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

U.S. News and World Report Recognizes ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for Undergraduate Education

John Hill — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 18:22:30 +0000

U.S. News and World Report has recognized the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for being a top university in social mobility for its students as well as for its excellent academic programs in nursing, business, engineering, and computer science. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has once again been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a continued leader in social mobility Arkansas with a ranking of #197. The ranking measures a university’s success in graduating economically disadvantaged students who are less likely to finish college. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is committed to providing an affordable college education for its students with a focus on student success initiatives and a competitive scholarship portfolio. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock continues to prioritize student success while simultaneously improving access to higher education,” said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. “Given the increase in students choosing to enroll at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, the increase in student retention rates, and the decrease in the net price of attendance, it is no surprise that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has been recognized with this social mobility ranking.” The social mobility indicator measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants. Students receiving these grants typically come from households whose family incomes are less than $50,000 annually, though most Pell Grant money goes to students with a total family income below $20,000. The social mobility ranking was computed by assessing Pell Grant graduation rates and Pell Grant graduate rate performance. U.S. News rankings are widely recognized as symbols of excellence in higher education that are conferred by an unbiased trust agent. With more than 15 measures of academic quality, the U.S. News Best Colleges report provides data-driven information and guidance to help prospective students and their families understand their higher education options. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s in U.S. News and World Report 2022-23 Best College Rankings include:

Best Undergraduate Engineering #184
Best Undergraduate Nursing #206
Best Undergraduate Business #219
Best Undergraduate Computer Science #234

The Department of Computer Science ranking is up 18 spots over last year. Initially accredited in 1990 and the first Computer Science program accredited in the state, the program offers a minor in information insurance, a bachelor’s degree in computer science with an option that focuses on games, a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, a master’s degree in computer science, and a Ph.D. in computer and information science. Students study a wide range of in-demand fields including cybersecurity, virtual and augmented reality, data visualization, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and mobile, smart systems, and software for Internet of Things. While ��Vlog��ý Little Rock began its first bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity last year, the university was already a proven leader in cybersecurity education and workforce development in the state. Earlier this year, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock received a $1.96 million workforce development grant from the Arkansas Office of Skills Development to create the , a consortium of seven University of Arkansas System campuses to expand and diversify workforce education in emergency cyber technologies throughout the state. The Cyber Learning Network began offering a new certificate of proficiency in cybersecurity fundamentals this fall with a second certificate program due to start in the spring 2023 semester. “The undergraduate computer science programs again being recognized in the U.S. News and World Report rankings is a credit to the faculty and teaching staff in the Department of Computer Science,” said Dr. Albert Baker, chair of the Department of Computer Science. “The commitment and energy of these scholars to the nurturing of our student’s professional careers is leading to our continued success. Undergraduate students in the department have unique opportunities to participate in funded research and development projects. We are proud that our students are well-prepared to join the workforce in Arkansas and beyond.” The School of Nursing, the university’s largest undergraduate program, has a variety of well-respected undergraduate degree programs, including the Student to RN, Student to BSN, Online RN to BSN, and LPN/Paramedic to RN. “The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Nursing continues the tradition of being a leader in nursing education in Arkansas,” said Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “We are proud to be recognized again by U.S. News and World Reports as one of the best undergraduate nursing programs in the country.” Joanna Hall, director of simulation and assistant professor of nursing, has recently become the first person at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to earn the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator certification. Hall leads the Center for Simulation Innovation, a 20-bed state-of-the-art simulation hospital offering simulation-based clinical learning experiences within a 9,500 square foot facility. The center ensures students graduate having experienced a variety of scenarios they will likely face in the nursing profession. This July, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock launched the new School of Engineering and Engineering Technology to bring together the university’s competitive engineering programs. The school includes the university’s programs in electronics and computer engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, mechanical engineering, and electrical and computer engineering. “It is a great achievement for engineering programs at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to be ranked 184 out of so many qualified ABET-accredited engineering programs,” said Dr. Srikanth Pidugu, director of the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. “This recognition demonstrates the commitment of the faculty to teaching, research, and service excellence and the high caliber of undergraduate students.�� It is a fantastic accomplishment considering that the engineering programs started only a little over two decades back.” The School of Business serves as a catalyst to advance education and economic development in the state of Arkansas. “The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock business program produces undergraduates with well-developed business acumen and refined technical skill sets which are in high demand in business,” said Dr. Robert Mitchell, director of the School of Business at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Over 85% of our graduates are employed upon graduation, and 85% of our alumni indicate their degree as a contributing factor in their career advancement. Business graduates indicate the required high impact experiential learning experience in their program of studies helps them make a smooth transition into the workforce.”

Congressman French Hill declares ��Vlog��ý Little Rock nursing student a ‘Hometown Hero’

John Hill — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 13:17:16 +0000

U.S. Rep. French Hill has recognized a University of Arkansas at Little Rock nursing student for his exceptional work on the frontlines at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (��Vlog��ýMS). Aaron Baxter, of Benton, works as a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at ��Vlog��ýMS. Hill recognized Baxter before the U.S. House of Representatives this summer, and that recognition is now part of the permanent Congressional Record. “Aaron’s superiors say that he is a team player who stands out due to his high regard for patient care and safety,” Hill said. “I thank Aaron for his dedication to protecting the health of Arkansans during this time. He, and frontline workers like him, are vital to us overcoming COVID-19 as a nation.” Baxter, who will graduate from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree in May 2021, said that keeping patients safe is a team effort, and the honor belongs to all his co-workers. “I’m definitely honored by this recognition, and I hope that everyone understands that, as nurses, we have to rely on each other,” Baxter said. “Nursing is a team occupation. I could not do what I do without the people I work with. We recently had a big group text where we thanked everyone for being so supportive. It’s great to know we’ve got each other as our other family. Having that support makes it worth it. To me, this is an honor for all the folks that I’ve worked with.” Baxter got his first experience in healthcare as a volunteer EMT. He joined ��Vlog��ýMS in 2015 as a patient care technician after working for nearly two decades in the energy and manufacturing sectors. “I was a volunteer EMT in my 20s, so I had a little taste for healthcare then, but I didn’t have the confidence in my early 20s to pursue that,” he said. “After some more life experiences, the opportunity presented itself for me to come home and pursue school. My sister, who has been an ICU nurse for 12 years, was a big influence who really helped guide me to this decision.” While working as a patient care technician, Baxter attended nursing school at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2017 and obtained his associate degree in nursing in 2018. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock has an accelerated option for the nursing program,” Baxter said. “My goal was to get into the accelerated program, so I could quickly get back to work. As a working adult student, that was my deciding factor.” Dr. Sloan Davidson, chair of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Nursing, said that Baxter is a great nurse and wasn’t surprised that he had received such an honor. “Aaron was always at the top of his class, admired by his peers,” Davidson said. “He was kind and helpful to everyone, including faculty. He was one of a group of students that constantly checked on me my first semester as chair.” With the current pandemic, Baxter has taken on yet another role in his unit, working as both a COVID nurse and a D-officer, where his role is to help colleagues make sure they are properly using and removing their protective equipment. “Working in any kind of critical care unit is stressful,” Baxter said. “Adding the coronavirus and all the unknowns to that has been stressful, but we’ve had a lot of support. As a team, my unit has done the best job we could in order to provide exceptional care. That hasn’t changed because of the coronavirus.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock nursing grad recalls life from school to the frontlines

John Hill — Tue, 05 May 2020 17:04:03 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock nursing graduate is grateful for the skills he learned at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock that are helping him protect patients during a global health crisis. Michael Stramiello, a 2018 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, moved halfway across the country from West Orange, New Jersey, to Arkansas when he was just a kid. Yet, he is the only member of his family to remain in Arkansas and has made his home in Benton, where he works as a registered nurse in the Medical Surgery Department at Saline Memorial Hospital. During high school, Stramiello was a rising basketball star, and some schools had shown interest in recruiting him to play college ball. Unfortunately, his passion for basketball ended in several injuries, including a torn ACL and a busted kneecap. The teen endured several surgeries between ages 17 and 19 to repair his knee. “It was a blessing in disguise, because it stopped me from going to play basketball at a smaller school, where I may never have gone into nursing,” Stramiello said. “It also translated into me becoming fully committed to academics.” Although Stramiello developed a familiarity with hospitals that few of his friends had at such a young age, his time in the hospital left him with a desire to go into healthcare. “When I was in the hospital, the nurses were always very generous and compassionate,” he said. “They made the biggest difference in my stays, and that translated into me wanting to be a nurse when I got older.” After graduating from Abundant Lights High School in Sherwood, Stramiello joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2014, though not originally as a nursing major. “I was looking for a good school with a biology program,” he said. “I knew I wanted to go into medicine, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock had a very good program. During summer 2016, I was able to shadow a doctor at Saline Memorial. I wanted to see how things in medicine worked. I really enjoyed working with nurses, who get to know the patients more than any other person at the hospital. That is something that intrigued me. After I did the shadowing and got to see what our program offered, it was a no brainer to go into our nursing program.” Stramiello is thankful to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock nursing program for helping transform him into a confident and skilled nurse. “The nursing program gave us a lot of opportunities in school,” he said. “The teaching style is very hands on. We have one of the best simulation labs in the state of Arkansas. The nursing program changed me and my friends. We blossomed as people. The program gave us the confidence and the tools to be successful. That is one of my favorite things about the program.” He joined Saline Memorial on Oct. 1, 2018, and loves the close-knit community. “I shadowed healthcare workers at Saline Memorial, and I really liked the hospital,” Stramiello said. “It’s one of the reasons I chose this hospital. I love the environment. It’s a smaller hospital with a great family feeling. It’s a great place to be and grow.” Like all healthcare workers, Stramiello’s job has shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think everyone’s nursing job changed because of the pandemic,” he said. “We are getting screened and our temperature checked every day we come into the hospital so we can keep everyone safe. We’ve had a great recovery rate in Arkansas, which is very promising. What’s happened in our neighboring state of Louisiana is sad. They are about the same size as us, but have had so many more cases. I think people in Arkansas did a good job listening to social distancing messages, and it could have been a lot worse if they didn’t.” In his free time, Stramiello loves music and serves as a music director at Benton First United Methodist Church. A video of him playing the guitar and singing to patients . In his nursing career, Stramiello is already known for his acts of kindness. In 2019, he received the , which recognizes the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. The DAISY Award was established in 1999 by the family of a patient who had received extraordinary care and compassion from his nurses during his final days. A patient nominated Stramiello for the award after witnessing his hard work and kindness during the 2018 holiday season. “This nurse has worked every night this holiday season,” the patient said. “He volunteered to work to allow those with families time to be home for the holidays. He has been very patient and kind during my entire stay. All of the staff was good to me, and my stay was nice even during the holiday. Out of everyone, Michael stands out for his kind and caring manner. His positive outlook and encouraging words helped me so much during a stay that lasted a week during the holidays. He is a humble and dedicated nurse who thinks first of his patients and coworkers. I pray he is given credit and honor for a job well done.” Stramiello has a message for his fellow nurses in honor of National Nurses Week. “I want to thank nurses for what they are doing in times like this,” he said. “I know it has been a very hard time in nursing. I want them to know how much they are appreciated and how much they make a difference in people’s lives.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock nursing student recounts journey to becoming a successful RN

John Hill — Tue, 05 May 2020 16:57:41 +0000

Hong “Steve” Seo, a 2019 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and current BSN student, joined the Arkansas National Guard while he was still a student at Central High School. It was his work with medical evacuation units that inspired him to become a nurse. After his high school graduation in 2011, Seo spent the next eight years working as a flight operations sergeant with the National Guard. “I started at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2014,” he said. “I was originally an undeclared major. After my associate degree in general studies, I decided to do nursing. I spent the last three years of my military career in a medevac unit with flight medics, pilots, and nurses. I wanted to help people and save lives. That’s why I went into the medical field.” During his time as a nursing major, Seo said that his knowledgeable instructors did a great job of preparing him for his future career. “I really enjoy the nursing program,” Seo said. “All the instructors are very helpful. They are all experienced nurses and very knowledgeable. They did a good job of setting us up for success. You can tell that they really cared about the students.” Something else that helped prepare him for success in the medical field is the six months he spent working as a student nurse technician at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System during his last year in the associate degree program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “It is a good job to have as a nursing student working to become a nurse,” Seo said. “You work very closely with the nurses. That job gave me more practical experience compared to other students who didn’t have a medical or healthcare related job.” After he graduated with his associate degree in nursing in May 2019, Seo began work as a registered nurse in a cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit in Little Rock. He is currently continuing his education in the BSN program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Now that I am a nurse, I feel a combination of having the work experience and everything I learned during the nursing program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock helped me to be a success. The nursing program did a very good job of teaching me things that I needed to know and preparing me to be a nurse. All of the instructors were great. I’m confident that they are still doing a good job of preparing future nurses.” For all of his fellow nurses who are celebrating Nurses Week, Seo has the following message. “Nursing is a challenging profession,” he said. “Always remember the reasons why you wanted to be a nurse and how hard you worked to get there. I am both thankful and proud of you all.”

New Trojans share plans for college and career

John Hill — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 18:07:12 +0000

Norvell Thomas first made a go at earning his college degree in the mid-1980s in northern Illinois. Now, the Kankakee, Illinois, native and nursing major is ready to complete his college career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Norvell, a 56-year-old, first-generation student, is one of the 72 new Trojans who attended student orientation Jan. 10 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, where they talked about their hopes for the future. “I was in college when I was younger. I started working, got on academic probation, and then had to stop college to focus on working,” Norvell said. As a hospital training coordinator, Norvell has provided training for nursing students whose instructors encouraged him to return to college. “I work for the Arkansas Department of Health in the training department,” he said. “The nursing instructors at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock asked me if I was a nurse. When I said no, they encouraged me to become a nurse because they said I was so good with the nursing students during their training.” In 2009, he moved to Arkansas following a death in the family. “I had a cousin who was diagnosed with cancer and passed away,” Thomas said. “My uncle is a pastor, and I thought it was my calling to come and assist him in his ministry.”

John Easdon

Now, the pastor and former professional gospel singer is looking forward to a career as a travel nurse. “Nursing is very rewarding. Travel nursing is my goal after I work at the state level first,” Thomas said. “I love the diversity in the nursing program and learning from people from around the world about different cultures and places. I can share some life experiences with the younger generation.” Another new student, North Little Rock-native John Easdon, is excited to start school so he can concentrate on what’s important in life. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is close to home and gave me the best scholarship,” Easdon said. “I’m looking forward to learning the stuff that I want to learn. Science classes are my favorite.” After graduation, Easdon, a nursing major, plans to join the military.

Maddie Becker

Maddie Becker, a Colorado Springs, Colorado, native who graduated from Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School, is looking forward to starting her journey to become a broadcast journalist. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is close to my family,” said Becker, a mass communication major. “I know a lot of people who go here and say good things about the school. After graduation, my goal is to become a broadcast journalist and work for ‘Good Morning America’ or the ‘Today’ show.”

Alexander Burks

Future physician Alexander Burks, of North Little Rock, is a fall 2019 college graduate who is here to take some prerequisites for medical school. “I just graduated from Hendrix College as a Spanish major, but I am here to take organic chemistry and biochemistry so I can go to ��Vlog��ýMS,” Burks said. “At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I’m looking forward to furthering my education and learning new things.”

College of Education and Health Professions recognizes top students, employees, and friends

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 21 May 2018 13:25:31 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s College of Education and Health Professions recently celebrated it’s top students, employees, and community supporters at the college’s annual awards ceremony.�� Abby Baldwin, of the School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation, received the Outstanding Student Award for a student earning an associate degree. Roger Powell, of the School of Social Work, received the Outstanding Student Award for a bachelor’s student. Meanwhile, Derenda Alexander, a master’s student in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, won the Outstanding Master’s Student Award. Finally, Hsin-Wei Huang, a doctoral student in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, won the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award. In faculty and staff awards, Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison and Dr. Kim Jones, both of the School of Social Work, were honored with the Dean’s Award. Additionally, Dr. Bruce Smith from the School of Education received the Faculty Above and Beyond Award. Kristy Kidd, program director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted and Talented Education, received the Trojan Excellence Award. The college’s Faculty Excellence Award winners included Dr. Amanda Nolen, School of Education, for public research; Dr. Glenn Anderson, School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation, for service; and Dr. Bruce Smith, School of Education, for teaching. Each of the college’s academic departments, schools, and centers honored Friends of the College, an individual or organization that is recognized for their outstanding service and commitment to the College of Education and Health Professions. The Friends of the College include:

Friend of the Audiology and Speech Pathology Department: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 12th Street Clinic and Rev. Gwen Fry of St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church
Friend of the School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation: Barrett Allen, director of University District
Friend of the School of Education: Terese Oliver and Joy Thompson, instructional specialists at Pulaski Heights Middle School
Friend of the Department of Nursing: Becky Russell of Baptist Health Systems
Friend of the School of Social Work: Laura Generou
Friend of the Advising and Support Center: Arkansas Chapter Board and volunteers of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Friend of the Center for Literacy: Dr. Karen Scott, director of elementary learning and federal programs for Ozark Public Schools
Friend of EAST Scholars: Ryan Davis of Children International
Friend of the Jodie Mahony Center: David Hendricks, school performance specialist and legislative advocate, and Empowering and Energizing Education in North Little Rock
Friend of MidSOUTH: Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane
Friend of STEM Education Center: Jane Hurley of Central Arkansas Water

Dr. Greg Robinson served as chairperson of the College of Education and Health Professions Awards Committee. Drs. Catherine Crisp, Bill Garner, Melissa Reeves, Ann Robinson, Linda Dorn, and Heather Reed also served on the committee.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock honors employees, departments making a difference in students’ lives

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 17 May 2018 13:09:47 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock recognized 57 faculty and staff members as well as 24 departments and programs who have made an impact in the lives of graduating students.�� The Division of Student Affairs hosted the Student Advocate Awards Ceremony on April 27. Through a survey, graduating seniors identified ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employees and departments instrumental in their success. The faculty and staff members honored include:

Charles Anderson, Rhetoric and Writing
Neveen Amin, Sociology and Anthropology
Aresh Assadi, Counseling Services
Thomas Barrett, Education
William Baltosser, Biology
Emily Bell, Study Abroad
David Briscoe, Anthropology and Sociology
John Bush, Biology
Cai Carvalhaes, Counseling Services
Kelly Chaney, Biology
April Chatham-Carpenter, Applied Communication
Catherine Crisp, School of Social Work
Jane Evans, Nursing
Erin Finzer, Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Mark Funk, Accounting
Marc Glidden, Criminal Justice/Campus Living
Camille Guess-Mitchell, Financial Aid
Shannon Gwinn, Business
George Jensen, Rhetoric and Writing
Amar Kanekar,��Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation
Tara Kittrell, Counseling Services
Cheryl Kleeman, Military Student Success
Gaurav Kumar, Accounting
Jason Kushner, Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation
Katina Leland, Education
James Levernier, English
Ann Marie Lott, Disability Resource Center
Kristin Mann, History
Bradley Minnick, English
Steven Minsker, Computer Science
Robert Mitchell, Business Information Systems
La’Donnia Mothershed, TRIO Student Support Services
Charles Molsbee, Nursing
David Montague, eLearning
Ibrahim Nisanci, Systems Engineering
Yvette Palmer, Undergraduate Academic Advising
Mary Parker, Criminal Justice
Sonya Premeaux, Business
Bennie Prince, Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation
Ann Robinson, Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education
Jessica Scott, Donaghey Scholars Program
Sherry Rankins-Robertson, Rhetoric and Writing
René Shroat-Lewis, Earth Sciences
Amber Smith, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Bruce Smith, Education
Janea Snyder,��Counseling, Human Performance & Rehabilitation
Nick Steele, Concurrent Enrollment
John Talburt, Information Science
Cynthia Taylor, Accounting
Rachel Tennial, Psychology
Rikki Turner, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Hyginus Ukadike, Counseling Services
David Weekley, Mass Communication
Jim Winter, Arkansas STRIVE Program
Karen Wisdom, Criminal Justice
Paul Yoder, English

The departments and programs honored include:

African American Female Initiative
Accounting
Anthropology
Applied Communication
Art and Design
Business Information Systems
Chancellor’s Leadership Corps
Counseling Services
Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy
Donaghey Scholars Program
Early Childhood Education
English
Greek Life
Nursing
Philosophy
Psychology
Rehabilitation Program
Rhetoric and Writing
Science Scholars Program
School of Social Work
Theatre Arts and Dance
TRIO McNair Scholars
TRIO Support Services
��Vlog��ýLR Teach

Department of Nursing honors outstanding students

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 09 May 2018 15:55:19 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Nursing honored this year’s top students during an awards ceremony on May 4.�� The department’s student award recipients included:

Courtney Ellis – Service Award
Courtney Rolland – Leadership Award
Ruby Shepherd – Dr. Irving J. and Marie Spitzberg Transition Award
David Larson – Dr. Irving J. and Marie Spitzberg Traditional Award
Michael Stramiello – Dr. Irving J. and Marie Spitzberg Combination Award
Daniel Ramos – Outstanding First Year Clinician
Xaviery Latimer – Outstanding Second Year Clinician
Erica Davis – Professional Transition Student
Aaron Freeman – BSN Service Award
Kouhoua Yang – BSN Scholarship Award
Allison Ivy Renfro – BSN Teaching Award

Scholarship recipients included:

Andrew Wheat – Florence C. Zook RN Endowed Scholarship
Macey Highfill – Corinne E. Phillips Scholarship
Charlie Gasaway – Hazel Kriegbaum Russ Scholarship
Wesley Smith – Patricia and George Thompson Endowed Scholarship

Nursing student to receive second degree from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Jenny Lambert — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 15:58:12 +0000

Nursing proved to be a popular profession within his family, so it came as no surprise when Ja’Marvin Elliott, a graduating student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, decided to continue the family legacy by pursuing a career in nursing. After graduating from Camden Fairview High School in Camden, Elliott joined the Trojan family at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2010. As an undergraduate, he served as a Chancellor’s Leadership Corps scholar and later became a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. “Ja’Marvin as a student can be described as a great mentor to those around him and always focused on his studies,” said Amber Wolf, scholarship coordinator of the CLC program. “He has always had a kind heart and a passion to help others.” In 2016, Elliott earned his Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and returned to the university to pursue a bachelor’s degree. “I view nursing as a career rather than a job, and because a career involves advancement, I decided to further my education to receive my bachelor’s,” he said. “I’m very ambitious and furthering my education has molded me into a more knowledgeable nurse, which will allow me to provide a higher quality of care to patients and families.” According to Elliott, working to obtain two degrees brought on several challenges, but he chose to face them head on. During his first few years at the university, Elliott found it difficult to balance his social life with his school work. His role as the president of his fraternity seemed to take just as much attention as his educational goals. While working toward his second degree, however, maintaining a social life seemed to be a thing of the past. In pursuit of his bachelor’s, Elliott began working full-time as a registered nurse at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, giving him the opportunity to apply what he was learning in the classroom to people and issues in the real world. “It was a great feeling to accept my first job offer,” Elliott said. “It was weird because I accepted a job offer before taking the National Licensure Exam for nurses, which is not uncommon.” Elliott was also later selected to be preceptor for ��Vlog��ýMS’ new graduate residency program. “I’ve always been a very compassionate person who takes pride in helping others and has an unselfish concern for the welfare of others,” Elliott said. “I like to believe those characteristics show in my work.” As new opportunities unfolded before him, Elliott leaned on his parents and sister for support. As they reciprocated the love and encouragement he needed, he was fortunate to find similar energy in the nursing department. “A lot of professors encouraged me during my time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, but I would like to thank the entire nursing staff for believing in me at times I didn’t believe in myself and pushing me to reach my highest potential,” he said. Looking back on his many years as a Trojan, Elliott can find nothing that he would change about his experience. “I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I’m embracing the position that God has placed me in, so I’m grateful for the adversity I faced to reach this point in my life,” he said. In the summer of 2018, Elliott hopes to begin a doctorate of nursing practice program to assist in fulfilling his dream of becoming a family nurse practitioner. Until then, he’s more than excited to graduate from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for a second time with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The Fall 2017 commencement ceremony will take place Saturday, Dec. 16, at the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Jack Stephens Center.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock/CHI St. Vincent honor new nursing students

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 17:28:06 +0000

As a surgical technician, Daniel Ramos has witnessed the impact nurses have on patients and their families every day for the past 17 years he has worked at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.�� When the chance came to become a nurse through a new University of Arkansas at Little Rock/program, Ramos, 35, of Little Rock, took a chance to start a new career. “I have been in the medical field for a long time,” Ramos said. “I want to do that one-on-one care that I’ve seen nurses do. I feel like it is a calling. My passion and my love of caring for people pulled me in this direction.” Through the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock/CHI St. Vincent Pathway Program, students have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree as part of an accelerated 18-month program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Upon completion, students can obtain their RN license and begin a nursing career at CHI St. Vincent. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and CHI St. Vincent officials welcomed the first 36 participants in the Pathway Program during an Aug. 16 ceremony in which the participants signed their contracts with CHI St. Vincent. Each Pathway participant will receive a $2,500 per-semester scholarship to cover the cost of the accelerated program. The nursing students are expected to graduate in December 2018 and begin working in spring 2019 after they complete their board exams. Graduates will join the nursing staff at CHI St. Vincent for a minimum of 24 months. Pathway participant Elizabeth Hurtt of Sheridan said the scholarship is a “blessing” that will allow her to concentrate on her education without worrying about money. “It means a lot because not only is it helping me with college, but it’s a token of appreciation from God, and I’m very honored to be getting the award,” Hurtt said. “After meeting everyone from CHI Vincent, I feel like I have a whole team supporting me with my journey to becoming a successful nurse.” The Pathway Program comes at a time when the vacancy rate for RNs continues to rise across the state and nation. “This is a great partnership between ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and St. Vincent,” said Nisa Trenthem, RN residency manager at CHI St. Vincent. “There is a need for nurses everywhere, since so many nurses are nearing retirement age.” To produce more nurses, schools and instructors need to add programs and increase students, Trenthem said. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has already increased its nursing enrollment — from about 700 to about 780 this year. “I get contacted regularly by people asking how many graduates we have and if they can recruit our graduates,” said Dr. Charles “Preston” Molsbee, chair of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Department of Nursing. “Hopefully, with the increased enrollment, we can help eliminate that need.”

Pathway Program participant Daniel Ramos and his classmates sign their contracts to work with CHI St. Vincent. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Ramos said his three sons – 12-year-old twins and a 10-year-old – gave him the strength to pursue his first college degree and work toward his goal of becoming a nurse to help save lives. “My boys are my biggest encouragement,” Ramos said. “My boys told me I better walk across the stage in 2018. They encourage me to finish my homework like I encourage them in school.” Pathway Program participants include:

��Jasmaine Bass of Mabelvale
��Aarikka Black of Little Rock
��Sydney Bradshaw of Sherwood
��Allison Brown of Conway
��Andranez Bryant of Little Rock
��Tearani Buffington of Bryant
��Zachary Casteel of Searcy
��Morgan Collins of Pine Bluff
��Saige Davis of Pine Bluff
��Alexis Edwards of Little Rock
��David Harris of Conway
��Macey Highfill of Cabot
��Kimberly Hill of Benton
��Elizabeth Hurtt of Sheridan
��Angela Keaton of Conway
��Sean Lindsey of Little Rock
��Alyssa Lloyd of Bryant
��Maggie Marshall of North Little Rock
��Tyler Massey of Bryant
��Makayla McElwee of Lonoke
��Marquita McKissick of Little Rock
��Ashley Moore of Roland
��Monica Morrison of Little Rock
��Dominique Neal of North Little Rock
��Bradley Oldham of Mabelvale
��Jalisha Price of Little Rock
��Nicole Purdy of Benton
��Tiffany Smith of Little Rock
��Veronica Thomas of Alexander
��Jasmine Washington of Pine Bluff
��Daniel Ramos of Jacksonville
��Daniel Ramirez of Little Rock
��Maya Nellum of North Little Rock
��Zabina Swift of Little Rock
��Brittany Reynolds of Little Rock
�� Adama Weatherspoon of Little Rock

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

U.S. News and World Report Recognizes ����Vlog��ý Little Rock for Undergraduate Education

Congressman French Hill declares ����Vlog��ý Little Rock nursing student a ‘Hometown Hero’

����Vlog��ý Little Rock nursing grad recalls life from school to the frontlines

����Vlog��ý Little Rock nursing student recounts journey to becoming a successful RN