A three-time University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate, Owoh spent his first three years of college studying marketing before resetting his sights on education, which offered him a different opportunity.

鈥淚 have always believed in the power of education to change the trajectory of a person’s life,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hat ultimately drew me to teaching, though, was the opportunity to work directly with young people.鈥�

Changing his mind about his major proved beneficial. It would eventually take Owoh from the English classroom to leadership roles at the local, district and state levels. Today, he serves as superintendent of the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District and has been named the 2027 Arkansas Superintendent of the Year.

For Owoh, the recognition is less about the title and more about the people who helped shape his career.

鈥淚 never entered education thinking about awards or titles; I entered because I wanted to make a difference for students,” he said. “To be recognized in this way more than two decades later caused me to reflect on all the people, experiences, and students who have shaped my career.鈥�

Finding a Path at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock

As Owoh’s career developed, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock became an important part of his growth as an educator and leader.

Owoh earned three graduate degrees from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock: a master’s degree in secondary education in 2005, an Educational Specialist degree in educational leadership and administration in 2008, and a Doctor of Education in educational administration and supervision in 2015.

Each came at a different stage in his career, allowing him to connect what he learned with his work in Arkansas schools.

鈥淲hat stands out most is the connection between what I was learning and what I was experiencing professionally,鈥� Owoh said. 鈥淕raduate education is especially powerful when you can take an idea from a class, examine it critically, and then see its application in a real school or district.鈥�

His experiences at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock challenged him to think more deeply about literacy, leadership and the role educators play in student success. He also points to the Little Rock Writing Project as having a lasting influence on his career.

As a teacher, Owoh became increasingly interested in the systems surrounding students, from curriculum and teacher support, to school culture and leadership. Moving into administration allowed him to broaden his impact while remaining focused on teaching and learning.

鈥淢y studies strengthened my understanding of literacy and instruction, while also helping me think more broadly about organizations, systems, policy, and leadership,鈥� Owoh said. 鈥淢y graduate education helped prepare me to navigate that complexity while keeping students at the center of the work.鈥�

Leading With Students in Mind

Owoh considers his time in the classroom fundamental to the way he leads today. Later roles expanded that perspective, teaching him about school culture, relationships, systems, and education policy.

Together, those experiences shaped a leadership philosophy built around service.

鈥淟eadership is not about position, it is about responsibility,鈥� Owoh said. 鈥淎s superintendent, my responsibility is to create the conditions in which students can thrive, and employees can do their best work.鈥�

That philosophy can also be seen in his continued emphasis on literacy, connecting his beginnings as an English teacher with his graduate education at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淲hen we strengthen literacy, we are doing much more than improving a test score,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are giving students greater independence, confidence, and access to the world around them.鈥�

Ultimately, Owoh wants JNPSD students to leave prepared to determine their own futures, whether that means attending a university, pursuing technical education, joining the military, starting a business, or entering the workforce.

鈥淥ur responsibility is not to choose that path for them,鈥� Owoh said. 鈥淚t is to make sure they have the knowledge, skills, confidence, and opportunities to choose it for themselves.鈥�

A Partnership Comes Full Circle

Owoh’s relationship with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock did not end when he earned his doctorate. He later returned as a faculty member, working with other educators developing their own knowledge and leadership. Today, that relationship continues through a partnership between JNPSD and the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Education.

JNPSD became the School of Education’s first partner as 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock worked to transform its teacher education program. By fall 2023, the district welcomed the university’s inaugural cohort of district-paid teacher residents.

Dr. Rachel Eells, director of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Education, said Owoh’s early support was instrumental in building the partnership.

鈥淒r. Owoh’s dedication to excellence and willingness to sustain and nurture this relationship created a foundational model for impactful collaboration,鈥� Eells said. 鈥淲e are so grateful to work with him, and are not at all surprised that he has received his well-earned honor.鈥�

For Owoh, investing in educators and students remains a source of motivation more than two decades after he first entered a classroom.

鈥淓very year brings another group of students whose futures are being shaped by what happens in our schools right now,鈥� Owoh said. 鈥淭hat creates both urgency and purpose.鈥�

It’s a career that has taken Owoh somewhere he never expected when he first entered college. Perhaps that’s why his advice to aspiring education leaders comes from experience.

鈥淭itles will change, initiatives will come and go, and careers will take unexpected turns,鈥� Owoh said. 鈥淚f your decisions remain grounded in serving students well, you will have a foundation that can guide you through all of it.鈥�

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“I’m really excited and proud to represent the university, but also undergraduates across the nation,” said Reynolds, a聽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.”聽

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.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock’s聽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.”聽

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 鈥� 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 糖心Vlog传媒 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 糖心Vlog传媒 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 糖心Vlog传媒 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 糖心Vlog传媒 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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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.

鈥淭his 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!鈥� 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 糖心Vlog传媒 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 鈥淔ictional Work of the Year鈥� 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鈥� 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鈥檚 Selected Shorts.

Porter鈥檚 visit will give 糖心Vlog传媒 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 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Writers in the Schools event will be available through the 糖心Vlog传媒 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 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for more than a decade, the honor also reflects the literary community he has helped build since moving to Arkansas.

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

Brockmeier, who won the Porter Prize in 2003, nominated him for this year鈥檚 award. He said Condran鈥檚 fiction is outstanding but hasn鈥檛 reached a wider audience, yet, which is exactly the kind of writer the Porter Prize aims to recognize.

At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Condran鈥檚 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.

鈥淚 think teaching creative writing makes me learn about writing all the time,鈥� Condran said. 鈥淓very time I teach a class, I change the syllabus. I鈥檓 constantly learning about new writers, new approaches, and new ways of thinking about writing.鈥�

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鈥� success is one example of the continued growth he hopes to see from his students after they leave the classroom.

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

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

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

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鈥檚 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 鈥淏eggar鈥� was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, while 鈥淧raha鈥� won the 2010 William Peden Prize. He is currently working on “Face to the Sun,” a novel about the final year of Franz Kafka鈥檚 life, while also developing a collection of ekphrastic flash fiction inspired by Arkansas art, history, and nature.

鈥淚 feel, you know, I live in this beautiful place, and I鈥檓 surrounded by people who are interesting and educated and creative, and who have done nothing but support my career since I got here,鈥� he said. 鈥淎rkansas 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鈥檓 very grateful for that.鈥�

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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An amazing work by a pioneering giant in the ceramics and contemporary聽craft field,聽Thinking Woman — a聽permanent collection聽gift and semi-permanent installation — is 1,600 pounds and assembled from 16 pieces, according to Brian Young, Windgate Center for Art聽+ Design gallery director. A gift of Dr. Kirby and Priscilla Smith, of Memphis, the ceramics piece from 1993 welcomed students to the center as the new school year began last month, and it “reinforces an area of emphasis we teach” in the School of Art and Design — contemporary craft, including ceramics.聽

Frey — the recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships and the Award of Honor in Sculpture from the San Francisco Arts Commission, among many other recognitions — was one of several California artists working in clay in the 1950s and 60s who turned away from that medium’s conventions to produce works with robust sculptural qualities associated with Abstract Expressionist painting, Pop art, and what would become known as California Funk, according to the Artists’ Legacy Foundation, of which Frey was a co-founder. She taught at California College of Arts and Crafts (now CCA) for over three decades, influencing generations of young artists and formalizing the use of clay as an artistic medium, prior to her 2004 death at age 70.

Frey and artists of her ilk didn’t want to abandon the figure for complete abstraction, but they also felt ceramics didn’t have to be only utilitarian, Young said. “I love the idea of clay in a non-utilitarian way — the glazes and colors look imperfect on purpose” — imperfection is embraced.

Multiple layers of brightly colored glazes are crucial for Frey’s work.

“I want the figures to get as close to the viewer as possible,” Frey noted in an Artist Statement. “I don’t want them to crush or overwhelm, but I do want them to intrude.” 

Thinking Woman “has a real presence — she knocks you back a little bit — but it’s a quiet presence,” said Young. “She’s not looking at you — her eyes are closed — and she’s thinking,” 脿 la The Thinker, by Auguste Rodin, “but still powerful.” 

Kirby Smith possessed the work for more than three decades, so he had a strong connection to the piece, and considered various museum venues.

“For 35 years, I had a satellite practice as a physician in Blytheville, so I am happy that Thinking Woman found a home in the state that I care so deeply for,” he said. “Her size shows there is no limit to the technical part of the medium of ceramics and the artist. Also, Thinking Woman is a great name for her.” 

Frey, who received her BFA and honorary doctorate from CCA, had her work spotlighted by a solo show at the now-Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in 2011, Young noted. In addition to a piece on display at that Little Rock arts museum, her work is also held in numerous public and private collections, including the Mus茅e d’Art Moderne de Paris (Paris Museum of Modern Art), Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, D.C.), the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York City), the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among many others.

Art on display in the Windgate Center is designed to inspire students, and Thinking Woman is inspirational in several ways, Young said. It’s a female figure by a female artist, she did the work at an advanced age — demonstrating it’s never too late to create art — and it shows the possibilities of ceramics, even at large scale.

Furthermore, Frey found her own personal style, crucial for any artist, noted Young. “If you’re across a room, you can identify a Frey” piece.

Individuals are welcome to view Thinking Woman — as well as other art — at the Windgate Center, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, as well as 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. The galleries are free and open to the public. 

Currently, Todd Hido: A Series of Small Decisions and Invictus: Photographs by Angela Strassheim are exhibited in the Brad Cushman Gallery and Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery, respectively.  often highlight stark landscapes and lonely buildings, while reflects the shared experience of “moving through life in a body always changing, and always carrying multiple selves at once,” according to her Artist Statement. 

“We try to do exhibits that match areas we teach” and that demonstrate output of professionals in the field so students can see paths to their own artistic careers, and both exhibitions accomplish those aims, Young said. They’re also a felicitous match with next month’s Society for Photographic Education (SPE) South Central Chapter Conference Oct. 23-24 at the Windgate Center. 

In addition, the North and South galleries are exhibiting Intersection of Craft and Photography, while the聽SPE members juried exhibition is on display in the Focus Gallery. More details and information can be found in this news article about fall exhibitions.

“We’re trying to be the center of contemporary photography, at least for a few months,” Young said. “We’re very grateful for all the support we receive from Windgate, and I love when students, (teachers), and members of the public walk in to see” the art on display.

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The Little Rock native graduated from high school in 1996 with little interest in continuing his education, but after encouragement from his family, Dunavant eventually enrolled at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, where he initially considered studying psychology before finding his way to the Music Program.

At the time, Dunavant had already spent years playing guitar and performing with local rock bands, so he walked into the music program confident in what he knew about the instrument, but quickly discovered how much he still had to learn.

鈥淚鈥檇 been playing in rock bands and playing in bars in Little Rock, and thought I knew a lot about music,鈥� Dunavant said. 鈥淎nd much to my dismay, they informed me I did not.鈥�

The realization intrigued him. Dunavant became a music major with an emphasis in jazz guitar and began studying under Michael Carenbauer, now professor emeritus of music. He went on to graduate magna cum laude from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2004 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in music and a minor in writing.

It was his relationship with Carenbauer that Dunavant credits with changing the direction of his life.

鈥淗e altered the course of my life, and he doesn鈥檛 like it when I say that,鈥� Dunavant said. 鈥淏ut I tell him, 鈥楾oo bad, I鈥檓 going to say it anyway because it鈥檚 true.鈥欌��

Carenbauer remembers a student who embraced opportunities to learn, both from his professors and the students around him.

鈥淒avid was a really good student,鈥� Carenbauer said. 鈥淲hat I mean by that is that he was open to taking ideas from a teacher and applying what he learned, then applying that into a career, as well. He made a tremendous amount of progress when he was (a student).鈥�

More importantly, Carenbauer saw potential that Dunavant had yet to recognize in himself.

鈥淚 felt he had skills beyond what he knew he had,鈥� Carenbauer said. 鈥淗e was very coachable and eager to learn. I think that鈥檚 the number one thing you want from a student as a teacher is that openness to learning.鈥�

Carenbauer鈥檚 influence extended beyond guitar. Dunavant credits his mentor with teaching him lessons about responsibility, organization, and navigating life as a professional. Carenbauer also encouraged Dunavant to minor in writing, telling him that the ability to communicate would serve him regardless of where his career took him, and that advice proved valuable. Dunavant later wrote two guitar method books and developed his Street Guitar teaching curriculum.

After graduating from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Dunavant continued his education at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where he earned a master鈥檚 degree in jazz guitar. By then, he knew he wanted to teach.

鈥淚 told Mike, 鈥業 want to be like you, I want to do what you鈥檙e doing,鈥欌�� Dunavant said.

Dunavant returned to Arkansas and spent the next 19 years teaching at the collegiate level, including two years in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock music department. He also taught at Arkansas State University-Beebe and the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College before eventually leaving academia to focus full time on his private Little Rock-based teaching studio, .

That move required Dunavant to think about a career in music differently. Today, he sees musicians not only as artists but as entrepreneurs who must be willing to create their own opportunities.

鈥淭he world鈥檚 not going to come to you,鈥� Dunavant said. 鈥淵ou have to go to the world.鈥�

That philosophy also helped lead Dunavant to establish , a nonprofit that gives underserved Arkansas children an opportunity to learn an instrument regardless of the financial circumstances of their families. For Dunavant, the mission comes down to giving children a fair opportunity.

鈥淵ou didn鈥檛 pick your parents. You didn鈥檛 pick what country you鈥檙e born in. You didn鈥檛 pick your parents鈥� income level,鈥� he said.

Through Guitar Wars, selected young musicians receive a quality guitar they can keep and four months of private lessons. Dunavant researches instructors near each recipient and pays the teaching studio directly. The organization also hosts an annual amateur guitar competition in downtown Little Rock in collaboration with the city of Little Rock and the Central Arkansas Library System.

Dunavant sees a connection between the opportunities he received at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and those he now works to provide for others.

He also remains connected to the university through Guitar Wars. A partnership with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 business program led him to Ryleigh Abbott who initially joined the nonprofit as an intern. Two years later, Abbott is serving as chief operating officer of Guitar Wars.

Abbott said Dunavant has encouraged her to pursue opportunities rather than wait for them.

鈥淗e鈥檚 always told me that if you want something, put in the effort to go and get it,鈥� Abbott said.聽

Dunavant always possessed a willingness to pursue new opportunities. Persistence has been a constant throughout a career that has taken him from college classrooms to entrepreneurship and nonprofit work.

It is also a message he will bring back to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock on Oct. 1 when he speaks with music students at the invitation of Naoki Hakutani, professor of piano.

Dunavant plans to discuss music entrepreneurship, building a sustainable private teaching studio, modern career paths for musicians, the use of artificial intelligence in the music business, and his nonprofit work. Above all, he wants students to understand that a music degree does not limit them to one career and that opportunities often require them to venture beyond what feels familiar.

鈥淵ou can go out there and make your own career,鈥� Dunavant said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e just got to go do it.鈥�

Carenbauer hopes students recognize the same willingness to learn that he saw in Dunavant years ago.

鈥淗e was never afraid to learn things he didn鈥檛 know, and that made him successful,鈥� Carenbauer said. 鈥淪ometimes that means learning about things that you don鈥檛 know are right in front of you.鈥�

Dunavant鈥檚 return will also bring him back to a place that holds a particular memory.

He will speak on the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall stage in the Fine Arts Building, the same stage where he gave one of his first performances as a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock student and discovered just how nervous performing in front of an audience could make him.

This time, he will stand on that stage not as a student trying to figure out where music might take him, but as an alumnus hoping his experience can help the students sitting in the audience find their own direction.

鈥淚t鈥檒l be a full-circle moment,鈥� Dunavant said. 鈥淣ow I鈥檓 giving them advice, and hopefully it will help some of them.鈥�

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The program explores the piano鈥檚 versatility through works by composers including Fran莽ois Couperin, Mary Lou Williams, Scott Joplin, Florence Price, Kareem Roustom, Cacilda Borges Barbosa, and Fr茅d茅ric Chopin.

The concert will also feature the world premiere of “A More Perfect Union”, a new work by composer Gwyneth Walker written in celebration of America鈥檚 250th anniversary. The program includes the Little Rock premiere of Florence Price鈥檚 Moods for piano, flute, and clarinet.

Holzer will be joined by her University of Arkansas at Little Rock colleague, Dr. Justin Bunting, on Native American hoop drum, as well as Dr. Nicolas del Grazia on clarinet and Dr. Phoebe Robertson on flute, both from Arkansas Tech University.

The second half of the program will feature the complete “Aleppo Songs” for solo piano by Syrian-American composer Kareem Roustom, which draws on both Arabic and Western musical traditions. Additional selections include Barbosa鈥檚 Estudo Brasileiro No. 1, Gary Schocker鈥檚 鈥淧rayer鈥� for flute and piano, and Chopin鈥檚 Barcarolle.

鈥淟isteners will be surprised by how beautifully these various works complement one another,鈥� Holzer said. 鈥淓ach piece illuminates the others, revealing unexpected connections across time and tradition.鈥�

Holzer has been a member of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty for more than 30 years and has built a career as a soloist and chamber musician, performing across the United States and internationally. 鈥淧iano Prism: How Beautiful the Light鈥� marks her 23rd solo recital at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Whether a seasoned classical music fan, or simply curious, 鈥淧iano Prism: How Beautiful the Light鈥� offers a rare opportunity to experience an adventurous musical journey spanning centuries and cultures. Mark your calendar for 3 p.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Building on campus. The concert is free and open to the public. For more details, visit the .

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The University of Arkansas at Little Rock alumna has established a career in public relations and strategic communications by building relationships, earning trust, and helping others succeed. Now, Nicholson has been recognized as one of the inaugural recipients of the Public Relations Society of America鈥檚 Women of Impact Awards in the Social Influencer category.

鈥淚 was genuinely surprised and incredibly honored,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淧RSA has been such an important part of my professional journey, so to be recognized as one of the inaugural Women of Impact recipients made it especially meaningful.鈥�

Nicholson, vice president of strategic communications at Little Rock-based marketing agency , said the recognition represents more than her individual accomplishments.

鈥淭he Social Influencer category reflects work our team has been building for years, helping organizations move beyond simply posting on social media to creating content that truly influences audiences, builds trust and drives business results,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淲hile my name is on the award, it really represents the talented colleagues and clients who have embraced innovation and trusted us to try new approaches together.鈥�

Nicholson earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees in journalism, with a public relations emphasis, and political science from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. She was drawn to the university in part because of its location in the state鈥檚 capital and its connections to Arkansas鈥� business and media communities.

Nicholson took classes alongside aspiring journalists who later became reporters, editors, and news leaders across the state. When she entered public relations, many of the journalists she worked with were already familiar faces.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock didn鈥檛 just prepare me academically; it helped me establish a professional network that opened doors early in my career and continues to benefit me today,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淕oing to school in the capital city with the largest media market in our state was a major factor in my decision to study journalism and political science at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

Nicholson also credits Amy O. Barnes, APR, now associate professor emeritus in the School of Mass Communication, with putting her on the path to a career in public relations. Barnes encouraged Nicholson to pursue her first internship, which gave her hands-on agency experience and confirmed her interest in the profession.

鈥淪he didn鈥檛 just teach public relations. She inspired it,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淎my encouraged me to pursue my very first internship, and looking back, that single piece of advice changed the trajectory of my career.鈥�

Barnes said she recognized Nicholson鈥檚 potential early.

鈥淚 knew from the beginning that Kristen was going to have an important impact on the work, on the profession and, most importantly, on the people around her,鈥� Barnes said. 鈥淚 have never been more proud to be right.鈥�

After graduating, Nicholson began her career in nonprofit communications, where she gained experience across the profession. She wrote media releases, planned events, managed volunteers, developed marketing campaigns, created advertising copy and newsletters, updated websites, and served as a spokesperson.

鈥淚 rarely said no to an opportunity. I simply figured it out,鈥� she said.

That experience prepared her for the variety and pace of agency work. Nicholson joined in 2011 and has since helped launch its Content Studio, become a shareholder, and risen to vice president of strategic communications.

Today, she leads a team whose work includes strategic planning, crisis management, executive thought leadership, influencer marketing, social media strategy, and integrated campaigns.

Sharon Tallach Vogelpohl, president and CEO of , said Nicholson鈥檚 leadership goes beyond delivering results for clients.

鈥淚鈥檓 often quoted as describing the agency business as the ultimate team sport, and Kristen is truly an all-star player in terms of her exceptional skills, work ethic, and leadership,鈥� Vogelpohl said. 鈥淪he provides an environment of professionalism, trust, and access to help people grow and excel.鈥�

Nicholson has also adapted to a communications industry that looks considerably different from the one she entered after college. She graduated when Facebook was still in its infancy and before Instagram existed. Today, public relations increasingly intersects with social media, influencer marketing, search engine optimization, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing.

鈥淚鈥檝e always believed it鈥檚 important to embrace change early rather than resist it,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淭he channels will continue to change, but the goal remains the same: reaching the right audience with the right message in the most effective way.鈥�

Nicholson has earned her Accreditation in Public Relations, served as president of the Arkansas chapter of PRSA, spoken at PRSA ICON, and received multiple national PRSA Silver Anvil Awards. She has also advised CEOs and executive leadership teams at Fortune 500 companies, major healthcare systems, and other organizations across the country.

But as her career has progressed, so has the way she approaches success.

鈥淓arly in my career, I measured success by awards, campaigns, and big wins,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淭oday, I measure it by the people around me.鈥�

Nicholson credits mentors with challenging her, opening doors, and encouraging her to pursue new opportunities. As a leader, she now tries to do the same for others.

鈥淚f someone isn鈥檛 confident enough to speak up, I believe it鈥檚 my responsibility to help them find their voice,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淲atching someone gain confidence, step into leadership, or accomplish something they once thought was out of reach is far more rewarding than any award I鈥檝e received. That鈥檚 the kind of impact I hope to leave.鈥�

Barnes has seen that commitment extend to another generation of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students, referring several to Nicholson for internships and career guidance.

鈥淚鈥檝e sent several students her way for internships and counseling, and she has been more than willing to give them a boost up their own career ladders,鈥� Barnes said. 鈥淪he deserves any and all accolades the profession provides.鈥�

Nicholson鈥檚 connection to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has also come full circle through 鈥檚 work with the university. She returns to campus to speak with students and now helps tell the story of the university that helped launch her career.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock invested in me early in my career, so having the opportunity to give back professionally feels very full circle,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding to help tell the university鈥檚 story while also seeing firsthand how it鈥檚 preparing the next generation of communicators.鈥�

For students hoping to build careers in public relations, marketing, social media, or strategic communications, Nicholson encourages them to take chances and remain willing to learn.

鈥淪ay yes to opportunities, even the ones that seem intimidating,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淓very internship, volunteer project, networking event, and stretch assignment teaches you something valuable. Don鈥檛 worry so much about having every answer; focus on being curious, adaptable and willing to learn.鈥�

She also encourages students to get involved with PRSA early. Nicholson joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), the student organization affiliated with PRSA, and served in a leadership role.

鈥淭he professionals who thrive aren鈥檛 necessarily the ones who know the most today,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e the ones who remain curious, embrace change, and never stop learning.鈥�

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The station began in , after the Little Rock School Board approved plans for a radio station at the new Metropolitan Vocational Education Center. The station gave high school students real-world experience to prepare for broadcasting careers, and 14 years later, the Little Rock School District and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock teamed up to create K糖心Vlog传媒R, the university鈥檚 radio station. In 1987, the station鈥檚 studios moved into Stabler Hall at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Now, nearly 40 years later, Little Rock Public Radio is moving from University Plaza to a new home in Stabler Hall, bringing the station back to the heart of campus with a fully renovated studio and state-of-the-art broadcast technology.

The relocation project represents a major investment in the station鈥檚 future. After nearly two decades operating with aging equipment, Little Rock Public Radio will now broadcast from a modern space equipped with advanced technology and extensive backup systems. These upgrades ensure greater reliability and security, promising a higher-quality, more consistent listening experience for the community.

While the new equipment and studio provide Little Rock Public Radio with a more reliable foundation for broadcasting, the return to Stabler Hall also brings the station back to its roots as an educational resource.

For General Manager Jonathan Seaborn, being back on campus creates an opportunity to build on the station鈥檚 longstanding connection to student education and become more involved in campus life.

鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to actually be on campus and accessible to students from an educational standpoint,鈥� Seaborn said. 鈥淲e want to work more with departments on campus to help support them, and we want to have that student interaction and work-study, independent study through the studio. We want to be a resource.鈥�

The return to campus gives Little Rock Public Radio an opportunity to reconnect students with hands-on broadcasting experiences, work more closely with university departments, and become a more active part of campus life.

To celebrate its return to campus, the station is hosting the Little Rock Public Radio Open House at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, on Trojan Way. will begin with opening remarks from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Dr. Christina Drale, Friends Board Vice President Kimberly Lee, and Seaborn, followed by a performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and tours of the station鈥檚 new state-of-the-art facilities. Guests can enjoy snacks and refreshments while exploring the space and learning more about the station鈥檚 return. The event is free and open to the public, and guests are encouraged to . For those unable to attend in person, a livestream link will be provided on the day of the event.

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These appointments leverage the expertise and longstanding commitment of CHASSE faculty and staff, positioning the college for continued growth and excellence.

Dr. Michael Norton, associate dean for student success since July 2024 and professor of philosophy, will serve as interim chair of the Department of History. Since joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as an assistant professor in 2012, Norton has been a driving force in academic leadership 鈥� serving as chair of the Department of Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies for six years, along with serving as director and co-director of the School of Human Inquiry from 2022 to 2024 — and contributing to student success initiatives across the college.

Dr. Kris McAbee, a 16-year 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock veteran, is the new Associate Dean of Operations for CHASSE. Most recently, McAbee served as director of the School of Literary and Performing Arts, and she brings an extensive background in digital humanities, archival systems, and project management to her operations role. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Mellon Fellowship to participate in the July 2026 Higher Education Resource Services Leadership Institute, further enhancing her expertise and vision for the college.

As McAbee moves into her new role, Dr. Angela Hunter will serve as interim director of the School of Literary and Performing Arts while continuing as a professor of English. Hunter joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in fall 2004 and brings more than two decades of university experience to the interim leadership role, including past terms as chair of both the philosophy and interdisciplinary studies departments.

Leadership in the School of Human Inquiry is further strengthened with Dr. Katie King taking on the role of interim director. With 17 years of service at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, she brings deep institutional knowledge to the position, having previously served as interim co-director of the school for the past three years. Her experience in the role provides continuity as she steps into the interim director position.

Ashley Nipp rounds out the leadership transitions as the new Director of Finance for CHASSE. With more than eight years at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 鈥� including roles at the William H. Bowen School of Law and the Office of Alumni and Development 鈥� Nipp is recognized for her strong commitment to community engagement and campus service. She has been an active member of Safe Zone, Staff Senate, Campus Campaign, and AI Council, and in 2023, she received the Service to the Community Staff Senate Achievement Award. Nipp鈥檚 collaborative spirit and dedication will be an asset to CHASSE鈥檚 financial leadership and campus partnerships.

As the new academic year begins, CHASSE is looking ahead with an experienced leadership team in place. The new appointments provide continuity while bringing fresh leadership to meet the college鈥檚 needs and priorities in the year ahead.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to have people in these new positions and to have our leadership team fully staffed and supported,鈥� said Dr. Jeremy Ecke, dean of CHASSE. 鈥淲hile we have a few interim roles, we have strong leaders stepping into those positions, and I鈥檓 excited about what this team will accomplish together.鈥�

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