Going to school for nursing was not originally in Merriman鈥檚 plan. With a long line of educators in her family, she always thought that would be the career path she would go down. She has lived in Little Rock for 20 years and was always familiar with the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. So when she decided to return to school, she knew it would be this university.

Her journey in nursing started early. As a child, Merriman was always helping others, whether it was caring for the elderly in her church, babysitting, or even nursing stray and hurt animals like possums, raccoons, and squirrels back to health. She has always had a passion for helping people and wanted to put it to use in her career.

鈥淚 wanted to fulfill my need for helping people while also giving back to my community,鈥� Merriman said. Taking care of others is like my love language.鈥�

As her children got older, she knew she wanted to go back to school. 鈥淚 put it off for so long because of my kids and finally, it got to a point where I did not have any more excuses.鈥�

With 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock being so close to her home, and a campus that was easy to navigate, she knew it was a good choice for herself while raising a family.

Merriman began her nursing career in 2020. The world looked entirely different. When she started her associate degree in nursing, it was in-person and very interactive. Then, COVID hit and her learning environment had to be adjusted to the changing world. By March 2020, hospitals could no longer allow nursing students to do their clinical rotations in person. She had to do her nursing clinicals with virtual patients through an online platform.

Despite these challenges, Merriman made lifelong connections with her classmates and professors. One of her professors, Dr. Joanna Hall, director of nursing simulation, stood out to her.

鈥淪he made something difficult to learn, fun. I looked forward to her lectures. She added her special touch to her lessons which were filled with so much information.鈥�

Another professor, Kyle Webb, also had a unique way of teaching and made difficult concepts easy to understand. Merriman also describes hanging out with classmates after class and getting lunch together. She said these connections were vital to her success and very important.

鈥淚t says a lot about the program that you were able to form connections that went beyond school.鈥� she noted.

Merriman鈥檚 final advice to students is this, 鈥淟earn how to adapt! That鈥檚 not a skill easily taught. Nursing school gives us a foundation, but it鈥檚 very different once you鈥檙e in the field. It鈥檚 the hands-on work that shapes who you are as a nurse, and you must be able to adapt to an ever-changing field.鈥�

Merriman is looking forward to graduating and starting the next chapter. After graduation, she plans to take a break before jumping into her master鈥檚 degree in nursing.

鈥淚 am excited. I kind of feel like it has been a long time coming,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here have been a lot of things in the way, but I did not stop and I am so proud of myself.鈥�

This story was written by Rian Newman.

The post Merriman Achieves Long Awaited Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Nursing聽 appeared first on News.

Sample鈥檚 path to nursing started early. In her junior year of high school, she began taking concurrent classes at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to get a head start on her college education. This allowed her to apply to nursing school as a senior, starting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 nursing program just eight days after graduating as Jacksonville High School鈥檚 salutatorian.

鈥淚 was by far the youngest person in my class,鈥� Sample said.

As a first-generation college student with no family members working in the medical field, Sample鈥檚 decision to pursue nursing came during her senior year of high school, influenced by her mother鈥檚 advice. The COVID-19 pandemic solidified her choice.

鈥淚t was during COVID, and I really liked nursing,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel like it was meant to be.鈥�

Sample earned her associate degree in nursing from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in May 2023, and she currently works in the Neurology/Neurosurgery Unit at 糖心Vlog传媒MS Medical Center, caring for patients with brain injuries, strokes, and other neurological conditions.

Balancing work and studies has been a challenge, but she credits 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty like Judy Staley and Dr. Charles Molsbee for their support and guidance.

鈥淢rs. Staley was a great teacher and always there when I needed someone to listen,鈥� Sample said. 鈥淪he even wrote one of my letters of recommendation for my job at 糖心Vlog传媒MS. And Dr. Molsbee was always there when I needed advice.鈥�

Sample is excited about graduation and the opportunities that lie ahead. She plans to further specialize in critical care, with hopes of working in an ICU setting in the future.

鈥淚 really enjoy critical thinking and trying to figure out the puzzle pieces with patients,鈥� she said.

While Sample is now finished with college, she isn鈥檛 finished with her education. Her plans for the upcoming year include furthering her skills by starting on certifications in neuroscience nursing care and/or stroke nursing care.

For future nursing students, Sample offers encouragement: 鈥淒on鈥檛 give up on those hard days. Once you start working with patients, you鈥檒l realize you know a lot more than you think you do.鈥�

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A trailblazer in his family, Gomez will become the first to earn a law degree, adding to his impressive academic achievements, including graduating a semester early.

鈥淚鈥檓 the first person in my family to graduate high school and go to college,鈥� Gomez said. 鈥淢y parents are smart and have shown me the value of education, but they weren鈥檛 given the same environment to thrive in school.鈥�

His mother left school in third grade to care for farm animals, and his father worked in the oil field before retiring early due to a shoulder injury. Gomez was determined to forge a different path, inspired by their sacrifices and committed to making his education a priority. He came to Bowen after earning an associate degree at Kilgore College as well as a bachelor鈥檚 degree in finance and MBA from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

During his time at Bowen, Gomez took on leadership roles and excelled academically. He served as a research assistant to Dean Colin Crawford and was recognized with the Latin American Law Student Association Award for his commitment to equity and diversity. Additionally, he received the prestigious Judge Oren Harris Scholarship, awarded for academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to service.

Gomez credits Bowen鈥檚 faculty and opportunities for shaping his legal journey.

鈥淚 realized how much reading goes into law school during the first week,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think I read more in my first semester of law school than I did during my first three college degrees. But getting involved in the legal community helped me see that lawyers are just people who happen to have a job requiring continuing education.鈥�

His involvement extended beyond academics. As alumni chair for the Latin American Law Student Association, he worked to reconnect alumni with the school. Gomez also contributed to the Center for Racial and Criminal Justice Reform, conducting research and data analysis to explore how legal systems impact individuals in the state鈥檚 rural areas.

Currently, Gomez is gaining hands-on legal experience at the Pulaski County Attorney鈥檚 Office, handling bond forfeitures and assisting with appellate motions. These practical experiences have prepared him for the next phase of his career: moving to Dallas to work in business and immigration law after he passes the bar exam in February. His ultimate goal is to establish his own law firm, focusing on helping underserved communities. He is also planning to pursue a Ph.D. in finance and real estate in the future.

鈥淚 want to gain experience and build my reputation in the legal community,鈥� Gomez explained. 鈥淥nce I am established, I want to have my own firm to help people who need help in areas like immigration, estate planning, personal injury, and criminal defense. I have been fortunate enough to win a trial. It鈥檚 amazing when you see how much your help has helped someone change their life.鈥�

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Born in Northern Ireland, Bonet moved to Seattle at an early age and has since lived in states across the U.S. Some might say he鈥檚 a New Yorker at heart since he鈥檚 also spent time in New York City with his father鈥檚 family but Bonet considers himself 鈥渇rom everywhere.鈥� This flexibility and adaptability have marked his life, including his academic path.

After high school, Bonet dreamed of studying theater or film at New York University but chose to join the military instead. He spent time taking courses sporadically at junior colleges and took a 12-year hiatus from education. He returned and earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in European history at the University of Washington-Tacoma.

鈥淲hen I started up again, my initial goal at UW-T was to obtain a writing studies degree, but I discovered that the history path offered more flexibility and more interesting courses. Plus, I’d still be able to do a lot of writing,鈥� Bonet said. 鈥淥nce I completed my undergrad, I knew I wanted to continue along the history path in my graduate studies – I just wasn’t sure how.鈥�

That decision eventually led him to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock’s public history program, where Bonet found the perfect combination of academic rigor and career preparation.

鈥淚t allowed me to continue my studies in history while also making myself more attractive to future employers within the history field,鈥� he explained.

At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Bonet delved deep into Arkansas history, focusing his thesis on the Southern Tenant Farmers Union (STFU). His research became, 鈥淎cts of Tyranny and Terror: Violence, Propaganda, and the Southern Tenant Farmers Union in 1930s Arkansas,鈥� a podcast.

鈥淲hen I stumbled across the microfilm reels of the STFU papers at the Butler Library and then read some more of the organization鈥檚 history, I knew immediately I had found my topic,鈥� Bonet said. 鈥淓arly on in the process, I realized I didn鈥檛 want to do a traditional academic paper so I instead settled on doing a multi-part history podcast.鈥�

Bonet draws on the voices of historical figures to tell the story of labor struggles in the South. 鈥淭he STFU is an important part of Arkansas history 鈥� full of rich characters, and I felt an episodic podcast would be the best way to present the material,鈥� he said, explaining that many of the people involved in the STFU had written books, articles, letters, and memos. 鈥淭his allowed for the story to be told primarily through their words. I think it added humanity and immediacy to the project.鈥�

Here is an excerpt from the podcast:

Summer 1934. A group of sharecroppers, white and Black, gather at the Sunnyside schoolhouse. They have recently been evicted from their homes at the nearby Norcross Plantation. They are desperate. The situation has grown so dire for sharecroppers in the region that old racial divisions ingrained like scars seem to fall away as these men find themselves mired in the same wretched struggle. Something needs to be done. And so, the Southern Tenant Farmers Union is born.

Howard Kester offers a powerful depiction in his seminal work, 鈥淩evolt Among the Sharecroppers鈥�:

鈥淛ust south of the little town of Tyronza, in Poinsett County, Arkansas, the Southern Tenant Farmers鈥� Union had its beginning. In the early part of July 1934, twenty-seven white and black men, clad in overalls, gathered in a rickety and dingy little school house called Sunnyside. The school house was old and it had witnessed many strange sights but none so strange as the one being enacted between its four leaning walls that hot summer night. Dimly lighted kerosene lamps cast strange shadows upon the faces of the men as they talked. On rough-hewn benches sat white and colored men discussing their common problems in a spirit of mutual regard and understanding.鈥�

For Bonet, balancing graduate school, a full-time job as a researcher for the Arkansas Department of Transportation, and family life hasn鈥檛 been easy. He credits his wife, Terry, and his children with providing crucial support.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been wonderful to share this journey with them,鈥� he said. He also praised his mentor, Dr. Charles Romney, calling him the primary reason he came to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, adding that 鈥渉is guidance has been invaluable.鈥�

Bonet鈥檚 time in Arkansas also allowed him to rediscover his other passion鈥攖heater. Earlier this year, he joined the ensemble cast of a community theater production of 鈥淢y Fair Lady鈥� at the Argenta Contemporary Theatre in North Little Rock. It was his first role in about 30 years.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an experience I鈥檒l never forget and I hope to do more community theatre productions around Little Rock,鈥� he said.

As Bonet prepares to graduate, he reflects on his journey with pride. 鈥淎s in the case of anything worth doing, it was challenging鈥攙ery challenging at times,鈥� he said. 鈥淗owever, I鈥檝e discovered over the years that I really enjoy the academic world and the camaraderie that exists between fellow university students.鈥�

Bonet described the overall experience as 鈥渨onderful.鈥� 鈥淭he connections and relationships made at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will no doubt benefit me personally and professionally,鈥� he said.

Looking ahead, Bonet hopes to return to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in a professional capacity, ideally with the university鈥檚 Center for Arkansas History and Culture, where he worked as a graduate assistant. In the meantime, he encourages others to explore 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a fantastic university with top-notch faculty in a highly underrated city,鈥� he said.

From the twists and turns of his life to the deep dives of historical research, Chuck Bonet鈥檚 journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and the love of a good story.

The post Bonet鈥檚 Path to a Master鈥檚 Degree: A Journey of Twists, Turns, and Timeless Stories appeared first on News.

With a background in cybersecurity from Arkansas Tech University, Massengale鈥檚 work gained momentum with the release of ChatGPT-3.5, enabling him to develop innovative applications for the Emerging Threat Information Sharing and Analysis Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Philip Huff, associate professor of cybersecurity, Massengale conducted research, supported by a Department of Energy grant, that not only led to a series of research papers but also delivered essential tools now in use by utility companies to strengthen national security.

鈥淢y time as a student at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has been great,鈥� Massengale said. 鈥淎ll of the classes are research- and project-based. Dr. Huff has been awesome, and I was able to travel with him to explore the Idaho National Labs. Working with the undergraduate students at the Emerging Threat Information Sharing and Analysis Center is very cool. They get to write actual software for programs and see how those programs work in the real world. I would have died for an opportunity like that when I was an undergraduate student.鈥�

Massengale has presented his research at the EAI International Conference on Security and Privacy in Communication Networks, Intelligence Cybersecurity Conference, and the IEEE International Conference on Trust, Privacy, and Security in Intelligent Systems and Applications. In 2023, he received the Best Graduate Research Assistant Award from the Department of Computer Science.

In is dissertation, 鈥淓nhancing Cybersecurity Strategies through Automated Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) Extraction with LLMs, Risk Prioritization, and Privacy-Conscious Information Sharing,鈥� Massengale worked with large language models to create a more streamlined way to extract cyber threat intelligence from companies. This information is used to create profiles for businesses that tell them what types of risk they are at for ransomware attacks and other cybersecurity threats based on CTI, geographic location, and industry sector.

Massengale鈥檚 dissertation also worked to promote the sharing of cyber threat intelligence among companies by creating a privacy filter that alerts companies if they are sharing private information within cyber threat intelligence.

鈥淪ince adversaries tend to target the same type of companies, it鈥檚 useful for similar companies in the same industry to share threat intelligence with each other,鈥� he said. 鈥淒ue to the sensitive nature of cyber threat intelligence, companies could accidentally expose private information to their competitors. This privacy filter will alert companies if they are about to share information that is private or personally identifiable information.鈥�

Massengale was inspired to attend 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock after his father Rick Massengale, Sr., who is now president of North Arkansas Community College, also earned a Ph.D. in information technology from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. While Massengale said he is interested in teaching college in the future, he doesn鈥檛 think following in his father鈥檚 footsteps to become a college president is on the table. Among other family milestones, Massengale also welcomed his first child, a baby boy named Copeland, to his family six months ago.

As a graduate student, Massengale also worked part-time at Bastazo, an AI cybersecurity startup company created by Huff and three professors at the University of Arkansas. After successfully defending his dissertation on Oct. 31, Massengale started a full-time job as a software developer at Bastazo.

His advice for students to be successful is to: 鈥淐onnect with other students and find a community. Connect with professors because they always know what is going on. Don鈥檛 take shortcuts, and don鈥檛 give up.鈥�

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Graduate Advances AI Research to Aid National Security appeared first on News.

Born and raised in Vidor, Texas, Galloway lost his father as a baby. His grandfather, Judge Rodney Price, stepped in to help his mother raise him, giving him an early look into the legal profession.

鈥淚 basically grew up in the law office,鈥� Galloway said. 鈥淢y grandfather kept a basket of toys under his desk for me. I didn鈥檛 want to be a lawyer at first, but over time, his passion for the law and his care for people had a big impact on me.鈥�

Galloway鈥檚 journey to earning his Juris Doctor from the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law this December is one of resilience, family legacy, and hard work.

After moving to Little Rock in 2021, Galloway embraced the opportunities offered at Bowen. He attended law school part-time while working remotely for his grandfather鈥檚 firm, gaining experience in real estate and estate planning, while also broadening his experience as a law clerk.

Galloway鈥檚 proudest achievements at Bowen include receiving the Top Paper Award in Professor Joshua Silverstein鈥檚 contracts course and working closely with Professor Robert Steinbuch as a research assistant.

鈥淚t was a validating experience because I never thought I could achieve something like getting the top paper in a first-year course,鈥� he said. 鈥淎fter managing to survive nearly a year working with Professor Steinbuch, this experience taught me a great deal, kept me on my toes, and ultimately revealed the unexpectedly kind friend beneath the infamously rough exterior.鈥�

Galloway has declined other offers, having his heart set on practicing with his grandfather, whom he refers to as his dearest friend. Now, as he prepares to join his grandfather鈥檚 law firm back home in Texas, Galloway is ready to embrace a new chapter, both professionally and personally, with his wife Cara, a nurse at CHI St. Vincent, and their first child on the way.

Baby Galloway just happens to be due on Feb. 25, 2025, the same day that Galloway is scheduled to take the bar exam. With the next exam not offered until June, prayers are already in place that the bundle of joy will make a timely arrival.

And there are a lot of prayers behind the Galloway Family. Outside academic pursuits, Galloway also serves as a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church. There, he participates in a service organization that partners with Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church to mentor students in public schools, and he visits elderly church members who are no longer able to attend services.

For Galloway, graduation is more than a personal milestone, it鈥檚 the continuation of a family legacy.

鈥淟aw school challenged me in ways I never imagined,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been blessed to have incredible mentors, from my grandfather to my professors at Bowen. I鈥檓 ready to carry forward their lessons as I step into this new chapter. And I鈥檓 proud to report that my mother obtained her associate degree just as I鈥檓 about to receive my JD!鈥�

The post From Loss to Legacy: Bowen Graduate Follows in His Grandfather鈥檚 Footsteps appeared first on News.

The commencement ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Jack Stephens Center. Doors will open at 8 a.m. to the public, and graduates should arrive at Fisher Court by 8:30 a.m. A clear bag policy will be in effect for all attendees, and no outside food or beverages will be allowed in the Jack Stephens Center.

The ceremony will feature undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, and the William H. Bowen School of Law.

Kiel Thorlton, assistant professor of mass communication and winner of the 2024 Faculty Excellence Award for Rising Faculty, will serve as the main speaker for the commencement ceremony.

The William H. Bowen School of Law will hold a hooding ceremony and reception to celebrate its graduating law students on Friday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. in the Friday Courtroom at Bowen. The address will be delivered by Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Barbara Womack Webb, a proud graduate of Bowen.

Additionally, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will hold a contest on the university鈥檚 Facebook page where the public can vote on the best-decorated graduation cap.

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock commencement ceremony will be live-streamed on the commencement website and the .

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to Celebrate Fall Commencement Dec. 14 appeared first on News.

Even though he enjoyed his long and challenging career, Greg, however, also had a long-held desire to become a nurse. Years later, he would follow a suggestion from Satchel as they both embarked on an incredible journey to become nurses together.

鈥淚鈥檝e always thought about it, certainly for the last 10-15 years,鈥� Greg said. 鈥淭he timing was never right. Now with the kids out of the house, Satchel wanting to do it, and retirement around the corner, it made it an easy decision for me.鈥�

In May 2023, the father-and-son firefighting duo answered a new call to enroll at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in the accelerated Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program.

鈥淲e鈥檝e had a great time,鈥� Satchel said. 鈥淲e ride to class and clinicals together. We always make sure to hold each other accountable. We鈥檝e really enjoyed it, and it鈥檚 been an absolute blast.鈥�

Satchel left his position at the Cabot Fire Department to focus on nursing school, and he now works part-time as a patient care technician at the Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock Emergency Department.

鈥淚鈥檝e really love it,鈥� Satchel said. 鈥淭he nursing program allows me to work while I am in school. It prepares us for the NCLEX exam and a real-world nursing career after that.鈥�

Greg continued to balance work as a firefighter during the first part of school. He retired from the North Little Rock Fire Department after 23 years in August, just three days before the fall semester began.

鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed going to nursing school,鈥� Greg said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 challenging, and it鈥檚 stressful a little bit of the time. It鈥檚 a fun program. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is the first program and the only program we picked. I鈥檓 glad we got to do it together.鈥�

When it comes to school, the Nashes have different styles. Greg is more structured and likes to hand in his assignments well ahead of schedule, while Satchel is much more laid back. Even though Satchel is a responsible adult, Greg admits it鈥檚 sometimes hard to turn off his worrying dad mode.

鈥淭he hardest part for me is stressing out over him not stressing out,鈥� Greg said. 鈥淗e always manages to get everything done, and I鈥檓 always worried about him getting everything done. I tend to freak out about grades and tests, and he鈥檚 a little more calm than me. We balance each other out.鈥�

As for the faculty in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing, this is the first time they can recall having a father and son completing the associate degree program at the same time, and they said it鈥檚 been a fun and unique experience.

鈥淗aving both a father and son in my class has been an extraordinary experience,鈥� said July Staley, assistant professor of nursing at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭heir dedication and commitment to their studies are truly inspiring. They’re always eager to learn, approaching each new challenge with a smile on their faces. I am genuinely excited to see where their journey in the nursing profession will take them.鈥�

The Nashes received scholarships from Baptist Health to earn their nursing degrees, and they are both excited to start their nursing careers at Baptist Health after they graduate in December. They also plan to finish their bachelor鈥檚 degrees at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock together as well.

鈥淚t鈥檚 something that we鈥檒l always remember,鈥� Greg said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had every single class and every single clinical together. It鈥檚 been a neat experience. We鈥檝e definitely gotten closer in the last two years.鈥�

The post Father and Son Answer New Call to Become Nurses appeared first on News.

After years of challenges and hard work, she鈥檚 ready to turn her lifelong passion for marine biology into a reality, taking the first step on a career path that leads to her ultimate goal of working with sharks.

Her path to success wasn鈥檛 a straight line. After leaving college in Wisconsin at 18 due to financial difficulties, she spent years working in factories and other tough jobs to make ends meet. But at 25, she made a life-changing decision to return to school, enrolling at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2018.

鈥淚t was a gut decision,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淚 wanted to start fresh, and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock gave me that chance.鈥�

Edwards was a part-time student for many years, which gave her the flexibility to work full-time. She became a full-time student in 2022, which gave her more opportunities to pursue internships and become involved in student activities like the Biology Club and being a learning assistant.

鈥淎s I got older, I found friends and mentors who challenged me,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淚 started to grow and started enjoying being a student because I could really embrace it by interacting with faculty, students, and mentors.鈥�

Now 32, Edwards is set to graduate with a degree in biology with a concentration in ecology and organismal biology.

Along the way, she embraced opportunities that fed her passion for marine biology. A pivotal moment came during a 2023 internship in South Africa, where she conducted research with the Shark Research Unit.

鈥淲e tagged smaller sharks, observed great white feeding habits, and even performed autopsies on sharks affected by orca attacks,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淚 cried the first time I saw a great white. It was incredible.鈥�

Edwards also gained valuable experience as an environmental consulting intern and through fieldwork with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, exploring areas from pest management to air quality permits.

Despite balancing part-time school, full-time work, and life鈥檚 challenges, Edwards never lost sight of her dream of studying sharks.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been my obsession since I was five,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y entire life is Shark Week.鈥�

After graduation, Edwards plans to work in the fisheries industry as a stepping stone toward her ultimate goal of becoming a marine biologist. Looking back, she credits her growth to her experience at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚 made the best friends I鈥檝e ever had and found mentors who challenged me to grow,鈥� Jessica said. 鈥淏eing a non-traditional student came with challenges, but it鈥檚 shaped me in ways I wouldn鈥檛 trade.鈥�

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Graduate Pursues Passion to Become Marine Biologist appeared first on News.

Now a first-generation student from Ohio, Handcock will soon graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Master of Arts in professional and technical writing.

Like many Americans during the pandemic, Handcock reevaluated her career path in 2021 and decided it was time for a change. Landing a job as a web content specialist at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock presented the perfect opportunity to align her professional and academic goals. 鈥淪ome might say it was kairos 鈥� or the opportune time,鈥� Handcock said.

From there, she began to research whether graduate school was the right fit for her. Once she was accepted to the graduate school, Handcock began taking courses online. She also took advantage of student support services at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, including getting a mentor to help her navigate this new phase of learning.

Through the professional and technical writing program, Handcock has been able to gain experience on real-world projects and sharpen her skills.

鈥淥ne aspect that I love about attending 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is the real-world projects I鈥檝e been able to do and the real-world experiences I鈥檝e had,鈥� Handcock said.

During her time in graduate school, she created a style guide for a Pine Bluff business and completed an independent study, where she worked on a grant writing team at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Her courses also helped her become the volunteer marketing coordinator of the HighEdWeb (now Digital Collegium) Leadership Academy, an online program designed to develop leadership skills for digital professionals working in higher education.

鈥淧ursuing my master鈥檚 in professional and technical writing sharpened my skills, making me a more versatile writer, skilled editor, and effective communicator. I鈥檝e had some wonderful professors who helped me expand my expertise in research, editing, document design, grant writing, and writing for social media,鈥� Handcock said.

The Lonoke, Arkansas, resident said the most influential person in her graduate school journey has been her husband, Julius.

鈥淗e has supported and encouraged me since day one,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 could not have done it without him. When I got tired or frustrated, he helped me through it. When I reached a milestone, he celebrated with me.鈥�

To other students who want to pursue a graduate degree, Handcock said, 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got this. If you need help, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has so many resources available. I had a graduate student mentor, and I attended the Student Success Fest at the beginning of each semester.鈥�

The university has a welcoming environment and is open to students from all walks of life, she said.

鈥淲hether you鈥檙e a nontraditional student like me or just coming out of high school, I truly believe there is a place for you here,鈥� Handcock said.

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