O鈥橬eal Selected for Leadership Arkansas Class XIX聽
, vice chancellor for university advancement at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, has been selected for the highly regarded state leadership program, .
O鈥橬eal is one of 53 community and business leaders in the state who joins the 19th class of the exclusive leadership program, which is operated by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas. All of the class members are leaders within their communities and professions and are interested in expanding that involvement.
鈥淚 am honored to be selected for Leadership Arkansas to represent 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� O鈥橬eal said. 鈥淭his is an opportunity to connect with other leaders from across Arkansas, learn from their perspective, and contribute to the discussions that can shape the future of Arkansas. Equally important to me is that a dozen of my classmates are 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock graduates who are leaders in their respective fields, ranging from law to construction management, to business, and data science.鈥�
This professional development opportunity will enable O鈥橬eal to further refine his leadership skills and contribute fresh perspectives to the university community. From September 2024 to May 2025, Leadership Arkansas participants will engage in a series of sessions designed to deepen their understanding of leadership, economic development, agriculture, education, tourism, government, workforce development, and more. Each session is tailored to provide hands-on experiences and insights into the unique challenges and opportunities within these regions, culminating in a graduation ceremony at the end of the program.
鈥淏efore me, Vice Chancellor Cody Decker and Professor Elizabeth Small, Director of Business Networks, have made significant contributions to the Leadership Arkansas program,鈥� O鈥橬eal said. 鈥淭hey have helped to grow the relationships between the university and our many business partners. Their involvement underscores the university鈥檚 commitment to fostering strong connections within the business community and ensuring that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock remains a valued contributor to the discussion, and a resource for helping to build Arkansas.鈥�
O鈥橬eal has been instrumental in advancing the university鈥檚 mission and fostering a culture of giving and support since first coming on board in 2003. His latest challenge is leading the Centennial Campaign, a capital campaign with a goal of raising $250 million by 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027.
This campaign focuses on securing funds for scholarships, student support programs, faculty excellence, and enhancing the living and learning environment on campus. Under O鈥橬eal鈥檚 guidance, the Centennial Campaign has helped 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock invest in cutting-edge educational resources, attract and retain top-notch faculty, and provide students with transformative opportunities that prepare them for success. Learn more about the Centennial Campaign by visiting .
“The Centennial Campaign has been incredibly successful so far, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made,鈥� O鈥橬eal said. 鈥淲e’ve raised significant funds that will have a lasting impact on our students and the broader community. However, there鈥檚 still work to be done, and I’m confident that with continued support, we’ll reach our goals and set the stage for even greater achievements in the future.”