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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive April 19

John Hill — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 13:12:16 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate will hold a spring blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in the gym inside the Donaghey Student Center Fitness Center.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate is partnering with the , a nonprofit blood center whose volunteer donors provide every drop of blood needed by patients in 32 Arkansas hospitals. The institute will also do free sickle cell trait testing for donors. The Arkansas Blood Institute has less than half of the blood supply needed, threatening a critical blood shortage for local patients and creating an immediate need for blood donors. “All indicators are pointing us in a dangerous direction,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “Over the last several weeks, donation numbers have dipped, which have left us struggling to keep stock levels necessary to protect our community. We need donors to respond immediately to help friends and neighbors using blood.” All students, employees, and members of the public are welcome to donate. Those who would like to donate can make an appointment by or calling 877-340-8777. Walk-in appointments are also welcome. All donors should wear a facemask and bring a photo ID. In order to reduce waiting time by up to 15 minutes, donors can answer the pre-appointment questions online by visiting the on the day of their appointment. All donors will receive a free t-shirt, a “My owner is a donor” pet bandana, and a ticket to the OKC Zoo. For more information, contact Reed Claiborne, chair of the Blood Drive Committee, at 501-916-6104 or rhclaiborne@ualr.edu.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive Oct. 27

John Hill — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 13:13:48 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, in the Fitness Center in the Donaghey Student Center. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate is partnering with the Arkansas Blood Institute, a nonprofit blood center whose volunteer donors provide every drop of blood needed by patients in 32 Arkansas hospitals. All donations will also be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. All students, employees, and members of the public are welcome to donate. Those who would like to donate can make an appointment by , click Give Blood, and enter sponsor code 162W. Walk-in appointments are also welcome. All donors should wear a facemask and bring a photo ID. In order to reduce waiting time by up to 15 minutes, donors can answer the pre-appointment questions online by visiting the on the day of their appointment. All donors will receive a glow-in-the-dark t-shirt and a free ticket to the Little Rock Zoo. During this Halloween-themed blood drive, donors are also encouraged to wear a costume for a chance to win university prizes. For more information, contact Reed Claiborne, chair of the Blood Drive Committee, at 501-916-6104 or rhclaiborne@ualr.edu.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive Sept. 28

John Hill — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:53:36 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, in the Fitness Center in the Donaghey Student Center.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate is partnering with the , a nonprofit blood center whose volunteer donors provide every drop of blood needed by patients in 32 Arkansas hospitals. All students, employees, and members of the public are welcome to donate. Those who would like to donate can make an appointment by . Walk-in appointments are also welcome. All donors should wear a facemask and bring a photo ID.�� In order to reduce waiting time by up to 15 minutes, donors can answer the pre-appointment questions online by visiting the on the day of their appointment. All donors will receive a “Back on Tour” t-shirt and a free ticket to the Little Rock Zoo. For more information, contact Reed Claiborne, chair of the Blood Drive Committee, at 501-916-6104 or rhclaiborne@ualr.edu.

Student Retention Initiatives Hosts First-Generation, Transfer Student Welcome

John Hill — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 20:11:00 +0000

The office of Student Retention Initiatives hosted a student success welcome event Aug. 24 filled with food, fun, and great activities for first-generation freshmen and transfer students. “Growing up my parents never got their education so they always wanted the best for me, so I went for my education and followed in my sister’s footsteps,” said Oreana Roman, a first-generation freshman. Student success coaches and student support specialists engage with students one-on-one to help them develop skills for success throughout the semester, navigate ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and maintain a healthy balance between school and life. The initiative helps students get connected to resources on campus and match them with peer mentors to “help answer questions, guide them, and be a student leader,” said Laura Casey, student success coach. “I know how hard it was for me to be a first-gen,” said Maria Roman, peer mentor of five. “I hope this event will draw more people to the program.” The event featured numerous programs such as the Multicultural Center, the Disability Resource Center, Student Support Services, etc. “I saw a lot of organizations like TRIO that I didn’t know about, and learned about some different events that I wouldn’t have known about if I didn’t come here,” said Hayden Henderson, a first-generation freshman. Student Support Services is a federally-funded program located in Suite 105 of the Speech building that provides online and in-person tutoring, academic advising, workshops for financial and economic literacy, scholarships, textbook loans, graduate school trips, and career readiness.

First-generation college students and new transfer students participate in a Welcome Week event on Aug. 24. Photo by Benjamin Krain

“We focus on career readiness and enrichment workshops,” said Desarae Nelson, TRIO SSS Director. “We offer academic advising in resume writing, mock interviews, internships, and help with employment after graduation.” Experienced staff and upper-class students advised that students don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything hindering academic success. Any undergraduate student who identifies as a first-generation college student, taking at least one class at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, can Request a Peer Mentor through the end of September. “We work with students and faculty to make sure that the learning environment is as accessible as possible,” said Reed Claiborne, director of the Disability Resource Center. “Get to know all the departments on campus, find a department that will help you find resources all over campus, and get involved.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive April 19

John Hill — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 20:04:21 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate will hold a blood drive from 12:30-4 p.m. Monday, April 19, in the Fitness Center in the Donaghey Student Center. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is partnering with the , a nonprofit blood center whose volunteer donors provide every drop of blood needed by patients in 32 Arkansas hospitals. A limited number of appointments are available to allow for social distancing. All donors must wear a mask and should schedule an appointment by . Staff Senate has a goal of 20 donors for the blood drive. In order to reduce waiting time by up to 15 minutes, donors can answer the pre-appointment questions online by visiting the on the day of their appointment. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and be entered into a drawing for a $250 Visa gift card. Additionally, all donations are being tested for COVID-19 antibodies to identify potential convalescent plasma donors.�� For more information, contact Reed Claiborne, chair of the Blood Drive Committee, at 501-569-3000 or rhclaiborne@ualr.edu.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Announces Events to Recognize Diversity Month

John Hill — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 18:38:18 +0000

To celebrate Diversity Month, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Diversity Council has scheduled a variety of events set to take place throughout the month of March. Presentations will include discussions on a range of topics, research findings, and historical events. Addressing Microaggressions – Noon, Wednesday, March 3 The Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE) will present this upcoming Lunch and Learn session as an opportunity for faculty to engage in conversations about how to deal with microaggressions in the classroom. Disability and Diversity – Noon, Thursday, March 4 The director for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Disability Resource Center, Reed Claiborne, will present a discussion on disability and the things that frame perceptions of disabilities such as legal definitions, media portrayals, historical treatments, and more. Anti-Blackness, Social Feelings, and Public Policy: 1964-2020 – 6 p.m. Thursday, March 4 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock English Department’s Cooper Honors Program will present a talk with Dr. Lisa Corrigan, associate professor of communication and director of the Gender Studies program, who will discuss her latest book, “Black Feelings: Race, Affect, and the Long Sixties.” Building Collaborative Relationships to Improve Race Relations – 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 9 A panel of researchers from the Little Rock Congregations Study (LRCS) will discuss findings relevant to race relations from their Fall 2020 survey with 35 community congregations. The panel will consist of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professors Gerald Driskill, Rebecca Glazier, and Kirk Leach. In partnership with the Clinton School of Public Service, the panelists will also present a process of facilitating community dialogues on key issues found within their survey results. Modern Warriors of World War I: American Indians in the Great War – Noon, Wednesday, March 10 Presented by Erin Fehr, an archivist with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Sequoyah National Research Center, this event will highlight the sacrifice and bravery of American Indians and Alaska Natives that served in World War I. It will inform audience members about things such as how they used their language to create a code that was never broken by the Germans. The Sequoyah National Research Center created a to identify all 12,000 American Indians that served in World War I, which can be found online as part of the ’s website. New Funds for Minority Businesses in Little Rock – 2 p.m. Thursday, March 11 The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will present a panel discussion on new funding opportunities available in Little Rock for minority businesses. We Sing! A Celebration of Women’s Heritage – 3 p.m. Sunday, March 14 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs will host a live-streamed performance celebrating Women’s Heritage Month, featuring historically informed music performances, poetry reading, a speaker with commentary on notable women of the suffrage movement, and a special musical oratory presentation with Dr. Linda Holzer and Dr. Yslan Hicks. Putting the Pieces Together: A look at how Universal Design for Learning, Open Educational Resources, and Affordable Learning Content work together to benefit students and faculty – 3 p.m. Monday, March 15 in the Ottenheimer Library Presented by e-Learning Specialist Hannah Hurdle, will discuss the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Open Educational Resources (OER), and Affordable Learning Content (ALC) frameworks for inclusive learning. Entrepreneurship: My Journey into the Unknown – 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 16 Entrepreneurial Education Specialist Pamela Reed, with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, will present a panel discussion featuring minority entrepreneurs. Connecting & Utilizing Social Media for Each Generation – 1 p.m. Thursday, March 18 Jennifer McDannold, coordinator of student orientation and transitions, will present information about each generation, focusing on social media and marketing tricks as well as best practices for Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. “This is Not Who We Are:” Discussing Whiteness, Denial, & Division – 10 a.m. Monday, March 29 Laura Casey, a student success coach with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Retention Initiatives (SRI) team, will host a discussion on the experiences of whiteness and confronting denial. She will be utilizing references such as Ibram Kendi’s book “How to Be an Antiracist” in her presentation to unpack what denial mixed with whiteness looks like. Exploring Our Power and Privilege – 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 30 Sharon Downs, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, will present this final event to encourage conversation on the concepts of power and privilege.

Care Team makes difference in lives of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students in need

John Hill — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 15:35:04 +0000

While college students across the country have faced unprecedented challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has created a new team of student advocates who have been making a difference for students in need. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock started the Care Team in January. Led by Heather Reed, director of student retention initiatives, members of the Care Team work closely with students to establish steps to reduce barriers to success. Care Team members take proactive action to support students in their pursuit of academic success, connect individuals to campus and community resources, create a supportive and caring culture for students, and establish best practices and standard protocols of response for academic referrals. “One of the biggest benefits that we’ve seen through the Care Team is the ability to triage student issues, especially in the face of the pandemic,” Reed said. “We have a better insight into the challenges students face. We knew students were struggling to find technology in the transition to online classes. Working with university leadership, we were able to purchase laptops and cameras with CARES Act funding and distribute that to the students. We wouldn’t have been able to do that a year ago. We did all that with the university leadership and Ottenheimer Library. Now, we have an ability to address these needs.” The Care Team is unique in that it provides a centralized point of contact for those who develop a concern about the welfare of a student. The Care Team can refer students to multiple resources across campus that can provide support and assistance needed to stay safe and successful at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. One of the students the Care Team helped during the spring 2020 semester is Nina Scaife, who was facing a tough time after losing her job because of the pandemic while also completing the final semester of her Master of Social Work program. “I contacted the Care Team because I was stressed due to needing to supplement my income, and I was worried about how I was going to pay my household bills,” Scaife said. “I received a $250 grant from the Care Team. The funds assisted me because I was laid off from my current employer due to Covid-19, so I was able to use those funds to supplement my mortgage payment. If it had not been for those grant funds, it would have been very challenging to support myself during those uncertain times.” Members of the Care Team include Dr. Patti Light, director of campus living; Dr. Mike Kirk, director of counseling and health services; Aresh Assadi, assistant director of counseling services; Dr. Richard Harper, dean of students; Reed Claiborne, director of the Disability Resource Center; Kimberly Bright, director of testing services; Erin Flowers, director of student services in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; Jonathan Coleman, director of financial aid and scholarships; Dr. Mia Phillips, director of the Multicultural Center; Chicketta Jackson, director of student services for the College of Business, Health, and Human Services; Sarah Haughenbury, director of student services in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education; and Sam DeVilbiss, director of Trojan Academic Advising and Support Center. “I’m just so grateful the university has established the Care Team,” Flowers said. “I know we are helping our students in tangible ways. Plus, we’re creating a stronger network among the various support offices on campus and learning about all of the amazing work these offices do. Being part of the Care Team gets at the heart of why I work in higher education and I know that is true for the other Care Team members.” On April 1, Adrienne Gill, a senior criminal justice major, lost her job along with millions of other Americans facing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gill was taking two classes during the spring 2020 semester and paying for it herself since she’s reached the limit for financial aid. “I received an email from the Care Team about two weeks after the loss of my job,” Gill said. “In the email, they stated they had received some funding to help students in need during this time. I was on a payment plan as normal, but I wasn’t able to clear my balance after the semester because I just did not have the money.” With the assistance she received, Gill was able clear her school balance, pay household bills, and buy food for her children. “I wasn’t getting any assistance from the state or anything,” Gill said. “I only worked, so when I lost my job it was pretty devastating. This was pretty much the only help that I had received during that time except when we got the stimulus check from the U.S. government. I was so grateful when the Care Team accepted my application and cleared the reminder of my balance, so I could continue my efforts to graduate.” A majority of the students the Care Team assists are facing issues related to the pandemic. The Care Team resolved 443 unique student cases over the spring 2020 semester and anticipate even more during the fall semester. The Care Team had received nearly 700 referrals from students and employees by November. “More than 320 unique students requested some type of support in the first three weeks of the semester alone,” Reed said. “Dealing with the Covid has been the No. 1 issue we hear about,” Reed said. “Students need help if they or an immediate family member gets Covid-19 or if they have to quarantine. At the beginning of the pandemic, we had a lot of requests dealing with access to technology as all classes went online. Now, we are dealing with issues of study skills, classroom engagement, and mental health.” The Care Team also receives requests from students who need help after losing a family member. “I remember a student who experienced a death in the family,” Reed said. “Usually students who contact us have lost somebody in their immediate family. This young woman lost a sibling, and she became the sole provider for her parents. She wasn’t working, and now had to balance finding a job with school, grieving, and food insecurity. We worked with her, and she withdrew from one class to give herself more time to focus on her family. We were also able to award her some CARES Act money to help with food and her other expenses.” Care Team members have weekly meetings to discuss responsibilities, how to get in touch with students, success stories, and best practices. Students and employees who have submitted requests are asked to provide feedback so the team can continue to improve. After receiving assistance from the Care Team, Scaife graduated in May and now works with foster and adoptive children and their families as a LifeBASE teen coach at Immerse Arkansas. She’s hopeful that the Care Team can provide much-needed support for students who need aid. “My heart goes out to those students, especially those who were downtrodden and struggling before the pandemic,” Scaife said. “The funds should be available for each student so that they can establish themselves and not have to worry about meeting their basic needs. Each student has the right to have food security, adequate and stable shelter, and a peace of mind while pursuing a degree or continuing their educational goals.” Students who need assistance can contact the Care Team by filling out , while faculty and staff who are concerned about a student can fill out .

Staff Senate to host Valentine’s Day Blood Drive

John Hill — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 15:53:08 +0000

Celebrate Valentine’s Day by spreading the love and helping to save a life during the Staff Senate Blood Drive on Friday, Feb. 14. The blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Fitness Center and is open to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students, staff, faculty, and members of the public. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and free adult pass to the Museum of Discovery. Donors can sign up for an appointment by or calling 877-340-8777. Walk-ins are welcome as well. In order to reduce waiting time by up to 15 minutes, donors can answer the pre-appointment questions online by visiting the on the day of their appointment. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is partnering with the , a nonprofit blood center whose volunteer donors provide every drop of blood needed by patients in 32 Arkansas hospitals. For more information, contact Reed Claiborne, chair of the Blood Drive Committee, at 501-569-3143 or rhclaiborne@ualr.edu.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock grad Tichina Taylor overcomes stroke to earn college degree

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:50:54 +0000

After her freshman year of college at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Tichina Taylor experienced a debilitating stroke. Thanks to her strong will to continue pursuing her degree, with lots of support from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Disability Resource Center and Student Support Services, Taylor will graduate Dec. 14 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a certificate in nonprofit management.�� How were you able to overcome the effects of having a stroke and complete your college degree? I was 19 years old when I experienced the stroke. It happened during the summer break after my freshman year at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. My family and I were shocked because we had assumed that only elderly people have strokes.�� A stroke is so frustrating. I was partially paralyzed and suffered memory loss. I couldn’t get my thoughts out, and when I did speak, I sounded like a preschool child. The stroke forced me to learn everything all over again. My memory couldn’t grasp any information given to me.�� I survived, though, and was determined to finish my education. So, I went to the Disability Resource Center at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and spoke to the director, Reed Claiborne, and he helped me. I was not going to give up on a college degree, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was committed to supporting my goal.�� The Disability Resource Center would ensure I had access to alternative formats of my textbooks and most other course materials that I could listen to for each of my classes. They notified my instructors of the appropriate accommodations for each of my courses. The Disability Resource Center focuses on making the learning experience accessible. The DRC helped me meet my needs as a stroke survivor. Student Support Services played a big role in my success, too. If I could not understand what I was reading or a concept from class, it used to make me so frustrated I would cry and not know what to do. Once I started working with tutors, I knew that I could highlight a passage of text or bring notes from class and talk with them about it. They helped me understand what I was reading and the concepts explained in class. It made all the difference in my ability to complete assignments. I discipline myself to always keep a smile on my face and never let myself give up. I also give praise to God. He helps me. God brought wonderful people into my life to support me, and opened my mind so that I can learn. I am so thankful for my professors’ support, the Mathematics Lab, Student Support Services, and the Disability Resource Center. I could not have completed my degree without each of them. Everyone who serves as a tutor on this campus personally benefits the lives of the people they coach, probably more than the tutors even realize. What are your goals and why did you choose to study sociology and nonprofit management? I’ve been interested in the study of social problems since high school. My youth experience in the Boys & Girls Club’s Go Girls program shaped my thinking a lot in terms of what it means to live a healthy life with a positive mindset. My life goal is to open a nonprofit center to support verbally and physically abused women. I want to help other women learn to live a happy life, free from abuse. I’d also like to work in real estate. What does having a college education mean to you? ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has made a significant difference in my family’s life. My sister and I are first-generation college students, and our degrees are empowering us to contribute good things in the world at a higher level than if we hadn’t been exposed to higher education.�� My sister, , earned two degrees at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, all while raising young children. Her influence and support in my life has been amazing. We wrote a book together about my stroke and recovery. It’s called, “,” and was published under her own business label, de. I am so proud of her. I want to encourage students who may be dealing with life struggles. Don’t give up! Life is going to hit you with many obstacles, but strive to achieve your goals and stay positive. You can and you will succeed. I made it.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to host Halloween Blood Drive

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 13:39:55 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock community has the chance to help save lives and have fun by participating in a Halloween Blood Drive.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Staff Senate will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the Donaghey Fitness Center on the first floor of the Donaghey Student Center. All ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employees, students, and alumni as well as members of the public are invited to participate. Every donor will receive a free limited edition Bigfoot T-shirt. All participants who dress up for the Halloween costume contest will be eligible for prizes. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is partnering with the, a nonprofit blood center whose volunteer donors provide every drop of blood needed by patients in 32 Arkansas hospitals. The Staff Senate has a goal of 23 donors for the drive.�� Donors can sign up for an appointment by, calling 877-340-8777, or coming to the Donaghey Student Center during the blood drive on Oct. 31.�� In order to reduce waiting time by up to 15 minutes, donors can answer the pre-appointment questions online by visiting the on the day of their appointment. For more information, contact Reed Claiborne, chair of the Blood Drive Committee, at 501-569-3143 or rhclaiborne@ualr.edu.

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive April 19

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive Oct. 27

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive Sept. 28

Student Retention Initiatives Hosts First-Generation, Transfer Student Welcome

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive April 19

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Announces Events to Recognize Diversity Month

Care Team makes difference in lives of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock students in need

Staff Senate to host Valentine’s Day Blood Drive

����Vlog��ý Little Rock grad Tichina Taylor overcomes stroke to earn college degree

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to host Halloween Blood Drive

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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive April 19

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive Oct. 27

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive Sept. 28

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to hold Blood Drive April 19

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Announces Events to Recognize Diversity Month

Care Team makes difference in lives of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students in need

��Vlog��ý Little Rock grad Tichina Taylor overcomes stroke to earn college degree

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate to host Halloween Blood Drive