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

Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock 2022: Sarah Beth Estes

John Hill — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 13:31:24 +0000

In celebration of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling women in leadership positions who are making a difference at the university and in the community. The next Woman to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock of 2022 is Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASSE) and a professor of sociology. Tell us about yourself and your background? My parents are Conway natives and both were college educated, so I grew up with an expectation that I would go to college. I had a great public-school education in Monett, MO. The town really supported the educational institutions, and there were almost endless opportunities to learn inside and outside the classroom at that time. I did not understand the privileges my background afforded me until I began to really consider structural inequality in college and graduate school, where I studied sociology. But no one grows up thinking they are going to be a sociologist. At Hendrix College I cycled through just about every major in the social sciences and humanities. At the end of my junior year, they said: you must choose a major! I had a sociology class I loved, and I ended up majoring in it. I went on to graduate school, thinking that I would learn how to organize social movements. My major professor who did social movements left, which resulted in the opportunity to�� study race and gender and equality at work and in families. My first faculty position was at the University of Cincinnati, a regional metropolitan university that reminds me a lot of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. I had my children on the tenure clock and pretty quickly decided I needed more childcare support to be able to be successful in my work. I came back to Arkansas for that support. It’s ironic because my dissertation was a study of how families handle work and family responsibilities after the birth of a child. Every time I left a research participant’s house after listening to them tell me how they managed children and working, I just thought it sounded like magic. And it really is in this country with such little structural support for working families.�� So I came here to have family support. At the time, I never imagined I would go into administration. And I wouldn’t be able to do the job I’m in now without the assistance from my family in my caregiving responsibilities. What is your current position and professional duties at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I am currently the dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Deans are academic leaders of colleges—which are collections of disciplines and degrees.�� Deans hold managerial, fiscal, and academic responsibilities for colleges. We house many of the traditional liberal arts disciplines in CHASSE as well as more professional degrees such as education and the Master of Public Administration. We also have several non-academic units including Career Services, Extended Education, Study Abroad, Children International, and the Public Radio station K��Vlog��ýR/KLRE. Like the other colleges on campus, we were founded during COVID. That has presented extra challenges to everyone, faculty, students, and staff. I am also a faculty member in the Department of Sociology. I am not currently teaching, though I am listed as an instructor of record for an ongoing internship course. Career Services was fortunate enough to receive Donaghey funding to underwrite paid internships and have been building out our capacity to do that. What woman has inspired you the most and why? This question is always very difficult for me, because it’s impossible to limit inspiration to just one woman. But foundationally I am inspired by bell hooks’ concept of the love ethic. She said that love is an act (rather, or not, just a feeling) in which we express responsibility and commitment to each other with care, affection, and knowledge, in an open, honest, and trusting way, that we nurture toward growth in all kinds of relationships, not just romantic ones. This conceptualization is foundational to the way that I do my work. How have you adapted to working in a world with COVID-19? Working during COVID-19 was extremely difficult for everybody. It was a real challenge for faculty and students to be able to move into a different world almost overnight. And that hardship has continued for two years now, which is just hard to fathom. The Dean’s office worked very well in a remote environment. We had a weekly staff meeting to try to keep that human aspect where we are a community. We had a show and tell each week, and it was delightful to learn what we did about our colleagues, things we really wouldn’t have learned in our “normal”/”regular” work lives. At the same time, I was very glad to get back to work on campus. I appreciate being able to see and work with people in person. What is your favorite moment and/or most significant accomplishment at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock?�� I’ve had the opportunity to experience so many good things, and I don’t really have just one favorite moment or accomplishment. My favorite aspect of working at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is my colleagues and our students. I’ve been here for a long time and worked in so many different roles. I’ve worked with faculty across the university. And I’ve had the great good fortune to work with a large, very dedicated and talented, staff in the Dean’s Office. We’ve all come to know each other so well, and that is a real driving momentum to me. We share a dedication to our community and our students. To me, it’s the people that make ��Vlog��ý Little Rock special. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? One piece of very practical advice I would offer is to figure out how to get good sleep and when you are young. I didn’t prioritize that because even though my sleep was always terrible, I had great stamina for so long. In terms of the “it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” I would also say to believe in yourself even when you have doubts. Nobody is a better champion of yourself than you. And ask questions. Ask for help. People want to share what they’ve learned with you. So don’t be afraid to ask. You will quickly see that asking, that connecting, is a great power.

Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock 2022: Molly Smith

John Hill — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:32:12 +0000

In celebration of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling women in leadership positions who are making a difference at the university and in the community. The next Woman to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock of 2022 is Dr. Molly Smith, assistant professor of criminal justice in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology. Tell us about yourself and your background. I’m originally from Houston, Texas, although I lived overseas in Australia for a few years while I was growing up. My family has always been super tight-knit and supportive, and I’m grateful for the fact that we still talk almost every day. I received my B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where I discovered a passion for teaching, research, and working with student groups. Even though I’m a proud Texan, I absolutely love living in Little Rock! There’s such a great variety of things to do here, from outdoor activities to places to eat or meet up with friends. What is your current position and professional duties at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I’m currently an assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology (SCJC). I teach a variety of classes in our undergraduate and graduate programs, but my favorite is Introduction to Criminal Justice because I get to introduce undergraduate students from a variety of majors to the range of opportunities that come with getting a degree in criminal justice. My research focuses primarily on human trafficking, sexual victimization, and correctional healthcare. I’ve published several articles in peer-reviewed journals over the years, including “Criminology,” “Journal of Interpersonal Violence,” and “Journal of Correctional Health Care.” Many of these publications were with graduate students. I’m very passionate about student mentorship, and I’m fortunate that my position at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock affords me the opportunity to work with both them and undergraduate students on research projects. Several of my undergraduate students have additionally won competitive state-wide Student Undergraduate Research Fellowships from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, allowing them to present the findings of their research at national conferences. In addition to research and teaching, I also am very involved with the Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice (SWACJ), which is our regional criminal justice organization. I’ve served on SWACJ’s Executive Board for four years, currently as both the First Vice President and Communications Liaison. In 2023, which will be my presidential year, I will be hosting our organization’s annual meeting here in Little Rock, and I’m really excited to show all my SWACJ colleagues everything our city has to offer! What brought you to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? When I graduated with my Ph.D. I really wanted to join a department that emphasized a balance between teaching, research, and service. I honestly didn’t know much about ��Vlog��ý Little Rock before I applied, but the more I learned, the more excited I got about potentially working here. I really enjoy the fact that the small class sizes at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock give me the opportunity to get to know my students better and develop one-on-one connections. The variety of degree programs offered in SCJC, from an associate degree to a Ph.D., means that I also get to work with students in all stages of their academic careers. As the flagship criminal justice program in the state, our school furthermore has amazing connections with government and local agencies, allowing us to work alongside stakeholders to effect real change in the criminal justice system. You’re involved in some exciting criminal justice research initiatives. Can you tell us more about your projects? I’m working on a lot of exciting research projects right now! I just published an article in the “Journal of Correctional Health Care” concerning how correctional medicine contracting structures were related to the rates of reported COVID-19 diagnoses and deaths within correctional systems across the United States. This was a joint effort with Dr. Marc Glidden, who graduated with his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2019, and is the first in a line of research that I have been working on concerning the disproportionate impact of the pandemic within correctional facilities. I’m also thrilled to be working on a comprehensive evaluation of culture and climate within the Arkansas Department of Corrections, spearheaded by SCJC’s Dr. Mary Parker. This team effort also includes Dr. Bob Lytle and Cassidy Mitchell, one of our Ph.D. students. Over the next few years we will be surveying and holding focus groups with ADC inmates, their friends/family, staff, and volunteers to gain valuable insight that will be used to shape the future of corrections in Arkansas. Working with graduate students on research is extremely important to me, and I’m very happy that my position at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock affords me the opportunity to do this. Some of these projects include an examination of Black Muslims’ perceptions of police interactions and defunding with SCJC Ph.D. student Arsala Khan, and an analysis of the differences in sexual intimate partner violence perpetration according to sexual orientation with SCJC Ph.D. student Cassidy Mitchell. What woman has inspired you the most and why? I have always been fortunate to be surrounded by strong women, many of which have broken through gender barriers to reach great success. I would be remiss if I only mentioned one, as there are two that have truly inspired me to become the woman that I am today. First and foremost, my mother has always been a massive part of my life and one of my biggest champions. She had a thriving career as a mechanical engineer in the 1970s and 1980s, something that was relatively uncommon then, yet she chose to stay home and take care of my brother and I as we were growing up. Her sacrifice and dedication towards our personal development and fulfillment is something that has always been very inspiring to me, as it shows the true range of capabilities that we women have and the impact that we can have on others’ lives. The second person is Vicki Hollub. “Aunt Vicki,” as I like to call her, is one of my extremely close family friends and the very first female CEO of a major oil company. Like my mother, she rose through the ranks of a highly male-dominated field to achieve great success – not because she was a woman, but because of her intellect, wit, and passion for her career. She’s ranked on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list and regularly meets with the U.S. President, foreign heads of state, and other Fortune 500 CEOs; yet you would never know it if you met her. She is one of the friendliest, humblest, and most hardworking people I have ever known. It is these qualities that I want to be known for and inspire in other women as well – not just a passion for success, but also humility, compassion, and generosity. How have you adapted to working in a world with COVID-19? I think that the COVID-19 pandemic is going to have lasting implications within higher education. In particular, there has been a huge shift towards online course delivery and the implementation of new technologies in the classroom. While there has definitely been a learning curve involved in this, I think the payoff is absolutely going to be worth it. College education is now significantly more accessible than it has been in the past, and there’s a continuing push towards incorporating more student-friendly strategies in the classroom. One thing I’ve really learned in the past few years is the importance of self-care. The pandemic has been stressful for everyone, and it’s critical to remember to look out for our own well-being. For me, this has meant focusing on things that make me feel fulfilled in my personal life, such as yoga, spending time with family, keeping in touch with friends, and hobbies. I’ll admit that it’s been a struggle to incorporate wellness into my everyday routine, but this has truly centered me and made it easier to stay productive and focused while I’m fulfilling my professional duties. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? Never apologize for being a strong and powerful woman. Generations of women fought tooth and nail for our ability to have a voice, so it’s important that we honor their struggle by using ours to better ourselves and the world. I also believe it is important to lift other women up and help them achieve their goals, no matter if those are to be a successful businesswoman, career academic, homemaker, mother, or any combination of the above. Women are capable of so much, and while achieving our own personal success is undoubtedly fulfilling, it pales in comparison to helping others achieve theirs. Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn. I am absolutely TERRIBLE at math. I lived overseas in Australia for a few years while I was growing up, and I temporarily skipped a few grades due to the shift from an American school calendar (August-May) to year-round schooling (January-December). Because of this, I never formally learned how to do basic multiplication or division, which has always been funny since both of my parents were engineers and my brother is now a plastic surgeon. They’re all great at math, and one of their favorite ways of joking around with me is to ask me a basic multiplication question, such as “what is 6 x 8,” because I usually don’t know the answer. I guess the joke’s on them though, because I do a lot of math when running statistical analyses these days – granted, my trusty phone calculator is always by my side. Is there anything else you’d like to add? “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estee Lauder

Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock 2022: Erin Fehr

John Hill — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 19:12:46 +0000

In celebration of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling women in leadership positions who are making a difference at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and in the community. The next Woman to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock of 2022 is Erin Fehr, assistant director and archivist for the Sequoyah National Research Center. Tell us about yourself and your background? I was born and raised in Arkansas as the oldest of four girls. My father was born in Anchorage, Alaska, to a father from Watson, Arkansas, working on the Alaska Railroad, and a full-blooded Yup’ik mother from Hooper Bay, Alaska. Growing up, I always knew about my Yup’ik heritage, but it wasn’t until I got to college and graduate school that I became more interested. I attended Central Baptist College in Conway for my undergrad, where I majored in piano performance. Then I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master of Library and Information Studies and a Master of Music in Musicology. I had plans to work in a music library or archive upon graduation, but the job market was tight in 2010. What is your current position and professional duties at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? As the assistant director and archivist at the Sequoyah National Research Center (SNRC), I have had a wide range of duties over the past decade. When I came on board in September 2011, I was the first professional archivist to work at SNRC, and my task was immense. I created policies and procedures to guide the archives and jumped in head first to begin the job of processing the collections. Processing happens when collections are organized into a meaningful order that scholars can then use for their research. Records are placed into acid-free folders; staples and paper clips are removed; and finding aids are created online. I work with researchers all over the world that come to us via phone, email, and in person. A number of books have been published using the resources found right here at SNRC. Our director encouraged me from day one to become involved in archival organizations and conferences, so I regularly present at local, regional, and international conferences about SNRC’s projects and personal research projects, on average about four per year. Part of my job responsibilities are to maintain accession records for archival materials that are donated to SNRC. I also regularly communicate with donors about their donations and arrange for their acquisition, whether that means receiving them through the mail or traveling to pick them up in person. I also have the pleasure of supervising our graduate assistants and interns. Over the past decade, we have had some outstanding GAs and interns. The best part is seeing how they succeed after they leave SNRC. Since 2017, we have been involved with commemorating the military service of American Indians and Alaska Natives in World War I through an exhibit and a searchable database called Modern Warriors of World War I. We created the “” webpage for the United States World War I Centennial Commission that has since been archived by the Library of Congress. Currently, we are a research partner with the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War at Park University as they conduct research for the Valor Medals Review, which seeks to determine if minority World War I service members should receive a posthumous Medal of Honor. How did you arrive at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as an American Indian/Alaska Native Summer Intern for the Sequoyah National Research Center in 2010. I had just graduated and wanted to gain more experience while I continued my search for a full-time job in my field. The two months I was here made me fall in love with the center. I found a position at the Arkansas History Commission, now the Arkansas State Archives, in microphotography. When I found out that SNRC was looking for an archivist, I jumped at the chance to work at SNRC again. I applied and started Sept. 1, 2011. The Sequoyah National Research Center is undergoing some exciting changes. Can you tell us what’s next for the center? The past two years have been eventful in more ways than one. We are currently in the process of moving from University Plaza to a new location in the Fine Arts Building. The task of moving an archive has been a monumental task involving over 10,000 boxes, not to mention the shelving on which the boxes reside. We are looking forward to completing the task of moving, so that we can settle into our new space and regain the momentum we’ve lost over the last two years. Be on the lookout for a grand reopening, probably this coming fall semester. During the pandemic, we completed a touchscreen table project “Journey of Survival: Indian Removal through Arkansas,” and we have had very few people see it. We are very excited for the campus to see the story of Indian Removal come to life in this interactive format. What woman has inspired you the most and why? While this seems like a cliché answer, it’s the truth; my mom has been my biggest inspiration. She has always been my biggest supporter and believed that I could do anything that I put my mind to. She taught by example and has the best work ethic of anyone I know. She raised four girls while my dad was a long-haul truck driver, homeschooled us all, and gave us a head on our shoulders to think for ourselves and not to worry about what the rest of the world said or did. She taught me to be my own person—that I didn’t need to look to anyone outside of God for approval. How have you adapted to working in a world with COVID-19? When we first went home to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, I began the task of cataloging our collection of over 1,200 digitized videos from the Jeanie Greene Heartbeat Alaska Film Collection. While the collection was digitized in 2016, we had not been able to catalog them in our online catalog due to time constraints. I was able to complete that project this January, and all the videos are now available on our YouTube channel as well. Since we came back to work in the office, it has been a vastly different place. We have had to suspend our American Indian/Alaska Native Summer Internship program due to the pandemic and the move. We are hoping that Summer 2023 will bring back our summer interns. We have only had a couple of in-person researchers in the past two years, so we look forward to their return. We’ve had an increase in questions via email and over the phone though. I also had several conference presentations canceled or postponed like so many others. I’ve learned to make virtual presentations, but they aren’t the same. I’m looking forward to the return of in-person conferences and symposia very soon. Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.�� Two of my sisters, my mom, and I have a booth at the Cotton Shed Vintage Market in Bryant. I’ve always loved flea markets and estate sales, and we always talked about the possibility of opening a booth. During the pandemic, we just decided to go for it. The thrill of the find is what keeps us going. I’m working on my depression glass collection while we’re at it. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Dr. Littlefield is the best boss I’ve ever had!

Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock – Ronia Kattoum

John Hill — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 15:30:06 +0000

In celebration of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling women in leadership positions who are making a difference at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and in the community.�� The next Woman to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock of 2021 is Ronia Kattoum, instructor of chemistry and the 2021 recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching for the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. She’s also earning her Ph.D. in applied sciences-chemistry at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and is a mother of four.�� Tell us about yourself and your background? I was born in the occupied territories of Palestine. I grew up there until third grade. We moved here with my family when I was 9 years old. Because I spoke Arabic, they had no place to put me so they put me in a normal classroom. I took some ESL classes with some of the Spanish-speaking students, but I didn’t speak Spanish. By fifth grade, I had learned the language well enough that I was back to making As in class. My family has been super supportive. I grew up in the Chicago area for most of my life. I went through high school there. I was accepted at an academy for STEM students, and I went to Loyola University in Chicago where I majored in chemistry. Early on, I was planning to go to dental school, and then I fell in love with chemistry. I was 19 when I got married, and I had my first child at 20. My kids are now 15, 13, 11, and 6.�� I initially made some compromises to take care of my family, but I was driven to continue my education. I knew I wanted to teach at the college level, so I pursued two master’s degrees in chemistry and higher education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. After seven years of teaching, I decided to get my Ph.D.�� What are your professional duties at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I teach 3-4 classes every semester in the Department of Chemistry. I’m also the freshman programs coordinator, so I oversee the freshman labs and all the graduate teaching assistants. I mentor them through the process of teaching, monitor their assessment, and I also train them on safety and how to run the lab and make sure students maintain best practices in safety protocols. I’m heavily involved in their pedagogical training, and I’m vested to increase success for all our students by empowering the people who teach those labs. That’s very important to me. I also helped start the undergraduate learning assistant program with one of my colleagues, Dr. Mark Baillie. That involves mentoring and training the undergraduate learning assistants who�� help facilitate learning in large enrollment classes. We wanted to see how we can help by giving students extra support systems. We are hoping to expand the program outside the chemistry department, and have recently hired a program coordinator, Dr. Michael Moore, to assist with this endeavor to increase student success across the college.�� I was also part of the Mobile Institute on Scientific Teaching that is led by Dr. Mark Baillie. I was a participant in 2019 and became a facilitator in 2020 to help train other faculty in evidence-based best teaching practices. I am dedicated to helping other faculty and graduate students and undergraduate learning assistants become better teachers. I am also the coordinator for the teacher licensure program for undergraduate chemistry students who want to teach K-12 as well as the concurrent enrollment coordinator for chemistry classes. Before COVID-19, I would visit the enrolled high schools in person. My service is heavily vested in the success of the department and the university. I am also in Faculty Senate. Most recently, I serve on the Chancellor’s Race and Ethnicity Advisory Committee. There is an alignment between my teaching, my service, and my research. The common denominator is student success while maintaining academic rigor and standards. I have a love and passion for education. I love my job. If you love your job, you never have to work a day in your life. I’m also a single parent now, so I split my time and am very efficient. Squeezing in a little bit of me time is important and helps keep me sane.�� What’s next in your professional career? Since I’ve been officially admitted into my Ph.D. program in the summer of 2020, my goal is to finish by 2024. Because I love being an instructor, I am hoping to use my Ph.D. to do research and maybe go after a tenure-track position in the future. I would love to have my research be an official part of my job description. I would also love to start a pedagogy course for graduate students. My Ph.D. research is heavily involved in chemical education research. My dissertation will involve improving student success in the chemical sciences. I recently received the Bridge Award from the American Chemical Society. It’s geared toward underrepresented groups in the sciences, and it provides funding for Ph.D. students to take professional development courses. I am using this award to take social network analysis courses to help with my dissertation research. Right now, I am looking at social network analysis and chemical education research. My Ph.D. will be focused on looking at the interactions between our graduate students and what kind of conversations they are having. If we are trying to increase student success, we need to have better teachers, not just better researchers. We want to teach our graduate students to follow evidence-based best teaching practices. I am using computer modeling and social network analysis to see how the networks of graduate students hinder or enhance their graduate student experience. What woman has inspired you the most and why? Marie Curie would be the No. 1 woman that comes to mind. Her work and perseverance was necessary for women in science. I watched her movie “Radioactive” and have read many books about her. She struggled to be heard among men at a time when women weren’t seen as serious scientists. We have made many huge strides since her time, but women are still underrepresented in science today, and it’s still a serious issue. There are only two women in our department. Noureen Siraj is also a mom of four. She has been an inspiration to me in that she is a mom and still has time for research. These women definitely give me the energy to keep working hard and moving forward. How do you encourage K-12 students to get excited about science education? I do volunteer with schools because I believe in outreach for the younger children. I have done science demonstrations for high school students and gone to elementary schools to complete experiments on Elephant Toothpaste. I’ve done Mom/Son Science Night at Bryant Elementary. We made slime with them, and the kids loved it. I also do a science trick where I can make colors appear and disappear with acids and bases. It gives students the idea that moms can be scientists too, and it inspires girls to be scientists at a young age. I’ve also volunteered with the Girl Scouts, and some of the girls said they’ve never thought about going into science before this. It warmed my heart to hear that because I’m very passionate about science and STEM education. How have you adapted to COVID? I was fortunate in that I’ve always experimented with technology and adapted technology in my classroom whether we were in COVID times or not. It hasn’t been as difficult to transition, but I miss my classroom. I hold synchronous classes online, and I can still engage my students while being online with ample opportunities to interact with one another in breakout rooms under the leadership of their Learning Assistants and live polling. I want the students involved with the material and with each other and build a sense of community during these isolating and difficult times. While I can’t wait to go back to the classroom, this experience has also given me plenty of bright ideas. Even though it was a horrible situation for humanity, I believe we can use this as an opportunity to learn and come out better on the other side.

Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Kristi Smith

John Hill — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 13:21:12 +0000

In celebration of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling women in leadership positions who are making a difference at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and in the community. The next Woman to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock of 2021 is Kristi Smith, senior director of alumni and development.�� Tell us about yourself? I’m the youngest of four. I grew up in Marche, Arkansas. I went to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as a Donaghey Scholar and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a Master of Public Administration. I am married to Greg, and we have two miniature schnauzers, Dottie and DiDi.�� This is actually my second time to work at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. In my first position, I served as Assistant Dean of the Graduate School. I traveled to other schools in the state to recruit for our graduate programs. I also oversaw the TEAMS (Teaching Enhancements Affecting Minority Students) program, which provided extracurricular activities to both undergraduates and graduates. I am still in touch with several of the students who participated in the program to this day. What was your experience like as an undergraduate student at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I had a great experience. I was a part of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, and I often tell the story of the international study abroad component. I went to Strasbourg, France, the summer between my freshman and sophomore year. That was my first time on a plane. I studied French and French history. It was a six-week trip, and I learned a lot about myself and my place in the world. I have ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to thank for that.�� I also pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha in 1993 when I was a junior. I made the most of my experience. I was a traditional college student, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was my first choice for several reasons. I had several opportunities to come on campus when I was a junior and senior in high school. I was part of the Academy Orchestra, and we practiced in the Fine Arts Building. I was already familiar with the campus since my sister was a student here.�� With being a Donaghey Scholar, I knew that I would have help with my tuition. If not, I would have had to incur student loans. I have friends that I made in the Donaghey Scholars Program, in the sorority, and elsewhere across campus that I still have today. What does your job entail as senior director of alumni and development at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I am responsible for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni, annual giving, and planned giving. I have the opportunity to reach people at all ages, whether alumni or friends, and I get to connect with them at whatever stage they are in life. I am also the director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association. I get to interact with alumni, and one of my goals is to come up with programming that will interest all our alumni. We have alumni who are 22 and just graduated, and we have alumni who are 92 and older. There is always a challenge to figure out how to connect with our alumni at all ages. What other charitable and professional organizations are you involved in?

Greg and Kristi Smith. Photo by Ben Krain.

I’m a part of CASE (Council for Support and Advancement of Education). I’m also a member of Beta Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a social organization that does a variety of community service activities including the American Heart Association and Alzheimer’s Association. I’m also a board member of the Little Rock Diamond Foundation, the charitable arm of the Little Rock Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.�� What’s next in your professional career? Professionally, I want to accurately and passionately share the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock story with others. I think it’s a hidden gem, and we have so many amazing students, faculty, staff, and alumni. In our city, there are so many opportunities for people to learn. I want to tell our story in an effort to raise money and raise awareness of the needs of our students. What woman has inspired you the most and why? I would say my mother, even though she is no longer with us. It was years ago that she worked at the Baldwin Piano factory and later as a housekeeper for several families. When I was in 9th grade, she decided to go back to school. She did very well on the ACT and came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for classes. To me, it was amazing that she undertook that journey. I know it was very intimidating for her, but she excelled. I believe that she wanted to prove to herself that she could go to college while being a mother and continuing to work.�� In her later years as she became ill, she was still graceful in her sickness and was a wonderful example for others to follow.�� What advice would you give to the next generation of women in higher education?

Kristi Smith, left, presents a T-shirt to Chancellor Christina Drale, right, during the 2019 BBQ at Baileys. Photo by Ben Krain.

My advice is to find a mentor who understands what it means to uplift. At the same time, you should reciprocate. Always share with people what your goals are. Otherwise, they won’t know what you are working toward. Unless people know what you’re striving for, they can’t help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; if there is someone in a position where you think you want to be, reach out to them and ask to shadow them. Also, never underestimate the value of a handwritten thank you note. How have you adapted to life during COVID-19? I am back in the office, but I enjoyed working from home during the first months of the pandemic. I have grown to appreciate nature a lot more. I spent my time going for walks in my neighborhood, and I am happy for spring because I am looking forward to that “me” time when it’s just me and an audiobook. I personally know a few people who died from the coronavirus, andI have more of an appreciation for being thankful for what I have and continue to have during this time.�� What is a little-known fact about yourself that people who know you would be surprised to learn? I can deadlift 285 pounds.

Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Laura Fine

John Hill — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 18:19:20 +0000

In celebration of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling women in leadership positions who are making a difference at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and in the community. The next Woman to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock of 2021 is Laura Fine, state director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC). The state’s lead ASBTDC center is based in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business, Health, and Human Services.�� Tell us about yourself? I started with the ASBTDC in 1989 as an assistant training coordinator. Now I’ve worked here for 31 years, my whole life. I took over as state director in 2018 after serving nine months as interim.�� I was actually supposed to be a high school English and speech and theater teacher. A student teaching experience changed my mind on the career I wanted to pursue. I worked for Levi Strauss & Co. right out of college. They were looking for certified educators to pilot a training program to help workers improve their efficiency so they could make more money.�� At the ASBTDC, I loved working with volunteer speakers and community partners to set up training events for local businesses. Then I had the opportunity to continue to grow in my position. I moved from the training coordinator role into an assistant director role where I learned more about federal grants management. Writing grant proposals and staying in compliance with rules and regulation is very important to our program.��After working for my previous boss for 24 years, when she retired, I decided I wanted a chance to step up.�� What is the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, and what are your responsibilities as state director? We are a statewide small business assistance program. We assist entrepreneurs with business creation, management, operation, and growth. We are funded through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and 10 additional higher education institutions in the state.�� We haven’t opened a new office in a decade, so when we received additional federal funding, we decided to expand our reach into urban and rural areas of the state by opening four new locations in 2021. We have found that even though we’ve been providing virtual services for the past year, we have better access to small businesses when we have a physical presence in the area. As the state director, I serve as the principal investigator for ASBTDC’s six federally funded projects, lead a statewide team of more than 60, and ensure we have the capabilities and resources to help small businesses start, access capital, grow employment, and increase sales.�� During the pandemic, we’ve seen a rise in entrepreneurs. What advice would you give to people who are starting their own businesses during a pandemic? We’ve actually worked with a lot of startups during this past year. Some people are creating businesses out of necessity because they lost their job and they had to have a way to make an income. We advise them to look for new opportunities in the marketplace, as customers’ needs have changed.�� We also advise businesses to create exceptional customer experiences both in person and online. A positive customer experience is essential. Consumers are picky people, and they will only give you so many chances to meet their expectations. The other thing we are seeing from our lending partners is that business owners need to have contingency plans. If you are looking for financing from a bank, the bank wants to see that you are prepared. If your business gets shut down, how do you plan to continue delivering your services to the customer? Do you have all the shipping methods in place? Is your restaurant designed for take out and delivery? We are seeing the need for a lot of contingency planning. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on businesses and the economy. What impact has the pandemic had for female business owners? Studies have shown that women business owners do not access capital at the same rates as men. This includes disaster relief funding such as the Paycheck Protection Program. If you are a woman of color, you face even more barriers in accessing capital. Those are usually related to collateral, credit history, and even the borrower’s attitudes toward traditional banking. We know a lot of women of color do not use traditional banking.��We find that women tend to rely more on their own funds and the funds of family and friends to operate on. When they need to apply for a loan, they don’t have the banking contacts or relationships.��We are working to break down these barriers.�� Women also face more childcare issues than male business owners. During the pandemic, we saw daycares close and schools go virtual. Many women have stayed home to help with their kids’ education and childcare rather than putting their attention on running their businesses. What other charitable and professional organizations are you involved in? I serve on the America’s SBDC Board of Directors. Since COVID-19 hit, we’ve increased our communications and had more collaborations among states. We had to pivot and change our national professional development conference to a completely virtual experience. We went from having a high of 1,500 attendees to just under 4,000 virtual participants.�� On the local side, my family and I are members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock. That’s where my husband and I met years ago. We have a 20-year-old son. The three of us teach a Sunday School class for 2-year-olds. I also serve on the finance team at our church. Immanuel bought the old Kroger building on Shackelford, and we converted it into a city center that offers adult education, a food pantry, a clothing closet, and a free monthly dental clinic. It’s good to know we are going to be able to provide some help and hope to people who need those services. What’s next in your professional career? I have had a wonderful career here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, but there is still more that I want to do and that ASBTDC wants to accomplish. I see a lot of opportunities to do more to support entrepreneurs right here in Little Rock. We are working with the city, Remix Ideas, the University District, and others to provide more entrepreneurial and small business support. What woman has inspired you the most and why? In 1994, Janet Roderick moved to Arkansas to become the state director, and she was my boss for 24 years before she retired. She provided a lot of opportunities for me to learn and grow. I told her I wanted to learn everything about federal grants management, and she gave me the opportunity to learn.�� When you work with someone that closely for 24 years, you do a lot of life together. I think one of the things I appreciated about her the most is that we shared the opinion that work is very important but family comes first. For myself personally, when you are going through a health crisis or you are trying to take care of parents or children, that just takes the pressure off of you when your boss understands your family responsibilities. I’ve tried to carry on the same lesson with my team.�� People feel bad when their kids pop up on Zoom or their dog starts barking, but we have to laugh it off. It’s been a hard year for our team, but we’ve done some amazing work. What advice would you give to the next generation of women in business? Women are very creative and innovative. I find them to be highly resourceful and they are relationship builders. Women like to help other women to succeed. I would tell them to seek out other women business owners, learn from them, get their opinion and advice. I would also tell them to connect with women who are leaders in the industry they are working in and get their perspective on industry trends. How have you adapted to life during COVID-19? We’ve been very fortunate to be able to continue providing small business services virtually. Prior to COVID-19, much of our individual consulting was virtual through phone and email, but usually included at least one in-person visit, and almost all of our training was conducted in-person in a classroom setting. We shifted to an all-virtual format last March and began using video conferencing to deliver training and consulting as well as for internal and external meetings. We’re looking forward to returning to in-person meetings and events soon, but video conferencing is here to stay. It’s been a hectic year for us. Every time you turn around, there is a new change in guidelines for disaster relief funding for businesses. Our staff has been working at a very fast pace. Is there anything else you’d like to add? I just always have to give a shoutout to our ASBTDC team across the state. They’ve done amazing work this year, and are committed to ensuring businesses get the help they need. ��

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs to hold March 14 performance celebrating Women’s History Month

John Hill — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 22:33:02 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a live-streamed performance celebrating Women’s History Month at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 14. The performance, “We Sing! A Celebration of Women’s Heritage,” can be viewed via YouTube . The event is presented by Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities, and the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs in the Department of Music. “This program has been a long time coming,” Mason said. “Originally planned for fall of 2020 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the 19th Amendment ratification granting women the right to vote, current circumstances pushed the concert back to March of 2021, equally appropriate to celebrate Women’s Heritage Month.” The program includes historically informed music performed by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Women’s Chorus, poetry reading, a special musical oratory presentation of Gwyneth Walker’s “Gestalt at 60” featuring Dr. Linda Holzer, professor of music, on piano and Dr. Yslan Hicks, former chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, as the narrator, and invited speakers from the Department of History with commentary on notable women of the suffrage movement. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Women’s Chorus will perform “One Voice” by Ruthy Moody, “March of the Women” by Ethel Smyth as well as�� “They May Tell You” and “Hope Lingers On” by Andrea Ramsey. “We are women speaking about women, singing about women, and performing music written by women,” Mason said. “Working with the choirs at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is an honor and a privilege, and planning this program with these students has strengthened all of us along the way.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host March 11 Conversation with Authors David Montague, Paige Bowers

John Hill — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 22:26:52 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a with authors David Montague and Paige Bowers to discuss their new book on the life and legacy of the U.S. Navy’s ‘Hidden Figure’ Raye Montague. The event, “Overnight Code: A Conversation with Paige Bowers and David Montague,” will take place from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 11. , the award-winning anchor of FOX16 News since 2004, will moderate the conversation.�� “It is a privilege for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown Center and the Center for Arkansas History and Culture to work with David Montague and Paige Bowers to bring the extraordinary life of Raye Montague to our community through their discussion and the rich assortment of archival material that her family so kindly gifted to the university,” said Dr. Deborah Baldwin, associate provost of collections and archives at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Raye Montague’s story is an inspiration to all of us and a legacy to�� be protected.” Montague, executive director of online learning and faculty mentoring at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and Bowers, a nationally published news and features writer, released “,” in January.

“Overnight Code” by David Montague and Paige Bowers

The book tells the story of Montague’s mother, Dr. Raye Montague, an internationally registered professional engineer with the U.S. Navy who is credited with creating the first computer-generated rough draft of a U.S. naval ship. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown and the Center for Arkansas History and Culture are co-hosting the event in celebration of Women’s History Month and Diversity Month. In addition to the virtual conversation, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown is hosting an exhibit of materials on display from the center’s Raye Montague Collection as well as some items donated from David Montague. The collection can be seen at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown from March 11-31.�� “We are grateful to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for hosting us in what promises to be a very special book talk,” David Montague and Paige Bowers said. “Not only will we be able to discuss the narrative arc of Raye Montague’s remarkable life, but we will be able to further illuminate it with her personal artifacts that are being lovingly preserved at the Center for Arkansas History and Culture. Archives like these are vitally important to the community at large, giving us tangible reminders of who we are and what we can become. Raye’s collection there is perfect proof of that.” The collection includes Montague’s awards from the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame,�� the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Academy of Computing, and the National Computer Graphics Association. They also include a scrapbook and sweatshirt from Montague’s sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and a framed photograph of a battleship that Montague designed digitally. The event is free and open to the public and can be

Women to Watch at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Christina Drale

John Hill — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 15:32:28 +0000

In this special series for Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is profiling women leaders who are making a difference at the university. Dr. Christina Drale serves as the first female chancellor of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� Q.��Tell me about yourself? I’ve been in Arkansas for 14 years. I’ve had a number of positions since coming here. I started out as an associate dean in the former College of Professional Studies. Then, I became an associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. I was hired by David Belcher just before he left. The first person I worked for in the provost’s office was Sandra Robertson. More recently, I became the interim provost and, after 10 months in that gig, I became the chancellor. It’s been a wild ride.�� Q. How did you arrive at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? Before I came to Arkansas, I was an associate dean at Missouri State in Springfield. Angie Brenton called me up and said, “Would you like to come work for me in Little Rock?” I was ready for a change, and I said, “Yes, I would like that.” I applied for the job and got it. Angie actually worked at Missouri State for one year as a department chair. I had known David Belcher for years because I worked for him at Missouri State when he was dean there. We have a little Missouri State pipeline going here. Q. What does ��Vlog��ý Little Rock mean to you? I view ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as a vital institution for central Arkansas. It is a metropolitan, comprehensive research university. It plays a very important role in serving the needs of regional students and also serves the needs of industry, government, cultural organizations, and nonprofit organizations. We feed into that activity in a very prominent way. We prepare and contribute to the workforce, but we also contribute to the overall well-being and vibrancy of central Arkansas. Q. What are your duties as chancellor of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? There are several important things a chancellor has to do. The chancellor is where the buck stops. The chancellor has to be responsible for the integrity of the institution. That includes the financial integrity, the academic integrity, and the overall institutional integrity in terms of truth in advertising, being a good citizen, and serving the needs of the community. A very central part of what a chancellor does is have oversight of the integrity issues. A chancellor spends a fair amount of time working on budget issues. The chancellor establishes the parameters of how you do that. One chancellor might do across-the-board cuts, while another chancellor might take a different approach. A chancellor has to set the rules for the major tasks of the university. A big part of what a chancellor does is external relations. There is a surprising amount of that, at least it’s surprising to me. It’s way different than what a provost does, especially when you are new. Everyone wants to meet you and talk to you and find out what you are about. They also want to test you to see if you are up to the challenge. I’ve had a lot of very positive support from external constituents. They all want us to be successful. A lot of it is getting out and telling our story. I work with people in communications and advancement and academic affairs to get that story told to a variety of constituents, whether it’s the Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas State Legislature, or other groups. It’s very important for a chancellor to have a lot of face time in the community and to share the institution’s priorities, what it means to the city, and what we are doing and why. The other part of the chancellor’s job is to communicate well internally. Communication is an important priority for any chancellor. The external communication is very important, but internal communication is equally important. If you don’t maintain that communication line with your students and employees, then people won’t be able to support you. Our faculty and staff and students are out in the community as much as anybody, and they are ambassadors as well. If you don’t communicate well with your ambassadors, you are losing out on that resource. Whatever our internal disagreements about method or strategy, we ultimately agree on the goals. We are essentially all rowing in the same direction. A chancellor’s job is to make sure that is happening. Q. How would you describe your leadership style? I would describe my leadership style as one of quiet strength. I am not naturally an extrovert. I am learning to embrace the role of a public figure, but, frankly, it does not come naturally to me. I have to work at that. I also have a pretty strong sense of direction, of what needs to be done, and I think I can communicate that effectively. My style is to really work methodically through my plans, to take a strategic planning approach. It’s not always fast or flashy, but it is effective. That’s how I work. As someone coming from behind the scenes to in front of the scene, I still have the same approach to the work I do. I carefully plan, set priorities, and work toward the goals. I also think that, as a leader, I understand the value of communication. There’s never enough. Some will always want more than you can provide at any given time. I have seen what happens when communication is missing from the equation. I try to do a good job of it. Q. As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career? From an early point in time, females aspiring for leadership positions are usually underestimated and undervalued. Early in life, I learned to use that to my advantage. It does mean that you have to work harder than many of your male colleagues. It means that you have to aspire to the highest standards. You have to be good at what you are doing. You have to make sure you can go into any situation and hold your own. If you have developed that level of talent, you will still be underestimated and undervalued. There are ways to use that to your advantage and catch people off guard. The thing that is really important about that is to realize that even though it’s wrong and sexist, it’s not personal. If you can keep your emotions out of it and concentrate on the strategy, you are probably going to be okay.�� When I look at Ruth Bader Ginsberg, as brilliant as she was, she was still undervalued and underestimated until she proved that she was brilliant and able to hold her own in a court of law. She had to stay on course. She had to keep going back to the same people under the same circumstances and keep demonstrating her capabilities. I’m sure she was discouraged on a personal level, but she didn’t let that stop her or slow her down even.�� Q. What woman has inspired you the most and why?�� On a purely personal level, I would have to say it’s my mother. My mother did not have a professional career. She didn’t finish college. She was truly an inspiration for me. She is the rock of our family. In spite of the obstacles in her way and the culture in her generation, she was always her own person. She always knew exactly what she thought and wasn’t intimidated by anyone. She has this incredible strength. She’s 90 years old and still going strong. When it seemed like everyone else in the family was gnashing teeth and running around in circles, she is always the one who could see through the commotion to exactly what needed to be done, and she did it.�� One of the things I loved about our relationship is my mother always spoke to me like an adult and treated me like a person who had the capability of making important choices in life. That was a very good upbringing. She always made it clear that I could decide my own future. I think that’s where my confidence came from. I saw her confidence and I emulated that. She’s very proud that I’m chancellor, and she has no doubt in the world that I can do this, and she’s completely supportive. My father was also an influence. I grew up in the 60s and 70s. It was still very much the case that women weren’t expected to have professional careers. No one ever asked me what I wanted to do with my life, but my father always assumed I would go to college, have a successful career, and be a self-made person like he was. That was liberating. Q. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? First, to get as many different kinds of experience as you can. That means stepping up and volunteering for different kinds of assignments. It’s those experiences that will open up possibilities. You never know when you will make a connection that will help you later on in life. It’s not just about networking. It’s about having shared connections with people. You should have as much as a diversity of experience as you can fit into your schedule. Take advantage of mentors. Use them, find them, and ask their advice. Don’t limit yourself to one gender. Women leaders have unique perspectives, but, sometimes, male mentors can be insightful about different subjects. Find a variety of mentors depending on the topics you need help with and don’t be shy. The third piece of advice I would give is to find your center. It’s okay if you don’t know where you will end up or exactly what you want to do. Find your center in terms of your moral center, your essence. That will help you stay grounded. It will help you make appropriate decisions about what you are going to do and what you will do. It helps you set boundaries. It’s an important thing to learn, especially for women. We tend not to say no. If you compromise your family and your health for your job, no one will thank you for that. It will never be enough. People will take as much as you give them. Q. What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned in your career? One of the most important things I’ve learned is that honesty is paramount in your dealings with people. Honesty is connected to personal integrity. If you lose that, it’s nearly impossible to get it back. Once people stop trusting you, then you can’t lead. No one will follow someone they don’t trust, at least not willingly. I think that’s really of paramount value. The second thing I’ve learned over the years is that you’ve got to maintain a combination of courage and emotional maturity. You need to have the courage to wade into whatever the problems are. You have to meet them head on, but you also have to have a level of emotional intelligence and maturity not to become a part of the problem. Even if people are very upset and emotional, don’t take that personally and understand that people have every right to have the reactions that they have. It isn’t about you. It’s about the situation. You have to have a good emotional balance to go into those situations and be effective. Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Go Trojans!

Outstanding Women of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Mia Phillips

Fri, 29 Mar 2019 21:32:11 +0000

In honor of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is featuring stories about the “Outstanding Women of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” faculty, staff, students, and alumni who are serving as leaders and making a difference for the university and their communities. �� Dr. Mia Phillips is never one to shy away from confronting issues related to culture and diversity on ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s campus. Instead, she’s building a program to address them head-on. As the director of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s new campus Multicultural Center, Phillips often finds herself at the forefront of many contentious social issues facing not just ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, but the nation as a whole. Above all else though, Phillips’ passion for serving her community, the university, and its students has made her into the person she is today. A native of El Dorado, Phillips came to Little Rock shortly after finishing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Arkansas. She enrolled at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as a student, obtaining both a Master of Arts in professional and technical writing and a Ed.D. in higher education. While working toward her master’s degree, she was offered a position as a writing assistant for the chancellor’s office, which kick-started her career in higher education. “I got to do so many wonderful things and meet so many wonderful people,” Phillips said. “I got to move more into overall communications and special projects quickly and experienced working under two chancellors who each brought different things to the office that I was able to learn from.” In 2018, Phillips was presented with a life-changing opportunity: ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was preparing to open its new Multicultural Center and needed a director. Having recently finished her Ed.D., Phillips applied for the position and was selected. “Chancellor Rogerson and my office were incredibly supportive when this opportunity came up. They told me to go for it, so I did and now I’m here,” she said. As director of the Multicultural Center, Phillips has been tasked with building an extremely important program from the ground up. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Multicultural Center opened in October 2018 and seeks to provide culturally responsive programming and education to promote student success, personal growth, and a culture of respect and inclusion on campus. “Because the Multicultural Center is brand new, every day here has been something a little different,” Phillips said. “My primary job so far has been taking care of the infrastructure issues that come with establishing a new program and interacting with students to both let them know about the services and resources we can provide to them as well as asking them what they need as far as support, programming, and training.” Phillips’ interest in higher education began at a young age; her grandmother, Virginia M. Smith, was the first African-American administrator at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. “My grandmother would have to be one of my biggest role models. She mentored so many women throughout her career that even to this day, 40 years later, people are still talking about the impact she had in their lives,” ��Phillips said. Phillips also credits the women of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s faculty and staff as daily inspirations for her. “Dr. Sandra Robertson served this university for 40 years and was a huge inspiration for me as well. I learned so much from her when I started working in the chancellor’s office,” Phillips said. “I think that our deans, like Dr. Jane Wayland and Dr. Ann Bain, are absolutely amazing. Watching them navigate complex professional spaces and lead ethically and professionally has been very encouraging to watch.” For any woman wishing to become a part of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s community, Phillips offers the following thoughts: “��Vlog��ý Little Rock really is a place where you can do anything. There’s an expert here in any field you can imagine. We have women in leadership who can help you determine the path that’s best for you and how to be successful. You’ll learn a lot from your coursework, but you’ll learn even more from the experiences of the people around you. It’s simply a wonderful place, where you’ll have unique opportunities with wonderful people.”

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

Women to Watch at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock 2022: Sarah Beth Estes

Women to Watch at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock 2022: Molly Smith

Women to Watch at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock 2022: Erin Fehr

Women to Watch at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock – Ronia Kattoum

Women to Watch at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock: Kristi Smith

Women to Watch at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock: Laura Fine

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs to hold March 14 performance celebrating Women’s History Month

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host March 11 Conversation with Authors David Montague, Paige Bowers

Women to Watch at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock: Christina Drale

Outstanding Women of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock: Mia Phillips