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

Handcock Wins Phi Kappa Phi Essay Contest

John Hill — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 14:03:29 +0000

Bobbie Handcock, a rhetoric and writing graduate student from Lonoke, has won the 2022 Phi Kappa Phi Essay Contest and a $250 scholarship. Phi Kappa Phi, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, selected Handcock as the winner of its 1,000-word essay contest on the theme: Love of Learning in a Pandemic. “I am so honored to receive this award so early in my graduate career,” said Handcock, who is in her first semester of graduate school. “The scholarship means a lot to me, and it will really help me as I pursue my master’s degree.” Handcock, who works as a web content specialist in the Office of Communications and Marketing, plans to graduate in 2024 with a Master of Arts in Professional and Technical Writing degree. She is a first-generation college student who will be the first person in her family to earn a master’s degree. Handcock wrote about how the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged her to make important changes in her life. She had always dreamed of getting her master’s degree, so Handcock took a new and challenging position at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock where she can take advantage of the tuition discount for university employees. “COVID helped me refocus and renew my love of learning,” Handcock wrote. “It helped me pause and see what was possible. COVID might have driven me to grad school but I’m now the one at the wheel.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Grad Honored as LULAC Student of the Year

John Hill — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 14:23:24 +0000

Christine Jones, a graduating student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been honored as the LULAC Student of the Year. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 750 honored Jones with the award for the second year in a row during a Nov. 5 dinner celebrating the 17 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students who received LULAC scholarships for the 2022-2023 school year. “We have a really good group of students that are involved and really want to get things done,” said Jones, who serves as president of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s LULAC chapter. “We recently elected our new board that will begin next year. I’m just really excited for the future of the chapter. I felt honored that they think me worthy of being Student of the Year again.” Jones was also among a group of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students who attended the LULAC National Convention this summer in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They were the first students from the university to attend the conference since 2016 and raised more than $11,000 for the trip, where they learned valuable skills in leadership, education, career preparation, and networking. Jones, who lives in Cabot, will graduate in December with a Master of Arts in Professional and Technical Writing degree and plans to work as a communications specialist. She said that living in a homeless shelter is what convinced her to go back to college to change her life for the better. “In November 2010, I moved into a homeless shelter with 4- and 6-year-old little boys,” Jones said. “I got myself out of the homeless shelter by March and literally climbed out of there. That was my moment of reckoning when I decided to come back to school. I realized I needed to make a change for myself and my boys.” Jones said she joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for the flexibility of classes and the focus on nontraditional students. “From the moment I arrived back on campus, I completely jumped into my studies, wholeheartedly,” Jones said. “I enjoyed every course I took and the more and more I excelled, I realized that the Professional and Technical Writing program was a perfect fit for my creativity, which is evident in my work and my 4.0 GPA. Also, I began to join different organizations on campus, wanting to become more involved. As an undergrad, here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I was a single mother with two young boys trying to balance that along with a full-time job and a full course load. Now that my children are much older and more independent, I have some extra time on my hands.” Throughout her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Jones filled leadership roles in the Graduate Student Association, Student Government Association, the Racial Barriers Committee, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, but she cites her time in LULAC as the most memorable.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students Christine Jones, left, Luis Velazquez, and Kassandra Torres attended the National LULAC convention in July.

“I wouldn’t trade the experience I’ve gained for anything in the world,” she said. “And I will always be grateful to LULAC and every single entity on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus who donated to the cause for helping four LULAC students to raise $12,000 to go to Puerto Rico for the LULAC National Convention, where I was able to accept, in person, the 2022 LULAC National Education Service Centers, Inc. Aspiring Scholar Award. I plan on taking on an advisory role through the parent organization, LULAC 750, after graduation.” In addition to her extracurricular activities, Jones gained valuable professional experience through graduate assistantships. She managed social media and planned engagement activities for Ottenheimer Library, then served as a communications assistant for the Dean’s office in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. She spent her final semester as a social media assistant with the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. As Jones reflects on her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, she is thankful for the education, skills, and confidence she gained to be successful in her future endeavors. “This is the best decision I ever made,” she said. “I’ve been improving our lives in little tiny steps ever since I started college. When I started school, I thought I would try it out and see how it went. I never expected to excel the way I did. I put my mind to succeeding, and there is nothing I can’t achieve if I put my mind to it.”

Briscoe Elected Division II Vice President of Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

John Hill — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 12:51:27 +0000

Dr. David Briscoe, Inaugural University Professor of Sociology and Distinguished Teaching Fellow at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, has been elected the Division II vice president for the Honor Society of . Briscoe was elected during the 47th Biennial Convention of Phi Kappa Phi Aug. 4-6 in Orlando, Florida. In his new role, he will provide advice, counsel, and leadership to dozens of Phi Kappa Phi chapters within Division II. “Phi Kappa Phi is a wonderful organization that recognizes thousands of outstanding college students every year,” Briscoe said. “I am thankful for being elected the Division II vice president since this gives me another opportunity to serve others as a labor of love.” Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective multidisciplinary collegiate honor society and initiates approximately 25,000 members a year on more than 325 campuses in the United States, its territories, and the Philippines. Briscoe was inducted into the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chapter of Phi Kappa Phi in 1994 and served as chapter president in 2002. In 2005, he became a distinguished member of Phi Kappa Phi and the first African American in the United States to receive the National Phi Kappa Phi Ray Sylvester Distinguished Service Award in 2018. He has participated in three national conventions and served on three national committees. He earned a B.A. in sociology and an M.A. in criminal justice at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and a Ph.D. in family sociology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is also an alumnus of numerous leadership and education institutes at Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Oxford. He is the 2020 university-wide recipient of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Faculty Excellence Award in Public Service and the recipient of the 2021 university-wide Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching. He was inducted into the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Trojans Athletics Hall of Fame this year. He is a Distinguished Eagle Scout and a recipient of the Silver Buffalo Award, scouting’s highest award for distinguished service to youth on a national level.

Jones to Receive National LULAC Award

John Hill — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 12:57:58 +0000

Christine Jones, a graduate student in technical and professional writing at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, has been selected to receive the Aspiring Scholar Award for her outstanding achievements by the LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC). The award is presented to a LULAC scholarship recipient currently enrolled in college who has exceeded academically and has demonstrated success in their educational pursuits. This individual expresses the promotion of scholarly achievement and is an excellent example of an outstanding leader and role model for peers. “When I first found out that I had won a national LULAC award, I was initially in disbelief,” Jones said. “However, since I’ve had time to let it sink in, I’m so honored that not only has LNESC believed in my abilities from the beginning of my graduate studies by the very generous scholarships that they have afforded me for my continued education, but that they also feel I have far exceeded their expectations with my educational pursuits.” Jones will receive the award during the ceremony July 29 during the 2022 League of United Latin American Citizens Council (LULAC) National Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The focus will be on participants that have demonstrated academic and professional successes, as well as to acknowledge those who have given back to their communities. Five ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students will attend the LULAC National Convention. Her academic and leadership activities at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock have included maintaining a 4.0 GPA all while serving as chair of the Racial Barriers Committee, president of LULAC Council 771, student vice president of Phi Kappa Phi, past vice president/incoming president of the Graduate Student Association, a senator with the Student Government Association, and a member of the Academic Integrity Committee. “Whether it be raising funds for caps and gowns for students with low incomes, ensuring equity exists among all students and promoting racial healing, or helping raise funds for several LatinX students to fulfill a dream, I feel that I have demonstrated to other students what can be achieved when you really put your heart and mind into something,” Jones said. “I am especially proud, as a Puerto Rican/Dominican LatinX American, to be recognized by the LULAC National Educational Service Centers as a role model for my peers and can only hope that I can continue to be a role model and inspire many more students—especially other LatinX students—to continue in their educational pursuits.”

Reed Recognized For Volunteer Work with Phi Kappa Phi

John Hill — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:34:38 +0000

Heather Reed, director of student retention initiatives at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, is one of four�� across the nation who was highlighted in celebration of National Volunteer Week. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week was created as a way to celebrate service and the volunteers that transform our world.��Phi Kappa Phi acknowledged the efforts of its board members, committee members, and chapter officers that serve on more than 300 campuses across the U.S. and the Philippines. Phi Kappa Phi sought to “lift up our volunteers who keep us moving forward. Their commitment, service and hard work supports our mission of recognizing and promoting academic excellence in all fields of higher education.” Reed serves as social media chair of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter. She was inducted in Phi Kappa Phi in 2004 while studying at Western Illinois University. She transferred her membership to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2016 when she arrived on campus. She has been involved as a chapter member in initiation ceremonies and helps maintain communication with the alumni base through social media.�� “I moved to the south to start a new job at a college campus and was feeling disconnected,” Reed said. “When I found Phi Kappa Phi on campus and started to get involved, I felt like I was finally home. The other faculty and staff involved with the Phi Kappa Phi chapter helped me navigate the university and welcomed me with open arms. The best thing I knew to do was to get more involved and volunteer!” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter has been recognized in recent years as a Circle of Excellence Gold Chapter, the second-highest commendation a chapter can receive from the organization. The distinction is given to chapters that exceed expectations in chapter operations and that demonstrate sustainability and vitality. In addition to her work student retention initiatives, Reed is also the leader of the CARE Team at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, is a graduate student in the Master of Public Administration program, and was recently honored as the 2021 Ben Fry Service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Award winner.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Awarded Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Research Grant

John Hill — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 14:15:32 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student has been awarded a $1,500 from Phi Kappa Phi for her biology research.�� Rebekah White, a Ph.D. student in applied biosciences at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, will use funds from the award to support biological research into the photosynthetic mechanism and stress responses of cyanobacteria. “It’s always exciting to get a little boost for my research, and it will be really nice to have a grant that is specified for my project,” White said. “I will be able to get some specialized equipment to help with my electron microscope work and to help prepare the samples. I’m also looking into getting some antibodies targeting proteins involved in photosynthesis.” The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, awards grants of up to $1,500 to support graduate students who are active Society members seeking funding for research in support of career development opportunities. White is one of 20 recipients nationwide to receive the award. Established in 2018, the grants are part of the society’s robust awards program, which gives $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.�� A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, White decided to attend ��Vlog��ý Little Rock because her parents attended graduate school in Little Rock about 30 years ago. “My mother did speech pathology here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and my dad did his residency at ��Vlog��ýMS,” White said. “My parents both loved it here and talked about it all the time.” At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, White is also a graduate teaching assistant and a senator in the Graduate Student Association. She plans to work in higher education after graduating in 2022 or 2023. The research she is conducting on the photosynthetic mechanism and stress responses of cyanobacteria is part of her dissertation. “My specific research will benefit the community of scientists who use cyanobacteria,” White said. “There will be more broad implications where scientists who work with photosynthesis in larger plant life can apply it to their work with larger plants. It will be a series of small cause-and-effect research projects. It will contribute to an ever-growing body of knowledge about plants that we can use to make decisions about all of our plant life.”

Al-Wahhamy attends Phi Kappa Phi Student Vice President Leadership Summit

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 20:51:55 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student gained valuable leadership skills at the Student Vice President Leadership Summit of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in Charlotte, North Carolina. The summit was open to current Phi Kappa Phi student vice presidents of their respective schools who were recommended by their local chapter.��

Abbas Al-Wahhamy, a systems engineering major, attended the summit July 11-14, 2019. The summit brought together vice presidents from Phi Kappa Phi chapters across the country to engage in fun and interactive activities geared toward leadership development. Al-Wahhamy has been a member of Phi Kappa Phi since 2017 and felt very humbled to attend this year’s summit.

“I am very pleased that I was able to represent the University of Arkansas at Little Rock at the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Student Vice President Leadership Summit. The entire summit was very organized and ran efficiently due to the entire staff that displayed a great sense of customer service and hospitality to all the attendees,” he said.

At the summit, Al-Wahhamy learned how to advertise for his chapter on campus, how to use resources, operate social media, and problem-solving skills.

“My advice for a future vice president that attends this summit is to network,” Al-Wahhamy said. “This experience allowed me to meet a large number of students from around the country and established many friendships that will be long-lasting and career-enhancing as well. The professionalism and maturity of these individuals was impressive.”

Students learned personal growth and enhanced chapter leadership qualities. Individuals also learned about strategies for encouraging and maintaining active chapters of Phi Kappa Phi while developing successful leadership skills necessary for professional development and networking.

“The highlight of the summit was the networking that was conducted among the students that came from all over the United States to learn and meet other student leaders that had a wide range of career interests,” Al-Wahhamy said. “The experience was a very positive one in terms of social and professional networking, and relationship building that will definitely be helpful as I begin to seek employment upon graduation.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter recognized for excellence

Janea Snyder — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 22:07:46 +0000

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines – recently recognized the University of Arkansas at Little Rock chapter of Phi Kappa Phi as a Circle of Excellence Gold Chapter. The award is the second-highest commendation a chapter can receive from the organization and is given to chapters that exceed expectations in chapter operations and that demonstrate sustainability and vitality. The society recognized 75 chapters this year, including 30 with the gold distinction. Phi Kappa Phi currently has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. “The Circle of Honor program recognizes Phi Kappa Phi chapters that have gone above and beyond to promote academic excellence on their campuses,” said Society Executive Director Mary Todd. By receiving the gold distinction, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chapter is recognized as a thriving organization that holds annual initiations, upholds the society’s bylaws, regularly attends chapter training opportunities and submits a chapter-endorsed nominee to the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Program. “This is a wonderful recognition for our chapter and a great honor for our hard-working officers,” said Dr. Jamie Byrne-McCollum, chapter president. “It should be noted that Dr. Belinda Blevins-Knabe, who was chapter president for the first part of the award period, did an extraordinary job and laid the groundwork for much of what we continue to do.” Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Chapters achieving the Circle of Excellence Gold distinction receive ��a commendation letter from the Society sent to chapter officers and campus administration; special recognition on the Phi Kappa Phi website; a specially designed logo for use in chapter communications; and a choice of a $200 cash award or an event registration grant. More information about the Circle of Honor program is available .

Single mother works hard to provide better life for her son

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:18:15 +0000

When Emily “Addie” McClenny gave birth to her son, Phariss, seven years ago, that was the moment she decided to go back to college.�� “He’s the reason I do any of this,” McClenny, of Little Rock, said. “The sole reason to come back to college was to give my son and I a chance at a better life.” McClenny has faced several hardships since starting at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2014. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in applied communication and a minor in information technology on Dec. 16 in the Jack Stephens Center. During her second semester, McClenny went blind in her left eye in spring 2015, which led to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. “My first treatment didn’t go so well, and I was in and out of the hospital three times,” she said. “The last time I left the hospital in a wheelchair and started the fall 2016 semester having to learn to walk again. I was in physical therapy for three months.” McClenny is very grateful to friends and family members who stepped in to help take care of her and her son. “I am grateful to all my friends and family who stepped up to help make this degree possible,” she said. “You really feel down when you can’t take care of your own child. I wouldn’t have stayed in school if it wasn’t for their support. Being a single parent, it truly takes more than just myself. That is why I work so hard.” Her hard work, academic excellence, and perseverance has led McClenny to receive the Making a Difference award from the Department of Applied Communication, the Outstanding Student award from the Department of Information Technology, and the Scholar of the Year award from the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Pulaski County. McClenny cites the staff at the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Pulaski County, which awards $900 a semester to single parents to be used for living expenses and child care, with being one of the reasons she was able to stay in college. “They helped me stay in contact with my professors and got me connected with disability resources and helped me go through all these things to keep me successful in my coursework,” she said. “They are the only scholarship I know that does that.” Despite the hardships she has faced, McClenny has worked hard and come out on top. She has worked for the Communication Skill Center, the Department of Applied Communication, and the Division of Student Affairs. Additionally, she has served as president of the National Lambda Pi Eta, honor society of the National Communications Association, and is a member of three more honor societies, Phi Kappa Phi, Delta Epsilon Iota, and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. McClenny isn’t finished with her education. She will begin a master’s degree in education program focusing on learning systems technology in January and will work as a graduate assistant in the Division of Student Affairs. After earning her master’s degree, McClenny wants to help faculty and students by creating online courses. “My goal is to make educators’ lives easier by creating online curriculum, and I want to help students with different learning styles be able to master those courses,” she said. “I want to transform the in-class experience to an online platform.”

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