went back to college, it was a healing process for me.” He also hopes that finishing college has inspired his 10-year-old daughter. “It’s been almost 20 years since I started here in 2001,” Short said. “It’s been an awesome experience that my daughter Caroline has seen me finish college in the last few years,” Short said. “She sees that education is important to me. It’s not something I’m just saying. It’s something she’s seeing me do.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Veterans Day ceremony highlights unique experiences of military students

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 18:19:57 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale and Director of Military Student Success Kathy Oliverio are serious about their commitment to military student success. This week, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock hosted a Veterans Day ceremony featuring first-hand stories of career transition and personal renewal from the university’s military students. After 10 years of active duty in the Air Force, Staff Sergeant Kaycee Greenwood transitioned into a training manager role for the Air Force Reserve where she works to prepare the next generation of crew chiefs. Now a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock doctoral candidate in education, Greenwood plans to continue supporting the training needs of the Air Force. “My experiences at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock have been nothing short of amazing,” said Greenwood. “I love being a lifelong student.” Biology major Alexis Harris, a native of Sherwood, always looked forward to someday earning a degree at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, her mother’s alma mater. Harris served as a Navy intelligence specialist from 2013 to 2019. Her global experiences ranged from providing humanitarian support to imagery data support.�� “I am grateful for the opportunities provided to me by the Navy,” said Harris. “The Navy has showed me where I am strong and where I can improve. I am thankful for my time in the Navy, no matter how hard the growing process was at the time.” Marine Corps veteran Sean Lewis served four years with duties ranging from cyber network operator to machine gun operator. His global experiences ranged from duties in Afghanistan to working with children in Japan.�� Lewis admits that he joined the Marine Corps primarily because his mother told him not to join the military and go to college. He graduated high school at 16 and waited for his opportunity to join the military. He spent his 18th birthday on a bus headed to training. Since leaving the Marines, Lewis has served in law enforcement and as a private military contractor. This academic year, though, Lewis is a freshman biology student at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student veterans, Kaycee Greenwood, US Air Force Reserve, center, and Sean Lewis, US Marine Corps., right, participate in a Veterans Day ceremony held in the Stella Boyle Smith Auditorium. Photo by Ben Krain

“I may be a little late, Mom, but I’m in college now,” chuckled Lewis. Army wife Neva Martin shared her story of what it means to support a disabled veteran. After many tours of duty with special forces and plans to retire on the near horizon, Martin’s husband was injured in a tank explosion.�� “I’m so grateful that my wonderful husband is still here,” said Martin. “When he returned home that last time, he was different. He needed physical therapy and mental health therapy to overcome the effects of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).” The path of recovery and renewal for Martin and her husband has taken over a decade and in some ways still continues. Martin is dedicated to continuing her role as a steadfast Army wife, seeing her husband through the entirety of their journey together. “Being an Army wife is a wonderful but stressful job,” Martin said. “My advice to other service member families is to stick together, rely on faith, and seek help for PTSD and physical injuries.” Oliverio emphasized that military students bring a wealth of knowledge and unique experience to the education environment. They also carry internal battles that result from their commitment to serving our country. “The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Military Success Center is dedicated to supporting these incredible American citizens who volunteered all of their being to serve on our behalf,” Oliverio said.

Chancellor Drale, Oliverio, Stewart honored for supporting military student at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 17:25:29 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale, Edie Stewart, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management, and Kathy Oliverio, director of military student success, were recognized for their efforts to support military service members this month. Kaycee Greenwood, assistant director of military student success and a doctoral student in education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, nominated Drale, Stewart, and Oliverio for the Service Member Patriot Award. Members of the National Guard or Reserve or their spouses can nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided to the nominating service member and their family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. Greenwood serves as a master sergeant with the Air Force Reserve. She joined the Air Force in 2007 and served in active duty until 2018, when she was ready for a career change from maintaining military aircraft. “It wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life,” Greenwood said. “I had received a master’s degree in higher education administration and knew I wanted to work at a university. If I stayed in the military for 10 more years, I knew the field would have changed too much to use my degree.”

Chancellor Christina Drale (left), Kathy Oliverio (middle), and Edie Stewart (right) stand in from of the C-130 military aircraft before departure.

After leaving active duty, Greenwood was hired as an assistant registrar at the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College. She loved her internship with Kathy Oliverio, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s director of military student success, so much that she immediately applied for the assistant director position at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock when it became available earlier this year. “The Military Student Success Center is a one-stop shop for our military students,” Greenwood said. “Some of these students have no experience with college, and they come into the office completely lost. It’s really rewarding to help them find their place in college.” Greenwood decided to nominate Drale and Stewart for the award because the university has provided so much flexibility and support for her work with the Air Force Reserve and her classes. “I’ve had no problems with taking off work for drill weekends,” Greenwood said. “Edie helped so much in the military center that it’s unbelievable. I couldn’t ask for a better university. I am so appreciative to Edie, Kathy, and Dr. Drale for their help in my career and studies that I wanted to nominate them for this award.” The three were recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and the Reserve, a U.S. Department of Defense program, with other Patriot Award recipients during a ceremony at Little Rock Air Force Base Nov. 3. Sen. Jane English presented the awards. “I was so proud to receive this award,” Stewart said. “I am so grateful for our military service members and veterans. Their sacrifices, including those of their families, is something we need to be thankful for every day.” Stewart added, “ My dad was a Navy Vietnam veteran, and my son Mattgraduated from the Naval Academy and just started flight school in Florida, so service members have a special place in my heart.”��

Edie Stewart (left), assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management, and Chancellor Christina Drale (right) were recognized for their efforts to support military service members this month with a flight in a C-130 military aircraft.

Stewart said that it’s important to provide support for military students and employees like Greenwood who have sacrificed so much for the country. “Kaycee really understands the background of military students,” Stewart said. “She connects well with students and can put herself in their place. As civilians, we don’t understand the difficulties of military life, but Kaycee can understand their sacrifices in a way only a service member can. We appreciate Kaycee and Kathy and everything they do for our students and our country.” Drale, whose favorite part of the experience was taking a ride on a C-130 military aircraft around central Arkansas, said the award showcases ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s commitment toward supporting military students. “I was very honored to receive the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award,” Drale said. “I think the award really goes to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock staff and faculty who are working with military students every day and trying to make sure that they have the support that they need. We are very proud to be a military friendly campus and to have the Purple Heart University designation. I was happy to accept the award on behalf of everyone at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock who ensures that our military students thrive. And it was pretty cool to take a ride in a C-130 too!”

Veteran, alum making a difference through Medicaid fraud investigations

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 06:30:52 +0000

A veteran and 2018 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is helping to uncover Medicaid fraud as part of his journey to become a lawyer.�� Ben Bowers, 31, of North Little Rock, graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in political science in December 2018.��With the ultimate goal of becoming a lawyer, Bowers put his degree to good use by gaining experience in state politics. He served as a senatorial aide for state Sen. Kim Hammer from December 2018 to April 2019. “As Sen. Hammer’s aide, I would read and summarize proposed legislation and report any issues that might counter his ideology,” Bowers said. “When Sen. Hammer would present a bill in committee, other representatives and members of the community would voice their concerns. I would write reports on their concerns so he could address them.” After the spring 2019 legislative session closed, Bowers began work as a legal support analyst with the Arkansas Office of the Medicaid Inspector General. “My job is similar to paralegal work with a lot of research involved,” Bowers said. “I do the initial phase of investigation when someone calls and reports a provider or homecare aid cheating on Medicaid. I also prepare exhibits for use in court.” Bowers graduated from Benton High School in 2006 and joined the U.S. Army. During his four years in service, Bowers earned two Army Commendation Medals and the Iraq Campaign Medal for his deployments in Iraq and Kuwait. Upon his return to Arkansas, Bowers joined University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College, having always wanted to complete his college education. Unfortunately, Bowers struggled during his first post-service years and faced bouts of unemployment, homelessness, and legal problems. He earned his Associate of Arts degree in general studies from Pulaski Tech in 2017 and transferred to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, where he participated in the Model Arab League and the Little Rock Congregations Study. “My ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professors that stand out the most for me are Dr. Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm and ��Dr. Rebecca Glazier of the Department of Political Science and Dr. Kristin Mann of the Department of History,” Bowers said. “Dr. Brahm was willing to meet with me and helped me craft my personal letter for law school. Dr. Glazier does the Model Arab League, and you can really tell she cares about her students.” In 2017, Bowers also become a volunteer with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, a national nonprofit organization that engages, assists, and empowers members of the military, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and first responders. Bowers is applying to law schools for the fall and is grateful for a job where he feels like he is making a difference. “I feel like I am contributing to society and doing something meaningful,” Bowers said. “The Medicaid program provides good help to many low-income people. We try to stop people from abusing the system and to pay back what they have stolen so there are funds available for the people who really need it.”

Bowen Law School grad plans to right rural wrongs with second career in legal aid

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 14:05:45 +0000

A U.S. Army veteran has plans to spend her “second act” helping local residents in her rural home county of Yell gain access to legal representation.�� “The reason I went to law school is I want to do legal aid in my community,” said Cynthia Aikman, 55, of Bluffton. “We don’t have any legal aid services in Yell County. The closest one is an hour away. It is a major problem for this rural county, so that’s my goal.” Aikman will graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law on Dec. 15. Although she already has an MBA, Aikman was inspired to attend law school after seeing so many changes that hurt her local community. “Our school district consolidated after 50 years. We thought we were protected because we were so isolated. Kids are on the school bus up to two hours each way,” Aikman said. “There is also the whole cell tower issue. I testified in front of our state senators about how not having cell phone coverage affects our lives, and we need it more than anyone. We are away from our houses doing possibly dangerous jobs in agriculture, and we can’t dial 911. Many of our rural post offices were closed. All of this stuff was happening, and I decided I needed to go to law school to get on the other side of things. I am just trying to right some of these rural wrongs. I’ve learned a lot. I might even run for the legislature one day.” While starting law school with the best of intentions in 2013, Aikman was forced to leave after a year due to health problems. “I have Lupus, and stress is a trigger,” she said. “Everyone in my family was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do it. The second time, I decided I am going to do it for fun, and I won’t be stressed out. The Disability Resource Center had lots of ideas. I wasn’t trying to be the top of the class. I was just in it to learn it.” Living nearly two hours away, Aikman drove in weekly and stayed with her daughter on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights so she could attend night classes at Bowen. While in law school, she was a member of the Christian Legal Society, where she ran a multi-year Bible study, as well as the Black Law Students Association and Outlaw, a student organization dedicated to promoting diversity, raising awareness of legal issues affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people, and maintaining an open atmosphere of respect, equality, and justice for all. “Cindy is loved by her fellow students and respected by her professors,” said Jessie Burchfield, Bowen’s associate dean for information and technology services. “In the fall semester of 2018, she volunteered over 200 hours at the Center for Arkansas Legal Services. Her passion is to provide pro bono services to those who need legal help and can’t afford it.” Aikman said she loved working pro-bono cases for people in need but found the experience eye opening. “It’s crazy what the full-time lawyers take care of. The lawyer I worked for probably had 80 cases at any one time,” she said. “There are so many cases coming in, and there is such a need for it. You knock out case after case after case. Anyone who volunteers there wants to work in legal aid because you see such a need for it.” Aikman credits Sarah Jenkins, Charles C. Baum Distinguished Professor of Law, and Burchfield, who have both served as advisors to the Christian Legal Society, for serving as her mentors at Bowen. “They made themselves available to all the students and especially everyone who was in the club,” she said. “They would take us to lunch if any of the students had any problems. When students have personal problems, they show up, and they are interested. They are accessible, and they are sincere.” In January, Aikman will begin a two-month course to help her study for the bar exam, which she will take later in the semester. As she reflects on her time at Bowen, she is sad to see that part of her life come to an end, but excited to start the next chapter in her career. “I just loved every minute at Bowen,” Aikman said. “I loved all my classes and all my professors. I would recommend it to anyone. You are never too old to change careers, and law is a good one.”

Veteran earning degree online to provide a better future for his family

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:28:24 +0000

When Jimmy Johnson, 52, of Benton, was called in for a fifth and final interview for a vice president position a few years ago, he was certain that his life was about to change.�� “I just knew that my experience would finally pay off and move me out of the horizontal status that I seemed to be stuck in,” Johnson said. “I can’t tell you how excited I was when they requested this last interview. I just knew that my life was going to change.” The interviewer asked Johnson one simple question. Do you have any college? He said no. “They had explained to me that they wanted me, but their policy was that individuals for these positions must have a college education,” Johnson said. “They were going to waive their requirement for an actual degree for me, but because I had no college, they could not waive that. You just don’t understand the depression that set in for me. I knew at that point that I would always be in a horizontal status unless I do something about it. This is when I decided to obtain a college degree.” Johnson, a veteran and father of six, always wanted to go to college, but circumstances in his life did not allow this after high school. At 18, married and with his first child, Johnson dropped out of high school to support his growing family. He spent a few years working as a cook at Shoney’s. When his first wife became pregnant with his second child and Johnson without health insurance, he joined the U.S. Army in 1987 and completed the tactical satellite/microwave repairer course. He served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He credits the U.S. Army for providing him with the skills to get the professional job he needed. “I owe the Army everything I have today. They gave me the experience that I needed to be in the profession that I am today,” he said. After 10 years in the Army, Johnson worked a variety of positions with 30 years experience in the telecommunications industry. He has worked as a transport engineer at Alltel Wireless, as a realtor and consultant, and owned his own business as well. Johnson currently works as a professional vendor manager at AT&T in Little Rock. After being unable to advance further in his career without a college degree, Johnson joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2016 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in applied science with minors in management and professional communications. “At my age, I could have taken college anywhere, but I didn’t want that,” Johnson said. “I wanted a campus feel, even though my schedule does not accommodate that. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock gave me that campus feel. When I graduate, I won’t feel like I went to an online school. I have made a point to meet every professor that I have had classes with face to face, even though they are online. Having access to the programs that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has to offer has benefitted me by allowing me to be a professional and a father. The services that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers gives me the flexibility to work on my studies on a schedule that fits my lifestyle.” He credits his wife Melissa and Kathy Oliverio, director of military student success at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, for encouraging him to complete his degree. “Kathy Oliverio is the one who told me I could do it,” Johnson said. “I was a nervous wreck. She told me, ‘Jimmy, you can do this.’ She is the one who really motivated me to just go for it. I keep in touch with her all the time. My goal is to graduate with a 4.0. She said, ‘for someone who is nervous, you have high goals.’ I said, ‘If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do this right.’ My wife, Melissa, is very supportive. She’s another one who told me, ‘Jimmy, go get your education.’” His schedule as a student remains hectic. Johnson has five adult daughters who no longer live at home. He also has a “late in life blessing” in the form of his 5-year-old son, Blake. After spending all day at work, Johnson is dedicated to spending as much time as possible with his son. “My son is my pride and joy to me,” he said. “From after work until he goes to bed, that time is his. Friday and Saturday are his. I start my schoolwork at 9 p.m. on Sunday and do school work until almost 2 a.m. every morning from Sunday through Thursday. This is Blake’s first year in kindergarten, and he didn’t like it as much. Hey, Daddy goes to school, too. It’s brought him around to saying that school is not so bad because Daddy’s doing it.” Once he graduates in 2019, Johnson hopes to move into management and eventually land the coveted vice president position. “With the diploma from this university and the experience that I have, I am hoping that for once in my life – instead of opportunity always passing me by – I will have a chance to pass up opportunities.” Johnson hopes that the lesson people take away from his story is to see the value of getting an education and to go for it. “I just wish that everyone that reads this really considers getting their education,” he said. “Without it, there is a good chance you will never achieve the goals that you are working for. Education is never ending. I have required training at AT&T. AT&T has a program called Workforce 2020 to make sure that their employees are keeping up with all the new changes in technology and education. Technology changes and management styles change. If you don’t keep up, you’ll be left behind.” In the upper right photo, online ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student Jimmy Johnson does most of his school work by night so he can spend time with his 5-year-old son Blake. Photo by Ben Krain.��

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to honor members of military with week of events

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 21:14:17 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor its veterans and military service members with celebratory events during “Heart of Servicemember” Week Nov. 12-16.�� The week of events begins with a Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 12, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Building. The Military Student Success Center will hold an open house following the ceremony from noon to 4 p.m. in the Applied Communication Building Room 111. The Veteran Education Training (VET) 365 Program will host a seminar at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the Donaghey Student Center Leadership Lounge to introduce faculty and staff to the strengths, challenges, and realities that military service members and their families encounter. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock veterans, faculty, staff, and students can enjoy a free lunch provided by Sodexo in the Military Student Success Center. Those attending lunch can also take a picture with the selfie screen and post it to social media using #��Vlog��ýLRVeteransDay. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community will hear from student veterans during a panel discussion, “Bridging the Military-Civilian Divide at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, ��in Donaghey Student Services Center D. The week will end with an open forum that highlights the benefits of hiring veterans and debunking myths that serve as barriers to recruiting and retaining veterans in the workforce. “Hiring Veterans: Debunking the Myths” will be from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, in Donaghey Student Center A. All week long, people may stop by the Student Services Center reception desk to pick up a star to honor any veterans in their life. For more information, contact Kathy Oliverio, director of military student success, at 501-682-8387 or kmoliverio@ualr.edu.

Kappa Sigma to host fundraiser for Military Heroes Campaign

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 15:47:27 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Kappa Sigma chapter will host a food truck fundraiser on Oct. 10, 17, and 24 to raise money for the Military Heroes Campaign.�� The Chop Chop Grill food truck will be parked at the Kappa Sigma Lodge, 5721 W 32nd St., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 10, 17, and 24. Hugh and Carrie Change, the food truck’s operators, will donate 10 percent of all orders to the Military Heroes Campaign. The is committed to supporting ongoing care for our military veterans and their families. Since 2007, the campaign has raised over $1 million to aid veterans across North America. The Military Heroes Campaign is an initiative that consists of organizations focused on providing care for veterans and their families. For more information, contact Chris Stephens at 501-412-7154 or cwstephens@ualr.edu. ��

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to hold Memorial Day Service on May 29

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 25 May 2018 17:08:02 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will hold a special Memorial Day observance in honor of those who died while serving our country at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29, at the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall.�� Lt. Col. David Knight Jr. will give the invocation, while Sharon Downs and Karen Kuralt will sing the national anthem. Members of the Arkansas National Guard will perform “Taps.” Kathy Oliverio, director of military student success, will give the welcome and closing remarks. Michelle Beck, president of Students Affected by the Military, will also give remarks. Col. Shawn Daniel of Little Rock will serve as the keynote speaker. Daniel graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1993 and was first commissioned as an infantry officer with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Shawn Daniel

In 2001, Daniel commanded a U.S. Army Ranger unit and led a parachute assault in Afghanistan. He spearheaded U.S. and NATO efforts in the southern portion of the country in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and deployed again in June 2002. Following command and general staff college studies, Daniel deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He returned to the 75th Ranger Regiment in 2007 to assume duties as the regimental strategic plans and requirements officer and as the regimental executive officer. During his tenure at the Ranger Regimental Headquarters, he deployed several times to Afghanistan, serving as the operations officer for the Special Operations Joint Task Force in continuing support for Operation Enduring Freedom. Daniel took command of 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Airborne at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska in June 2010 and once again deployed to Afghanistan as part of the International Security Force Assistance mission. Following redeployment, he attended the U.S. Army War College Fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His final assignment was at the U.S. Special Operations Command Headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, as the director of the Afghanistan Division in the Operations Directorate. Daniel now lives in Little Rock with his wife, Dena, and children, Katie Grace and Jake.

Doyle Rankins’ graduation day is nearly 50 years in the making

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 08 May 2018 15:53:03 +0000

The first time Doyle Rankins was a student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1970, he was a 19-year-old rail service worker for Missouri Pacific Railroad (now Union Pacific) as well as a member of the Arkansas Air National Guard.�� With a work schedule that often shifted from days to nights, Rankins often had to quit classes in the middle of the semester to make his ever-shifting schedule work. He often muses that if online classes had existed in the 1970s, he could have finished his degree much faster. As an online student the second time around, Rankins completed a Bachelor of Applied Science and will graduate May 12 at the Jack Stephens Center – 48 years after he first started at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Rankins married Susan Gardner in 1972, and the couple took some classes together at the university. By the time their first daughter, Ellen Edwards, was born in 1974, Rankins’ first round at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock had ended. The family briefly moved to St. Louis, where Rankins took classes for a year at St. Louis Community College-Meremac and the couple’s second daughter, Sherry Rankins-Robertson, associate professor of rhetoric and writing at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, was born. The couple returned to Little Rock in 1977 and welcomed their son, Matthew Rankins. During his 43-year career at Union Pacific, Rankins was a hard worker who once oversaw an area that stretched from Chicago to Yuma, Arizona. He was responsible for overseeing a workforce of more than 300 people and often flew on a helicopter to train derailment sites all over the country. Rankins-Robertson recalls how her parents instilled a strong work ethic and appreciation for higher education in her and her siblings. “My parents preached the importance of a college education to us since we were very little,” she said. “They were really passionate about us going to school. There was no one more passionate than my dad about me finishing my bachelor’s degree because I had a baby at 19. In their generation, having children meant going to work–not finishing school.”

Doyle Rankins stands on the Union Pacific 1960s patio caboose that bears his name. Photo by Ben Krain.

Rankins retired from Union Pacific in 2012 as director of Mechanical Maintenance Transportation-Southern Region. He started his own consulting business, Rankins Railroad Service, in 2013 and still works 12 hour a day, six days a week. While all three of his children and his granddaughter have earned college degrees from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Rankins got his chance at finishing his bachelor’s degree when Rankins-Robertson encouraged him to meet with Kathy Oliverio, director of military student success. The Bachelor of Applied Science degree is geared toward adults with military service. In 2016, he became an online student at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, nearly 40 years after the last time he attended college. His favorite classes included several writing courses, Earth Science, and ethics. His favorite professors included Melvin Beavers, Gerald Driskill, Simon Hawkins, Melissa Johnson, Wendy McCloud, and Kathy Oliverio. Rankins-Robertson will play a special role in her father’s graduation ceremony. As a faculty member, she will get to hand her father his diploma. “I am very excited. I was also able to award my daughter her degree last year, so it feels as if I have come full circle to award the generation below and above me their degrees,” she said. As for his post-graduation plans, Rankins is not giving up on school just yet. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in rhetoric and writing at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as well as continue to run his consulting business. “I work today because I want to, not because I have to. I will keep working for as long as I am physically able, and I will keep doing education as well. I definitely want to keep doing things,” Rankins said. “People have asked me what am I going to do when I get out of college, and I ask them if they are crazy. What else could I do?”

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