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

Forward Arkansas Awards ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Phase II Grant to Improve Recruitment and Training for K-12 Teachers

John Hill — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 15:31:49 +0000

has named the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as one of two phase II grant recipients who will work with expert national partners in a multi-year collaborative program to recruit, train, and retain K-12 teachers in Arkansas. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will receive more than $453,000 as part of the implementation of phase II. Altogether, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will be receiving direct funding and comprehensive ongoing technical assurance from expert partners that is totaling more than $1.6 million over the next three years to increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of the state’s teacher workforce. Forward Arkansas launched the Education Preparation Program Design Collaborative last year. Eight universities received grants of $100,000 to develop a transformation plan that captures their vision for change and aligns with the Arkansas Department of Education’s future direction for educator preparation. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and Southern Arkansas University were selected as phase II grant recipients because the universities “developed bold, innovative plans for transformation” that “have the potential to dramatically impact the teacher pipeline” in the state, according to Ben Kutylo, executive director of Forward Arkansas. “Throughout the first phase of the collaborative, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock demonstrated a continuous commitment to the bold transformation of their educator preparation program,” Kutylo said. “We are excited to support them in achieving their vision and for the impact they will have on teachers and students in Little Rock.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will focus on increasing the number and diversity of candidates entering and graduating from their programs and transforming the entire experience for teacher candidates to be more practice-based, so teachers are ready for their classrooms on day one. “We are deeply grateful to Forward Arkansas for giving us the opportunity to implement the transformation plan our teacher education team has created,” Chancellor Christina S. Drale said. “We believe this new approach will enable us to produce more K-12 teachers for Arkansas from a wider variety of backgrounds who will be better prepared and more resilient upon graduation. We can’t wait to get started!” Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, and Dr. Kent Layton, director of the School of Education, will serve as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s co-principal investigators on the grant. One of the innovative solutions to better prepare teachers for the classroom includes paid residencies where teaching candidates will spend one year working with a partner school. Candidates will also receive support from a site coordinator in addition to their mentor teacher. Site coordinators will be housed at the school even though they are university faculty. “Our intention is to become the No. 1 provider of day one ready teachers in the state,” Estes said. “We are looking forward to providing our future teachers paid residencies. By the time they graduate, our teacher candidates will be exposed to everything they will need to know by the time they step foot in the classroom as teachers. We are committed to improving teacher preparation so that we can also improve teacher recruitment and retention, thereby improving the learning environment for children in Arkansas.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is partnering with local school districts to oversee the residency program that will begin during the fall 2023 semester. These collaborative partnerships will help ��Vlog��ý Little Rock better understand the changing needs of K-12 students as the program evolves. Additionally, the university will collect data on teacher candidates and graduates during their first five years in the profession to support continuous improvement in teacher education and training. In addition to the second phase grant, Forward Arkansas also announced the continuation of the overall Design Collaborative for all eight universities from the program’s first phase. The additional participating universities include Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, Harding University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, and the University of Central Arkansas. “The decisions were difficult. Overall, we were humbled by the commitment, engagement, and hard work of all eight participating universities over the last year of the Design Collaborative,” Kutylo said. “It exceeded our expectations. Therefore, to maintain the momentum, we are committing to an additional two years of the Collaborative and look forward to supporting the transformative work that will continue.” In the upper right photo, Melissa Hardeman, a senior instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, works with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock math students in the classroom. Photo by Ben Krain.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Students Make a Difference for Fellow Students Through CHASSE Student Ambassador Program

John Hill — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 14:08:32 +0000

Five University of Arkansas at Little Rock students are making an impact for their fellow students through a new student ambassador program in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE). “Being an ambassador allots me the opportunity to help fellow students on campus who are having a difficult time adjusting to campus life,” said Ariel Hudson, a senior from Meridian, Mississippi. “Becoming a student ambassador was one of the best things I have done. Getting involved on campus as a student ambassador is impacting the lives of the students for the better, which I am elated to be included in.” Launched during the 2021-22 school year, CHASSE student ambassadors offer mentorship to prospective, new, and current students within the college. They work with students to address concerns and questions, connect to campus resources, help promote a sense of belonging, and offer guidance about CHASSE majors, careers, and opportunities. “We started the CHASSE Student Ambassador program because we know that peer mentoring can be critical to student success,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “We wanted to create a cohort of students who bring their academic experience to bear in the areas that are most important to this success, including academic support, career exploration, and contributing to a sense of belonging. We are thrilled with the students in our inaugural cohort. And we thank the CHASSE donors who have allowed us this opportunity.” The donors are Martha and Warren Stephenson, of Little Rock, who have long funded a scholarship to support students in English and history (Martha Stephenson’s undergraduate majors) and political science programs. Now they have extended that generosity to fund the CHASSE Student Ambassador program, which includes all major areas in the college. “Our donation supporting student ambassadors is another way to show our enthusiasm for the outstanding students in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education,” Ms. Stephenson said. “These students have devoted their time, skills, and enthusiasm to building a better and brighter future for their fellow students.” The new cohort of CHASSE student ambassadors includes:

Ahmed Elkhattabi, a sophomore mass communication major with an emphasis in journalism
Ariel Hudson, a senior music major and Spanish minor
Isabella Miller, a sophomore double majoring in history and English with an emphasis in creative writing
Shalonda Nelson, a junior interdisciplinary major with concentrations in applied communication studies, mass communication, and sociology
Amber Sartain, a senior pursuing middle childhood education with concentrations in language arts and mathematics

CHASSE student ambassadors have received a variety of student support and career services training in order to provide them with all the skills necessary to help students in their college. “Our inaugural CHASSE Ambassadors have completed training in counseling services, career services, career exploration, resume and cover letter development, interviewing skills, job and graduate school search strategies, social media etiquette, professionalism in the class and workplace, and salary negotiation,” said Brittany Straw, director of Career Services at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “These ambassadors are excited to mentor and guide future and current students through their career and academic advising.” Shalonda Nelson, a junior from Little Rock, said that being a student ambassador has allowed her to attend school with a deeper purpose of loyalty to her university, education, and fellow students. “These are trying times seeking an education during a pandemic, but our college has a team of ambassadors to help cheer others through it,” Nelson said. “I met with a student concerning her fear of not doing well in a class. I was able to share student to professor skills of communication, the importance of setting a timeline, and resources in her degree program she could utilize to assist her. We even developed a bond and promised to stay in touch with each other.” Fellow student ambassador Amber Sartain, a senior from North Little Rock, agreed that she was excited to be an ambassador. She felt being an older student could help her connect with fellow nontraditional students. “As a nontraditional (a.k.a. older) student, it is important for me to make any student comfortable, no matter what time in their life they are in while attending college,” Sartain said.

Forward Arkansas Awards ��Vlog��ý Little Rock $100K Grant to Help Recruit and Train K-12 Teachers

John Hill — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 15:22:37 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $100,000 grant to help recruit, train, and retain K-12 teachers in Arkansas. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is one of eight Arkansas universities selected to participate in the Education Preparation Program (EPP) Design Collaborative. The universities will receive design and technical assistance from Forward Arkansas and its partners to develop a “transformation plan” that captures their vision for change and aligns with the Arkansas Department of Education’s future direction for educator preparation. Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, and Dr. Kent Layton, director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Education, will serve as the principal investigators on the grant. “We are thrilled to be included with seven other EPPs in the state to plan toward growing our work in recruiting and educating high-quality teachers,” Estes said. “This grant provides wrap-around services to identify areas of focus, support for planning, and technical assistance for plan implementation.�� We will be spending the next few months in a collaborative process including faculty, district stakeholders, and students to identify and plan for the implementation of the innovations that make most sense for us as an EPP in central Arkansas.” Forward Arkansas selected the universities through a competitive statewide process. It sought a cohort of institutions of varying sizes and locations. It also looked for universities with proven commitments to increasing teacher diversity and track records of placing educators in high-need locations. “We want to support and champion Arkansas institutions that have the bold ideas and committed leadership needed to transform our state’s teacher pipeline,” said Ben Kutylo, Forward Arkansas’s executive director. “Through the collaborative, we aim to help Arkansas recruit more qualified teachers, better prepare educators for the challenges of the classroom and improve overall teacher retention rates.” The additional participating universities include Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, Harding University, Southern Arkansas University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, and University of Central Arkansas. Next year, a select number of institutions will have the opportunity to pursue additional funding for implementation in summer 2022. Forward Arkansas was established in 2014 with grants from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and Walton Family Foundation with the goal of improving outcomes for all students. It works with districts, schools, educational partners and state leaders to transform learning, build educator capacity and provide equitable resources to ensure every student has access to, and is prepared for, opportunities in life and career.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Partners with City of Little Rock on New OpportUNITY Equity Initiative

John Hill — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 14:00:18 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock joined the City of Little Rock during its launch of OpportUNITY Little Rock: A Citywide Movement for Equity. Mayor Frank Scott Jr., Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and John Burgess, 2021 chairman of the Little Rock Regional Chamber Board of Directors Oct. 6 at Entegrity Energy Partners, the largest energy services company in the region and a unique provider of optimized building performance. “True diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a token or counting a number. It’s ensuring you that you’re creating true opportunity,” said Mayor Scott Jr., a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus. “As we embark on this journey, it’s crucial to the future of our economy that businesses get involved with this movement so that we can collectively make a sizable impact on our city.” The program is a public-private partnership that bridges access and opportunity by training business leaders to bolster their internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and support minority and women business enterprises (MWBEs) to competitively engage as suppliers. It is also designed to help grow recruitment networks and enhance retention and development of a diverse workforce. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is extremely proud to be partnering on this initiative to provide training on diversity, equity, and inclusion at work to support commerce and equitable economic development in Central Arkansas,” Estes said. “This course will provide leaders with a strong foundation for DEI work, tools for ongoing efforts through a growing collaborative resources library, and ongoing support for those pursuing related goals at their own institutions.” The program is part of a larger vision for a more equitable business environment that reflects the diversity of Little Rock’s population, growing economic development through diversity in perspective, services, outlook, and business objectives. “I cannot emphasize enough the significance of our businesses leading the way by participating in this movement,” said Dionne Jackson, Ed.D., Little Rock’s chief equity officer. “We must realize, with the growth of our city and moving towards a global majority, we must have businesses that are better equipped to serve as a bridge to access and opportunities. Yet as the city asks businesses to join OpportUNITY Little Rock as a movement, we recognize our own responsibility for modeling effective practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion, too.” Four supporting programs were announced today, including a supplier drive to counsel and register new City vendors, drop-in office hours to assist MWBEs in certification and navigation of the process for becoming certified, a multi-agency seminar on doing business with government entities, and a multi-week course for business leaders on strengthening diversity within their organizations led by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Extended Education and the Chamber. “The Little Rock Regional Chamber is thrilled to partner with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on this targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion training for business leaders,” said Burgess, of the Little Rock Regional Chamber, of the seminar. “We also look forward to working closely with Mayor Scott and the OpportUNITY Little Rock team as we all work to build stronger and more meaningful opportunities for minority-owned businesses to thrive within Little Rock’s growing economy.” By joining OpportUNITY Little Rock, businesses will receive regular updates on DEI best practices, as well as information on resources and support programs to assist them in becoming competitive suppliers for public sector purchasing contracts. For more information, .

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio Receives Anonymous $1.5 Million Donation

John Hill — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 15:07:06 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Public Radio, home of K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, is closing its annual fall fund drive off on a high note with an anonymous donation of $1.5 million, the largest cash gift in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio history. “This gift is a wonderful testament to the impact of public radio,” said Nathan Vandiver, general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. “The generosity of this anonymous gift is considerable. On behalf of the staff and listeners of KLRE and K��Vlog��ýR, I want to say a heartfelt thanks to the donor. The stations will use this gift to strengthen and expand their services as the region’s NPR news and information provider, classical music radio station, and as a local and regional news organization.” The anonymous gift comes on the final day of the drive and represents 10 times the drive’s fundraising goal of $150,000. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio also raised $100,000 by 8 a.m. Oct. 8, bringing the drive’s running fundraising total to $1.6 million. More than 80,000 people listen to K��Vlog��ýR and KLRE every week. Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is a public service unit of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. University students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and K��Vlog��ýR operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production. “We are elated at this news,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “The staff of KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR work tirelessly to provide quality news, programs, and music to central Arkansas. This operational gift ensures the continuity of these efforts and underscores their essentiality.”

Mary Waldo, a former K��Vlog��ýR staff member, right, reacts in joy with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio General Manager Nathan Vandiver, left, after learning of a $1.5 million dollar gift to the station. Photo by Ben Krain.

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio Operating Endowment will provide an ongoing stream of operating funds to support the public radio stations for generations to come. The endowment is expected to provide around $60,000 per year to support the reporting, music, and cultural programming on central Arkansas’s two public radio stations. “This generous endowment provides both stability and a steady revenue source that allows us to plan for the future of K��Vlog��ýR and KLRE,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “This anonymous donation will leave a lasting impact on public radio in our community for years to come.” K��Vlog��ýR 89.1 is a National Public Radio affiliate and has been here to report on the COVID-19 pandemic, the rollout of vaccines, the huge economic challenges, the contentious election process, the great disruptions to education, the renewed focus on justice and equity, and much more. KLRE Classical 90.5 is Arkansas’s only classical FM radio station and continues to offer listeners a reliable, welcoming oasis of inspiration, peace, and joy.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Remembers Huey Crisp

John Hill — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 13:46:48 +0000

Dr. Huey Crisp, a professor emeritus of the Department of Rhetoric and Writing, passed away April 9 in Little Rock.�� Crisp’s love of reading and literature began when his ninth grade English teacher warned his class not to read the work of Thomas Wolfe because it was unsuitable for young minds. Of course Crisp went straight to the library to get his hands on a copy of “Look Homeward Angel.” “Huey was one of the most avid readers I have ever known,” said Dr. George Jensen, a professor of rhetoric and writing. “He would read entire series of novels; then, a year or two later, he would go back and reread the entire series. I was lucky enough to see him change lives. You could sit near him and watch it happen in real time.” Crisp was a 1957 graduate of Gaston High School. He served in the U.S. Army with the 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. He received his bachelor’s degree from North Texas University-Denton, his master’s degree from the University of Texas-Arlington, and his doctorate in higher education from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Crisp met the love of his life, Sally Chandler Crisp, at Richland Community College, where they both taught writing courses. The couple married in 1974 and made their home at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 1980. Crisp was a founding member of the Department of Rhetoric and Writing in 1993, where he taught composition, nonfiction, and professional writing courses. He served as the department’s director of composition from 1998 until his retirement in 2011. “Dr. Huey Crisp was a storyteller and a cheerleader. Seemingly everyone who knew him has multiple accounts of his day-brightening and wisdom dispensed through story,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “He was also a program builder in his foundational contributions to the Department of Rhetoric and Writing and to our state. Hundreds of his writing students are all around us, carrying Dr. Crisp’s spirit and writing instruction forward.” Crisp organized many writing workshops in business and government organizations and for K-12 and community college teachers. For more than a decade, Crisp taught writing classes to incarcerated learners in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Huey was a prolific storyteller, and his work appeared in . He had numerous short stories and essays published. For four years, Huey served as the poetry critic for the Poetry Roundtable of Arkansas. His publications as author, co-author, or editor include: “The Steps We Took,” “Carry This Message,”�� “Lessons from Little Rock,” “Dinamica de Recuperacion,” “Lloyd Peterson and Peterson Industries: An American Story,” and “Balm in Gilead.” “I always showed him my early drafts,” Jensen said. “He always found the gold amid my mush, and he could also pinpoint what needed revision with sensitivity. As soon as he shared comments with me, I began to revise immediately. He must have done this for every student he ever taught. I am grateful that he was my friend.” A celebration of his life will be held at Our Lady of the Holy Souls at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 13. The event may be viewed virtually on the . Donations may be made to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Foundation, David and Lucille Chandler Endowed Scholarship, 2801 S. University, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204. This scholarship fund, created by Drs. Huey and Sally Crisp, supports students in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing.

Math professor donates $20,000 to support faculty, students

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 12:43:42 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock math professor has donated $20,000 to help fund professional development activities for faculty members and students in the Department of Math and Statistics.�� Dr. Xiu Ye, who has been a professor at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock since 1991, said she wanted to give a donation to help her colleagues and students during a tight financial time at the university. “I am a special donor since I am not rich,” Ye said. “Last year, I took a sabbatical and had other family issues, but I want to do what I can to help the Math Department. It’s a great department. I have wonderful colleagues, and I hope I can help them. I want to support my colleagues, students, and the university.” The donation will create the Math Department Professional Activities Fund, which will provide money for professional development activities in the Department of Math and Statistics in the College of Arts, Letters, and Science. The fund may be used to host mathematics conferences; sponsor events like the annual Calculus Bowl, which encourages participation in math and calculus in high school students; and hire lecturers to teach additional classes.�� “I want to thank Dr. Ye for having the vision to create this new fund to help the Math Department,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “The gift will touch the lives of our current and future students. Our faculty will continue leading events like the popular Calculus Bowl and have access to professional development opportunities that enrich classroom learning and outcomes for students.” Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, said this special donation exemplifies the dedication ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty members have for student success. “With this gift, Dr. Ye supports the high quality instruction of the Math Department and the many outreach and support efforts of the department, including Math Day and instruction in tutoring services,” Estes said. “We greatly appreciate the generosity of this gift from one of our own.”�� Ye received her Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. During her career, Ye has received nearly $800,000 in grant funds from the National Science Foundation and published 104 research articles in academic journals. “I hope this grant will encourage my fellow faculty members to complete more wonderful research for the university,” Ye said. “New research grants bring external funding and publicity to the university, while exposing our students to cutting-edge knowledge in their fields.”

LULAC recognizes ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as Latino Destination Campus

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 12:48:57 +0000

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) honored the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Latino Destination Campus award Sept. 13 during LULAC Council 750 Little Rock Scholarship Gala at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center. Receiving the designation as a Latino Destination Campus is a distinction awarded to a college or university that has a long-standing partnership with LULAC to provide support and scholarships to Latino students.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock was the first higher education institution in Arkansas to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with LULAC to create a partnership to recruit and retain Latino students on campus. Since 2006, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has provided a dollar-for-dollar match for students who receive scholarships from LULAC of Arkansas.�� Since 2010, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has served as an Ambassador-level sponsor of LULAC’s annual scholarship gala. This year, 11 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students received LULAC scholarships, while nearly 90 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students have received scholarships since 2010. Terry Richard-Trevino, professor emeritus of sociology and charter member of the Arkansas Council of LULAC, said there are several ongoing outreach efforts at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock that make it a good selection as a Latino Destination Campus.�� “At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, a LULAC Council was established in 2008 and has functioned continuously as both a student organization and a council which qualifies for matching monies for students in the selection for national scholarship recipients,” Richard-Trevino said. “ ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has also worked with faculty and the community to establish scholarships and internships, such as the Just Communities of Arkansas Internship Program and the endowed Jerry and Terry Richard Scholarship Award.”�� Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, accepted the award and highlighted the importance of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s relationship with the Latino community. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is thrilled to be honored as a Latino destination campus. We appreciate Dr. Richard’s leadership in this area and are honored to receive this special designation from LULAC,” Estes said.�� LULAC seeks to empower the Latino community at the local, state, and national level through its seven councils chartered in Arkansas. The organization focuses heavily on education, civil rights, and employment. Over the past 26 years, LULAC Council 750 Little Rock has awarded about $600,000 in college scholarships to 400 students. In the upper right photo, Sarah Beth Estes, right, dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, accepts a LULAC award on behalf of the university. Photo by Ben Krain.

Estes named dean of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 14:27:34 +0000

Dr. Sarah Beth Estes has been named the permanent dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, effective July 1.�� “After a competitive internal search, Dr. Estes was selected to lead the college that forms the liberal arts core of our university,” Dr. Christina Drale, interim executive vice chancellor and provost, said. “Dr. Estes has served in the role of interim dean for the last year and brings to the position a continuing commitment to advance the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock vision of providing excellent teaching, research, and community partnerships.” Estes has served in a number of leadership roles at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, including associate dean for research, engagement, and interdisciplinary programs in the College of Social Sciences and Communication; associate dean of the former College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; and associate chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. In 2017, Estes became the associate provost of Community, Careers, and Extended Education, formerly known as the Community Connection Center. In this role, she launched the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Extended Education office that now offers non-credit courses in six areas and brought the “Handshake” job and internship recruiting platform to campus. “I am delighted to have someone with Dr. Estes’ experience joining the leadership team,” Drale said. “Her commitment to student success, to community engagement, and to the value of a liberal arts education will serve her well in providing inspired leadership as the dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences. The knowledge she has accumulated from her diverse service and administrative roles gives her a reliable toolbox of successful strategies for leading a diverse college.” Estes graduated from Hendrix College with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Iowa. She was a faculty member at the University of Cincinnati and affiliate of the Kunz Center for Work and Family before arriving at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2006. Estes began her ��Vlog��ý Little Rock career as the coordinator of the gender studies program and as a faculty member in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, where she taught courses on gender, social statistics and research methods, and interdisciplinary courses in the Donaghey Scholars Program. Much of Estes’ heavily cited research has focused on how work-family policies are related to aspects of family life, including parenting behavior, children’s well-being, and the gendered division of household labor. In recent years, she has collaborated with the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas to produce several research studies, including the 2018 report “Economic Indicators for Women in Arkansas: State, Region, County.” �� Estes serves as first vice president on the board of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, which is dedicated to improving economic outcomes for women and girls in Arkansas. She was also the founding chair of the Green Dot Violence Prevention Program established at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2013, was voted the Faculty Member of the Year by the Student Government Association in 2014.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers Weekend University for lifelong learning

Janea Snyder — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 19:41:46 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will begin a new on March 9 that will offer central Arkansans a series of 90-minute micro-classes on topics ranging from Shakespeare to stargazing. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is committed to offering lifelong learning opportunities in the community, and that’s what we are doing with this initiative,” Chancellor Andrew Rogerson said. “The Weekend University format allows people to come and spend part of their Saturday with some of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s star professors.” Weekend University, part of the university’s Extended Education program, will offer morning and afternoon sessions led by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and staff. The spring schedule includes two sessions on March 9, April 6, and April 20. The cost is $15 per session or $25 for two on the same day. Sessions will be held at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave. Topics will reflect a diversity of faculty and staff expertise and interests. “Weekend University promises to be eclectic and enriching,” said Sarah Beth Estes, interim dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and associate provost for Community, Careers, and Extended Education. “The inaugural schedule covers such wide-ranging topics as the earth and the stars, the Met and the Bard, wedding dresses and fake news messes. We hope the community will join us downtown to learn something new, to stimulate their curiosity, and to shift their perspective.” Weekend University Spring 2019 Calendar March 9 – “Why Shakespeare?” 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Kris McAbee, associate professor of English March 9 – “What’s Behind the Magic at the Metropolitan Opera?” 1:30-3 p.m., Diane Kesling, instructor of music April 6 – “All the News that’s Fit to Fake,” 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan Thomas, professor of philosophy April 6 – “Stargazing Basics for the Beginner,” 1:30-3 p.m., Darrell Heath, past president of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society April 20 – “Natural State Geology You Need to Know,” 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Michael T. DeAngelis, associate professor of geology April 20 – “Memorable Wedding Dresses: From the Silly to the Sublime,” 1:30-3 p.m., Yslan Hicks, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance Fall topics will include the validity of forensic evidence, Middle Eastern archaeology, and how to curate collections. For topic descriptions and costs of Weekend University, visit For more information, contact Christine Cotton, director of Extended Education, at cecotton@ualr.edu.

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

Forward Arkansas Awards ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Phase II Grant to Improve Recruitment and Training for K-12 Teachers

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Students Make a Difference for Fellow Students Through CHASSE Student Ambassador Program

Forward Arkansas Awards ����Vlog��ý Little Rock $100K Grant to Help Recruit and Train K-12 Teachers

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Partners with City of Little Rock on New OpportUNITY Equity Initiative

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio Receives Anonymous $1.5 Million Donation

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Remembers Huey Crisp