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

Cultivating Student Success: How ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Resources Empower First-Generation Students

John Hill — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 21:44:55 +0000

November is First-Generation College Student Celebration Month. With more than 40 percent of its student population being first-generation students, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is especially committed to providing resources that help this special group of students reach their potential. “One of the biggest challenges first-generation students face in college is navigating a complex system such as a university,” said Heather Reed, director of Student Retention Initiatives. “There are so many processes that involve many offices. Luckily, Student Retention Initiatives can assist first-generation students in learning the university. It can be difficult to ask for help, and we make it easy through the Care Team, a support network for all students.” Members of the Care Team work closely with students to establish steps to reduce barriers to success. They 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. 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 . “We also offer peer mentors who are upper-class students who have successfully navigated various processes and have knowledge of the university,” Reed said. “First-generation students can request to be matched with a peer mentor to help them with a variety of issues, such as building locations, learning traditions, tips for academic success, and how to get involved on campus. Many of the staff in our office are first-generation college students so we understand first-hand the challenges students face and how to overcome those challenges.” The Office of Student Retention Initiatives also holds welcome events for new students and celebrates first-generation students every November during First-Generation College Student Celebration Month. “For me, being a first-generation student is a catch-22. I’m very excited that I decided late in age to go back to school,” said Veronica Tess Myers, a first-generation student studying applied communication who attended the Nov. 8 celebration. “I finally finished getting my bachelor’s and am looking forward to acquiring my master’s degree. However, it’s also a little bit of sadness. I’m considered to be a know-it-all because I went further. A lot of the reason why I went further is because of my autistic son and having to learn what I needed for him to succeed.” Since 1978, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s TRIO Student Support Services has provided resources to help increase the rates of academic achievement, retention, and graduation among historically disadvantaged students. “TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) provides services to a limited number of eligible ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students,” said Dr. Desarae Nelson, director of TRIO SSS. “Eligibility requirements include: first generations, and/or limited income, and/or disabled. SSS offers: a scholarship, weekly workshops, financial literacy, cultural events, textbook loans, tutoring, career readiness, and graduate school trips. SSS seeks to motivate students toward the successful completion of their post-secondary education. The goal of the program is to increase participants’ college persistence, support them through graduation, and facilitate the transition from one level of higher education to the next. The program is funded by the US Department of Education.” Dr. Mike Kirk, director of health services and counseling services, said that both units offer great resources to help first-generation students adapt to college life. “Health Services for certain can immediately impact first-generation students,” Kirk said. “To have a convenient family care clinic right here on campus is excellent for them. They can get in and take care of virtually any medical issue that you go to the doctor’s office. Also, the cost is going to be less here than when you go outside to your doctor’s office.

Dr. Mike Kirk

Counseling Services can help normalize the college experience. It’s not as easy to get students to come see us in Counseling Services. We know students can get anxious and concerned about succeeding in college. We can help normalize those feelings and give students strategies to help make them successful.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock also supports students in several other ways. The office of Student Retention Initiatives coordinates peer mentoring, academic coaching, and tutoring to help all students thrive. Additionally, student researchers in the Signature Experience Program receive grant funding and are mentored by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty, helping prepare students for advanced study and improving persistence. The Multicultural Center provides several mentoring programs that help empower, support, and assist African American students, Hispanic/Latinix students, and students of color in achieving their goal of earning a college degree. Students in these programs meet with career and professional mentors for regular support. The university’s Learning Commons, which opened during the spring semester, provides a space where students have access to study space and tutoring assistance. The Learning Commons is the home of the Communication Skills Center, Math Assistance Center, University Writing Center, World Languages Center, and Trojan Tutoring. “The Learning Commons is a great free resource available to students,” said Brandon Sollars, Learning Commons coordinator. “In this space, we can help students be successful by providing them with direct access to resources that can help them in their courses. Collectively our centers cover a large variety of subjects, everything from intro-level courses, math, writing and communication. We also provide a comfortable space for students to study individually or to study in groups. Here in the Learning Commons we aim to equip our students with the necessary skills and strategies that they need to be successful.” Genesis Dominguez, a junior double major in Spanish and anthropology and first-generation student, helps many students in her work at the Communication Skill Center. “The Communication Skill Center is a great opportunity for the students,” Dominguez said. “This center helps students do presentations, organize slide presentations, prepare them for a speech or interview, rehearse, organize ideas, and manage anxiety while speaking. It has a great team that is willing to help you every step of the way and will celebrate with you every win that you make.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has a number of student ambassador programs that create leadership opportunities for successful students who serve as tutors, mentors, and guides for their fellow students.

Learning Commons Coordinator Brandon Solllars and Michelle Malone and De’Ja Johnson, applied communication graduate students, give a presentation in the Communications Skills Center in Ottenheimer Library. Photo by Ben Krain.

“I intend to help create pathways for opportunities for other ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and specifically veterans, students of color, and nontraditional students to gain access to resources that hopefully will help generate more student success,” said Bryan Hernandez, a first-generation student and ambassador for the School of Business. “I hope to show that programs like the student ambassador program work! That they help to create a sense of community at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and build confidence in students that may deeply need it.” Additional campus resources that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students will find useful include:

Trojan Works is an institutional work study program that provides on-campus employment opportunities as well as a unique experience that prepares students for success beyond graduation.
Career Services provides opportunities for students to prepare for careers through internships, job postings, career fairs, and career coaching.
Trojan Career Closet offers a career closet to help ensure students are dressed for interviews and internships. Each semester, students can select outfits to wear for professional settings.
Trojan Food Pantry is open to assist students, faculty, and staff with food needs they may have throughout the year.
The Military Student Support Center offers support for the university’s more than 700 Active Duty, Reservists, National Guard Members, Veterans, and their families utilize the center each year.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October

John Hill — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 13:13:51 +0000

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a month-long commemoration every year highlighting domestic violence. In acknowledgement of DVAM, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has increased programming to bring awareness to resources on campus that prevent and respond to domestic and dating violence. There will be a resource table stationed in the Donaghey Student Center Foyer from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 11. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Title IX director, Emily Bell, will be available to talk about Title IX and other campus resources that help protect against domestic violence. Bell will host “Title IX Talks: Title IX at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock” on Oct. 4, at 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. She will provide general information about Title IX and answer any questions about the university’s Title IX policies and procedures. She will host another online conversation entitled “Title IX Talks: Title IX Reporting and Training” on Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. She will discuss how to report Title IX policy violations, along with the importance of campus-wide training in Safe Colleges. The resource table will be stationed in the Reynolds Business Building Atrium from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 13. It will also be stationed at the table under the stairs in the Bowen Law School from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 17, and in the EIT Lobby from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 18. People will get the chance to meet the director on Oct. 19, from 2-3 p.m. in the Multicultural Center on the second floor of Ottenheimer Library. In “Title IX Talks: Meet the Director of Title IX at the MCC,” she will discuss navigating the Title IX process and answer questions about Title IX at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. On Oct. 20, students and faculty can wear purple to honor the victims of domestic violence. People can also get domestic violence and Title IX resources from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Solicitation Area. The film Escalation, which tells the story of an abusive relationship, will show Oct. 20, from 2:30-4 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Meeting Room D. This will be the last event of the month recognizing DVAM. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus Living is acknowledging DVAM as well by gathering personal care and hygiene products to share with domestic violence shelters and the Trojan Food Pantry. Items needed include bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, body wash, ethnic hair and skin products, shaving cream, razors, makeup remover wipes, facial cleanser, toothpaste, toothbrushes, kids bath products, mouth wash, feminine hygiene products, washcloths, individually-wrapped snacks, water flavor and hydration packets, and first aid supplies. Campus Living has also made an for the project. The products will be shipped directly to Campus Living. For more information about Title IX, contact the Director of Title IX at 916-5716 or titleix@ualr.edu or visit the website at ualr.edu/titleix.

Chancellor’s Leadership Corps Prepares for 2022 Mentor Retreat

John Hill — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 13:27:25 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC) will hold their annual peer mentor retreat on July 26. Program coordinators have decided to take the peer mentor retreat in a different direction from 2021’s at the 4H center in Little Rock. Whereas that event was more geared towards team-building exercises and fun activities, this one will focus more deeply on student reflection, brainstorming new ideas for the program, and learning how to be more effective, responsible leaders. “There will be time for the students to be open and honest with each other about what they think works and doesn’t work in terms of being a peer mentor and getting their mentees to participate in events,” Corrigan Revels, assistant director for student leadership and development, said. Tiffani Silvey, the CLC student success coach, as well as Kate Richars, the graduate assistant for the program, will be in attendance to ensure things go smoothly. Students who are unable to attend the retreat will be required to complete an online assessment to prove that they’re prepared for the responsibility. “We need to work on training for the Trojan Food Pantry,” Revels said. “It will be moved to a different location in the fall, so mentors will have to adjust to that. Training needs to be updated for continuing mentors too to accommodate for all the new changes within the program.” Although extensive, this will not be the mentors’ only training. Unlike previous years, coordinators have decided to implement continuous training throughout the semester so students will have all the tools necessary to succeed. These transitions are in part due to Tiffani Silvey, who was recently promoted from graduate assistant to CLC student success coach. She graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock during the spring 2021 semester with a bachelor’s degree in applied communications and is set to earn her Master of Business Administration degree in Fall 2022. “Tiffani has helped tremendously so far,” Revels said. “Students need someone they can go to at any time, and I can’t really be that person because I’m so spread out across campus. Tiffani is a continued support. It will be much easier for us to enhance student support, track academic progress, and streamline and work on the pantry. We’ll be able to see more of her position this fall and it’s really exciting.”

Celebrate Homecoming Week Feb. 6-12

John Hill — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 20:32:39 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate Homecoming 2022 with a variety of on-campus activities Feb. 6-12. Homecoming Week kicks off with a wrestling match vs. Arizona State at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, in the Jack Stephens Center. Military and first responders will be recognized, and the loudest student organization will take home a $100 prize. Homecoming Week continues with Maroon Monday, where you can meet members of the Homecoming Court from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Chi Omega Courtyard. Next, All ��Vlog��ý Little Rock departments are encouraged to show their Trojan spirit by decorating their offices in maroon and silver for the Trojan Office Door Contest. Winners will be announced on Friday, Feb. 11. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community will give back with a day of service and canned food drive for the Trojan Food Pantry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Cooper Fountain, followed by a movie night featuring “Love and Basketball” at 6 p.m in Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall. Homecoming Week continues with Hoop Night from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, in the Donaghey Student Center Fitness Center, followed by Karaoke Night from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall. On Friday, Feb. 11, the hilarious Cardboard Boat Regatta will begin at 1 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Aquatic Center. This event will consist of students sailing in their handmade cardboard boats, hoping to stay afloat for as long as possible before their ships inevitably sink. Homecoming Day will kick off with tailgating at 10 a.m. on Campus Drive outside of the Fine Arts Building, followed by the Little Rock Women’s Basketball Team battling Arkansas State at 2 p.m. in the Jack Stephens Center. All senior players will be honored during the halftime presentation. Visit the Homecoming 2022 website for more information and a full list of events.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate Gives a Helping Hand with Holiday Food Campaign

John Hill — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 16:03:33 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate has helped 25 students and employees and their families with the annual Helping Hands Campaign. The Staff Senate’s Helping Hands Campaign provides holiday meal baskets for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employees and students who would otherwise not be able to provide a traditional holiday dinner for their families and has assisted with meeting the needs of dozens of families for more than 20 years. In 2021, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate members raised more than $1,500 for the campaign through donations from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community. They also collected food donations from 13 locations across campus from Oct. 18 to Dec. 10. Staff Senate members spread a little holiday cheer when senators distributed a total of 32 bags of food to about 25 students and employees on Dec. 16. Those with five or more people in their household received two bags of food. Participants also received a Kroger gift card in the mail. “The participants expressed appreciation, and the volunteers reported that they really enjoyed providing a helping hand,” said Serifatu Walton, chair of the Staff Senate Helping Hands Committee and a foster parent trainer with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock MidSouth. “Upon pick-up, participants were also invited to supplement their bags with surplus food. Participants also received items from the University District’s Growing Healthy Communities 2021 Wellness Fair.” The holiday food baskets include stuffing/dressing mix, cornbread mix, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken/vegetable broth, green peas, black eyed peas, corn, yams/sweet potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce. Staff Senate members donated leftover food donations from the Helping Hands Campaign to the Trojan Food Pantry.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Welcomes New Chancellor’s Leadership Corps Members

John Hill — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 13:13:07 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has announced its new class of Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC) members for the 2021-2022 academic year. The CLC is a leadership development program that provides a student-centered experience focused on leadership building, academic success, and cultivates an environment dedicated to service-learning that will positively impact the community. CLC Scholars receive a financial package totaling up to $32,000 through a four-year renewable scholarship. CLC is the oldest and largest program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Dr. Dorothy Truex started the program in 1976 with just 17 scholars. Corrigan Revels, CLC coordinator, now oversees the CLC program. Members of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. In addition to their academic work, CLC students volunteer for community service and service-learning projects on campus and in the community. They also participate in one professional or personal development program per academic year. CLC students are heavily involved with the running of the Trojan Food Pantry and Trojan Career Closet.

New freshmen members of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and their CLC student leaders.

New members of the 2021-2022 CLC Scholars and their high schools and majors, if decided, include:

Asad Abu-halimeh, LISA Academy West
Jacob Adams, Bentonville High School, construction management
Syed Ahmad, Valley View High School, biology
Raafia Ali, Little Rock Central High School, psychology
Joel Allen, Erath High School, K-12 health and physical education
Lara Alsader, Allen High School, nursing
Cougar Anderson, Skiatook High School
Jaxson Anderson, Greenbrier High School
Allison Andreassen, Stilwell High School, art history and education
Maria Avalos, Hall High School, nursing
Austin Bailey, Arkansas Christian Academy, electronics and computer engineering technology
Zanaisha Banks, Germantown High School, pre-medicine
Zanautica Barker, Hope High School, psychology
Jason Beason, Sheridan High School, psychology
Lance Beckman, White Hall High School, nursing
Tabana Bode-Palma, Danville High School, nursing
Braeden Botts, Cabot High School, marketing
Ashlynn Brooks, Maumelle High School, management
Chole Buse, Benton High School, student art and design
Jaelle Carlson, engineering
Reece Carter, Mayflower High School, pre-medicine
Karen Cells, Star City High School, pre-law
Malorie Chaney, Paragould High School, psychology
Chandra Daniels, Jacksonville High School
Emily Davis, Vilonia High School, anthropology
Diana Diaz, Little Rock Central High School, pre-medicine
Cole Dwyer, Arkansas Connections Academy, biology
Omar Eldenawi, Little Rock Central High School
Julia Elliott, Benton High School, business
Devin Ellison, El Dorado High School, business
Michael Fells, Little Rock Central High School, criminal justice
Anna Fetherston, North Little Rock High School, pre-medicine
Jordan Fisher, Rison High School, electronics and computer engineering technology
Abigail Gavina, Waldron High School, criminal justice
Stephanie Giblin, Watson Chapel High School, pre-law
Issac Gonzalez, Maumelle High School computer science
Stephen Graham, music
Mohammed Hamwi, LISA Academy West, pre-medicine
Hayden Henderson, Sheridan High School, pre-health
Olivia Henderson, biology
Melina Hernandez, LISA Academy North, social work
Abigail Hickman, Mayflower High School, nursing
Chloe Hines, North Little Rock High School
Tamara Howard, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, communication sciences and disorders
John Hubbel, Blue Valley Southwest High School, health education and promotion
Camryn Jacobs, Longview High School, pre-health
Lucy Jahn, Winter Park High School, business
Lauryn Johnson, North Little Rock High School
Alyssa Joseph, North Little Rock High School, psychology
Victoria Macull, LISA Academy West, pre-pharmacy
Aastha Mahajan, Little Rock Central High School, computer science
Brady Mansfield, Bauxite High School, mechanical engineering technology
Graydon Martin, Arkansas High School, criminal justice
Aryam Martinez, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, pre-physician assistant
Taniya Mason, Jacksonville High School, biology
Kaira Matthews, Parkers Chapel High School, chemistry
Jacob McArthur, Bryant High School, computer science
Amanda Mcfarland, North Little Rock High School, geology
Logan Mcmillan, Star City High School, psychology
Ghory McNutt, Maumelle High School, mechanical engineering technology
Keiyawnna Miller, El Dorado High School, criminal justice
Ashlynn Mitchell, Sylvan Hills High School, civil and construction engineering
Sara Mohammed, White Hall High School, pre-medicine
Alyshia “Oda” Morton, Atkins High School
Nathalie Murphy, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, nursing
Destiny Nagle, Danville High School, nursing
Charneshia Nelson, Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School, psychology
Rian Newman, Barton High School, criminal justice
Christopher Ocana-Luna, Bryant High School, mechanical engineering technology
Sierra Owens, Cabot High School, nursing
Kevin Pacheco Escobar, Little Rock Central High School, mechanical engineering technology
Xander Parker, Little Rock Central High School, pre-physician assistant
Mariah Perkins, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, theater arts
Zora Perry, Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School, nursing
Lauren Pieniazkiewicz, Saint Joseph High School pre-veterinary medicine
Madison Popa, Southside High School, interpretation
Shaelyn Pouncil, Alpena High School, psychology
Kodi Prather, Beebe High School, pre-law
Malia Preston, Sylvan Hills High School, health education and promotion
Pamela Rodriquez, LISA Academy West
Alaina Rogers, Lonoke High School, accounting
Gabriela Romero, Jacksonville High School
Caitlin Romprey, Desert Hills High School
Stephanie Sandoval, Decatur High School, criminal justice
Jack Schlotter, Mount Ida High School political science
Paige Siegler, Cabot High School, biology
Jasanpreet Singh, North Little Rock High School, biology
William Somers, Baptist Preparatory School, business
Ethan Sorrels, Union High School, biology
Jayden Sprout, Arkansas Christian Academy, interpretation
Ivy Sutterfield, Atkins High School, marketing
Devin Trammell, Center Grove High School, health education and promotion
Sylvan Umerah, Little Rock Central High School, nursing
Hollee Wadley, Bryant High School, biology
Makayla Washington, Little Rock Southwest High School middle childhood education
Saraih Weeks, Idabel High School, special education
Colton West, Bauxite High School, mechanical engineering technology
Christian Woods, Sheridan High School, pre-law
Lawren Worthy, Little Rock Central High School, biology

BBQ at Bailey Returns to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Oct. 12

John Hill — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 14:42:48 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate the start of the fall semester and welcome the return of students and employees to campus with BBQ at Bailey Tuesday, Oct. 12. The tailgating-style event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. Hosted by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association, the picnic is a wonderful way for students, employees, alumni, and friends of the university to enjoy some great barbecue, fellowship, and fun. will cater the event. Students are encouraged to stop by, visit with student organizations, take a selfie with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock backdrop, play Baggo, and mingle with other students, alumni, faculty, and staff. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock supporters can sign up for the Alumni Association to support scholarships for deserving students. Faculty and staff can join for $30, and students can join for $10. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Trojan Food Pantry will be accepting donations of canned food items. BBQ at Bailey is sponsored by Whole Hog Cafe, , , the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Office of the Chancellor, and the Office of Alumni and Development.

��Vlog��ý Little Holds Food Drive for Trojan Food Pantry

John Hill — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 13:19:58 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s welcome week ended on a good note with the Drive-Up Food Drive to benefit the Trojan Food Pantry. Unfortunately, food insecurity is an international obstacle that many people suffer from. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is doing its part to help people in the campus community overcome this issue. This drive brought in carts full of nutritional goods to be distributed. The Trojan Food Pantry is a service that the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC) program oversees and runs for faculty, staff, and students that may face food insecurity. Corrigan Revels, CLC coordinator, and other staff plan on running a food drive once a month with Tiffani Silvey as the primary contact. “The collected food goes to users of the pantry, and it’s open to all faculty, staff, and students,” said Mary Beth Sanders, Chancellor’s Leadership Corps staff member. “We are happy to get donations anytime people have anything, feel free to reach out to us via email.” If anyone would like to donate, you can email pantry@ualr.edu. The food donations needed are canned mixed vegetables, potatoes, vienna sausage, chicken noodle soup, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, bagged or canned beans, peanut butter & jelly, macaroni & cheese, and pasta noodles. Food items can be requested from the food Pantry by submitting a food request form on their website or calling 501.916.6000. Chancellor’s Leadership Corp staff and nursing students help with the Driveup Food Drive on Aug.28. Photo by Corrigan Revels.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Hold Drive-up Food Drive for Trojan Food Pantry

John Hill — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 13:13:56 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will hold a drive-up food drive to support the Trojan Food Pantry on Saturday, Aug. 28. Donors may drive up to drop off items for the Trojan Food Pantry from 9 a.m. to noon in front of the Pat Walker Center for Nursing and eStem High School off University Drive. Some of the most needed items include black beans, carrots, chicken noodle soup, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, kidney beans, macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables, pasta noodles, peanut butter and jelly, peaches, pinto beans, potatoes, and Vienna sausage. For more information, contact pantry@ualr.edu or 501-916-6000.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s newest student support specialist wants to help students succeed

John Hill — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 19:25:50 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has hired a new student support specialist to provide students with the support and resources they need to succeed in college. Gertrude Thompkins, who joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in January, assists in the retention of undergraduate and graduate students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. She offers support and resources to students, including emotional and mental health, financial stress, academic support, and personal difficulties. “I’m an alumni, so being back on campus is really nice,” Thompkins said. “I enjoy working with students and helping them.” Thompkins works with existing campus services to provide referral systems for tutoring, mentoring, financial management, counseling, and health services. “Sometimes students aren’t aware of the Trojan Food Pantry, Counseling Services, and all of the different resources the university offers,” Thompkins said. “I try to relieve any stressors the students are having by connecting them with the resources they need.” In the future, Thompkins will also determine areas of need and develop and implement early intervention programs, seminars, student workshops, and related activities designed to improve student retention.

Gertrude Thompkins is a social worker on campus for the STEM and CHASSE colleges. Photo by Ben Krain.

“Ms. Thompkins’ addition to the Student Retention Initiatives office has been uplifting for students who face barriers to their student success,” said Heather Reed, director of student retention initiatives. “Ms. Thompkins helps students navigate campus and community resources to give them the assurance and support needed so they can focus on their academics.” Thompkins is a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor. She is a three-time graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with bachelor’s degrees in business administration and social work as well as a Master of Social Work. The new position is funded through a Student Success Endowment Fund that will expand and permanently support the university’s student retention and success initiatives. The Student Success Endowment Fund was created through a $25 million anonymous gift the university received in 2020.

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

Cultivating Student Success: How ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Resources Empower First-Generation Students

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October

Chancellor’s Leadership Corps Prepares for 2022 Mentor Retreat

Celebrate Homecoming Week Feb. 6-12

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate Gives a Helping Hand with Holiday Food Campaign

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Welcomes New Chancellor’s Leadership Corps Members

BBQ at Bailey Returns to ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Oct. 12

����Vlog��ý Little Holds Food Drive for Trojan Food Pantry

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to Hold Drive-up Food Drive for Trojan Food Pantry

����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s newest student support specialist wants to help students succeed