Selected from college-level honorees, this year鈥檚 winners represent the highest level of achievement across the university. Winners are recognized for excellence in the classroom, advancing knowledge in their fields, and making meaningful contributions to communities across Arkansas and beyond.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock annually recognizes faculty who are making a difference through their work across these areas, with the Faculty Excellence Awards representing the highest honor the university bestows on its faculty. Each year, academic colleges and the William H. Bowen School of Law select top faculty members in each category.

鈥淥ur faculty continue to demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to teaching, research, and service that strengthens both our university and the communities we serve,鈥� said Provost Ann Bain. 鈥淭hese awards reflect the depth of talent and dedication across our institution.鈥�

Each university-level award recipient receives a $5,000 prize, made possible through private support.

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Board of Visitors selects the university-wide winners from the college-level winners in each category. 

鈥淚 want to thank the Board of Visitors again for their thoughtful continued commitment to recognizing faculty excellence,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淲e appreciate their dedication and the positive feedback they consistently share about the impact of our faculty.鈥�

Teaching Award

Sponsored by the Bailey Foundation

Dr. Jana McAuliffe, associate professor of philosophy in the School of Human Inquiry in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching.

McAuliffe is recognized for her engaging, student-centered approach that encourages students to develop their own intellectual voice while exploring complex philosophical ideas. She teaches across the philosophy and interdisciplinary studies curriculum, including the University Core and the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program.

In the classroom, McAuliffe emphasizes critical discussion, collaborative exploration, and writing for diverse audiences. Her assignments challenge students to translate complex philosophical concepts into accessible formats, helping them communicate ideas beyond academic settings.

She is also deeply committed to mentoring undergraduate research, supporting independent student projects, helping students secure Signature Experience grants, and guiding them as they present their work at academic conferences. Her impact extends beyond campus through her work as co-director of the Arkansas High School Ethics Bowl and as project director of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Ethics and Philosophy Summer Academy.

鈥淧hilosophy as a discipline is well-known for not offering one 鈥榬ight鈥� answer,鈥� McAuliffe said. 鈥淚 work hard to help my students feel comfortable enough with that to craft their right answer, and to share that with each other and with the broader world.鈥�

Research and Creative Works Award

Sponsored by Jafaar Golzar 

Dr. Nitin Agarwal, the Jerry L. Maulden-Entergy Endowed Chair and Donaghey Distinguished Professor of Information Science in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Research and Creative Works.

Agarwal is internationally recognized for his research in social computing, artificial intelligence, and cognitive security. Since joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2009, he has built an interdisciplinary research program that examines how information spreads across online networks and how digital influence campaigns shape public perception.

He founded the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS), an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to understanding evolving social and cyber behaviors on modern information platforms.

鈥淯nderstanding how digital information ecosystems influence society is one of the defining challenges of our time,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淚鈥檓 fortunate to work alongside talented students and colleagues who are committed to advancing knowledge and developing solutions that strengthen communities and institutions.鈥�

Over the past five years, Agarwal has secured more than $60 million in federal funding, including grants from the National Science Foundation, DARPA, and the U.S. Department of Defense, with nearly $30 million directly supporting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock research initiatives.

His collaborations span more than 200 researchers across 130 academic, government, and industry organizations worldwide. His work includes 12 books and more than 400 articles in top-tier journals and conferences, earning 26 best paper awards.

Agarwal鈥檚 research has also produced widely used tools for analyzing digital information ecosystems, including systems designed to identify adversarial influence campaigns and online scams. These tools are used by organizations such as NATO, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the World Health Organization. He has also been nominated to serve on the Arkansas AI task force established by Governor Sarah Sanders.

Public Service Award

Sponsored by Alfred Williams in Honor of Elaine Eubank

Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, professor and chairperson of the Department of Applied Communication in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Public Service.

Chatham-Carpenter is recognized for applying her expertise in communication to strengthen civic dialogue and democratic engagement at the local, state, and national levels. Her work includes co-hosting the public affairs podcast On the Other Hand, which features conversations with leaders and community members about issues shaping Arkansas and the nation.

She also serves in leadership roles with Braver Angels, a national grassroots organization focused on reducing political polarization. In that role, she facilitates workshops, contributes to statewide and national initiatives, and supports community leaders working to bridge political divides and foster more constructive dialogue.

Chatham-Carpenter brings that work back to campus and into the community through courses, trainings, and public programs that help students, faculty, and community partners navigate conflict and engage across differences. Her outreach includes workshops with organizations such as the City of Little Rock and the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

鈥淪ervice allows us to translate what we study in the classroom into real-world impact,鈥� Chatham-Carpenter said. 鈥淏y helping people develop the skills to engage across differences, we can contribute to healthier communities and stronger civic dialogue.鈥�

Social Justice Award

Sponsored by Scott and Amy Schuh, Katherine Shoulders and an Anonymous Donor聽

Professor Suzanne Penn, supervising attorney and assistant clinical professor of legal education at the William H. Bowen School of Law, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Social Justice.

Penn is recognized for her decades of work expanding access to justice for underserved Arkansans through clinical legal education and community advocacy. She directs the Delta Divorce Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to individuals seeking divorces in counties across the Arkansas Delta where access to legal services is limited.

The clinic travels to rural communities to assist individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford legal representation or travel long distances to seek help. Through this work, Penn has helped expand access to critical legal services while addressing barriers faced by individuals in underserved regions.

At the same time, the clinic provides law students with hands-on experience working with real clients and navigating complex legal processes. The program has assisted hundreds of Arkansans facing challenging circumstances鈥攊ncluding individuals experiencing domestic violence or financial hardship鈥攚hile preparing students for client-centered legal practice.

鈥淎ccess to justice is a fundamental principle of our legal system,鈥� Penn said. 鈥淭he Delta Divorce Clinic provides meaningful opportunities for students to serve their communities while helping individuals navigate difficult legal situations.鈥�

Rising Faculty Award

Sponsored by Scott Bowen

Dr. Kent Kovacs, associate professor in the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance in the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Rising Faculty Award.

Kovacs is recognized for his strong early impact in research, teaching, and service since joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2024. His work focuses on environmental and resource economics, with particular emphasis on groundwater sustainability, agricultural resilience, and ecosystem services.

He has maintained an active research agenda, publishing in academic journals and securing external funding, including a National Science Foundation award as principal investigator and support from the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. His research examines the economic incentives shaping producer and household decision-making, with issues directly relevant to Arkansas and the broader Mississippi Delta region.

In the classroom, Kovacs teaches courses including Macroeconomic Principles, Quantitative Business Analysis, and Environmental Economics, where he connects theory to real-world policy problems through active learning, data-driven exercises, and applied case studies. He has also supported student research and helped revive Environmental Economics as an upper-level elective.

鈥淓conomics offers powerful tools for understanding and addressing complex environmental and policy challenges,鈥� Kovacs said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to bring that work into the classroom and to build research and teaching connections that strengthen 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 impact.鈥�

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The Little Rock native, who plans to graduate in May 2026, completed a competitive internship with , where she worked as an administrative cost and budget intern.

Dorsey鈥檚 role included creating rules and hierarchies within Oracle Enterprise Profitability and Cost Management software to automate key financial reports, including statutory financial reports, Sherlock reports, and customized executive reports. She also analyzed accounts and gained insight into how the company allocates costs.

鈥淭his internship has taught me how to work with a team and communicate with leaders in other departments,鈥� Dorsey said. 鈥淚t also gave me a real-world understanding of the insurance industry and how to succeed in a corporate environment, things you just can鈥檛 fully learn in a classroom.鈥�

In addition to technical skills, the internship gave Dorsey the chance to strengthen her professional communication abilities. She was required to present her internship project to company leaders. This experience built up her confidence in public speaking.

鈥淢y favorite part of the internship was participating in luncheons with top executives, team-building exercises with other interns, and collaborating with my team,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing able to present to leaders at Blue Cross pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow.鈥�

After graduation, Dorsey plans to sit for the CPA exam and pursue a career as a staff accountant in public, corporate, or governmental accounting. She credits both her coursework and her internship experiences for preparing her for the next step in her future career.

鈥淭he excellent education I have received from the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock accounting program and School of Business was great preparation for my internship,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 would recommend the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock accounting program to any students considering an accounting career.鈥�

Dorsey has also taken advantage of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 location in the political and business center of Arkansas, completing several internships during her time as a student.

Outside the classroom, Dorsey is active in Beta Alpha Psi, the national honor society for accounting students. As an officer, she has attended national and regional meetings, where she connected with accounting professionals, faculty, and students from across the country.

鈥淢y involvement in Beta Alpha Psi has given me leadership opportunities and expanded my professional network,鈥� she said.

For Dorsey, the internship at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield was more than just a summer job. It was a chance to put her classroom knowledge into practice, develop professional skills, and prepare for life after graduation.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock has given me the chance to apply what I鈥檝e learned in real-world situations,鈥� Dorsey said. 鈥淭his internship not only prepared me for my future career but also gave me the confidence to step into the accounting field ready to contribute.鈥�

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糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock awarded the degree to the family of Karen Stanley, a 61-year-old student from Little Rock who was supposed to graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting on May 11.

鈥淲e are honored by the university for doing this,鈥� Karen鈥檚 mother, Betty Stanley, said. 鈥淲e consider it a great honor. I think Karen would have been humbled by it, as we are.鈥�

Tom Clifton, interim dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, and the faculty of the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance presented the diploma to Stanley鈥檚 parents, Jim and Betty Stanley of Little Rock.

鈥淒espite the demands of working full-time, she attended classes part-time, consistently excelling academically and making the Dean鈥檚 List with a nearly perfect 4.0 GPA,鈥� Clifton said. 鈥淗er parents, Jim and Betty Stanley, will accept this diploma on her behalf. I want to personally thank them for joining us today. I hope that they and their family will take consolation in the knowledge that this university forever remembers your daughter鈥檚 accomplishments in conferring this posthumous degree.鈥�

After graduating from Little Rock Central High School, Karen Stanley received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. After working for various auto companies in a variety of roles, she worked for the finance department at McLarty Auto Group, where she earned an Employee of the Year Award. Her parents described Karen as a dedicated and hard-working employee who went on to earn a second bachelor鈥檚 degree to support her love of business.

鈥淪he was always a good employee,鈥� Jim Stanley said. 鈥淜aren had a work ethic that you just can鈥檛 find any more. She was working in finance and wanted to have an accounting degree. She felt like it would help her in her job.鈥�

Karen Stanley鈥檚 sister, Patti Downing, described her as a warm, loving person with a great sense of humor who was passionate about life.

鈥淪he was passionate about her family,鈥� Patti Downing said. 鈥淒espite spending all day at work, and most of her nights in school, she still managed to carve out time for her family.  She was a faithful friend.  If Karen called you a friend, you were lucky.  She will be missed by those who knew that friendship.  Karen loved dogs, especially her own poodle Mickey.  She had a fascination for frogs, and all things green.鈥�

Jim and Betty Stanley also commented that their daughter loved crocheting, spending time at her church, the Church at Rock Creek, and was looking forward to her graduation.

鈥淪he was counting the days until graduation,鈥� Betty Stanley said. 鈥淚t was so much fun when she would tell us about the professors she had. They were all very nice, and she had good stories to tell about them.鈥�

In honor of their daughter, the Stanleys are creating an endowed scholarship in Karen Stanley鈥檚 name that benefits accounting students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淲e wanted to start the scholarship to honor Karen and to help other people who want a degree,鈥� Betty Stanley said. 鈥淪ince this degree was so important to her, we knew there would be other folks who need and appreciate a scholarship.鈥�

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