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

Nduku, McElwee, Hendon Named 2022 Faculty Excellence Winners for College of Business, Health, and Human Services

John Hill — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 14:51:48 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business, Health, and Human Services has honored Josy Nduku, Tracey McElwee, and John Hendon as its top professors of 2022. Nduku, assistant professor of nursing, has received CBHHS’s Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, while McElwee has received the Faculty Excellence in Research and Creative Endeavors Award. Hendon, a senior instructor, has been honored with the Faculty Excellence in Public Service Award. More information about the winners:

Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service

Hendon is a 24-year veteran of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and serves as a senior instructor in the Department of Management and Human Resources. He served as a board member for the Small Business Institute from 2012 to 2017. He also served in a number of executive positions over the years, including vice president of programs, president-elect, and president. He continues to serve as a mentor and fellow. He also holds the title of Small Business Institute Fellow, which is the highest honor the organization bestows on its members. This honor goes to those who have significant and noteworthy accomplishments in teaching, research, and service involving small businesses. One of his major accomplishments is creating a link between traditional large organization human resources research and small business/entrepreneurial research. Hendon also serves as a member of the Central High School Technology Committee. His service to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock includes being on the Institutional Effectiveness Committee and several terms on the Faculty Senate. “During his time here, he has routinely gone above and beyond in his efforts to serve, amplify, and promote our university,” said Joseph Bell, professor of entrepreneurship. “He is quick to assist others in the college while at the same time shuns personal credit. His significant corporate knowledge of the university and willingness to share that information with others makes our job easier. His extensive volunteerism is a significant illustration of John’s devotion to our institution, while also demonstrating his competency and tenacity.”

Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching

Josy Nduku

Nduku also serves as the RN-BSN online program coordinator. She earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice, all from the University of Central Arkansas. Since taking on a leadership role in the School Nursing, Nduku has also become a mentor to new faculty members and is instrumental to the program through curriculum revisions, policy updates, recruitment, and research endeavors. “The School of Nursing is fortunate to have Dr. Nduku as a leader on our team that educates over 800 nursing students every year,” said Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing. “She embodies the description for the Excellence in Teaching Award and is an outstanding representative of everything our school stands for, particularly our vision of inspiring excellence, transforming care, and creating leaders.”

Faculty Excellence Award for Research and Creative Endeavors

McElwee has an impressive research agenda that has resulted in 20 peer-reviewed publications, four manuscripts under review, and four book reviews.

Tracey McElwee

“Tracey has maintained a commitment to students and service, all while maintaining a stellar publication record that rivals those at R1 institutions,” said Dr. Laura Danforth, assistant professor of social work. “Dr. McElwee is a scholar and master researcher, and is always pursuing her goal of adding to the literature in the field of social work. She has demonstrated a passion and commitment to her research agenda, loves challenges, and is one of the most perceptive and prolific researchers in our department and field.” Her research agenda includes being a part of a team of researchers, led by Dr. Taren Swindle, who received a $3.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to complete a seven-year project to address early habits in early childcare and education settings with the goal of reducing cancer. The project will reach 5,000 children and 500 teachers across Arkansas and Louisiana. McElwee is also studying the results of a research study conducted with a $10,000 grant from the Council on Social Work Education’s Policy Practice in Field Initiative through the New York Community Trust. Approximately 125 students participated in this high-impact learning experience embedded in social work and political science courses at Philander Smith College and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. In 2017, McElwee and her students assessed the state of campus food insecurity at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock after the creation of the Trojan Food Pantry. This project led to her next research endeavor involving a partnership with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and exploration regarding how reduction in SNAP funding would affect SNAP recipients. McElwee and students in her policy course called grocery stores, food pantries, farmers markets, and SNAP recipients across all 75 Arkansas counties. In 2018, McElwee was invited to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to present findings from this study.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Professor Investigates Domestic Violence Survivorship in Older African American Women

John Hill — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 14:20:45 +0000

Dr. Jacqueline Burse, assistant professor of social work at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has published an article sharing the experiences of older African American women who have survived domestic violence. Burse published the article, “Domestic Violence Survivorship Among a Sample of Older African American Women: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis,” in the with co-authors Dr. Rachel Voth-Schrag, Dr. Noelle Fields, and Dr. Debra Woods, all faculty members in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington. Research shows that African American women experience intimate partner violence at a rate that is 35 percent higher than that of while females and about 2.5 times the rate of women of other races, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2001. Even with a significantly higher risk factor, Burse said there is a lack of research concerning older African American women and domestic violence. This can be because domestic violence in older adults can sometimes be misreported as elder abuse or family violence. “Another reason is that older African American women don’t often share their experiences with domestic violence,” Burse said. “For some reason, they still have that guilt and shame surrounding domestic violence, and they are reluctant to share. They still hold a lot of unprocessed hurt and pain. Therefore, older African American women are not ready to share their story so there’s not a lot of literature out there.” For the study, Burse interviewed a group of African American women from Texas who were 50 or older and survivors of domestic violence. “One of the major findings is that older African American women are resilient,” Burse said. “They have a level of faith that surpasses everything. Throughout their 20 plus years of being in a domestic violence relationship, their faith carried them through. Another finding is that their informal and formal support was very instrumental in helping them overcome their abusive relationships.” The researchers also found several themes that these women witnessed or experienced domestic violence in their childhood, had experienced multiple victimizations through their lives, and had problems navigating the criminal justice system. They weren’t able to get an order of protection, or their abuser would be allowed to stay in the homes even after the police were called. The women also had lack of support from some of their church leaders who were ill advised. For example, they would share the physical and emotional abuse that took place in the home, and it was either discounted or made about something “she” was doing to cause turmoil in the home. “A lot of the women eventually left these churches, and then they found another church where they were supported,” Burse said. “They received a lack of support from some ministers, deacons, and women leaders in the church who encouraged them to stay in an abusive relationship, which was heartbreaking.” The researchers also suggested a need to generate culturally sensitive programs and services to address domestic violence in the African American community. Services that include faith-based education, counseling, and prevention programs will enable churches and social workers to address the unique cultural needs of African American women who have endured domestic violence. “It’s very important for older African American women to have a voice and to share their experiences,” Burse said. “They are quite unique in that they don’t often share their stories and don’t often seek help, services, and support. These women often think domestic violence is their fault due to all the stigma. Faith-based services, telehealth, education, and connecting women to resources are very important ways to help them.” Burse is continuing her research and is currently conducting a study on women�� in Arkansas who have been impacted by intimate partner violence.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alum Cassandra Booker Overcomes Incredible Odds That Lead to a Family Legacy of College Graduates

John Hill — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:38:04 +0000

Cassandra Booker, a 2008 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, overcame incredible odds to graduate with the bachelor’s degree that she is so thankful for. Yet, her college journey is far from over. Booker first attended ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 1978 when she was 27, but she soon left college to support her family. “My journey by far is not like most. I found myself pregnant with my second child and responsible not only for them, but three siblings,” she said. “I wasn’t able to figure all this out as a single mom. I decided to put school on the back burner and work two jobs to care for the children. It was crazy but there were no other options for me. My sisters had to be safe. When you are dealing with addiction and mental illness with your family members, it is even harder.” Booker said that setting a good example for her family and showing them the value of hard work and education has always been her motivation to succeed. “I worked two jobs for years to provide because I did not want to depend on the state or compromise my integrity to keep a roof over our heads,” she said. “As long as I can remember, I have lived in a survival mold. Not because I wanted to, because I didn’t want the other option. It has always been me and God, and I had my siblings watching.” In 2000, Booker’s life took an unexpected turn when she was laid off from her job. She decided to go after the degree she left behind more than two decades earlier. “When it came to going back to school in 2000, the only other option was to be laid off and do nothing,” Booker said. “To me, that was not an option so I chose to go back to school. I was afraid, embarrassed, unprepared, and uneducated for college life.” TRiO Student Support Services turned out to be Booker’s key to prepare for the long-awaited return to college. She took classes on college preparation and met with academic advisors, mentors, and career counselors to help with her college education. “Ms. Valerie Brown (former director of TRiO) was there to help connect me with mentors and tutors,” she said. “Ms. Brown followed me and ensured that I had guidance counselors, academic advisors, and that they did their jobs. Her and Gus Swain (a counselor) were advocates for the advancement of higher education. They pushed us to do our best and worked with us if necessary to get the resources we needed.” Several caring professors also served as mentors for Booker and helped her through some difficult times in her life. “They did not just care about our education,” Booker said. “They cared about our families. We talked about my health and all. I had 27 hospital stays while at ��Vlog��ýLR, but my professors ensured that I got my assignments and turned them in. Even in the hospital in the rain, they came through. I really appreciate professors like Dr. Briscoe and Dr. Krain, who was also my academic advisor and stood up for me regarding an internship. I love them both.”

Photo of Cassandra Booker by Ben Krain.

Going to college turned into a family affair as Booker’s younger sisters also earned degrees at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “My sister worked at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock the first time I got on the Dean’s List,” Booker said. “They were so proud of me to know that I made the Dean’s List. It’s crazy how I look back at how we started, how God blessed us all, and how my siblings and I ended up where we are today. There was a time I didn’t think it was even possible that we would all graduate from college.” In 2008, Booker’s long fought journey to complete her college education came to fruition with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in psychology. It was even a suggestion by an inspirational professor that sent her on her current career journey to help children and Alzheimer’s patients. “Dr. Carolyn Turturro (former gerontology program coordinator) told me that I had a spirit that would work well with geriatrics before I even knew what that was,” Booker said. “I went on to work and care for Alzheimer’s patients for 15 years. Go figure. I loved it.” While she currently works as an administrator with DCFS, Booker has also worked as a case manager, paraprofessional, sponsor in recovery, and an investigator with DCFS. “I have been with the state a total of 18 years, and it has been a ride,” Booker said. “Professors like David Briscoe and Mark Krain showed me what a good social worker looks like. Without the tools that were given to me and the support that was shown to me from the faithful few, I would not be where I am.” As she looks back on her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Booker is grateful not only for her degree, but also that her sisters were able to earn their college degrees as well. “I tell people I earned this degree for sure,” Booker said. “We came from small beginnings, but God had me and two of my siblings all on that campus at the same time and we all have graduated with degrees.” Booker and her family aren’t finished with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock yet. She and her granddaughter, Airianna McDaniel, are both planning to go to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2022 to pursue graduate degrees together. McDaniel, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Philander Smith University this December, and her grandmother are both applying for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Master of Social Work Program. For Booker, it will be the third time she’s attended ��Vlog��ý Little Rock throughout her 45-year history with the university. “Airianna is my oldest grandchild out of 14,” Booker said. “I’ve worked really hard to maintain my health because I want us to do this together. That’s our plan. Whatever we do, we are going to enter the master’s program together, me and my oldest grandchild. We’ve excited to do this together.”

Blue & You Foundation Awards ��Vlog��ý Little Rock $605,000 Gift for Master of Social Work Students

John Hill — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 20:51:20 +0000

has awarded the University of Arkansas at Little Rock $605,000 to create an endowment that will provide funding for graduate students in the School of Social Work. The endowment will help address the growing behavioral health crisis in Arkansas by increasing the number of behavioral health professionals serving the state’s communities and training these specialists to practice in primary care settings. “The Blue & You Foundation endowment supports the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Social Work in their development of a program component that will train our graduates to specialize in this critical area of health care while providing financial support during their education,” said Dr. Stephen Kapp, director of the Master of Social Work Program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “In the end, this program builds the capacity to improve both mental and physical health outcomes in Arkansas.” The funding is part of $5.29 million in grants for behavioral health programs in Arkansas that the Blue & You Foundation announced July 16. The grants focus on eight Arkansas programs led by six established organizations that will address the growing behavioral health crisis in the state. The Blue & You Foundation is a charitable foundation established and funded by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield to promote better health in Arkansas. “We believe that addressing the behavioral healthcare needs of our state requires collaboration with local organizations that have demonstrated success in increasing access, improving outcomes and reducing stigma,” said Curtis Barnett, president and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “We recognize the impact behavioral health can have on the health of individuals, families, and communities as a whole. With these investments, we can help create healthier communities and give hope to those in need, while normalizing the conversation around behavioral health.” The Blue & You Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care Practice Endowment will provide stipends to students in the Master of Social Work Program who are working under the supervision of licensed social workers in primary care physician offices in the state. In turn, these funds will support the education of future social workers while they develop skill sets that would enhance the capacity of primary care physicians to provide meaningful physical and mental health treatment to Arkansans. “We are so grateful to the Blue & You Foundation for supporting our communities by addressing behavioral health head on with this meaningful endowment,” said Michael Johnson, director of development and external relations for the College of Business, Health, and Human Services. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is one of three universities in Arkansas, along with Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, to receive grants of $500,000 from the Blue & You Foundation to create endowments to directly support students in Master of Social Work Programs. The additional $105,000 will support start-up and administrative costs for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Master of Social Work Program. “From the onset of our research and discovery process, we knew that we’d be more successful in achieving our goal to improve behavioral healthcare in Arkansas by finding established and proven programs within the Natural State,” said Rebecca Pittillo, executive director of the Blue & You Foundation. “As we engaged with organizations across the state, I was amazed at the innovative approaches to challenging issues and the tremendous results already achieved. The programs led by the grant recipients announced today will go a long way in helping provide immediate and long-term support for Arkansans in need.” In Arkansas, the issue of behavioral health conditions is particularly serious. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that incidents of suicide, along with symptoms of anxiety and depression, are prevalent in Arkansas at rates higher than the national average. There is also an unmet need for behavioral healthcare in the state with 65.7 percent of adolescents reported having not received treatment for a major depressive episode, also significantly higher than the national average. “Mental health issues are a growing concern in the U.S.,” Kapp said. “People generally do not seek treatment at a mental health clinic or a therapist, this concern shows up in routine exams with their primary care physicians. Integrated Behavioral Health programs allow social workers in medical practices to treat this condition which not only leads to better mental health but it also minimizes the interference of poor mental health on overall physical health outcomes.” In the upper right photo, representatives from the Blue & You Foundation and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock celebrate the announcement of a new endowment for social work students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.��From left, Curtis Barnett, president and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement, Dr. Ann Bain, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock executive vice chancellor and provost, Rebecca Pittillo, executive director of Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas, Chancellor Christina Drale, Stephen Kapp, director of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Master of Social Work Program, Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Michael Johnson, director of development and external relations, and Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock interim dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services. Photo by Ben Krain.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Launches Hybrid Commencement Video

John Hill — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 15:10:13 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrated its nearly 1,300 spring 2021 graduates with the launch of the hybrid commencement ceremony on the Commencement website. �� The video features speeches, graduates’ names, degrees, and eligible honors as well as photos of graduates. The spring 2021 commencement program is available at this link.�� Royale Dent was named the winner of the Fabulous Footwear Contest, and Brandi Allen was the winner of the Best MortarBoard Contest. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock also held a variety of virtual commencement ceremonies to celebrate its spring graduates. Check out the following links to watch the videos:

School of Social Work –��
School of Nursing –
Graduate Students in the College of Business, Health, and Human Services –
Graduate Students in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education –
Graduate Students in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics –
William H. Bowen School of Law –��

Crisp uses Mindful Self-Compassion to help people de-stress during the pandemic

John Hill — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 20:44:05 +0000

Dr. Catherine Crisp, an associate professor of social work at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, is using her training in mindful self-compassion to help fellow educators reduce the stress in their lives brought on by a global pandemic.�� Crisp, who happens to be the only mindful self-compassion trained teacher in Arkansas, has been leading a weekly meditation group for her co-workers at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock during the 2020-21 school year. Dr. Peggy Scranton, a professor of political science who is a mindfulness-based stress reduction teacher, and Dr. Dent Gitchel Jr., an associate professor of rehabilitation counseling who is a compassion cultivation training teacher, facilitate the group that meets for 30 minutes at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and usually attracts 5-10 people. “What’s been so remarkable about teaching with them is that we are each trained in a different form of meditation,” Crisp said. “We spend the first five minutes inviting people to get settled in, which for me means getting the fidgetiness out of my body and finding a place of stillness. We gently lead people into the practice of meditation. I think of it as being a slow walk toward the beach. After five minutes, we do a more formal practice that lasts about 20-25 minutes. When the meditation is over, we invite people to check in or ask how the experience was for them.” For those who aren’t familiar with the meditative style of mindful self-compassion, it’s a question that Crisp gets asked often enough. “Mindful self-compassion consists of treating yourself like a cherished friend, and there are three components,” Crisp said. “The first is mindfulness which is paying attention to the present moment without attempting to change it. The second is common humanity which is a sense of connection to other people. And the third is self-kindness, which is being kind to ourselves.” Dr. Erin Finzer, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, invited Crisp to start the group as a way to improve employee wellness. “People who work in higher education are feeling a lot of pressure to both be there for their students and be there for their families,” Crisp said. “We are having a similar experience as our students. We can’t get out in the community. A lot of relationships with family and friends have been suspended. We are also trying to be there to support our students and being asked to innovate in our classes.” As a college professor, Crisp has found that practicing mindful self-compassion has made her a better teacher who can relate more with her students. “It starts with being compassionate to myself and sending that energy out into the world,” Crisp said. “When I am kinder to myself, I am kinder to those around me. For the first time this semester, I tried something that I called ‘the seven days of grace’ for my students. Some people need a hard deadline, and some people need a soft deadline. The late penalties for my students don’t’ start until the seven days of grace have finished which is seven days after the due date.” Crisp began meditating about 12 years ago and practicing mindful self-compassion about five years ago after unexpectedly experiencing a significant hearing loss in her right ear. “Five months after my diagnosis, I went to the first workshop I’ve ever attended on mindful self-compassion, and I was led to some exercises that immediately softened my response to my hearing loss and gave me permission to grieve,” she said. Crisp said that practicing mindful self-compassion has had a huge impact on her life, leading her to live a happy and healthier life. “Mindful self-compassion had an effect on this life-changing, but not life-threatening, health issue I was experiencing,” Crisp said. “It can be applied to a lot of other things, not just the big stuff but something as simple as getting frustrated at the person in front of me in the grocery store line. I start practicing mindful self-compassion, and my body softens and I relax and suddenly the situation is not as stressful as it was.” After seeing the positive results mindful self-compassion brought to her life, Crisp undertook the training to become a teacher in the technique during a sabbatical in 2018. “This is where I will give extraordinary credit to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock since I applied to do this as my sabbatical,” Crisp said. “I drove to New Mexico to take the class, and I did the teacher training in a Boston suburb in 2018. Then I offered the class for free to a class of 12-14 women, most of whom were employed by MidSouth.” If you’d like to learn more about mindful self-compassion, Crisp is hosting an from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, via Zoom. The workshop costs $10 for community members, $15 for those earning three hours of continuing education credits, and is free for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock social work and gerontology students. All funds raised will be donated to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Association of Black Social Workers.

Otters reflects on issues faced by an aging population

John Hill — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 15:47:36 +0000

By 2030, it is that one in every six people in the world will be 60 and older. With an older population will come many changes.�� Dr. Rosalie Otters, associate professor of social work at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, also leads the university’s gerontology program, which focuses not only on skills needed to work with aging individuals and their families but also with the greater social issues that impact older adults. “A lot of social work is working with people. I always tell students that even if they want to work with children they will end up working with older adults,” Otters said. “The study of gerentology emphasizes the whole life course from birth to death, no matter the age, but there is a special emphasis for those 50 and over. People can range from 50 to 100 or more, so it’s a vast semi-explored world we are only beginning to understand as people often live longer. A lot of research begins at age 50 because people begin aging very differently at that age. For social workers, they may think they won’t work with older adults, but they will. Gerontological skills are very practical for everyone as we live in the present and plan for the future.” The gerontology program, which averages about 10-15 students, houses a graduate certificate and minor. It’s often taken by professionals like social workers, nurses, rehabilitation counselors, educators, audiologists, care managers, and health care workers who want to learn about the issues older adults face. “In gerontology studies, people talk about 2030 as the time when everything will be different,” Otters said. “That’s less than 10 years away. You already see people working longer in general. The retirement age is going up, and pensions are almost a thing of the past. If the stock market goes down, it can put individual retirement accounts in real trouble. We are in a time of transition, and I think you will see some real changes in the next few years. People are living longer and often healthier, but not always.” Otters also shares her knowledge through ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. Since 2014, she has written, produced, and hosted a radio show called “.” The show covers practical topics like retirement, Medicare, and Social Security as well as issues that older adults may face like homelessness, depression, gambling addiction, and substance abuse. “It’s not all negative,” Otters added. “As you get older, you may become more interested in remembering things of the past. Generations move more quickly. People in their late 40s may be grandparents, and you end up seeing grandparents in a skipped generation becoming the parents because their children aren’t able to do it.” Otters has worked in a wide variety of careers that led to her becoming a social work professor at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2007. She earned a Doctor of Ministry in pastoral theology from Eden Theological Seminary, a Master of Social Work from Washington University, and a Ph.D. in sociology from University of North Texas. She’s also worked as a teacher, a clinical social worker, a minister, and a therapist. “I became a social worker to help others,” Otters said. “I’ve helped people in other ways, but this is a more practical way. I started off as a social studies teacher, and then I went into the ministry. My denomination is pretty broad in its understanding of working with others, so I found being a minister helpful for social work. In ministry, I was always interested in material help as well as helping one’s soul and the whole person.” Otters will be retiring at the end of the 2020-21 school year after working at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for the past 14 years. She hopes that the next generation of social workers will help bring about positive changes in the world. “I think we are in a time of great change, which is not just for social work. When you are in a time of change, you have to be very adaptable,” Otters said. “The coronavirus has really changed everything. Social work deals with the common understanding of what we are about and how we can work together. One thing about social work that we like to talk about is being change agents for the world. We are in a time of change, and hopefully we can work together toward changes that will help us all.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Celebrates Social Work Month: Infinity Wallace

John Hill — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 17:39:18 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock is recognizing outstanding social work students in celebration of . Graduate student Infinity Wallace has been studying social work for the past four years, but said she feels like she has always been a social worker at heart, even before pursuing the degree.�� Tell us a bit about yourself.�� I was born and raised in Little Rock. I briefly lived in a few other states like Louisiana, Virginia, and Tennessee growing up, but I always found my way back home.�� What made you decide to study social work at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I decided to study social work because I have seen a drastic need in my community ever since I was a little girl. There is an overwhelming amount of economic, social, and racial injustice that continues to impact individuals and influence larger systems, like the criminal justice system, educational system, and public policy. My plan is to alleviate many of the injustices and disparities that so many people, including myself, have both experienced and witnessed. I chose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock because they offered a competitive social work program right here at home that I knew would equip and empower me to reach my professional goals. What are your plans after you graduate? I received a summer scholarship and internship in Washington D.C. as part of the EmpowHER program. However, the program was delayed again due to Covid-19, so I will not be able to attend after graduation like I initially planned. Instead, I plan on staying home and focusing on launching my career. I eventually want to run for local office here in Little Rock so I may even search for some opportunities that will help me hone in on some of my skills in that area so that I can try to make a difference right here in my community. March is Social Work Month, and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) announced that the theme this month is Why do you think social workers are essential? They are the change agents that we need. I think one of the things that 2020 showed us is that, although we have come a long way, we still have quite a long way to go. As social workers, we have the ability to meet people where they are and walk with them as they get to where they need to go. We are essential because we see the dignity and worth of every individual and can make positive differences in whatever role we assume. How has studying social work affected you as a person? It has allowed me to reflect on who I am and what I value and has challenged me for the better. This profession is definitely not easy, but the rewards are great. Seeing the difference you can make in the lives of others while also seeing a difference in your own life is worth more than any salary, title, or accolade there is. Who have been some of your mentors or supporters throughout your time in the program? The entire social work faculty have all been such great mentors and supporters. They have been true examples of social workers and are great at using their own experiences as teaching examples. My classmates have also been so supportive of one another as we continue to learn and grow together. Even amid a pandemic, my classmates continue to show an exceptional amount of courage, ambition, and strength. In addition, God and my loved ones have undoubtedly kept me going even when it was hard to do so. I could not have done this without them. What advice do you have for people thinking of majoring in social work? It will not be easy. Sometimes you will question yourself and the world around you, but that is how you will know that you are growing. Trust me, when you look back on your social work journey and see the impacts that you have had on countless souls, you will be so happy that you chose this career, and so will the rest of the world.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Clinton School of Public Service Partner on Concurrent MPS-MSW Degree Program

John Hill — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 21:24:34 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the have announced a partnership on a new concurrent degree program. Students pursuing a Master of Public Service (MPS) at the Clinton School may now earn a concurrent Master of Social Work (MSW) through the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Social Work. “I’m thrilled about the partnership with the School of Social Work,” said Clinton School Academic Dean Susan Hoffpauir, who was once a faculty member in the School of Social Work. “It’s such a perfect fit for students in both programs, and many have already reached out for more information.” The concurrent degree program will allow for cross-credit of specified courses, resulting in a savings in the total number of credit hours that would be required for both degrees if completed separately. A student in the concurrent MPS-MSW program must complete all the requirements for the MSW degree as specified by the School of Social Work and all requirements for the MPS degree as specified by the Clinton School. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Social Work graduates more social work students than any other social work program in Arkansas. Its MSW program is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. “I am excited about the opportunity to work with the Clinton School. Students who graduate from the concurrent program will have a unique set of skills that they will bring to their communities,” said Catherine Crisp, associate professor and MSW program coordinator. “I’ve met with several students who are interested in the program, and I am excited to begin working with them.” Questions about the MPS-MSW concurrent program can be emailed to Hoffpauir at��sahoffpauir@clintonschool.uasys.edu or Morgan Leyenberger, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Social Work admissions coordinator, at socialwork@ualr.edu.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock grad helps veterans through VA fellowship

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 14:36:28 +0000

Ever since Robbin Cochran decided to become a social worker, she hoped to use her skills to help veterans as a tribute to her many relatives who have served this country.�� “My husband is a veteran of the Iraq war, and my father and stepfather are veterans of Vietnam,” Cochran said. “My grandfather was in World War II, and my great-grandfather in World War I. My mother is in the Daughters of the American Revolution, so I have ancestors who served all the way back to the Revolutionary War.”�� Cochran, a May graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Master of Social Work program, is spending the next year helping veterans as part of the Psychology Postdoctoral and Interprofessional Fellowship at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.�� After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Arkansas, Cochran enrolled at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2017.�� “The faculty at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is amazing. The School of Social Work goes above and beyond for their students,” Cochran said. “May Atkins was an amazing influence. She was my faculty liaison with the VA and definitely helped me a lot. Dr. Catherine Crisp was an excellent diversity professor, and Elizabeth Fowler was invaluable to me in helping arrange my internships. Any student should definitely consider social work as a field.”�� Her extensive experience through multiple internships is one of the reasons Cochran received the fellowship. She completed a one-year social work internship and two summer AmeriCorps programs with Our House, a program for the working homeless that serves more than 1,800 clients annually. Cochran also served as an intern in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic with the Central Arkansas Veteran Healthcare System during the 2018-19 school year.�� In her fellowship, Cochran follows the psychosocial rehabilitation/serious mental illness track. Fellows will develop clinical skills utilizing a recovery oriented service approach and learn unique skills specialized in providing mental health services to veterans.�� “We are currently having a suicide crisis among veterans. I believe it’s the result of trauma that has not been addressed. People come back from war and reintegrate into society without dealing with the issues they have faced in war,” she said. “PTSD is also a huge issue among veterans right now as well as depression, anxiety, and panic disorder.”�� After the completion of her fellowship in August 2020, Cochran plans to continue to work for the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.�� “I hope to remain involved with Veterans Affairs,” she said. “It’s a very important issue for me. It’s in my family lineage.”

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