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

First-Generation Student Spotlight: Izzy Ward

John Hill — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 13:32:28 +0000

In honor of First-Generation College Student Celebration Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling some of its outstanding first-generation students. Isabel (Izzy) Ward is a Donaghey Scholar from Clarksville, Arkansas, a band member, and a double major in Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology and Political Science. What does it mean to you to be a first-generation student? Being a first-generation college student proves that your background doesn’t determine ability. Socioeconomic status and similar adversities don’t tell you whether or not you’re allowed to try. Each individual has complete power to change their future. How did your family react when you told them you wanted to earn a college degree? At first, there was some concern for the largely different environment that I was throwing myself into. There was also the occasional debate on my decision to double-major. But in the end, my family was confident that I was making decisions that were the best for my future. What has been the most rewarding aspect of college so far? The ability to be independent and in control of my routine. I’ve also enjoyed learning about the cultures within the diverse environment of the campus and the City of Little Rock. What made you choose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? The summer after my 9th-grade year, I attended the Engineering Scholars summer camp at the university. Not only did I immensely enjoy the program, but the faculty that I interacted with were also polite and helpful. My immediate impression of the campus itself was how much the university valued safety, as well as maintaining a clean and beautiful environment for the student body. As I considered my college options in the following years, the idea of living in a smaller, family-oriented community in Arkansas’ capital city became more and more compelling. What do you plan to do after graduation? As per my degree paths, I plan to combine my knowledge of international politics and technological development to improve infrastructure and accessibility in various countries and regions, while working closely with the respective governments to advise technological policy to continue to improve tech infrastructure. Do you have any advice for future first-generation students? To-do lists are your best friend. Even if you don’t think you’ll get a scholarship, apply anyway. You may be surprised. Don’t let your current adversities define your future opportunities. Don’t ever look down on yourself based on a demographic. Even if you think your Plan A will work out, have a Plan B (or even a Plan C) and strive for it like it’s your Plan A. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Being the first in your family to go to college places a monumental feeling of obligation on you to push yourself. Never overdo it. College is only fun if you’re comfortable and studying what you enjoy. Give yourself the occasional break, because the fact that you’re at college is enough to make your family proud.

Little Receives ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Stonewall Scholarship

John Hill — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 16:40:11 +0000

Joel Little, a political science and legal studies major from Benton, has been named the recipient of the 2021-22 Stonewall Scholarship at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. �� “I’m honored and truly humbled to be selected,” Little said. “The biggest reason I decided to go back to college was to further my education so that I may have a greater impact in advocating for LGBTQIA+ people from within the legal/political communities. So to be awarded a scholarship that is representative of my community and a community that I advocate and champion is such an honor.” The Stonewall Scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates knowledge of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) history, an understanding of current events as they relate to the LGBT community and a commitment to advancing LGBT civil rights in the form of demonstrated substantial leadership. This year’s scholarship is $1,727. “As a trans-female person, I saw a great need for representation by persons like myself for persons like myself and every marginalized person under the LGBTQIA+ community,” Little said. “I hope to be able to be a voice of advocacy and action that creates meaningful legal and political change.” Dr. Katrina Yeaw, head of the scholarship selection committee, noted the committee members were impressed by Little’s academic achievements and commitment to advancing LGBT+ rights in Arkansas. Growing up in a conservative household, Little says they never even met another transgender person until they started performing as a drag queen in 2001. “This encounter began to slowly shape who I am and give name to the thoughts and feelings that I had been having since my early childhood,” Little said. “While I would ultimately come to accept my trans-identity, it would not be without years of denial and self discovery, and ultimately the choice to no longer live my life on the terms of what was acceptable to those around me but by what was needed for my survival.” Little has spent 20 years performing as a drag queen and has won the title of Miss Gay Spa City America and was the second alternate in the 2005 Miss Gay Arkansas America pageant. In 2016, Little served as Miss Gay Little Rock America and was the first alternate at Miss Gay Arkansas America.

Joel Little

“Performing as a drag queen for 20 years has been my anchor in the local LGBTQIA+ community,” Little said. “It has been there for me in ways that people sometimes have not. The full experience of drag – the makeup, the performing, the costumes, the artistry – is my passion. It is also my voice and as such my platform of activism. I am the reigning Miss Gay Diamond America. This platform has allowed me to speak on gay and trans rights across the country.” After graduating from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2023, Little plans to earn a law degree and advocate for trans women and queer people of color to enact legislation that is impactful for the LGBTQIA+ community. “I hope to be a voice that advocates for LGBTQIA+ people and other marginalized citizens and help create meaningful legal and/or political change for my community,” Little said.

Graduating student-athlete returns to Germany to pursue professional soccer career

John Hill — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 16:53:00 +0000

After graduating with two bachelor’s degrees, a University of Arkansas at Little Rock soccer star has returned home to Germany with her sights set on a professional soccer career.�� Dorothea Greulich, a native of Potsdam, Germany, graduates this month with bachelor’s degrees in mass communication and political science. She joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2016 after playing two years for the soccer team, FFC Turbine Potsdam. “When I was in my senior year in high school, I decided I wanted to study in the states and play soccer at the same time,” Greulich said. “I got in contact with the coaches at Little Rock. I really liked the coaches and the team, and I decided to come here. It was very nice for an international student. I automatically had 20 friends. It’s like having a second family.” Having played soccer for the past 15 years, Greulich developed a love for the sport and team camaraderie at a young age. “I started playing soccer when I was 8 years old,” Greulich said. “I fell in love with it and never stopped. I think it’s about being around people and trying to accomplish something together.” During her career as a Trojan, Greulich experienced some major highs and lows. One of the highlights of her career was when the soccer team won the Sun Belt Conference Championship for the first time in program history and earned their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018. Greulich was selected for the All-Sun Belt First Team for the second year in a row. “It was a really good team that year, and it was very nice winning,” she said. “It was so much hard work that we felt had really paid off. We got so much support from campus and from people who we didn’t even know cared about us.” In her senior year, Greulich experienced two devastating injuries that she had to overcome to make it back on the field. “I tore my ACL late in the season my junior year, and then I came back 10 months later and tore it again my second game back during my senior year,” Greulich said. “Because of the injuries, I was eligible for another year of college soccer. It took almost 10 months, and then I played the rest of this season.” In addition to her career as a student-athlete, Greulich has coached youth soccer teams, participated in the Model Arab League, and interned with the Little Rock Athletic Communications Department in 2020.

Doro Greulich

“Doro came to Little Rock from Germany and was a key member of our soccer team for five years,” said Rand Champion, assistant athletic director for communications. “An All-Sun Belt player, she was a major factor in helping the Trojans win the program’s first ever Sun Belt title and NCAA tournament appearance, facing Arkansas in the first round in 2018. She also suffered a major knee injury and fought back to play her final season this year. She has also been an intern in our office and a great ambassador for our university, earning all-academic honors in each of her five seasons.” With two degrees in hand, Greulich has moved back to Germany, where she is looking forward to spending time with the family she hasn’t seen in a year, as well as pursue opportunities in professional soccer. Since Greulich came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock not knowing what she wanted to study, her advice for fellow students to be successful is to be open to new possibilities. “If you come in and don’t know what you want to study, it’s important to try different classes and see what fits. You should always be open minded to what the professors throw at you, because you don’t always know what will help you in the long-term.”

DeKay completes internship for Congressman French Hill

John Hill — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 13:35:15 +0000

The president of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Student Government Association is getting some valuable political experience both in and out of the classroom. Landon DeKay, a senior political science major from Maumelle, recently completed an “I’m a political science major, and I do eventually want to get involved in politics,” DeKay said. “It was interesting to see how my perception of government in action wasn’t the same as what I experienced. The internship helped guide me in the way in which I knew I wanted to serve those around me. I do know, however, that I want to be out in the field more, attending events and talking to people.” DeKay’s internship, which began in January, got interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in March. Although he was unable to continue work from home, DeKay got called back at the end of April and completed the internship over the summer. As an intern, DeKay tackled jobs from prepping mass mailers to answering phone calls from concerned citizens and going on events with Congressman Hill. “I looked for interesting stories in the newspaper that could potentially be written into one-minute speeches that are given on the House floor,” he said. “I also wrote congratulatory notes for constituents. I tracked constituent outreach events by the seven counties in the Second District of Arkansas. This will help Congressman Hill’s staff know what counties to focus on as we approach the November election. I also put together a contact list used for outreach regarding our state’s COVID-19 response.” He also got the opportunity to accompany Hill on a tour of the building site of the new Saline County Career Technical Education Center under construction in Benton, and met Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former White House press secretary, on a video call with Hill’s staff. DeKay has learned some valuable lessons about nonpartisan politics that he thinks will come in handy during his time as president of the Student Government Association at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “The district office is nonpartisan,” DeKay said. “You work with every single constituent, and you aren’t supposed to have any biases. You look for solutions that benefit everyone. Working with the SGA, you need to have the same mentality. Every situation is different. You have to leave with a non-biased viewpoint and make the decision that best impacts the people around you.” Once he graduates from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in May 2021, DeKay plans to attend law school. He would encourage anyone interested in politics to pursue a political internship, so they can gain valuable experience for their future career. “The experiences that I gained while being an intern at this office was amazing,” he said. “When you get out of your comfort zone, your internship experience will be the best.”

Former ��Vlog��ý Little Rock SGA president utilizes political expertise on presidential campaign trail

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 13:29:02 +0000

A former University of Arkansas at Little Rock Student Government Association president is putting his passion for politics to work as a political organizer trying to elect the next president of the United States.�� Brian Gregory, the 2017-18 SGA president and life member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association, is now working in Iowa for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Ever since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2018, Gregory has immersed himself in political campaigns. His first post-college stint was as campaign manager for Little Rock mayoral candidate Warwick Sabin, followed by a job as campaign field director for a mayoral campaign in Alabama. The chance to work on a presidential campaign was too good an opportunity for Gregory to pass up. “I had the chance to interview for the Warren campaign, and I jumped at the chance,” he said. “If I was good enough, I wanted to work for a presidential campaign. It was my dream. Now I’m working on this campaign, and I’ve moved to Iowa. It has been a bit of a whirlwind since graduation, but it’s a good time.” Stationed in Waterloo, Iowa, Gregory’s duties include managing campaign interns and employees, recruiting and organizing volunteers, canvassing, and getting people to the polls for the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses on Feb. 3, 2020. Gregory said that he has gained vast experience by working in Iowa, one of the most important political battleground states in the presidential election. “Iowa is the first state to have a primary, and it introduces the country to the major political candidates in the presidential campaign,” he said. “This is a chance for Iowa to be involved in the process, and it invigorates the states every four years when they have it. They always say that if you want to learn how to organize, Iowa is the place to go. It’s the toughest, but it’s the most rewarding place to be. Most candidates who do well in Iowa gain a lot of momentum going forward in their campaigns.”�� While talking with Iowa’s citizens, Gregory has found that the two issues voters seem to worry about the most are healthcare and jobs. “Healthcare debts and costs are rising by the minute, and a lot of people are going into debt because of that,” he said. “People just want to know that they can take care of their family members who are sick and will have a job to put food on the table. Those two issues are always Numero Uno in elections.” His time in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s SGA has been essential to building critical skills for his political career.

Brian Gregory campaigns for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign in Waterloo, Iowa.

“I’ve tried to determine what is the most important issues to the people. I’ve always tried to remember people who were patient with me and explained things to me in SGA, because there were times when I needed a kick in the butt as a leader,” Gregory said. “I tried to sit down with my senators and executive committee as often as possible, and I’ve tried to implement that in Iowa. I’m trying to build relationships with people, so I will really be able to work well with building a volunteer base and get people connected to different issues that are important to them. Otherwise, you won’t succeed if you don’t get people interested and involved in the issues.” While Gregory may consider running for office one day, he has a lot to accomplish before in the meantime.�� “I’d like to get a graduate degree in public policy and go to law school,” Gregory said. “I would love to work on a federal campaign or state-wide race. Maybe in the future, if I’m likable enough, I’ll run for office someday, but public advocacy is where my passion lies. I want to hear people’s stories and tell their stories in a way that moves people to take action.” Dr. Rebecca Glazier, associate professor in the School of Public Affairs and Gregory’s advisor on his Donaghey Scholars final project, said Gregory was a great student with a head for politics. “As a political science major, Brian was always interested in politics, but more than other students, he cared deeply about the implications of public policies,” Glazier said. “He wanted to better understand how the policies governments implement impact real people. I think he saw the potential for making a difference there and wanted to take it.”�� Gregory said he owes his success to many people at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Faith Thomas, his vice president in SGA; Drs. Jessica Scott and Simon Hawkins of the Donaghey Scholars Program; and political science professors Glazier, Christopher Williams, Joseph Giammo, and Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm.�� “I want to thank all of my professors, especially those in the political science program,” Gregory said. “They taught me to think of politics in different ways. I am also very thankful for all the opportunities the Donaghey Scholars and SGA gave me to get involved in projects around the city. Drs. Scott and Hawkins really motivated me not to sell myself short. I wouldn’t be in this position without them.” In the upper right photo, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alum Brian Gregory, right, is working on the presidential campaign of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, left, in Iowa.

Veteran, alum making a difference through Medicaid fraud investigations

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

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

Donaghey Scholar readies for next step in her future

Fri, 10 May 2019 14:07:08 +0000

When Julie O’Hara graduates on May 11, she will leave behind a legacy of success at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. With an acceptance to the University of Pittsburgh in hand, her energy is focused on a future in international politics. O’Hara, a political science major from Little Rock, has been involved in local politics since she was a teenager. “I actually started volunteering with the Democratic Party or Arkansas when I was 14,” O’Hara said. “I worked with various campaigns. Through those interactions, I realized how much I enjoyed getting to talk to the community.” As a high schooler, O’Hara decided to attend ��Vlog��ý Little Rock after hearing about her older sister’s experience as a Donaghey Scholar. “My oldest sister went through the Donaghey program, so I had a really good idea about what I would get out of it,” O’Hara said. “One of my favorite things about it was the Socratic-style classes that let you actually discuss the material rather than have it lectured to you.” O’Hara has had the opportunity to present her research at multiple national conferences. “I attended the Southern Political Science Association’s conference twice, once to present research that I worked on in a methods course and again to present my final project for the Donaghey Scholars Program,” O’Hara said.

Julia O’Hara, who is graduating from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in political science, stands outside the Senate chambers in the Arkansas State Capitol building. Photo by Ben Krain.

Throughout her time as a student, O’Hara has continued to be active in state politics, thanks to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s location in Arkansas’s capital city. “Having grown up in Little Rock, I knew the opportunities for studying politics that I would get here,” O’Hara said. “I had built up connections through volunteering and internships.” When reflecting on her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, O’Hara points to her interactions with its non-traditional student body as one of the university’s biggest strengths. “We have such a nontraditional student body,” she said. “At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, you get diversity in ideas and experiences.” After finishing her Ph.D. in political science, O’Hara plans to continue her research in international politics at a professional level.

Kappa Sigma awards scholarships to three outstanding ��Vlog��ý Little Rock freshmen

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 13:00:41 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Kappa Sigma chapter awarded three scholarships to outstanding freshmen who exhibited exceptional leadership abilities in high school through community involvement, participation in student organizations, and service.�� The winners of the “Take the Lead Scholarship” include Emma Guerra, a community management and development major and Spanish minor; Isaac Thomas, a double major in political science and international studies; and Landon DeKay, a political science major and legal studies minor. Chris Stephens, head of the Kappa Sigma scholarship committee, said that after being involved in leadership roles in Kappa Sigma and several other organizations on campus, he created the “Take the Lead Scholarship” to encourage freshmen to take on more leadership responsibilities. “We need students who will step up and take on leadership roles on campus and in the community,” Stephens said. “This scholarship is a way to recognize new freshmen who had leadership roles in high school. Our three winners stood way out of the crowd.” Dr. Terry Richard, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus of sociology and Kappa Sigma alumnus from Southwestern University, and Joe Swafford, libertarian nominee for Arkansas’s 2nd Congressional District and Kappa Sigma alumnus from Arkansas Tech University, presented the $200 scholarships to the winners. The money for the scholarships was donated from the Richard Family Scholarship. “My son was a member of Kappa Sigma, so this honors him,” Richard said. “I think it is an excellent idea to promote the largest, most diverse fraternity in the country.” In her hometown of Dallas, Guerra, a graduate of Imagine International Academy of North Texas, was a varsity lacrosse player, president of the Broadcast Team, vice president of the National Honor Society, assistant editor-in-chief of the Rising Dragon Newspaper, as well as a member of the Debate Club, McKinney Youth Leadership program, and Congressional Youth Advisory Council. “I am really happy,” she said. “It was an opportunity for a little extra help to pay for college. I didn’t expect a fraternity to pick a girl, but I was happy to receive the email telling me I won.” Guerra plans to complete her bachelor’s degree in three years, then serve in the Peace Corps for two years before returning to Arkansas to attend law school with plans to work as a civil rights attorney. “I want to be an advocate for the voiceless, repressed, neglected, and abused,” Guerra said. “Whether that be my advocacy coming through my practice of law for those who don’t have the ability, knowledge or means to stand up for themselves or by working for an organization that counsels those after a disaster.” Thomas, a graduate of Ashdown High School, served as vice president and president of his class and Arkansas State vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America. He was also a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Purple Pride Marching Band, Debate Team, and EAST Initiative. He served as a staff sergeant for the Civil Air Patrol. “I was with the Air Force Civil Patrol in high school, so I pledged to join the Air Force after I get a diploma in my hand,” Thomas said. “Then I want to enter political life and become a politician and diplomat. I fully intend to join the Foreign Service Office and represent the United States of America abroad as I work with a team of specialists to promote peace, support prosperity, as I faithfully serve and protect the citizens from foreign threats.” DeKay, a graduate of Maumelle High School, was actively involved in Student Council, National Honors Society, Student Council, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. As a member of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, he was recognized for community projects that included teaching senior citizens in Maumelle how to use Microsoft Office, email, and social media programs and teaching middle and elementary school students about severe weather preparation. “I plan to major in both political science and legal studies in order to become a prosecuting attorney,” Dekay said. “After I work in the legal field for several years, I want to run for a Senate or House of Representatives seat at the national level. I want to make a positive lasting difference on society, and this is the perfect way to do just that.” In the upper right photo, the “Take the Lead Scholarship” recipients are honored at a ceremony at Kappa Sigma. Pictured (left to right): Rocio Ortega Richard, Terry Richard, Landon Dekay, Emma Guerra, Joe Swafford Isaac Thomas, and Chris Stephens.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students investigate migrant crisis in Europe

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 15:05:24 +0000

A group of University of Arkansas at Little Rock students saw firsthand how the growing migrant crisis has changed Europe in recent years.�� Dr. Rebecca Glazier and Dr. Christopher Williams, professors in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Public Affairs, led 10 students to Europe June 4-20, where they visited London, Paris, and Berlin to learn more about the challenges Europe faces in light of the migrant crisis. The students who attended the study abroad trip, “Identity, Migration, and a Changing Europe,” include political science majors Charlana Benefield, Jorge Gonzalez, Julie O’Hara, Leon Kockaya, Elizabeth Ray, Madison Rodgers, Paige Topping, and Allie Woodville, as well as Colin Davies, a criminal justice major, and Abigail Resendiz, a business major. “In recent years, Europe has seen massive increases in both intra-European migration and migration from Middle Eastern and North African countries. This has forced many Europeans to grapple more deeply with questions of national identity and with deep societal prejudices,” Glazier said. “The course was designed to provide students with firsthand experience to develop a deeper understanding of the effects that nationalism and large-scale immigration have on societies.” The group first traveled to London, where they shared a Ramadan meal at the Central Mosque of London and attended a play about the crisis in the refugee camp in Calais, France. In Paris, they visited the famed Louvre museum, visited le Grande Mosquée du Paris, spoke with recent immigrants, and met with French National Assembly member Pacôme Rupin. In Berlin, the group visited experts in human trafficking and migration and toured the as well as the WWII-era concentration camp and the remains of the Berlin Wall. They also took in the World Cup match between Mexico and Germany. “The refugees that occupied this camp originated from countries all over the world, ranging from Syria and Afghanistan to Iran, Iraq, and Moldova,” said Topping, a senior political science major. “Reports of the experiences of refugees around the world have been and continue to be profoundly compelling. However, seeing their experiences and living conditions face-to-face truly triggers unparalleled human emotions and responses.” Asylum seekers in Germany are allowed to stay in the country if they are granted political asylum, refugee status, subsidiary protection, or if the agency declares a deportation prohibition. Refugees in Germany can apply for four different kinds of protection from the German government, including asylum protection, subsidiary protection, refugee protection, and protection from persecution if they can provide evidence that they are being persecuted in their homeland.

The study abroad students visit the Grand Mosque of Paris. The group (L to R) includes Back Row: Julie O’Hara, Elizabeth Ray, Dr. Rebecca Glazier, Madison Ray, Abigail Resendiz, Colin Davies, and Leon Kockaya. Front row: Allie Woodville, Jorge Gonzalez, Charlana Benefield, and Paige Topping.

“While most refugees are thankful to Germany for taking them in, they are all, for the most part, anxiously awaiting for their homelands to become safe enough to return to,” Topping said. “While Germany is extremely accepting of refugees and provides housing, food, recreational sports areas, playgrounds, and German classes for children and adults alike in areas such as Templehof, it does not take away from the very grim reality that most of the refugees living at Templehof had to leave their professions, homes and families behind in order to pursue a life in Germany safe from persecution” In the final leg of the journey, the group returned for a few more days in London, where they toured Parliament, Palace of Westminster, and met with political leaders in the United Kingdom. Although the students read two dozen academic readings and testimonials about what it is like to be a migrant in Europe, none of that compared to the actual experience of meeting migrants and hearing their stories. “We went to Iftar with a group of Turkish refugees living in Berlin,” said O’Hara, a 21-year-old senior from Little Rock. “Before dinner, we sat with them in small groups and they told us their stories. The first person I spoke to had been a civil engineer when he was working in Turkey. This man has five children, all still in Turkey, and his youngest was born shortly after he fled oppression. He is able to see her and talk to her through the phone, but he has never been able to hold her in his own hands. As far as he knows, he may never meet her in person. If he had stayed in Turkey he risked becoming a political prisoner, where he would not have been allowed to meet or see his family. He said to me, ‘At least in Berlin I have hope.’” O’Hara heard many more memorable accounts from the migrants, and she realized that, despite talks by European countries of coming up with a solution to the migrant crisis, it is not something that will be easily solved. Meanwhile, millions of people are left struggling while the political debate continues. “The refugee crisis in Europe is too deep to be coated with band-aid solutions and left to fester. Europe will change drastically in the coming years because of this migration,” O’Hara said. “Watching them talk about their fears for the future and seeing the heartbreak they faced day in and day out because of circumstances so far beyond their control is something that I will never forget, but, beyond that, the strength and unwavering hope they showed is something that will stick with me forever.” Students learned about the efforts to sustain migrant populations by the United Kingdom and European Union organizations, as well as the living conditions of displaced migrants and asylum seekers. Students also discussed migration issues and policy possibilities for alleviating tensions between residents in Europe. Throughout their busy schedules, students were asked to consider political and social policies that are currently enacted as well as their own solutions to Europe’s migrant crisis. “I think the conversations that the students had with immigrants and refugees are experiences that will stay with them. We thought critically about migration policy, how to best integrate immigrants, and about what societies might owe to refugees fleeing violence,” Glazier said. “I don’t think we came to any easy answers, but I do think the students gained both substantive knowledge and empathy.” The professors and students kept a travel blog of their journeys that can be viewed online. In the upper right photo,��the study abroad group met with a member of the Scotland Nationalist Party, Alison Thewliss, while touring Parliament.

Alaska Native students learn about heritage through internship at Sequoyah National Research Center

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 13:40:09 +0000

Two Alaska Native students are getting in touch with their heritage by serving as interns at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Sequoyah National Research Center.�� The goal of the Native American Student Internship Program is to provide students an experiential learning environment in which to acquire an understanding of the value of archives and the research potential of the collections of the center and to engage in academic research and practical archival activities related to tribal culture, society, and issues. The interns work 25 hours a week from June 4 to July 27 and receive on-campus housing and a $2,000 stipend. Recent ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate Heidi Davis and senior Stephanie Rabaduex, who are continuing internships from last summer, spend their internships archiving an important part of their Native Alaskan heritage. They are both Alaska Natives who are members of the Haida and Tlingit tribes. In 2014, the center acquired the, which included 1,263 videos. Thanks to a $24,000 grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, Rabaduex and Davis now decipher the videos, cataloging names, dates, places, and issues for the center’s archives. While growing up in the small village of Kake, Alaska, Davis, 29, fondly recalls tuning into “Heartbeat Alaska” as a child to watch the show’s host, Jeanie Greene, broadcast heartfelt stories of Alaska.

Heidi Davis works on digitizing photos of the Jeanie Greene collection on Alaska Natives at the Sequoyah National Research Center.��

“I would have been happy to do anything interning here, but the Jeanie Greene productions were special,” Davis said. “I grew up watching her shows in Alaska. Jeanie Greene actually babysat my dad, so my dad can tell me stories about her, but she is like a celebrity to me since I never met her.” Davis, who graduated in May with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and political science, will attend William H. Bowen School of Law in the fall. One day Davis would like to return to Alaska to represent Alaska Natives in the court system. Davis worked for the Alaska Court System before she and her husband moved with their two small children to North Little Rock, following her husband’s return from the Coast Guard. While she enjoys living in the Natural State, working on the Jeanie Greene collection gives Davis a little piece of home. “It was pretty hard to adjust the first couple of years I was here and then I found Sequoyah and they kept reaching out to me,” Davis said. “I’m all the way in Little Rock working on a project that is close to my heart, so it’s amazing. I have family members on these videos who have passed away, so anytime I am watching and come across a family member, it is really exciting. It definitely gives me a new perspective because I grew up in southeast Alaska, but my kids will not grow up there, so it’s important for me to keep informing them on who they are.”

Stephanie Rabaduex works on digitizing photos of the Jeanie Greene collection on Alaska Natives at the Sequoyah National Research Center.��

On the other hand, Rabaduex, who will graduate this summer with a Bachelor of Art in English with an emphasis in creative writing, grew up in Ward, Arkansas. Her mother was adopted from Alaska and grew up in San Diego, so Rabaduex sees the Jeanie Greene project as a way to learn more about her heritage. “I didn’t know anything about my heritage. I have never even been to Alaska,” Rabaduex said. “Having the opportunity to see the videos, I’ve learned so much, so it’s important for everybody who wants to learn about the cultures of the Alaska Natives to have access to the videos.” Rabaduex, who also works at Baptist Health, learned about Sequoyah National Research Center when she took a tour during a mythology class. At first, she didn’t know the center also did research on Alaska Natives. “Erin Fehr (archivist) mentioned all these scholarships and the summer internships, and I never realized they would accept me, so that is a real thrill,” Rabaduex said. “I like the atmosphere here. Everyone makes you feel at home, like you are just part of this place since day one. It was an amazing opportunity for me to experience, not just my culture, but Alaska Native culture in general. I encourage anyone who has Native American background should come check out the Sequoyah National Research Center. You never know what you might find.” For more information about the Sequoyah National Research Center, contact Erin Fehr at ehfehr@ualr.edu or 501-569-8336. In the upper right photo, the Sequoyah National Research Center has selected four students for its 2018 Native American Student Internship Program. The interns (L to R) include Kevin Briceland, from Southern Methodist University, Courtney Peyketewa, from Oklahoma Central University, Heidi Davis, and Stephanie Rabadeux, both from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Photo by Ben Krain/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

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