“AI in Production” marked the second time ����Vlog��ý Little Rock has hosted an AI InTheRock meetup, which creates open spaces for people across industries and backgrounds to connect, share ideas, and discuss the growing role of AI.

The Sept. 30 event brought together attendees for food, networking, presentations, and an open discussion among the audience and presenters. It featured presentations from Ouachita Labs and Arkana Laboratories on production machine learning, clinical AI, GPU infrastructure, and the use of AI models in renal pathology.

The event reflects ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s broader efforts to connect its academic expertise with the growing real-world applications of AI.

“AI is rapidly moving from something we study and experiment with to something that is actively transforming how organizations operate and solve problems,” said Dr. Tansel Karabacak, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. “At ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, we want to be a place where students, faculty, industry partners, and the broader community can come together to explore these applications, learn from one another, and responsibly turn AI innovation into real-world impact for Arkansas.”

Matt Olson, co-founder of AI InTheRock, emphasized the importance of the discussion as AI continues to move beyond its familiar role as a search tool.

“AI in production is an important conversation right now because it affects everyone,” he said. “It’s not just a search tool; it can actually run processes. It can communicate with people. That’s why everyone should know about AI’s role in production.”

That shift also changes how people should think about AI and what it can do. Olson said one common misconception is viewing AI simply as a tool for finding information, rather than as technology that can help people solve problems, navigate situations, and accomplish tasks that previously were not possible.

“It’s not just a search tool. It can craft deals, listen to conversations, help mitigate situations, and come up with solutions,” Olson said. “I believe it’s less about artificial intelligence and more about a superpower, not a super intelligence. It’s a powerful tool that can give you the ability to do things you couldn’t do before.”

The next AI InTheRock event, “AI Distilled,” will be Oct. 21 at Little Rock’s Skyline Event Venue. Phil Brandon, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus and founder and CEO of Rock Town Distillery, will discuss how the local distillery has used AI in its operations. For more information about upcoming AI InTheRock events, visit .

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Modern Campus brings ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s professional skills training and continuing education opportunities together, connecting programs from across disciplines through a single platform.

“With the expansion of training administered by Corporate and Community Education, including Leadership Academy, AI programs, Human Resources Essentials, and Medical Spanish, a student information system like Modern Campus became a necessity,” said Dr. Aaron Duvall, executive director of workforce development. “This tool will allow us to better market and administer workforce programs, making the entire process easier and more enjoyable for our learners.”

The platform will enable ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Corporate and Community Education to manage registration, program information, student records, payments, corporate training, credentialing, and communications in a single system. Bringing these functions together will create a more seamless experience for learners, who can register for programs, manage their information, and access their training records all in one place. The system’s enhanced data reporting allows ����Vlog��ý Little Rock to meet Arkansas Division of Higher Education reporting requirements, better understand learner engagement, and use data to improve programs and guide future decision-making.

The catalog brings together professional skills and continuing education opportunities from across ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, including offerings from Corporate and Community Education, Spanish and the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium. The platform will add additional programs from the School of Education and other departments as it expands. Current offerings include professional development and certification opportunities such as Medical Billing and Coding and Paralegal certification through .

The platform also supports workforce training for organizations, giving corporate clients a centralized way to manage employee training. Through the corporate portal, clients can register employees for contracted programs, manage rosters, and track training progress. Customized offerings such as Leadership Academy and AI Transformation and Leadership allow organizations to provide training tailored to their workforce needs.

As ����Vlog��ý Little Rock continues to expand its professional skills, continuing education, and workforce development offerings, Modern Campus will make it easier for learners and organizations to manage their training. By bringing professional skills and non-degree programs together, the platform gives learners a centralized record of their training and a connected way to keep building skills and reaching professional goals.

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“I’m really excited and proud to represent the university, but also undergraduates across the nation,” said Reynolds, a first-generation college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in world languages with a concentration in Spanish and a minor in digital arts. “It’s a really big position — a lot of different perspectives to take into account — but they elected me for a reason, and I’m going to bring my own experience, as well as the experiences of other students, to voting and decision-making.” 

Reynolds will serve a one-year term on the honor society’s 12-member national board, which began serving Sept. 1. The newly elected board, with representatives from higher education institutions around the country, will gather in Chicago for a meeting later this month.

����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter is actually the oldest in Arkansas, and “it’s a very difficult organization to get into,” inviting juniors and seniors in the top 7.5% of their class, said Dr. Rex Wilkins, president of the chapter. Reynolds joined as a junior, and “she exemplifies a student who puts in the time and effort to be successful.” 

Reynolds is especially eager to build leadership skills as a board member, including as chair of the Philanthropy Committee, and she feels her experiences beyond only her sterling academic record — such as interning with Seis Puentes — gave her an edge in her board election. 

“In college, I’ve pushed myself to do things I’m afraid of, and the more I do, the less anxiety I get, so I always tell other students to say ‘Yes’ to things, even if they’re nervous,” she said. “You can look at opportunities as meant for someone else, but you don’t know until you try — they might be meant for you, too.” 

Reynolds, for example, is stepping outside her comfort zone next semester when she studies abroad in Spain — her first time traveling outside the U.S.

“It will push me, but immersing yourself in a language and culture is the best way to learn,” said Reynolds, who plans to become an an ESL teacher. “I want to understand my students not just on a base level, but their culture, so I can help them the best way I can.” 

Among the most proactive students in his classes, Reynolds “takes the initiative, tries, makes mistakes, and learns from them, which is what we want,” said Wilkins, an assistant professor of Spanish. “She leads by example (with her) determination and passion — she wants to better herself, her university, and her community — and I hope she’ll inspire other Trojans to participate and see they can be like her.” 

Plenty of Gen. Z students battle feelings of isolation, but Reynolds “is committed to creating a warm, inviting atmosphere — she’s friendly and approachable — and I’ve gotten really good feedback from her,” he said. For example, for a course this semester, Reynolds is acting as a learning assistant, and her suggestion to use some online resources to foster better student engagement has improved the course experience.

Reynolds is passionate about language learning, education, and student success. She started at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock majoring in elementary education, but realized she could be an asset to students who don’t speak English as a first language, which changed her academic plans. 

“I value their education, and I want to make a difference in the classroom,” said Reynolds, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in public administration — perhaps from ����Vlog��ý Little Rock — so she can eventually move into an administrative role. After an extensive internship with Seis Puentes — supporting Hispanic and immigrant families in Central Arkansas through outreach and administrative projects — she plans to continue volunteering with the nonprofit because “we do such great, important work.” 

A native of Clarksville whose family moved to Benton when she was in high school, Reynolds chose ����Vlog��ý Little Rock because “it’s very community oriented — I value that — and I heard really good things” from teachers and fellow students, she said. She also felt she could “make connections and experience opportunities, and I’ve taken advantage of all of them here.” 

Reynolds “rises to the occasion every time” she’s faced with a new opportunity, Wilkins said. “She’s committed, honest, forthright, and trustworthy.” 

As a learning assistant for Wilkins, she’s acting as a “middle ground” between he and students and diving deeply into course material to facilitate discussions, she said. Being a member of the campus chapter of Phi Kappa Phi has also afforded her leadership avenues, scholarship opportunities, and networking ability. 

“It’s definitely been a great decision” to attend ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, Reynolds said. “I’ve had self-doubts about things, but everything I’ve tried has worked out for the better and given me a wide variety of skills for my career.”

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It “has helped me a great deal,” especially with unanticipated expenses, said Saisha Dockery, scheduled to graduate in May 2027 with her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. “If you have a goal or dream of getting an education, it’s worth it.”

Through the Corporate Partnership Program, employees of partnering organizations receive a 10% tuition scholarship, a $25 per-credit-hour textbook stipend, and waived application fees — all funded by donors — making participation free. Employees can begin or complete undergraduate or graduate degrees or certificate programs at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock while continuing to work full time, and more than 2,000 individuals have participated. 

More than 150 employers are now corporate partners, including recent additions Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, Black River Technical College, Engineering Compliance & Construction Inc. (ECCI), First Orion, Immerse Arkansas, Lennox Commercial Factory-Stuttgart, and Lone Star Communications, Inc. The Corporate Partnership Program reaches all areas of the state — the Camden Fairview School District, Jasper Public Schools, Mena Public Schools, Mena Regional Health System, and Texarkana School District are all partners — and with ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s extensive catalogue of online courses, the program is accessible even to those in rural Arkansas. 

“The Corporate Partnership Program is an increasingly powerful way for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock to serve our community, strengthen our workforce, and expand access to higher education,” said Dr. W. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for Student Affairs & Chief Data Officer. “The program demonstrates what is possible when we work together to remove barriers and make a college degree more affordable and attainable for working adults. We are proud of the program’s remarkable growth, but we are even more proud of the opportunities it creates for employees and their families and the stronger future it promises for our region.” 

Dockery is a care coordinator for CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock, and she’s grateful they participate in this program. 

“My purpose is to help people,” and a criminal justice degree opens new job possibilities for her she would not have otherwise considered, she said. “I can knock on doors, and they will open.” 

Dockery, who has an associate degree from the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College, is a nontraditional student, so she worried she “would not be able to keep up” as she studied for her bachelor’s degree. However, those concerns proved unfounded.

When she visited the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock campus, “the atmosphere, the help, and the community (showed me) I’ll be OK here,” she said. The university “offered everything I needed.” 

Dockery described the academic advising as amazing and said she has loved working with her instructors.

“I never had an instructor where I didn’t want to take the class; they easily translate information so you can retain what you need and not be overwhelmed,” she said. “I have no complaints, nothing but smiles.”

Dockery also plans to pursue a master’s degree, and she’s excited to achieve the personal milestone of graduation while also being a role model to her children and grandchildren.

“It’s rewarding, but also a great message,” she said. “Don’t sell yourself short.”

Those interested in learning more about ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Corporate Partnership Program may visit the website for more information. 

“By removing financial barriers to higher education, our Corporate Partnership Program empowers working Arkansans to advance their careers and helps local businesses retain top talent,” said Matthew Bellew, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s corporate partnerships coordinator. “It’s a zero-cost strategy for employers that delivers immediate dividends in workforce growth and employee satisfaction.”

����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Corporate Partnership Program supports growth for individuals and businesses alike. Those interested in building a successful future together with the university through this initiative should contact Bellew at msbellew@ualr.edu���ǰ���501-916-5652 to discuss participating. 

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Hosted by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), along with ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s School of Business, Tech Launch, and the Workforce Development Center, the Amazon Web Services (AWS) AI Pitch Competition is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Reynolds Business Center on the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. 

The public is invited to attend — admission is free — and the competition is open to Arkansans who are in business or have a business idea, across all industries, not limited to AI companies or technology startups.

“AWS and Small Business Development Centers around the country are teaming up with other local partners in 2026 to hold AI pitch contests like this one, where entrepreneurs can pitch an idea to solve an operational challenge, increase revenue, expand market reach, or create scalable efficiencies,” said ASBTDC State Director Laura Fine. “We are excited to build on the success of our first Arkansas competition that took place in the spring.”

Paul Cowart and Ron Merrill of Privagent had the winning pitch in that inaugural event, held in April.

“It was a great experience for us — it helped us refine our message, (as well as) the look and feel of the company — and it gave us confidence,” said Merrill. “It opens doors, and it’s a real prize, too, that can really launch a company.”

Privagent, an organization discovery platform, has worked with multiple “enterprise-level clients,” and part of the confidence to work with such clients is owed to their pitch competition experience, added Merrill. “The opportunity is real — the sponsors are great to work with — (so) swing for the fences.”

The pitch competition was “awesome, a very accepting environment,” said Cowart. “It seems scary, but it really isn’t, (so) just go for it.”

Winning was “validating, (a sign) that we might be onto something, and definitely a confidence boost,” added Cowart. “It showed us we had a good idea, and I recommend (this competition) to anyone.” 

To pitch, entrepreneurs must apply for a spot in the competition, and those selected will pitch their concept in front of judges with the chance to win AWS Partner funding allocated toward technical resources, architecture support, and solution development services delivered by nClouds in collaboration with AWS (subject to program eligibility and scope). All competitors will receive expert feedback on how to bring their concepts to life.

“We invite current and future Arkansas entrepreneurs to share your ideas for creatively applying AI in a business setting,” said Fine. “Everyone who is selected to pitch will have a great opportunity to win services to help turn your concept into something real.”

Privagent uses tools, including AI, to build system workflows that enable employees to perform at the highest level, and going through the pitch competition “helped us mature, (because) we took it really seriously,” Merrill said. “We worked very hard to refine our message to be clear and concise.”

Indeed, they crafted a script, rehearsed repeatedly, and timed it to hit the five-minute mark, as recommended, said Cowart, who resides with his wife in Bryant. “We had it pretty dialed in, (so) our presentation was smooth and fluid.”

Merrill and Cowart didn’t have prior pitch experience, so anyone considering pitching in this competition shouldn’t allow inexperience to dissuade them.

“It’s really all about good communication,” Merrill said. They utilized a brief slide deck — “big and bold, like a billboard” — that was also “easy to understand and looked professional.”

Visit  to get more details, sign up to pitch, or register to attend. For questions about the event, contact ASBTDC’s Laterika Tooks-Staton at 501-804-4530 or lstooks@ualr.edu.

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Thomas, a Little Rock native, participated in the program to strengthen her preparation for the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, a standardized exam used in the medical school admissions process, while gaining a better understanding of the medical profession.

“I applied to the program because I wanted to become more prepared and competitive for medical school, but I gained much more than academic preparation,” said Thomas, a biology major with a chemistry minor. “The mentorship, clinical exposure, physician interactions, and guidance from medical professionals gave me a clearer understanding of the path ahead and strengthened my confidence that I am pursuing the right career.”

Thomas spent her mornings volunteering on a surgical floor at ����Vlog��ýMS, where she transported patients to pre-op, assisted patients’ families, and saw how surgical teams operate. Her afternoons included MCAT preparation, professional development, and conversations with physicians, residents, medical students, and admissions representatives. She also gained hands-on experience through ultrasound and suturing labs.

The program gave Thomas her first opportunity to shadow a physician in a clinical setting. She especially enjoyed shadowing a surgical oncologist, which helped her further explore her interest in oncology and surgery.

“Seeing the combination of patient care, teamwork, and problem-solving made me even more excited to pursue medicine and look forward to experiencing clinical rotations during my third and fourth years of medical school,” Thomas said.

She said her coursework at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock gave her a strong foundation for the academic side of the program, particularly its focus on MCAT preparation. Courses in anatomy, physics, biology, General Chemistry I and II, psychology and organic chemistry covered subjects she encountered while studying for the exam.

Courses such as Organic Chemistry I and II, Microbiology, and Human Anatomy have also challenged Thomas to develop new study methods and focus on understanding and applying material rather than simply memorizing it. She said those experiences have helped her become a more disciplined and adaptable student as she prepares for medical school.

Thomas has also received support through the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. She credited Donaghey Scholars directors Dr. Jessica Scott and Dr. Simon Hawkins with helping guide her through important decisions about her classes and degree plan. She also works with Donaghey mentors Nistha Neupane and Maria Waite, who have supported her journey toward medical school and helped her navigate challenging courses.

The Donaghey Scholars program has also supported Thomas’ research experiences, including helping fund an opportunity for her to present research at an American Chemical Society conference in Atlanta.

Beyond Donaghey Scholars, Thomas has spent the past year conducting research in Dr. Wei Zhao’s lab, where she has grown as a researcher and received opportunities including a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship grant, travel grants, and Signature Experience Grants. She also credited organic chemistry professor Dr. Juliette Rivero with supporting her academically and helping secure funding for her research presentation.

“Her discipline, resilience, and focus on her goal of becoming a medical doctor set her apart as one of my most dedicated students,” Rivero said. “Lydia is a wonderful representation of our Trojan community, and I’m very proud of her. I have no doubt that the same drive will carry her all the way to becoming a great physician.”

Thomas said the support she has received from faculty and mentors across campus helped shape her experience at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock and given her confidence as she pursues her goals in medicine and research.

“Each of these mentors has supported me in a different way, whether through academics, research, financial support, mentorship, or simply believing in me,” Thomas said. “Their encouragement has given me opportunities I might not have had otherwise and has helped me become more confident in myself as a student. More importantly, they have helped me realize that I belong in spaces where I can pursue both medicine and research, and their support has played a significant role in the person and future physician I am working to become.”

Thomas is also involved in several campus organizations, including the Student Government Association, Pre-Health Club, McNair Scholars, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the American Chemical Society, and Art Club. She said those experiences have helped her build leadership, communication, organization, and time-management skills that proved useful while interacting with medical professionals during the ����Vlog��ýMS program.

The summer experience ultimately strengthened Thomas’ decision to pursue medical school and gave her a clearer picture of the career she is working toward.

“Overall, this experience strengthened my decision to pursue medical school because it allowed me to see medicine in a real-world setting,” Thomas said. “I left the experience feeling even more certain that I want a career where I can work directly with patients, be part of a healthcare team, and use my knowledge and skills to make a difference in people’s lives.”

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On Thursday, Sept. 24, leaders from education, industry, government, and workforce organizations convened on campus to discuss strengthening partnerships and finding new ways to meet the region’s evolving workforce needs. Panel discussions, student and mentor reflections, presentations, and breakout sessions were among the highlights, and student interns and their mentors shared their experiences with experiential learning, offering a firsthand look at how partnerships between the university and employers can help prepare students for the workforce. Topics for breakout sessions included artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, nursing, social work, early childhood education, business development, and corporate business training.

Preparing individuals for a first job is only one element of the mission for universities; ����Vlog��ý Little Rock also creates opportunities for advancement, upskilling, and re-skilling, said ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale. Universities like ����Vlog��ý Little Rock are engines of economic growth and talent development, not only via traditional degrees, but certificates, skills training, professional education, internships, applied learning, and customized programs developed alongside employers.

“We begin by listening — employers must have a voice” — and feedback from business and industry identify any gaps in education, which can be addressed to meet the needs of an evolving economy, added Drale. “That spirit of collaboration is at the heart of today’s summit.”

Connecting students with employers hiring right now is paramount, and ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Workforce Development Center “does incredible work” preparing students for careers, Gov. Sarah Sanders noted in a video that helped kick off the summit.

Indeed, the center was designed to impact students not only at the start of their work lives, but throughout their careers, noted Dr. Aaron Duvall, the university’s executive director of workforce development. ����Vlog��ý Little Rock and other four-year universities are critical in the second tier of workforce development, assisting students who want to progress in their careers by adapting, evolving, and adding skills while also helping employers tap into resources and expertise. 

And programs offered by ����Vlog��ý Little Rock all demonstrate strong return on investment for graduates, said Dr. Ken Warden, commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education. ����Vlog��ý Little Rock “is a gem, a tremendous asset to this community.” 

Warden was part of a panel discussion moderated by Hunter Field, editor of Arkansas Business, that also included: Jack Thomas, senior vice president of economic development for the Little Rock Regional Chamber; state Rep. Mary Bentley; and Pulaski County Justice of the Peace Steven Person.

“Nationally, it’s a numbers game,” as roughly 8,000 more individuals age out of the American workforce daily than those who age into it, so states and regions must attract individuals from elsewhere to fill various job openings, said Thomas. Without an adequate local workforce, areas risk “economic stagnation.” 

The top challenge for economic developers currently is making sure a competitive workforce is available for industry, and with technology altering jobs rapidly, the problem can’t be solved by working in silos, said Bryan Day, executive director of the Port of Little Rock and a “proud” ����Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate. “That’s why we’re all meeting here (at the summit), to solve workforce challenges of today — and tomorrow — together.”

Gathering roughly 150 individuals together to discuss workforce problems and solutions “was exactly what the day was designed to do,” seconded Duvall. “Hopefully, connections were made between businesses, community leaders, and university stakeholders that will generate new and innovative partnerships and solutions as we attempt to build a stronger Central Arkansas together.”

Arkansas must also increase higher education participation, which is roughly 20 points below the national average, “a fixable problem,” and concurrent enrollment is one path, but concurrent enrollment in Pulaski County — home of Little Rock — also lags behind the state average, Warden said. Universities are also under increasing pressure to meet basic needs of students — from food insecurity to childcare — because “you can’t educate them without meeting those basic needs, first.” 

And while universities can — and do — teach various technical skills, it’s the “durable skills,” like showing up on time, fitting into a culture, and collaborating adroitly, that are often missing with today’s job applicants, Warden said. “You learn workplace skills by going to work,” which is why experiences like internships are such a pivotal part of college. 

“Old-school skills” remain necessary, even in an age of advanced technology, like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Thomas said. “Business decisions are data driven, but they also want to do business with people, (particularly) people they trust.”

The human connection is “more important than ever right now,” and interns develop meaningful connections in professional environments, said Dr. Rex Wilkins, assistant professor of Spanish at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. Internships really are invitations to a rising generation “to participate in making organizations and communities better, and you will find great energy, vitality, and opportunities in our Trojan interns.”

Interns cultivate valuable skills like critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and conflict management, and “it’s a powerful thing” to help interns build those traits, said Tonya Villines, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Arkansas. “Hosting interns is a great experience.” 

And her organization has found tremendous success with interns from ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, hiring three of them full time, including Antwanette Smith, Villines said. “We love our interns, and we’re so thankful for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock — they’re the greatest.” 

Internships also help students discover whether a specific career is truly for them or not, Smith noted. 

Structured internships at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock provide discipline-specific learning and experiential training, but the university needs partners to offer these chances to students, said Wilkins, president of the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. “You see students come out of their shells and grow” through internships.

Additionally, interns provide fresh perspectives and return on investment when given opportunities, said Dr. Yogi Pandit, founder and CEO of FlowZone, as well as an adjunct professor of Applied and Physical AI at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Invest in them, prepare them well, and they will do an awesome job.” 

Senior Madison Thomas, a biology major and member of the Little Rock Trojans track and field team, had a pair of internships this summer, with FlowZone and Texas-based physical therapy practice Re/Align. 

The experiences were “amazing, (with) hands-on learning impacting other people,” said Thomas, an ambassador for the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps. “It’s really beneficial.” 

Md. Samin Morshed, a Ph.D. student in computer science at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, was able to use technology at his FlowZone internship that he’d learned about in school, he said. “You need industry experience — it helps you become more professional.” 

Youth need to see various career paths, then start on those roads, rather than merely taking short-term jobs that don’t ultimately lead to long-lasting careers, said Bentley, serving her sixth term in the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 54.

Person, director of technology for the Clinton School of Public Service and soon-to-be-sworn-in as the representative for District 77 in the Arkansas House, is hyper-focused on making sure young adults — ages 19-24 — are equipped with “tangible skills,” then matching them with jobs requiring those skills, he said. “Then, you can put a dent in the problems of today.”

As younger generations emerge in the workforce, however, complications can arise between them and older generations, but each generation brings something different, and it’s incumbent upon workers of all ages to help everyone flourish, said Minnesota-based workforce speaker Scott Zimmer, who discussed managing an intergenerational team at the summit. For example, punctuality and polished communication are critical when interacting with Baby Boomers, as they signal respect and build credibility, while intentionality is prized with members of Generation X, who are often juggling myriad responsibilities, such as caring for both children and parents. 

Millennials were raised in a collaborative environment, encouraged to provide input, so in a workplace setting, they want to have their voices heard, while Gen Z — the group now between roughly ages 16 and 30 — is risk averse, pragmatic, and practical, Zimmer noted. “True digital natives” accustomed to rubrics in school, Gen Z wants a roadmap for success in their careers.

“Invest in young talent,” Zimmer advised. “Involve them, don’t ignore them.”

Duvall also thanked the event’s sponsors — Port of Little Rock (presenting), JPMorgan Chase (lunch), Goodwill Industries of Arkansas (refreshments), and Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield (closing reception) — for helping make the inaugural workforce summit such a success, noting that their “commitment to workforce development extends well beyond this event.” 

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The five-year grant will support Professional Readiness through Immersive Simulation Models, or PRISM, an initiative to establish an Interprofessional AI Simulation Center serving undergraduate and graduate students in the college. 

The center will provide students with a critical bridge between classroom learning and real-world professional experiences. Students will be able to apply what they have learned in a low-stakes simulation environment, giving them opportunities to practice decision-making, communication, problem-solving, and other professional skills before entering internships, field placements, clinicals, and the workforce.

“This grant gives us an incredible opportunity to strengthen the connection between what students learn in the classroom and how they apply it in the real world,” said Dr. Ginger Gummelt, dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services. “Simulation gives students a place to practice, make decisions, receive feedback, and build confidence before they enter a professional setting. By embedding these experiences throughout our college, we can make experiential learning an even stronger part of how we prepare our graduates.”

PRISM will serve students across the college’s five schools in disciplines including business, criminal justice, social work, counseling, human performance and rehabilitation, and nursing.

“The exciting part of this project is our ability to use emerging technologies to create experiences that feel authentic to the situations students will encounter in their professions,” said Dr. Ahmed Halimeh, director of the Emerging Analytics Center. “Working alongside faculty across the college, we can build simulations that give students opportunities to practice, experiment, and learn in ways that simply aren’t possible in a traditional classroom.”

Over the five-year grant period, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock plans to develop more than 21 AI-enhanced simulation scenarios. The project will also integrate AI literacy into the curriculum, provide extensive faculty development, create stackable credentials validated by employers, and support research into the effectiveness of simulation-based learning.

“This project brings together several of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s strengths: innovative teaching, emerging technology, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong focus on preparing students for successful careers,” said Dr. Ann Bain, provost and executive vice chancellor. “PRISM will allow faculty to create learning experiences that are directly connected to the skills students will need after graduation. It is an exciting investment not only in technology, but in student success and workforce readiness.”

Simulation will serve as a middle layer in students’ professional preparation. After learning concepts and skills in the classroom, students can test and strengthen those abilities through realistic simulations before applying them in higher-stakes professional environments like internships and project-based experiences.

The approach also allows faculty to create experiences that may be difficult to replicate consistently in traditional classroom or field settings. Students could encounter realistic workplace situations, interact with AI-driven scenarios, practice professional judgment, and receive feedback in a controlled learning environment.

Through PRISM, simulation will become a more intentional part of the student experience across CBHHS, helping students move from learning concepts to practicing them and, ultimately, applying them in their professions.

Learn more about CBHHS and its various offerings and programs online.

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Porter will read from his novel, “The Imagined Life,” followed by a moderated conversation and audience question-and-answer session. The event will conclude with a book signing, giving attendees an opportunity to meet Porter and have copies of his work signed.

“This will be my first time in Little Rock, and my first time at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and I’m so excited to visit and talk about writing with the student writers on campus!” Porter said.

The event is presented through the Writers in the Schools program in partnership with the . As part of the program, Six Bridges is providing 30 copies of “The Imagined Life” to ����Vlog��ý Little Rock English students.

Porter is the author of five books, including the short story collection “The Theory of Light and Matter,” which won the , and the novels “In Between Days” and “The Imagined Life.” His work has earned numerous honors, with “In Between Days” named “Fictional Work of the Year” by the San Antonio Express-News and “The Imagined Life” recognized as one of the best books of the year by NPR, The New Yorker, and Esquire.

A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Porter has received a and a James Michener/Copernicus Fellowship Award. His stories have appeared in several publications, including One Story, Ploughshares, American Short Fiction, and Best American Short Stories, as well as on Public Radio’s Selected Shorts.

Porter’s visit will give ����Vlog��ý Little Rock students and community members the opportunity to hear directly from an accomplished fiction writer, explore his creative process, and engage with his work. Additional event details for the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Writers in the Schools event will be available through the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock English program and the Six Bridges Book Festival.

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The award honors an Arkansas writer whose substantial body of work merits greater recognition. For Condran, who has been at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock for more than a decade, the honor also reflects the literary community he has helped build since moving to Arkansas.

“I was shocked and excited. Learning that Kevin Brockmeier had nominated me made it even more meaningful because he’s a writer whose work I admired before I came to Arkansas,” he said. “It’s humbling to know that he thought my work was worth recognizing. I think this recognition is about my writing, but it’s also about being a good literary citizen in Arkansas and supporting my students. It feels like a career award as much as anything else.”

Brockmeier, who won the Porter Prize in 2003, nominated him for this year’s award. He said Condran’s fiction is outstanding but hasn’t reached a wider audience, yet, which is exactly the kind of writer the Porter Prize aims to recognize.

At ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, Condran’s work as a writer and teacher continually inform each other. As a creative writing professor, he said working with students pushes him to keep learning about writing, while his own experience as a writer shapes how he approaches teaching.

“I think teaching creative writing makes me learn about writing all the time,” Condran said. “Every time I teach a class, I change the syllabus. I’m constantly learning about new writers, new approaches, and new ways of thinking about writing.”

Watching his students develop as writers is one of the most meaningful parts of teaching for Condran, and many of his students have gone on to publish their work or pursue graduate study. One of those former students is Jared Lemus, whose debut short story collection, “Guatemalan Rhapsody,” received the 2026 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection. Lemus’ success is one example of the continued growth he hopes to see from his students after they leave the classroom.

“I feel like their success is my success,” he said. “I love spending time with my students, and I love introducing them to new writers and new ways of thinking.”

For Condran, this recognition carries particular meaning because of the relationship he has developed with Arkansas since moving from Pittsburgh in 2015.

“I didn’t know what it would be like to move a thousand miles away, but Arkansas has been really good to me,” he said. “I could tell, not long after arriving, that there were things about Arkansas and the South that I wanted to write about. It’s a great honor to receive recognition of my work by my adopted home. It’s safe to say that my career has definitely flowered here.”

His involvement in the Arkansas literary community extends beyond the university. He has served on the planning committee for the Six Bridges Book Festival, founded the small press Braddock Avenue Books, and co-founded the Zeitgeist Reading Series.

Condran’s writing spans novels, short stories, and ekphrastic flash fiction — short stories inspired or responding to a visual work of art. His published work includes the novel “Prague Summer” and the story collections “A Fingerprint Repeated” and “Claire, Wading Into the Danube by Night.” His short story “Beggar” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, while “Praha” won the 2010 William Peden Prize. He is currently working on “Face to the Sun,” a novel about the final year of Franz Kafka’s life, while also developing a collection of ekphrastic flash fiction inspired by Arkansas art, history, and nature.

“I feel, you know, I live in this beautiful place, and I’m surrounded by people who are interesting and educated and creative, and who have done nothing but support my career since I got here,” he said. “Arkansas has been a place where my life has been almost entirely focused on creative writing in a way that it had not been in the past, and I’m very grateful for that.”

The Porter Fund Literary Prize will be presented to Condran during A Prized Evening, a joint celebration of the Porter Fund Literary Prize and the Booker Worthen Literary Prize, on Oct. 2 at the Central Arkansas Library System Main Library in downtown Little Rock. The event is free and open to the public.

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