The 2026 Academic Award winners are:

• Tammie Cash, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs 鈥� Customer Service Award
• Dana Steele, Office of Records and Registration 鈥� Initiative Award
• Brandon Sollars, Learning Commons 鈥� Innovation Award
• Ronda Petray, Mathematics and Statistics 鈥� Teamwork Award

鈥淭hese individuals represent the very best of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Provost Ann Bain. 鈥淚 am truly excited to celebrate their achievements and the meaningful impact they make every day. Their dedication to serving students, supporting colleagues, and advancing our mission reflects the spirit of excellence that defines our campus community.鈥�

Each award recognizes a different way staff contribute to the university鈥檚 work鈥攆rom supporting colleagues and improving processes to finding new solutions and strengthening teamwork across campus.

In the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Tammie Cash was recognized for her consistent commitment to providing exceptional support to faculty and staff. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to support the important work happening across campus,鈥� Cash said. 鈥淧roviding strong customer service means helping others succeed, and I鈥檓 proud to play a role in that every day.鈥�

Known for her proactive approach, Dana Steele of the Office of Records and Registration received the Initiative Award for identifying opportunities to improve processes and better serve students. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to be recognized for taking initiative in my work,鈥� Steele said. 鈥淎t 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, we鈥檙e encouraged to find better ways to serve students and colleagues, and that鈥檚 something I strive for daily.鈥�

At the Learning Commons, Brandon Sollars earned recognition for developing creative solutions that enhance the student experience. 鈥淚nnovation is about finding new solutions that improve the student experience,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淚鈥檓 thankful to be part of a team that values creativity and continuous improvement.鈥�

Ronda Petray, a staff member of the Mathematics and Statistics Department, was honored for her collaborative approach and dedication to supporting both colleagues and students. 鈥淭his award reflects the collaborative spirit of our department and our campus,鈥� Petray said. 鈥淲orking together is how we create meaningful opportunities for our students.鈥�

The Academic Awards recognize the staff members whose day-to-day work helps students and the university succeed.

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The event, organized by the Library Vision Partners (VPs), will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Ottenheimer Library.

Open to students, faculty, staff, and the public, the event will showcase interactive demos, creative tools, and collaborative spaces designed to inspire curiosity and innovation across all disciplines. Attendees will be invited to explore equipment like breadboards, drum pads, guitars, easels, and potentially even a 3D printer, while offering feedback that could shape a permanent makerspace on campus.

鈥淲e want to create a space where any student, regardless of major, can access tools that help them learn, create, and explore,鈥� said Will Fausel, lead vision partner and an electrical and computer engineering major from Sherwood. 鈥淚 joined because I saw an opportunity in the library to create a space to provide physical learning tools to students. The library is the perfect place to host this kind of space because it serves everyone.鈥�

The idea of creating a makerspace in Ottenheimer Library, which has been dubbed the Trojan Quarry, is the result of months of research and planning by the Vision Partners team, a student advisory group that collaborates with library staff to enhance student success.

The student VPs include Fausel and vision partners Dominique Rivera, Ella Campbell, Eshaal Nadeem, Grayson Jackson, Khari Wiley, Marchello Burks, Tamara Scott, and Val Bell-Ovwiomoriemu.

The team visited regional makerspaces, surveyed best practices, and consulted with experts to develop a campus-specific plan tailored to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 unique student body.

鈥淗ands-on learning tools shouldn鈥檛 be limited to specific departments,鈥� said Ella Campbell, a geology and anthropology double major. 鈥淚 joined the program because I wanted to learn more about what the library has to offer and be able to share that with the rest of the community.鈥�

The event will feature live demonstrations, student-led activities, and giveaways. Visitors will be encouraged to fill out short surveys and participate in voting stations to share ideas and suggest items they鈥檇 like to see in a future campus makerspace. The Vision Partners will use this feedback to assess the feasibility, demand, and design of a permanent space in Ottenheimer Library.

鈥淚鈥檓 a nontraditional student in music education, and what excites me most is creating a space where students from all disciplines can build community and connect,鈥� said Val Bell-Ovwiomoriemu, a vision partner and music education major.

Support for the event comes from Ottenheimer Library and potential partners across campus, including academic departments and student organizations. The ultimate goal is to create a centralized space where students and employees can work on academic and/or personal projects with cross-disciplinary equipment and support. 

“As one of the staff advisors for this program, I am incredibly excited to see this event come to life,鈥� said Brandon Sollars, director of the Learning Commons. 鈥淭he makerspace has a lot of potential, but what is great to see is the enthusiasm and hard work that the VPs have contributed to this initiative.”

The VPs also envision the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock community being able to check out physical learning tools and kits, just like they would a library book, so they can learn new skills. They also plan for professors and registered student organizations to set up live demonstrations and free classes. 

鈥淭his event is just the beginning,鈥� Fausel said. 鈥淲ith enough support and feedback, we hope to make the Trojan Quarry a permanent fixture that empowers students to learn by doing.鈥�

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend the prototype event on Aug. 27 and help shape the future of innovation at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. For more information, contact Sollars at blsollars@ualr.edu or 501-916-5897.

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鈥淭his certification means that tutors who complete our training program become CRLA Level 1 certified tutors,鈥� said Brandon Sollars, co-director of the Learning Commons. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the culmination of two years of work and ensures that our tutors are trained according to best practices in tutoring and student support.鈥�

CRLA has been a leader in academic support for more than 30 years, with nearly 1,300 members and over 2,000 certified training programs worldwide. Achieving this certification demonstrates that the Learning Commons meets CRLA鈥檚 high standards for tutor selection, training, direct service, and evaluation.

To achieve CRLA certification, Sollars attended the CRLA Summer Institute in St. Louis, where he worked alongside other tutoring programs of similar size. From there, he began the extensive application process, which involved documenting the entire training program, ensuring a required number of training hours, and aligning the program with CRLA standards.

JB Hill, dean of Ottenheimer Library, emphasized the importance of this achievement for the university鈥檚 academic support services.

鈥淭he CRLA accreditation supports the Learning Commons in its commitment to offer high-quality service and, just as importantly, provides the tutors with credentials that highlight their skill attainment,鈥� said JB Hill, dean of Ottenheimer Library. 鈥淥ne of the great things about peer tutoring is that it is a win-win, as not only do the students receiving the tutoring gain benefits, but the tutors also gain skills as well. The tutors increase their understanding of the subjects and concepts while developing their skills in problem-solving, critical-thinking, communication, and teaching.鈥�

The Learning Commons鈥� tutor training program consists of 15 one-hour sessions, with 10 hours of in-person training and five hours of asynchronous learning modules. To complete Level 1 certification, tutors must also log 25 hours of documented tutoring sessions.

Currently, three Trojan Tutoring tutors will meet all the criteria for certification by the end of the spring semester. The Learning Commons plans to offer an accelerated training institute over the summer to expand certification opportunities for tutors.

鈥淔or Trojan Tutoring, I have 14 tutors, and across all tutoring centers, we have about 50 tutors,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淲e focus on subject-specific tutoring, primarily in introductory-level courses, though we do offer support for more advanced courses when tutors feel comfortable.鈥�

Benefits of Tutoring at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock

The Learning Commons, which opened in 2023, serves as a vital resource for students seeking academic support. In an average fall semester, the center records between 1,000 and 1,200 visits, assisting approximately 450 students.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a stigma that tutoring is only for students who are struggling,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淏ut even if you don鈥檛 think you need help, meeting with a tutor can reinforce your understanding, introduce new study strategies, and provide an opportunity to engage with peers about the content you鈥檙e learning.鈥�

Matthew McElhanon, a senior chemistry major and Trojan Tutor, has seen firsthand how the training has helped him both as a tutor and a student.

鈥淚 wanted to improve my communication skills, and that was something tackled pretty quickly,鈥� McElhanon said. 鈥淭he training has also helped me streamline my own learning process. I intend to get my certification because I see the value in it.鈥�

The Learning Commons consists of Trojan Tutoring, the Communication Skills Center, Mathematics Assistance Center, and the University Writing Center. It offers tutoring in various subjects, primarily focusing on introductory-level courses. Walk-in sessions are welcome, but appointments are preferred and can be scheduled online at ualr.edu/learningcommons.

Sollars expressed his excitement for the Learning Commons’ future and gratitude for those who supported the certification process. With CRLA certification, the Learning Commons is poised to enhance academic success at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock by providing well-trained tutors and a supportive learning environment for students seeking to reach their full potential.

鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful to the library and to JB Hill for helping me pursue this,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淗aving a standardized tutor training program means we can provide the best possible support to our students, and I鈥檓 excited to continue building on this achievement.鈥�

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The celebration will be held from 6-9 p.m. at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Downtown, and the event is open to the public.

Each May, the department, which is housed in the , honors award winners and graduating students. Different from years past, 2024 marks 50 years of continuous service of the Communication Skills Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

With over 150 communication centers across the nation, according to the National Association of Communication Centers, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Communication Skills Center is the oldest known continually operating communication center in the United States.

The Communication Skills Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 鈥渋s a free campus resource devoted to supporting the development of all stages of the speech creation process,鈥� according to the applied communication website.

Students can meet with Communication Skills Center staff virtually or in person at the Learning Commons on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus. These appointments can address a variety of concerns, such as dealing with public speaking anxiety, brainstorming ideas for presentations, designing presentation slides, practicing presentations, working through interpersonal conflict situations, or preparing for a professional interview. Students taking Applied Communication courses can also visit the Communication Skills Center for tutoring assistance for specific classes they are taking.

For students who have not taken communication classes, the Center provides a necessary foundation for good communication skills in their professional and civic lives, as well as in their relationships.

The Communication Skills Center also often collaborates with other campus groups and hosts workshops, both virtual and in-person. These workshops focus on multiple topics, including presentation skills, active listening, team building, positive communication practices, and professionalism in the workplace.

Additionally, staff in the Communication Skills Center regularly host conversation clubs for those who are interested in practicing their everyday conversational skills in a low-pressure environment. All students, both native and non-native English speakers, are welcome to attend.

A unique aspect of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Communication Skills Center is that it is mainly operated by students. With options for paid internships, volunteer opportunities, and graduate assistantships, students from a variety of backgrounds and academic disciplines have worked with the Center, including those studying accounting, art, management, psychology, social work, math, and more.

鈥淚nitially joining as an intern, later transitioning into a volunteer, and ultimately serving as an assistant director, my time there was rich with opportunities to cultivate skills and work closely with students,鈥� said Learning Commons Coordinator Brandon Sollars. 鈥淭he experiences I gained through organizing workshops and delivering training remain invaluable to me today.鈥�

What began in the fall of 1973 as the Speech Communication Interactive Learning Center was rebranded to the Communication Skills Center under Dr. Kristen McIntyre鈥檚 guidance in 2007.

Since 1973, the Center has gone through multiple configurations, initially only serving students in the department鈥檚 introduction to speech/communication class. As it expanded, the Center began offering services to all 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students with offerings such as preparing elevator pitches for research, practicing presentations for classes and community partners, and improving interviewing and other communication skills.

鈥淐ommunication centers, in general, and the [Communication Skills Center] in particular, are vital as they provide a low threat, peer-oriented supportive environment for students to develop and practice skills that often come with the added challenge of managing anxiety,鈥� said McIntyre, an applied communication professor and the current Communication Skills Center director. 鈥淚n a global marketplace that consistently values strong communication skills like presenting, listening, and teamwork, the [Communication Skills Center] is excited to have the opportunity to support all of our students, regardless of communication background.鈥�

The May 7 event will begin with the annual end-of-year departmental awards and will close with the Communication Skills Center Celebration, featuring a panel with several past directors and moderated by Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, the department chair of applied communication.

鈥淚 have been proud of the Communication Skills Center ever since coming here in 2015 and seeing its potential to impact the campus community and outside constituencies,鈥� said Chatham-Carpenter. 鈥淕etting to celebrate its long history will allow people to see how it has had a great impact over the years. It鈥檚 important, as we celebrate, to acknowledge those who have been influential in building and growing the Center to what it is today.鈥�

If you are interested in attending the celebration, you can . For those who cannot attend the event in person, the Department of Applied Communication will share recorded portions of the event on its social media pages and website.

For more information, contact Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter at axchathamca@ualr.edu.

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