Berry is one of 53 community and business leaders across the state chosen for the 20th year of the exclusive program, which is operated by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas. Participants are selected for their leadership within their profession, their community, and for their commitment to expanding that impact.

鈥淎s a lifelong Arkansan, I have a deep-seated commitment to the future of our state,鈥� Berry said. 鈥淏eing selected for Leadership Arkansas is an incredible honor and an opportunity to gain a broader perspective on the challenges and opportunities we face. I am eager to bring the insights and connections from this program back to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to strengthen our university’s role as a catalyst for innovation and economic development across Arkansas.鈥�

From September to May 26, 2026, 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 provides hands-on experiences and insights into the unique challenges and opportunities within different regions of the state, culminating in a graduation ceremony at the end of the program.

A proud 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnus, Berry earned both his B.A. and Ph.D. in chemistry at the university. He now oversees graduate education and research initiatives as vice provost and dean, leading offices such as Graduate Admissions, Research and Sponsored Programs, Tech Launch, the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences, and the Emerging Analytics Center. 

Under his leadership, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has nearly doubled its external research funding in the past five years, developed the university鈥檚 first-ever Strategic Research Plan, and worked to strengthen graduate enrollment.

Beyond campus, Berry serves the state through roles in the Arkansas Research Alliance Academy, the state鈥檚 Science Advisory Committee, and the Little Rock Tech Park board. These experiences give him a unique perspective on how higher education can drive economic growth and innovation.

鈥淟eadership Arkansas offers a platform to learn from peers and collaborate on solutions that move our state forward,鈥� Berry said. 鈥淚 am proud to represent 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in this important program and excited about the opportunities to contribute to Arkansas鈥檚 future.鈥�

The post Brian Berry Selected for Leadership Arkansas Class 20 appeared first on News.

According to the Carnegie classification, R2 institutions are those that awarded at least 20 research/scholarship doctoral degrees during the upgrade year and had at least $5 million in research expenditures.

The university鈥檚 R2 classification signifies high research activity and places 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock among a select group of institutions nationwide. This recognition is based on research expenditures of approximately $8.7 million in fiscal year 2023 and an average of 47 research doctorates awarded from 2020 to 2023.

Brian Berry, vice provost of research and dean of the Graduate School, expressed enthusiasm about the university鈥檚 continued success in research and innovation.

“Earning this designation reaffirms 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 commitment to impactful research that addresses real-world challenges,” Berry said. “Our faculty and students are driving innovation in areas like cybersecurity, biotechnology, data science, and artificial intelligence. With our research activity and external funding on the rise, we鈥檙e excited to build on this momentum and continue making meaningful contributions to Arkansas and beyond.”

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 research portfolio includes major initiatives in cybersecurity, biotechnology, and data science. Key contributors to this research include Dr. Philip Huff, associate professor of cybersecurity; Dr. Alex Biris, director of the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences, and Dr. Nitin Agarwal, director of the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies () Research Center. You can learn more about their groundbreaking research initiatives .

In addition to maintaining its R2 classification, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has seen impressive growth in research funding. Sponsored projects funded by external grants and contracts have increased by 30% over the past four years, while federal research expenditures have risen by 50% during the same period.

鈥淭he hard work of dedicated faculty, researchers, and students continues to drive innovation, economic development, and technological advancements that benefit central Arkansas and beyond,鈥� Berry said.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will showcase its student research efforts during the university鈥檚 annual Research and Creative Works Expo from 12-4 p.m. April 18. The event provides an opportunity for faculty, students, and the broader community to explore groundbreaking projects and collaborations.

For more information on 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 research initiatives, visit .

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Maintains Research 2 Status in 2025 Carnegie Classification appeared first on News.

Johnson is a tech entrepreneur and business leader with more than 30 years of experience in technology innovation, company building, and digital transformation. She has a proven track record in leading innovative companies and pioneering the use of new technology to accelerate business value.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock already boasts global leaders in research in several fields, including cybersecurity, nanotechnology, and AI,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淢y job is to bring together the amazing resources we have to offer entrepreneurial programs, workshops, certifications, and commercialization services to increase our economic impact in the greater Little Rock area.鈥�

As CEO and cofounder of Aristotle, Inc., Johnson led a successful internet service provider and interactive marketing agency. During this time, Johnson provided workshops in 33 states and Canada on how companies can benefit from Internet, digital advertising, search, data analytics, and mobile technologies.

Johnson has an extensive history of leadership and innovation across multiple industries. She led Smart Media, a northwest Arkansas-based omnichannel shopper marketing agency, where she leveraged retail analytics to drive successful campaigns. At Blockchain Ready Studio, Johnson collaborated with IBM Hyperledger to help agricultural suppliers implement blockchain solutions for food traceability and played a pivotal role in advocating for smart contracts legislation in Arkansas.

In her role as CEO and cofounder of LeapXL, Johnson led the creation of a rapid application development platform used by banks and major clients like Ernst & Young. She oversaw critical aspects of corporate operations, including compliance, customer onboarding, and investment strategy. Johnson鈥檚 entrepreneurial journey began with Monserrata Productions, a video production company that contributed to groundbreaking video game development with electronic arts.

Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost of research and dean of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Graduate School, emphasized that Johnson will play a pivotal role in boosting Little Rock鈥檚 economy by connecting students, faculty, and the business community with valuable university resources and employees with expertise in technology and artificial intelligence.

鈥淢arla鈥檚 creativity and energy are already helping us understand the needs of our businesses and rise to meet them,鈥� Berry said. 鈥淚鈥檓 especially excited to see how Marla will help our innovative and gritty students fulfill their dreams of building businesses in Arkansas by providing training and support from ideation to seed funding and beyond.鈥�

Additionally, Johnson writes an entrepreneurship series on LinkedIn called “Soul Food for Founders” and creates short video documentaries about Arkansas technologists. She serves on the boards of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, International Women鈥檚 Forum Arkansas, Ark Angel Alliance, and the Arkansas Academy of Computing. She received a certification for AI Product and Service Development from MIT this summer.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Names Marla Johnson as Inaugural Tech Entrepreneur-in-Residence appeared first on News.

鈥淎fter a national search, we have selected three finalists for the position of dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services (CBHHS) at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Dr. Brian Berry, dean of the Graduate School and chair of the search committee. 鈥淓ach candidate brings a wealth of experience and expertise, and we look forward to their upcoming visits to campus.鈥�

The finalists include Dr. Shannon Collier-Tennison, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for faculty relations and administration and a professor of social work at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, who will visit campus on Oct. 31; Dr. Joshua Aaron, the Pam Wright Chair of Entrepreneurship and a professor of management at Middle Tennessee State University, who will visit campus on Nov. 4; and Dr. Myla Bui, professor of marketing at Loyola Marymount University, who will visit campus on Nov. 7.

Shannon Collier-Tenison

Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison serves as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for faculty relations and administration at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, where she oversees faculty support, academic personnel processes, and student support initiatives. A professor of social work, she also serves as the Provost Office liaison for a team of licensed social workers who provide student support and resources for emotional/mental health concerns, financial stress, academic support, and personal difficulties.

Collier-Tenison earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from Hendrix College and her master鈥檚 degree and Ph.D. in social work from Washington University in St. Louis. Her career spans over 20 years in higher education, including roles as associate dean, interim dean, and program coordinator. Her research focuses on interpersonal violence, social welfare policy, and student success. Active in the community, she serves on the boards of directors for Women and Children First DV Shelter and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

Joshua Aaron

Dr. Joshua Aaron, the Pam Wright Chair of Entrepreneurship and a professor of management at Middle Tennessee State University, has led record growth in the Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship program鈥檚 enrollment and external support. A University of Alabama alumnus with a Ph.D. in strategic management, Aaron joined MTSU in 2014 after teaching at Georgia State and East Carolina University.

Aaron serves on the boards of the Small Business Institute, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, and the Finance Committee for the United Way of South Central Tennessee, and his research focuses on executive compensation, leadership, and small business strategy. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, including Journal of Business Research, Journal of Small Business Strategy, and Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship.

Myla Bui

Dr. Myla Bui is a professor of marketing at Loyola Marymount University with a Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Arkansas and an MBA from Loyola University New Orleans. At LMU, she held leadership roles including chair of the Department of Marketing and Business Law, cabinet associate to the Executive Vice President and Provost, and academic chair to the program development of the Doctor of Business Administration.

Bui has published more than 30 articles in journals such as the Journal of Marketing and Journal of Marketing Research, with interests in consumer decision-making, social marketing, and emerging technologies. She served as the associate editor for the Journal of Business Research, co-chair of the 2020 Marketing and Public Policy Conference, and co-chair of the 2024 Summer American Marketing Association Conference. She also brings industry experience in marketing and business development across sectors like fintech and health tech.

Visit this website to find out more information about the candidates.

The new dean is expected to start during the spring semester and will replace Thomas Clifton, who has been serving as the interim dean since 2023.

The post Three Finalists Announced for Dean of College of Business, Health, and Human Services at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock appeared first on News.