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

Graduating Student Spotlight: Blake Hughes

John Hill — Fri, 15 May 2020 13:16:24 +0000

Blake Hughes, a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC), will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising with a certificate in professional sales. He would like to start his own marketing consulting firm and eventually get his master’s degree in business administration. He also has a knack in placing first in statewide competitions. Tell us a little bit about yourself. I’m from Bryant, Arkansas, and took college courses while attending high school. Fortunately, these courses were transferrable and allowed me to complete my bachelor’s degree at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in just three years. While in high school, I won a statewide competition, AYAA, with one of my pieces. I love outdoorsy things such as hiking, camping, and lounging in a hammock. Also, I have a deep interest in astronomy and have my own telescope so I can look at the stars. Why did you choose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? At first, I considered majoring in astronomy and looked at Henderson State University and the University of Central Arkansas. But, when I decided to major in marketing, I chose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock because they have a great business program. Also, it was convenient for me because it’s only 15 minutes away from Bryant. Little Rock suited me because it’s the state capital and the center of business. Why did you choose marketing and advertising as your major? During high school, I worked part-time at an American Eagle outlet store and learned how to merchandise. I positioned items in the entire store all by myself (without a plan) by taking themes and layouts from the company’s other stores. Merchandising and marketing interest me because they blend art and business. Did you participate in any extracurricular activities while in college? A good friend of mine encouraged me to join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) junior board, and from there we created a club on campus. I have struggled with depression and anxiety, and losing one of my good friends to suicide was a wake-up call for me. ASFP’s mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. We organized an “Out of the Darkness” walk on campus and got sponsors to raise money. Most of the money raised goes to research, education, and advocacy programs, and only 17% goes to the home office. I also joined Phi Beta Lambda (the collegiate division of FBLA), where you can build a portfolio of documented accomplishments before you enter the job market. I placed first in the state for the marketing concepts exam. Who were some of your mentors? Dr. Casey Rockwell, who taught a business law class, was such an inspiration and recognized the drive in me. Shibani Lal was a peer mentor at CLC and a fellow business major. She helped me select classes, navigate my college career, and was a great listener. How do you relieve stress? I love taking my textbooks and reading outside. We are so fortunate to live in Arkansas where so much nature and beauty is only 10 minutes away. One of my favorite places is Two Rivers Park in Little Rock. When I came home to Bryant due to the COVID-19 crisis, it was stressful because I couldn’t go outside as much. What do you plan to do after graduation? It’s hard, because I’m a planner, and now we are in a recession, so it’s going to be tough to get a job. I would like to start my own advertising and consulting firm where I could help small businesses. The sales certificate has helped me sell myself. Many of these small businesses have not even registered with Google My Business, so they can respond to customer inquiries. Eventually, I would like to get my MBA, but I want to get some experience first. During my business law class, I noticed the students who had work experience understood how contracts work due to their life experience. What advice would you give to an incoming student? Find a study buddy. Having study buddies provide mental and emotional support. Also, try to be outgoing in classes and don’t be afraid to talk to your professors. Sit close to the front and ask questions. Also, professors usually call on people who sit in the back with the first question. This story was compiled by Toni Boyer-Stewart.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students win first place at Phi Beta Lambda 2020 Arkansas State Leadership Conference

John Hill — Mon, 11 May 2020 12:25:52 +0000

Three University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business students won first place awards at the Phi Beta Lambda 2020 Arkansas State Leadership Conference held in North Little Rock April 3-4. Pynshailang Nongsiej, a graduate student majoring in business information systems from Shillong, India, and president of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Phi Beta Lambda chapter, was awarded first place in computer animation. Shibani Lal, a senior business analytics and human resources management major from Little Rock and vice president of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Phi Beta Lambda, was awarded first place in the categories of Job Interview and Who’s Who in Phi Beta Lambda. Nongsiej and Lal also competed together in a group business presentation competition and won first place. Blake Hughes, a senior marketing major from Bryant and member of Phi Beta Lambda, won first place in marketing concepts. As top winners in the regional competition, Nongsiej, Lal, and Hughes will be representing the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Phi Beta Lambda chapter at the National Leadership Conference to be held virtually June 24-27. Lal will also be representing Arkansas for Who’s Who in Phi Beta Lambda at the . Who’s Who in Phi Beta Lambda is an exemplary honor that is awarded to members who have made outstanding contributions to the organization at the local, state, and national levels. Only one winner is selected from each state to represent at the National Leadership Conference. Lal was previously recognized in 2019 as a Forbes Under 30 Scholar for her social media and marketing skills. “Participation in FBLA~PBL has been a life changing experience for me,” Lal said. “Phi Beta Lambda has provided opportunities for me to connect with business professionals from across the nation. It has helped me learn to think outside the box and grow as a business professional. Competitive events and activities have also helped to enhance my leadership skills.” Phi Beta Lambda is a collegiate version of Future Business Leaders of America, which prepares its members for the workforce and career development. Phi Beta Lambda provides students with numerous opportunities to apply business skills to real-world scenarios. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Phi Beta Lambda chapter aims to be the premier student leadership organization in the State of Arkansas, with a mission of inspiring and preparing students to become community-minded leaders.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock business students volunteer to feed the homeless

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 13:14:33 +0000

Members of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Phi Beta Lambda club had the opportunity to give back to the community by helping to feed the homeless at the Little Rock Compassion Center, an inner-city mission.�� Phi Beta Lambda members Chiquita Allen, Makayla Corbitt, Jessalyn Jackson, Shibani Lal, Pynshailang Nongsiej, and Hitaxi Patel volunteered at a dinner that fed more than 200 homeless people living in Little Rock Sept. 29.�� “The main goal was to feed the homeless individuals and bring a smile on their faces,” said Lal, a senior and vice president of Phi Beta Lambda. “This event and partnerships with different organizations helped the College of Business students get connected to different alliances in the heart of Little Rock and be able to support such a great cause.”�� The volunteers helped with everything from grocery shopping, cooking more than 10 dishes, and serving dinner to community members.�� “Their dedication through this opportunity ensured their hard work brought massive success,” said Pynshailang Nongsiej, president of Phi Beta Lambda. “The goal was to strive to do better, not only for ourselves, but to better the people and communities around us.”�� Phi Beta Lambda members worked with William and Rosemary Holloway, co-founders of the Little Rock Compassion Center, Nestor Martinez from Phi lota Alpha fraternity, and Faysal Ahmed, a member of Little Rock’s Bengali community.�� “We like doing this because it helps us come together and do something for the people who need it,” Ahmed said.�� Phi Beta Lambda is a business leadership organization which prepares college students to become future business leaders of America by providing numerous leadership and networking opportunities. The organization prepares students to become career ready after college and stay connected with the community.

Business student selected for Forbes Under 30 Scholar Program

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 13:00:17 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock business student has been selected for the Forbes Under 30 Scholar Summit.�� Shibani Lal, who will graduate in May 2020, is looking forward to the conference to gain advice and investors for her future startup business.�� “I want to start my own marketing business where I can help businesses grow professionally and target more platforms through social media and digital marketing,” Lal said. “Marketing is the foundation of business.”�� Characterized by Forbes as the “world’s greatest event for young leaders, founders, investors, and creators,” the Forbes Under 30 Summit will take place Oct. 27-30 in Detroit. Forbes partners with schools and organizations across the U.S. to provide an opportunity for underrepresented college students to attend the summit.�� Winners of the Forbes Under 30 Scholar program get free access to the summit and the chance to participate in networking opportunities. Students can also meet investors, entrepreneurs, celebrities, musicians, fashion designers, sports stars, cultural icons, world-renowned chefs, educators, political leaders, and business icons. The summit also features a music festival, investor speed-pitching, industry-focused field trips, a pub crawl, a food festival, and a community service day.�� Lal got a start in marketing at her family restaurant in Little Rock, Star of India, where she leads the marketing, communications, and advertising efforts.�� “I started off in management, but I liked the marketing aspect better,” Lal said. “I have started my portfolio by promoting restaurants on social media, and that has inspired me to stay in marketing. Now, I mentor people on the marketing team,” Lal said.�� At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Lal put her social media and marketing skills to work by creating online recruitment strategies for Phi Beta Lambda, the college division of Future Business Leaders of America. Lal and fellow student, Bhavya Patel, finished in the Top 10 in a national social media challenge for Phi Beta Lambda in 2018. During the 2017-18 academic year, membership in Phi Beta Lambda at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock increased by more than 150 percent, the highest increase in the state of Arkansas.�� During the Phi Beta Lambda conference, a recruiter from a contractor company approached Lal with the opportunity to complete an internship as a brand ambassador for Amazon on ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s campus. The internship came with a paid trip to visit Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle, where Lal learned important skills.�� “Everyone who was offered an internship with Amazon was invited to Seattle to learn more about digital marketing, how to target more audiences, and promote through social media handles and word of mouth,” she said. “I learned how to do marketing very efficiently, and I was able to increase the revenue in my family’s business very quickly.”�� Lal learned about the Forbes Under 30 Scholar program while serving as an Amazon Prime student ambassador during the 2018-19 academic year. She knew the conference would be a perfect fit for her.�� “I will be able to meet investors and business professionals from across the globe so I can share my ideas and get feedback on how I can start my own business as an entrepreneur,” Lal said. “They have speed dating with investors, resume builders, and pitch competitions, all so I can gain a better understanding of how to be a successful entrepreneur.”�� Lal is grateful for professors, classes, and extracurricular activities in Little Rock that have played an important role in her professional development.�� “I have applied what I have learned from classes to real-world experiences,” she said. “I have participated in competitions and conferences that have given me a better understanding of how to open up my own business.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students place in Top 10 in national social media challenge

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 14:30:53 +0000

Two University of Arkansas at Little Rock students finished in the Top 10 in a national social media challenge for Phi Beta Lambda, the college division of Future Business Leaders of America.�� Shibani Lal, marketing major, and Bhavya Patel, business and biology major, placed in the Top 10 for their project dedicated to creating strategies for recruiting Phi Beta Lambda members through various social media platforms. For the social media challenge, Lal and Patel had to create a social media campaign that markets and shows how Phi Beta Lambda is an organization that benefits students from a variety of majors using at least three sources of social media. During the 2017-18 academic year, membership in Phi Beta Lambda at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock increased by more than 150 percent, the highest increase in the state of Arkansas. Lal and Patel placed first during Arkansas’s Phi Beta Lambda competition held April 6-7 in Little Rock. They placed 10th in the national competition, held June 23-27 in Baltimore. “Through constant social media posts about Phi Beta Lambda’s volunteer activities and events, we want everyone to know there are many benefits to joining Phi Beta Lambda, such as volunteering with members in our community, attending events on campus, and off campus company tours,” Patel said. “It’s a great way for members to experience the culture of Phi Beta Lambda and learn about potential careers. Phi Beta Lambda is a club where you learn about leadership, community involvement, and professionalism.” Deepali Lal, 2017-18 president of Phi Beta Lambda, Sarah Clements, faculty advisor to Phi Beta Lambda, Cliff Haney, assistant to the Marketing and Advertising Department, and Dr. Lenita Davis, chair of the Marketing and Advertising Department, assisted Lal and Patel with their project. In the upper right photo, Shibani Lal, marketing major, was one of two students who placed in the Top 10 for their project dedicated to creating strategies for recruiting Phi Beta Lambda members through various social media platforms.

Outstanding Marketing Award recipient ready to ‘hit the pavement’

Janea Snyder — Thu, 03 May 2018 18:17:20 +0000

When Cliff Haney graduated from high school, he didn’t plan on going to college. He wanted to start working right away. “I thought I was going to hit the pavement and make my fortune selling real estate,” he said. “I didn’t know that pavement was actually going to hit me. As it turns out, people who are making the biggest investment of their lives, don’t really trust an 18-year-old to handle such a large transaction.” Rejection – and the realization that business skills could help him better succeed – eventually led him to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. He will graduate on May 12 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Professional Sales Certification. Haney is also the recipient of the 2018 College of Business Outstanding Marketing Student Award, which he received Friday, April 27, in a ceremony at the College of Business. “It has been an amazing experience working with Cliff,” said Dr. Lenita Davis, chair of the Department of Marketing and Advertising. “He is very competitive and always strives to do his best and to be the best. Everyone in the college is familiar with Cliff’s drive and spirit of excellence and recognize him as being a leader.” The award was all the more special to Haney because his grandfather, Eddie Langford of Maumelle, received the College of Business’ first Outstanding Marketing Student Award in 1985 and was at the award presentation. Haney credits his grandfather with being his lifelong mentor. Langford dropped out of school in 8th grade and went to work putting up ceiling tiles. At age 34, though, he injured his back and couldn’t do the physically demanding work. He enrolled at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to learn skills that could help him earn a living. He chose business, and when he left ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, he went back to work, selling ceiling tiles and later was part owner of an acoustical supply business. Haney points to the S-shaped silver acoustical panels that hang from the ceiling of the College of Business atrium. “See those,” Haney said. “My grandfather designed, built, and installed those.” Haney has a work ethic like this grandfather. After he graduated from North Little Rock High School in 2012, he got his real estate license and was ready to work, but he quickly discovered that selling was tougher than he expected. “I’d never faced rejection before, but I was facing ��rejection on a daily basis,” Haney said. “I had to learn how to overcome that.” He enrolled at ��Vlog��ý -Pulaski Technical College in 2014 and earned his Associate of Science in Business in 2016. “I paid for my first semester, and after that, I applied for so many scholarships that I’ve gotten paid to go to school ever since,” he said. With high grades, he received the Shelby Breedlove transfer scholarship to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock that sealed the deal. “When I came here, I had two goals: make good grades and save money,” he said. Shannon Gwinn, director of the Center for Student and Career Services, persuaded Haney to see the bigger picture. “She encouraged me to get involved with groups and really got me plugged in,” he said. “It was about building a network, about building relationships with professors. They all had successful corporate careers before they came here, and they have taught me lessons that I don’t have to learn the hard way.” Haney is an Ambassador for the College of Business and the first student member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Sales Board. He’s co-president of the Student Marketing Association and vice president of , the college-level organization of Future Business Leaders of America. He will travel to the national Phi Beta Lambda conference in June to complete in the interview competition. Since August 2017, Haney has been the coordinator of the State Farm Business Skills Lab, a place where student learn effective communication skills. “Students come in and we’ll role play job interviews, sales pitches, presentations, and speeches. We record it, review it, and find ways to improve,” Haney said. Seeing it on camera makes students aware of their gestures, body language, speed of delivery and other things that could be distracting to the listeners – and potential customers. Earlier in April, he competed in the “Sold in 60 Seconds” competition, winning second place and ��$500. Last summer, he lived in London, England, and worked for , developing an app for people with disabilities to use to locate accessible buildings. He also traveled to Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Paris and Switzerland. Working and traveling abroad also led him to a realization – that Central Arkansas is home and where he wants to work. “Growing up in North Little Rock, I always wanted to go somewhere bigger,” he said. “I did that. I went to London. I missed family, friends, and the sense of community. I want to stay here and help grow Little Rock into what it can be.” For now, graduate school isn’t in his future plans. A job in sales or sales training is calling him, and he’s once again ready to work. “I’m ready to get out there and hit the pavement once again.”

Business student’s app wins national competition

Taylor Aldana — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 21:29:10 +0000

Looking for something to do on campus? Alec Crow of Donaldson is so good at helping students track upcoming events at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock that he won a national competition. Crow, a business information systems major and Donaghey Scholar, built ��Vlog��ýLR Event Manager, a Windows-based application, using knowledge he gained from ��Vlog��ýLR College of Business programming classes. His app took first place in the Mobile Application Development category during the recent National Leadership Conference. Currently available in the Windows Store, the program gives the user the ability to sort through school events and instantly add them to personal calendars with a single click. Crow previously competed at nationals, but this was the first year he won. He hopes his success encourages other students to join Phi Beta Lambda next year. Crow gives credit to his mentors, associate professor Dr. Janet Bailey and Phi Beta Lambda faculty advisor Sarah Clements, for helping him succeed in this competition. The four-day National Leadership Conference brings the best of Future Business Leaders of America – Phi Beta Lambda together to compete in leadership events, share their successes, and learn through workshops and exhibits. Two other ��Vlog��ýLR students, Robert McCarville, Little Rock, and El-Noor Akther, a Donaghey Scholar, placed at state levels in Future Business Leaders of America competitions. McCarville, a double major in human resource management and professional and technical writing, earned a second-place award in the future business executive category and a third-place prize in the microeconomics category. He also competed in the national event. Akther, an English major, won a third-place award in a state-level competition for public speaking.

Left to right: Alec Crow, El-Noor Akther, and Robert McCarville place at state levels in Future Business Leaders of America.

Phi Beta Lambda is a business-oriented club designed to help students from any degree network and adjust to the business environment. The organization hosts multiple state and national conferences each year that provide students with opportunities to acquire new skills or master old ones. Phi Beta Lamba also hosts various competitions that allow students to use the skills learned in class.

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