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

Four ��Vlog��ý Little Rock staff members receive Staff Senate, Crittenden Book scholarships

John Hill — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 17:28:24 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Staff Senate has recognized four staff members who are pursuing degrees while working full-time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Two ��Vlog��ý Little Rock staff members received a $250 Staff Senate Scholarship. The winners include Claire Mitchell, an alumni affairs specialist in the Office of Alumni and Development, and Thomas Redd, IT systems administrator at the William H. Bowen School of Law. The winners of the Jerry Crittenden Employee Book Scholarship include Constance Williams, positive parenting program practitioner at MidSouth, and Alyssa Hall, an admissions specialist in the Office of Admissions. More information about the scholarship winners: Claire Mitchell, of Little Rock, is earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. “As I approach the end of my undergraduate education, my three years of service to the university in the Alumni & Development department has just solidified my goal to continue to forge my own path as a public servant,” Mitchell said. “I will graduate with my degree in political science, and I hope to use that experience and qualification to expand the communities and groups I am able to serve while also hopefully continuing to work for government institutions. I think my generation has a unique responsibility to rebuild public trust within our government institutions, and I plan on rising to that challenge as an overarching career goal.” Chris Hamilton, associate vice chancellor of advancement services and Mitchell’s supervisor, said she is a great example of staff excellence. “Claire is an instrumental part of the Office of Alumni and Development in gift processing, and this is a crucial role in our department’s success,” said Chris Hamilton, associate vice chancellor of advancement services. “I am so happy to hear that Claire has been awarded a scholarship as she continues her academic career.” Thomas Redd, of Little Rock, is pursuing a certificate in information assurance and an associate degree of computer science in computer programming. He eventually plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science or cybersecurity at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “This is an excellent investment for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” said Steve Hyatt, IT manager at the William H. Bowen School of Law and Redd’s supervisor. “Thomas is a smart-working, independent, and conscientious employee. I have no doubt these traits will carry over to his academic pursuits.” Constance Williams, of Monticello, recently completed a graduate certificate in management and is working toward a Master of Public Administration degree. “I would like to further my career with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock MidSouth and become the lead practitioner for the Positive Parenting Program at my site, which is at Monticello. With my management certificate, I know I will serve well in the role,” Williams said. “Receiving this award would release some of the financial burdens I have in regard to pursuing my education. I support my daughter and my sibling, who is currently a student at ��Vlog��ýM.” Alyssa Hall, of Benton, is working toward a bachelor’s degree in economics and then plans to pursue a Master of Business Administration. “I would like to work as an economist or analyst with a company that provides environmental justice and policy awareness to the public, such as the Environmental Protection Agency or Heifer International, a non-profit organization that teaches others how to live sustainably and how to allocate their resources,” Hall said. “I have previously volunteered for environmental justice organizations, but more recently began volunteering with Heifer, training to give presentations on the work they are doing in my community. I understand the impact that physical environments can have on our lives, and want to work to ensure that new environmental policies do not divide our communities.”

Scivally named Trojan Outstanding Academic Advisor

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 21:05:21 +0000

A hard-working academic advisor in the College of Social Sciences and Communication with a passion for helping his students succeed has been named the winner of the inaugural Trojan Outstanding Academic Advisor Award.�� Louis Scivally, transfer and Bachelor of Applied Science advisor, will also receive a $1,000 prize for winning the new award, which recognizes excellent academic advising. It also emphasizes the importance and expanding role academic advisors have in serving ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s students and helping them be successful in a changing college environment. “I have enjoyed helping students investigate their passions, plan their pathways, and experience the joys of education,” Scivally said. “I am most proud of the observations I have made from the floor of Jack Stephens Center when I have helped students walk at their commencement ceremony. I have been able to watch many students put their lives in high gear when working on a degree.” Scivally earned a Bachelor of Science in printing management and a Master of Science in college student personnel services from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He began his ��Vlog��ý Little Rock career in 2012 and has worked as a recruitment coordinator in the Office of Admissions and an advisor for the College of Business before joining the College of Social Sciences and Communication. One of Scivally’s former advisees, Robert Aikman, who now works for a Fortune 500 company, said he wouldn’t be where he is today without Scivally’s guidance. “Louis is a rare breed,” said Aikman, business development analyst at Insight Enterprises. “Louis was instrumental in my academic strategy during my time at ��Vlog��ýLR. Initially, I was a biology major, but after taking just one week of an economics course, I realized I had a passion for the subject. I was reluctant to change my major, as I was unsure if economics was a viable route, but Louis walked me through the choice.” Scivally advised Aikman to look at the earning potential and need for economics majors, helped him apply for scholarships, designed a class schedule that fit in with his job, and told him that his happiness is the most important factor when choosing a career. “Regardless of his schedule, he was always ready to throw some time on the calendar and sync up to discuss academic strategy,” Aikman said. “Without Louis and his guidance, I might have never pursued analytics and economics. Now, I am the business development analyst for an entire inside sales organization of a Fortune 500, and I am very excited about my prospective career trajectory.” Scivally’s coworkers describe him as someone who can always be found getting to know students around campus and helping them reach their goals at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Louis walks with students every step of the way through their college career, from recruiting to graduation,” said Shannon Gwinn, director of the Center for Students and Career Services in the College of Business. “He takes the time to get to know the students as more than just a major and T-number. When Louis walks across campus or into an event, students immediately recognize him and reach out to visit with him. It is obvious that Louis is passionate about assisting students reach their goals at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.” On campus, Scivally has been an early adopter and trainer for new advising technologies, including College Schedule and Ellucian Degree Works. “Another tribute to the dedication and expertise of Mr. Scivally is that he was chosen to be the foundational advisor for the new Bachelor of Applied Science degree program, which is a growing educational pathway for transfer students with military and/or technical credits to leverage and apply toward a bachelor’s degree,” Registrar Malissa Mathis said. “From its inception in 2015, Mr. Scivally’s efforts have grown that program to serve hundreds of transferring students.” In the upper right photo,��Jennifer Owens (right) presents Louis Scivally (left) with the Trojan Outstanding Academic Advisor Award during the Staff Awards Ceremony. Photo by Ben Krain.��

Venezuelan student finds new home at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 13:34:56 +0000

When Katherine Zambrano first moved to Little Rock to live with her aunt, whose husband was ill, Little Rock seemed like a different world compared to her hometown of Caracas, Venezuela, with a population of more than two million people.�� “I came from a very big city, like Chicago or New York, and there is a lot of noise there,” said Zambrano, a 21-year-old senior. “Here, it is slow paced, and it is silent at times. It was hard to adjust, but I really love it now. The tranquility and calmness have grown on me.” Anxious to get started on her college education, Zambrano began at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock soon after she arrived in the spring 2015 semester. She is appreciative of the volunteers from International Student Services for helping her adjust to a new country. “International Student Services helped me to adjust to college life,” she said. “Student volunteers tell you about campus life and give you a tour of campus. Everything is overwhelming when you get here, so having someone welcome you and tell you where the best place to eat and hang out is very helpful.” In December, Zambrano will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication and media production and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She plans to work as a translator and in the communications industry. While on campus, Zambrano has received a variety of work experience to prepare her for the future. She has worked in the Office of Testing Services and International Student Services.��

Katherine Zambrano attends Mosaic Church where she worked as an intern translating Spanish and also works as a children’s Sunday school teacher with her husband. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

“In the International Student Services office, I have been able to work alongside incredible people who have become my friends and meet new people from all over the world,” she said. “My favorite part of being a student is getting to meet people from Argentina and Saudi Arabia and everywhere in the world. It’s great that we have such a cultured school.” On the communications side, she worked as a lab assistant for the School of Mass Communication, managing communication equipment used by students. She has also served as an intern at KATV and at Mosaic Church, where she served as a Spanish translator and created graphics. Zambrano also enjoyed working on “The Lunch Box,” a television news program produced by the School of Mass Communication, and a class documentary. “As a mass communication major, I was fortunate to work with a documentarist from HBO. He was our teacher for a semester, and we were able to make a documentary from scratch. It was great and an experience that I will never forget.” She is also actively involved in the community and volunteers at Mosaic Church, the children’s ministry at Fellowship Bible Church, and as a group leader for International Student Services. On campus, Zambrano has also served as president of the International Club and vice president of Genesis Campus Ministry, where she met her husband, David, who is studying to be a physician assistant at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The two were married at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs in 2017.

Katherine Zambrano has worked as a lab assistant in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock television production studio. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

One of her favorite teachers was Dr. Mark Giese, who retired from the School of Mass Communication in 2017. “He was the one who got me interested in media production,” Zambrano said. “I had one of his classes, and he was this person who wanted you to learn. He was very passionate toward filming and photography, and he wanted you to love it.” Zambrano is thankful to her friends in International Student Services and Counseling Services who helped her adjust to college life and make ��Vlog��ý Little Rock her new home. “I arrived in the U.S. three and a half years ago and was met with a lot of incredible people that guided me and taught me all I know now,” she said. “I knew English but that was where my knowledge stopped in terms of college, and I was met with so many people that wanted to help me succeed and that was the biggest incentive to continue going. I love the community, and people are so friendly, and people aren’t afraid to say hello and will come up and meet new people.”

Boy next door leads to new campus family at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 23:32:39 +0000

A tip from the boy next door led Lucee Lugo, a senior interdisciplinary studies major, to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she gets the intimacy of a small, family campus that appeals to this small-town girl from De Queen, Arkansas. “While I never pictured myself at this university, the moment I set foot on campus, I knew it was the school for me,” she said. “My next-door neighbor, James Sellers, who is a year ahead of me mentioned that I should apply. I remember being so afraid to move from a small, rural town to the big capital city of Little Rock. This university has a family type feeling that appealed to me.” Lugo started college with a full scholarship through the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC), a competitive scholarship based on leadership, service, and high school performance. She is doing well in CLC and is now a student peer mentor and event coordinator for the academic year. “I received the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps Scholarship Program and so that was where I began to make my first friends,” Lugo said. “We all lived together on the third floor of West Hall. As I began to make friends and meet people on campus, I became involved in Greek life, the Baptist Campus Ministry, intramural sports, admissions, and an orientation leader. I really began to find my place at the university the more I put myself into various activities and organizations. I am now going into my senior year and can’t wait to spend my last year at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock actively involved.” She is thankful to CLC Coordinator Amber Wolf for making a positive impact on her college experience. “The Chancellor’s Leadership Corps has blessed me in a plethora of ways that range from scholarships to lifelong connections to providing me with knowledge and skills that I will be able to use in the real world,” she said. “The coordinator, Amber Wolf, has always been an advocate for CLC scholars and it’s comforting to know her door is always open. In addition to this, I have worked for the program as a peer mentor for a year and half, and it’s very inspiring to be able to give back to the program that gave so much to me.” While at campus, Lugo has also been active in West Hall Council, Maroon Mob, and Pre-Health Club. This past spring, she had the opportunity to complete an internship as a research assistant in the emergency room at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. “My favorite part of being on campus and the thing I will miss the most when I leave is the community,” she said. “No matter what you are involved in, I feel like we are all tied together. Being able to be in a class and know some of my classmates, or being in Greek life and CLC, I know that all these people have my back, I have some great teachers, and I like the small student-to-teacher ratio. I like how we still have a close-knit feeling. There are a lot of faculty and staff who want us to grow not only in the classroom, but in our lives as well. That is something you don’t always find in larger campuses.” Lugo started off as a biology major, but she recently switched to interdisciplinary studies so she can make the most of her education. The interdisciplinary studies degree allows Lugo to combine three areas of study – biology, Spanish, and health and exercise science – into one unique degree that fits her academic and professional interests. She is especially looking forward to improving her language skills to connect with her own heritage. She also thinks knowing more Spanish will be of help in her work as a patient care technician at Baptist Health.

Lucee Lugo studies in Ottenheimer LIbrary. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

“My father is Puerto Rican and is the pastor of a Hispanic church in De Queen,” she said. “My dad is fluent, but I did not grow up speaking Spanish, and it gives me a chance to learn about my own culture.” Faith has always been a strong part of Lugo’s identity, whether it is being active in the Baptist Campus Ministry at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock or the annual trip to Ethiopia that her hometown church, First Baptist Church, takes. “There are about 175 students in Ethiopia who are orphans or have lost one parent,” she said. “A bunch of people from our church sponsor them for $38 dollars a month because the students cannot go to school without uniforms and supplies. We bring toys, do crafts, play soccer, and do Bible camp. It’s so neat to just give back. It’s one of the best feelings ever.” After she graduates in 2019, Lugo plans to earn a master’s degree and is considering working in student affairs or public health. “While I am still not 100 percent sure of what my future plans are, I would like to pursue a master’s degree,” Lugo said. “Whatever path I choose, I am confident I will succeed because this university has done a phenomenal job of preparing me for whatever lies ahead.” Lugo’s advice for new students is to take advantage of all the resources that are available on campus. Whenever she needed advice or someone to talk to, there was always someone available for Lugo. “I think something we all have in common, whether we realize it or not, is that we all need help from time to time,” she said. “Whether that be a need for counseling services, health services, financial aid, or even tutoring assistance, it’s important to remember that we are all struggling in one way or another. The transition from high school to college and from college into adulthood is difficult and utilizing the resources that have been made so readily available to students here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock can make all the difference in terms of one’s college experience.” In the upper right photo,��Lucee Lugo plays soccer on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Intramural league. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

Graduating student says she will always have the heart of a Trojan

Jenny Lambert — Wed, 09 May 2018 18:00:26 +0000

As a little girl, Aliyah Joseph visited the University of Arkansas at Little Rock every year to watch her grandfather host a pre-Christmas basketball tournament in the Donaghey Student Center field house. He ran the event for 41 years, and because of his involvement and love for the campus, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock became a part the family and eventually became Joseph’s second home.

“My grandpa always talked about how much he loved the school, so when I came here, I thought about him,” Joseph said. Joseph’s grandfather passed away in 2011, a year before she would officially become a Trojan.

��A new beginning

In 2012, the North Little Rock native packed up her belongings and drove 15 minutes from home to start her journey as a first year college student. It didn’t take long for Joseph to find her place on campus, as she had already been chosen as a Chancellor’s Leadership Corps scholar and naturally had a desire to become involved with organizations that served others. During her time at the university, Joseph served as the treasurer of the West Hall Council, a mentor for the African American Female Initiative, became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., started the L. O. V. E. Gospel Choir, and was nominated for Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She also completed numerous hours of community service, made the chancellor’s and dean’s lists, and worked as a tour guide in the Office of Admissions for two years. Although Joseph kept herself busy with extracurricular activities, she was on course to graduate in May 2017, but decided in the 11th hour to change her major. “I was lost and I felt like it was the end of the world,” Joseph said. “I was dreading having to do more undergraduate schooling, and I knew that I needed to graduate within the next year.” With all but an ounce of hope lost, Joseph sought out the help of her academic advisor, Dechantria Wallace, who was able to help her find a field that she was passionate about and that made her happy. On May 12, Joseph will graduate from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a degree in health, human performance, and sports management from the College of Education and Health Professions. “I chose this degree because I want to be an advocate for healthy living in my community and beyond,” Joseph said. “Health educators are very necessary and I can exercise my degree in different settings.”

�� Finding solace in family

Although she faced a minor setback, Joseph chose to see the challenge through. She wasn’t alone in her pursuit, as she often confided in God through prayer and listened to the instructions of her family who continuously motivated her and affirmed her belief that she could do whatever she put her mind to. “My mom was there for me every moment and she was tough on me, but she set an expectation that helped me to get to this point,” she said. “My dad was always consistent in encouraging me because I’m only the third person on his side of the family to graduate from college, so he made it his business to push me to finish.” Joseph also received endless support from her grandparents. Her grandmother did not go to college and her grandfather did, but both shared words of wisdom that drove Joseph to keep going. In addition to the support from the adults in her life, Joseph’s desire to be a great example to her little sister prompted her to give all that she had in this chapter of her life. “I wanted to give my sister something to look up to,” Joseph explained. “Going to college is a big deal for my family and I want my sister to carry that legacy. She is a freshman in high school now and even before this year, I talked to her about being anything she wants to be and furthering her education by going to college. I want her to be better than me so the least I can do is be a good example.” Along with her family, there were a host of professors, staff, and faculty who helped Joseph to transition and find her way in hopes of providing her with an experience that she would always remember. “During my time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I always had someone to turn to whenever I was struggling or having a moment of wanting to give up,” Joseph said. “I’m so thankful for all of you that made yourselves available when I needed you. I appreciate each of you for providing me with encouraging words and the strict accountability that I needed.” After graduation, Joseph plans to attend graduate school to further her education. “I have experienced some great times, as well as some very hard times at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, but they all contributed to my personal growth,” Joseph said. “Attending this school proved to me that you do not have to go far away from home to get a good education and graduate. I will miss being an undergraduate student here. I will always represent my alma mater, and I will always have the heart of a Trojan.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock employee helps city’s homeless stay warm for the holidays

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:08:22 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock employee has made it her mission to help the city’s homeless stay warm during winter.�� Tanice Blackman, operations manager for undergraduate admissions, is collecting coats, scarves, hats, blankets, sleeping bags, and any other item that will help people stay warm outside. Blackman and 10 other volunteers will tie the items around trees and poles in downtown Little Rock on Markham Street between Ringo and Cross streets on Friday, Dec. 8, so that anyone who needs them can take them. Attached to the items will be a note reading, “I’m not lost. Please take me with you if you are cold. Stay warm. God bless!” Blackman’s campaign to help Little Rock’s less fortunate started last year when she and her friends searched for a way to help the homeless during the holiday season. “A friend (Yvette Swift) and I saw the scarves idea on Facebook. What caught my eye was the little note that was attached to each of the scarves and coats wrapped around the poles,” Blackman said. “We wanted to help some of the homeless people in our own neighborhood and city.” Blackman and her friends and family collected scarves and tied them to trees and poles in downtown Little Rock in late December 2016 and early January 2017.��

Tanice Blackman and her friends and family members tie scarves for the homeless around light poles in downtown Little Rock in December 2016.

“With so much going on in the world, I also envisioned it as a way for us all to come together as one,” Blackman said. “I felt like anyone with a heart and who has compassion for others would see the scarves, wonder what it’s about, and want to join.” Now that movement has grown from just scarves to any item that will keep people warm for the winter. “I am teaching my kids that you are young and blessed, so you always want to reach back and try to be a blessing to someone else. You should try to help those who are less fortunate and always give back,” Blackman said. Donations can be dropped off in Room 219D on the second floor of the Student Services Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. For more information, contact Blackman at tlblackman@ualr.edu or 501-569-8525.

Discover event set for Nov. 3

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 13:13:02 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s premier student recruitment event, Discover, will offer��prospective students and parents the opportunity to explore everything ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has to offer Friday, Nov. 3.�� Check-in begins at 9 a.m. in the Jack Stephens Center, and the event will end by 3 p.m. This free open house includes information sessions, campus activities hosted by student organizations, guided tours, a campus picnic, social media contests, and free ��Vlog��ý Little Rock goodies. Participating students will visit an academic college of their choice, meet with current ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students, and experience campus housing and dining. Additionally, a $1,000 scholarship will be given during the welcome session that begins at 10 a.m. in the Jack Stephens Center. Students also will have the chance to win one of five $250 scholarships by following the event at @ualradmissions on Snapchat and sending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock a photo with #DiscoverLR. Scholarships will be given for the best pictures in the following categories: Best Trojan Spirit, Most Creative, Best Use of Prop/Environment, Best Selfie Using the Discover Filter, and Best Overall. Applications fees for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will be waived for all who apply for admission during Discover days. For more information or to register for Discover, visit the event schedule or contact the Admissions office at 501.569.3127 or admissions@ualr.edu. In the upper right photo,��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and staff line dance during the 2015 Discover event. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Fastlane events make ��Vlog��ý Little Rock advising, registering easy

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:15:59 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock students who need a fast and easy way to get ready for the fall semester can attend one of five Fastlane Registration Nights.�� Sessions are scheduled 4 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday from July 11 to Aug. 8 in the Jack Stephens Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. Students can stop by without an appointment to meet with an adviser, register for classes, check financial aid, and set up a payment plan all in one stop. Fastlane events are especially helpful for students with full-time jobs and/or children and who cannot attend advising and registration appointments during the university’s regular business hours. Representatives from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock colleges will be on hand to assist with advising and registration for all undergraduate majors. For first-time students thinking of applying to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, admissions representatives will be onsite to assist. For more information, contact the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Office of Admissions at 501.569.3127 or admissions@ualr.edu.

An Admissions official helps a University of Arkansas at Little Rock student register for classes during a Fastlane event.

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

Four ����Vlog��ý Little Rock staff members receive Staff Senate, Crittenden Book scholarships