STEM Posters at the Capitol provides students with the opportunity to share original research with state lawmakers and fellow researchers while demonstrating the impact of STEM innovation happening across Arkansas.

Representing 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, the nine graduate and undergraduate students presented projects addressing real-world challenges in fields ranging from medical data analysis and data science to energy resources, biology, and chemistry.

Undergraduate student Kolton Claybrook, a senior double major in chemistry and business administration with a focus in entrepreneurship, presented research focused on developing cost-effective methods for concentrating lithium from brine water found in the Smackover Formation in southern Arkansas. The research addresses the growing demand for lithium, a critical element used in batteries and energy storage technologies.

鈥淧resenting at the Capitol was a very fun and rewarding experience,鈥� Claybrook said. 鈥淪peaking with peers and faculty across the state created great dialogue about the innovations happening right here in Arkansas.鈥�

Claybrook added that the event also provided valuable networking and presentation experience as he prepares for his future career.

Ammar Ahmed Taha Mohammed, a graduate student in information science, presented research on entity resolution, a process used to determine when different records refer to the same person or household despite inconsistencies or incomplete information. Mohammed said this work is particularly important for fields such as healthcare and government, where inaccuracies in data can have serious consequences.

鈥淧resenting my work at the Arkansas State Capitol was surreal and deeply inspiring,鈥� Mohammed said. 鈥淲hat stood out most were the thoughtful and engaging conversations. It was exciting to see people from diverse backgrounds connect with the broader significance and real-world applications of my research.鈥�

For Joie Lea Murorunkwere, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in applied science with a concentration in applied mathematics and statistics, the event offered a chance to highlight how advanced statistical techniques can improve medical research. Murorunkwere鈥檚 project examined melanoma treatment outcomes from different therapies using resampling-enhanced survival analysis.

鈥淧resenting at the Arkansas State Capitol was both exciting and meaningful,鈥� Murorunkwere said. 鈥淚t gave me the chance to share why rigorous, data-driven methods matter for real health decisions. As a student researcher, this experience strengthened my confidence and reinforced my commitment to research that can make a practical difference.鈥�

Events like STEM Posters at the Capitol allow students to share their work beyond the classroom while highlighting innovative research happening at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. By connecting students with policymakers, faculty, and researchers from across the state, the event demonstrates how student-led research contributes to solving real-world challenges in Arkansas and beyond.

Presenters included: 

• Kolton Claybrook, Computer Science, 鈥淐oncentrating Lithium Brine Using Reduced Graphene Oxide Forward Osmosis Membranes鈥�
• Ammar Ahmed Taha Mohammed, Information Science, 鈥淎 Hybrid Entity Resolution Pipeline Integrating LLM Intelligence, Semantic Clustering, and Household Movement Analysis鈥�
• Hannah Jones, Engineering, 鈥淒etecting the Undetectable: Methods to Detect BVID in Wind Turbine Blade Samples鈥�
• Ruby Bagchi, Biology, 鈥淐innamic Acid Modulates Iron Deficiency Responses in Soybean Through Improved Phenotypic Performance and Regulation of Iron Homeostasis-Related Genes鈥�
• Mohammed Naif, Chemistry, 鈥淚mproved Electrode for Lithium-Sulphur Battery鈥�
• Eshaal Nadeem, Chemistry, 鈥淓merging Ionic Nanomedicines: Synthesis, Characterization to In Vitro and In Vivo Performance鈥�
• Joie Lea Murorunkwere, Mathematics, 鈥淩esampling-Enhanced Survival Analysis of Adjuvant Versus Neoadjuvant Therapies in Melanoma Using Kaplan-Meier Estimation, Weighted Log-Rank Tests, and Time-Dependent Cox Models鈥�
• Meherun Nesa Shraboni, Computer Science, 鈥淎 Gaze-Aware XR Framework for Synchronizing Head-Based Interaction and Eye-Movement Analysis鈥�
• Kalyn You, Chemistry, 鈥淎dvanced Material Platforms for Stretchable Bioelectronics and Flexible Circuitry鈥�

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The Board approved a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Artificial Intelligence. 

鈥淭hese degrees address two very different but equally important needs in Arkansas,鈥� said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain. 鈥淭hey give students practical pathways into high-demand fields while supporting the long-term needs of our region, and I鈥檓 proud of our faculty for listening to our community and responding in meaningful ways.鈥�

The new bachelor鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education will be housed in the School of Education and will prepare graduates to teach children from pre-kindergarten through second grade. The program responds to a growing shortage of highly qualified early childhood educators across Central Arkansas.

The program is strengthened by a recent gift of $4.2M from the Trinity Foundation, which supports curriculum development, instructional materials, and faculty resources aimed at preparing classroom-ready early childhood educators.

Rachel Eells, director of the School of Education, said the degree reflects both community demand and the university鈥檚 mission to be a strong community partner.

鈥淪trong early learning experiences shape everything that comes after,鈥� Eells said. 鈥淭his program allows us to prepare teachers who are ready to support young learners and families while helping address a critical need in Arkansas schools.鈥�

The Board also approved a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Artificial Intelligence, a new program housed in the Department of Computer Science. Designed as a stand-alone degree, the program offers focused coursework in areas such as machine learning, data analytics, robotics, and ethical AI applications.

Dr. Ahmed AbuHalimeh, chair of the Department of Computer Science, said the program was developed in response to rapid growth in AI-related careers across multiple industries.

鈥淎rtificial intelligence is already transforming how organizations operate,鈥� AbuHalimeh said. 鈥淭his program gives students the technical skills and applied experience needed to succeed in a fast-changing field while supporting workforce needs in Arkansas and beyond.鈥�

The proposal for both degrees will be forwarded to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for its consideration. If approved, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock plans to begin offering the degrees in fall 2026.

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Housed in the Department of Computer Science within the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, the new degree builds on 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 established cybersecurity programs and further positions the university as a leader in cybersecurity education and workforce preparation.

鈥淭his program represents an important step forward for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain. 鈥淚t allows us to build on the strong foundation our faculty have created in cybersecurity education while responding to clear workforce needs. I鈥檓 proud of our faculty for collaborating with our industry and community partners to develop a graduate program that prepares students for advanced roles in this field.鈥�

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is designed to prepare students for careers in areas such as cyber defense, risk management, secure systems design, and the protection of critical infrastructure. The program serves both recent graduates and working professionals seeking advanced technical expertise and leadership opportunities.

Dr. Ahmed AbuHalimeh, chair of the Department of Computer Science, said the approval reflects the department鈥檚 long-term approach to building a comprehensive cybersecurity pathway.

鈥淥ur certificates and undergraduate cybersecurity program have gained strong momentum, and this master鈥檚 degree allows students to continue developing their skills at a higher level,鈥� AbuHalimeh said. 鈥淚t also strengthens our ability to support employers who need professionals with advanced cybersecurity training and experience.鈥�

The proposal for the degree will now be forwarded to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for its consideration. If approved, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock plans to begin offering the degree in fall 2026.

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Praveshika Bhandari, a researcher from Nepal pursuing a doctorate in computer science at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is using artificial intelligence and natural language processing 鈥� a field that enables computers to analyze and interpret human language 鈥� to explore that question. By analyzing Albert Einstein鈥檚 personal writings alongside his scientific work, her research traces the often-hidden emotional roots of innovation.

Her research sits at the intersection of two long-standing interests. Along with her bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science, she also holds a degree in psychology. She said she has long been fascinated by how people think, feel and make decisions.

Bhandari鈥檚 work uses AI to examine how emotions and social relationships influence intellectual work. Her goal is to better understand how emotions connect to creativity and intellect and how social influences shape research outcomes. Scientific publications tend to present ideas in polished, emotionless terms, but private correspondence and personal writings often tell a different story. Her central question is how emotional states and social context influence the direction and outcomes of scientific research.

鈥淪ay there鈥檚 a scientist and he has publications, but also has personal letters, emails and other writings,鈥� Bhandari said. 鈥淭he publications are edited down to only the facts, but when the scientist talks about the same research topics in their letters, we are able to see what the scientist is feeling and where they are aiming to go with the research next.鈥�

Bhandari uses Einstein as her case study to examine how personal experiences and emotion intersect with scientific innovation. He was chosen not only for his scientific legacy but also for the extensive personal writings he left behind and the complexity of his life beyond his work. While he is often viewed only through the lens of his genius, Einstein鈥檚 writings reflect a life shaped by migration, war and family challenges, including divorce. These experiences unfolded alongside his major intellectual contributions, making his letters a rich source for studying how creativity persists through emotional highs and lows.

鈥淚t was really interesting to see the ways he was thinking about different things,鈥� Bhandari said. 鈥淗e was still able to make all these genius contributions while having all the ups and downs of normal human life.鈥�

The project began as an idea developed by Dr. Arya Basu during his earlier work at Emory University, where he explored how AI could reveal the emotional and social context behind scientific discovery. After bringing that line of inquiry to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Basu became Bhandari鈥檚 primary doctoral adviser, working with her to shape the concept into a feasible research design. Dr. Jan Springer served as a secondary adviser, offering feedback as the study took form.

In the early stages of the research, Bhandari examined whether similar methods could identify signals of suicidal ideation in social media posts. However, privacy concerns and limited access to data made that approach impractical. Basu then suggested applying the techniques to Einstein鈥檚 publicly available writings, allowing the project to move forward using a rich archival record without the same ethical constraints.

Using a technique known as context-aware emotion modeling, Bhandari feeds AI models both Einstein鈥檚 personal letters and his scientific writings to analyze emotional patterns over time. The approach allows the system to account for what was happening in Einstein鈥檚 personal life as well as his professional work. By grouping his writings around subjects such as relativity or gravity, the model can identify whether Einstein expressed frustration, excitement or optimism as his ideas evolved. One pattern shows rising frustration before major publications, followed by an increase in positive emotions after his work was published.

Bhandari鈥檚 findings highlight the role emotions play in intellectual creativity.

鈥淓motion shapes everything we do every day in our lives,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ven in science, the way you feel about a problem can shape how you approach it. Emotions matter and impact your work. By studying how great people achieve great things, we can learn lessons that may help us in our own work and creativity.鈥�

Bhandari is working to automate the process through machine learning so it can be applied beyond Einstein. Her goal is to better understand how people think, whether they are renowned figures or everyday individuals.

鈥淲e want to see the lessons hidden behind how anyone thinks or creates,鈥� she said.

Her work is not limited to scientists. The same techniques could be applied to artists, athletes or anyone engaged in creative work. She also plans to expand her analysis beyond text to include images, paintings and handwriting in an effort to better understand the hidden processes of the human mind.

Bhandari said the significance of her research lies in addressing an underdeveloped area of study: the relationship between human emotion and professional life. While therapists will always play a central role, she said AI tools could one day complement human care by helping identify emotional patterns earlier or by offering additional analytical insight.

The project extends beyond her dissertation, and she plans to continue the work after graduating.

鈥淚鈥檓 really fascinated by machine learning and natural language models, but I鈥檓 also very interested in human emotions and what goes on within the mind,鈥� Bhandari said. 鈥淪o I hope to keep doing research in this interdisciplinary area where humans and computers can come together 鈥� not just meet, but complement one another.鈥�

As Bhandari prepares to graduate with her Ph.D. next semester, her work reflects the kind of interdisciplinary research underway at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. By examining the emotional lives behind scientific breakthroughs, her research challenges the idea of science as purely rational and detached, suggesting instead that creativity, persistence and discovery are deeply human processes shaped by emotion as much as intellect.

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Designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications, the sessions emphasized active participation and collaboration while introducing students to the technologies that power modern data centers.

The lectures featured Hadi Rashid, systems administrator at the Emerging Analytics Center (EAC), a research facility led by Dr. Ahmed Abu Halimeh, chair of the Department of Computer Science. Rashid, who holds a master鈥檚 degree in computer science and is pursuing his Ph.D., specializes in data center operations, cloud infrastructure, and systems automation, including the development of OpenStack-based cloud and high-performance computing (HPC) platforms within the EIT data center.

The hands-on initiative was developed in collaboration with Dr. AbuHalimeh to give students early exposure to enterprise-level computing environments. Working together, Dr. Elfikky and Rashid planned and delivered a two-part lecture series focused on enterprise server technology.

The first session, 鈥淏eyond Your PC/Laptop: Introduction to Enterprise Server Technology,鈥� introduced key differences between consumer and enterprise systems, including CPU architecture, ECC memory, RAID storage, redundancy, and out-of-band management. Students also observed a side-by-side hardware comparison between a desktop system and an enterprise server.

The second session featured a live, in-class demonstration using a server rack and networking equipment. Students explored a simulated network environment and remotely managed servers to experience out-of-band access firsthand.

Following the lecture, students toured the Computational Research Center in EIT Room 617, where they observed data center infrastructure such as cooling systems, raised-floor airflow, redundant power distribution, and fire suppression systems. The center supports more than 129 compute nodes for OpenStack, HPC, GPU platforms, and advanced storage systems.

Elfikky expressed gratitude to the department, led by Dr. Ahmed Abuhalimeh, for the strong support, guidance, and encouragement. He also thanked Dr. Billy Spann, former instructor of Computing Essentials, for his foundational contributions to the course, as well as Rashid and teaching assistant Karun Shrestha for their continued support in making this experience possible.

The sessions reflect the department鈥檚 commitment to hands-on, industry-relevant learning that prepares students for careers in today鈥檚 technology-driven workforce.

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The innovative app, developed by James Dempsey, a senior computer science major from White Hall, uses augmented reality (AR) to bring detailed, interactive 3D models of insects to life on a user鈥檚 phone or tablet. Through the app, users can explore how insects move, what they sound like, and even learn key facts about their habitats, diets, and lifespans 鈥� all in the palm of their hand.

鈥淭he app detects image targets and creates a 3D representation of the insect on that target, placing it into real space,鈥� Dempsey explained. 鈥淥nce the insect appears, it鈥檚 animated and makes noise. You can interact with it 鈥� make it fly, show its wings, or crawl 鈥� and you鈥檒l also see facts about the insect, including its scientific and common names. It鈥檚 all available on your handheld device.鈥�

The concept behind Insects AR started years ago as a creative marketing idea for a pest control company, which wanted animated business cards that would display virtual insects. Years after 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Emerging Analytics Center (EAC) brought that idea to life, the concept resurfaced in a team meeting, where Dempsey agreed to bring it to life in a new and educational way.

鈥淭he idea didn鈥檛 just get lost to time,鈥� Dempsey said. 鈥淚t got brought into the future.鈥�

Working alongside another student programmer and a creative team led by Jason Zac, lead artist, who designed the app鈥檚 art, animation, and sound, Dempsey spent months building and refining the project. The additional students who worked on the app include William Andrew Nickols, Dalen Villa, Cecily Mobley, and James McMath. The result is an app that blends technology and science education in an engaging, user-friendly way.

鈥淲hen we start a project like this, we begin with brainstorming and storyboarding, then assign tasks across the art and development teams,鈥� said Tom Coffin, operations manager at the EAC. 鈥淧rojects like Insects AR give students experience with industry-standard tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Autodesk 3ds Max, while also introducing them to cutting-edge areas like computer vision, real-time rendering, and even AI integration. These skills are directly applicable to careers in software development, game design, and beyond.鈥�

For Dempsey, Insects AR was more than a portfolio piece. It was a chance to dive deep into emerging technologies and gain valuable experience in mobile development.

鈥淚 learned how to develop mobile applications, how to use Unity, how to work with augmented reality, and how to apply computer vision for spawning digital models,鈥� he said.

Users simply download the app and point their device at special image targets available on the EAC website or on handy cards. The app then projects an animated, life-like insect model into the real world, even when viewed from different angles.

The project also represents Dempsey鈥檚 broader interests in technology and its applications. After graduation, he plans to work in the tech industry in Little Rock for a few years before pursuing a master鈥檚 degree, with a growing interest in social computing and data analysis.

The Insects AR project is part of the EAC鈥檚 expanding portfolio of augmented and virtual reality applications, which include research into AI-driven virtual environments, interactive simulations, and immersive educational tools.

Coffin said projects like Insects AR show how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students are helping shape the future of interactive technology.

鈥淭his project highlights the power of hands-on learning and collaboration,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur students are learning theory while building tools that have real-world applications.鈥�

Insects AR is available now for Android devices on the Google Play Store, and work is underway to bring it to the Apple App Store in the near future. Users can access the required image targets directly from the Emerging Analytics Center website to start exploring the insect world in augmented reality.

鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of James and the work our student team has done,鈥� Coffin said. 鈥淭his app is a perfect example of how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students are using technology to make science more engaging and accessible.鈥�

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The inaugural class of nine graduates includes Kenneth Barnett, Bryce Ebsen, Isaac Gonzalez, Courtney Ingram, Cameron Jackson, Cameron Johnson, David Leitnaker, Emily McClenahan, and Brandon Orender.

These students represent a diverse range of backgrounds, including traditional students, military veterans, working professionals, and student-athletes, who are all united in their mission to enter a high-demand profession and protect critical systems from cyber threats.

鈥淲atching our first class of cybersecurity graduates walk across that stage is beyond exciting鈥攊t鈥檚 deeply rewarding,鈥� said Rebecca Passmore, an assistant professor of cybersecurity. 鈥淭hey came in as students full of curiosity and potential and are leaving as confident professionals ready to make a difference.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock launched its bachelor鈥檚 degree in cybersecurity in 2021 in response to growing national and statewide demand for skilled professionals. Since then, the program has rapidly expanded in scope, student enrollment, and national recognition, recently being named to national lists for both Top Cybersecurity Programs and Most Affordable Bachelor鈥檚 Degrees.

鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly rewarding鈥攍ike reaching the summit after a long climb,鈥� said Dr. Philip Huff, associate professor of cybersecurity and director of cybersecurity research. 鈥淲e laid the groundwork for this program about six years ago, and to now see our students stepping into meaningful careers is a moment of real joy and pride.鈥�

The program now includes a growing number of certifications and specialized tracks in areas like digital forensics, software security, and cybersecurity operations. With new graduate programs in artificial intelligence security and cybersecurity operations on the horizon, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is solidifying its role as a statewide leader in cybersecurity education.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a profession for every organization,鈥� Huff said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e barely begun to supply the cybersecurity workforce needed in Arkansas. There are thousands of job openings right now, and we鈥檙e committed to preparing students to fill them.鈥�

The success stories among the first graduates reflect the program鈥檚 accessibility and flexibility. Courtney Ingram, a North Little Rock native, began college in 2004 but paused her education to focus on work and raising a family. After discovering the new degree program through a 2021 newspaper article, she enrolled and completed her degree while working full time. 

鈥淚 never thought I would be in the category of being one of the first to do what I鈥檓 doing,鈥� Ingram said. 鈥淭he journey that I took to get here is something I鈥檒l never take for granted. I put myself in a very uncomfortable position for four years, but I made it. This program sharpened me. It made me more organized and gave me something to strive for. I鈥檝e changed since I started. I鈥檝e become more confident, and it鈥檚 helped my mental health. If I can do this, I鈥檓 ready for what鈥檚 next.鈥�

Ingram recently began a new role as an information security analyst associate at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. She was also the winner of the university鈥檚 Spring 2025 Grad Cap Contest. A picture of her grad cap earned more than 1,900 likes on Facebook. 

Cameron Jackson, a student-athlete from Kilgore, Texas, balanced his passion for track and field with rigorous cybersecurity coursework.

鈥淎s I learned more about cybersecurity and how important it is in today鈥檚 world, I knew it was the field I wanted to pursue,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock offered a strong program and the chance to grow in both athletics and academics, so it was the right fit for me. It鈥檚 been a great experience. The program is hands-on and constantly evolving, and I鈥檝e had the chance to work on real world projects that have challenged me and helped me grow.鈥�

He now plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in information science while working in cybersecurity as well as training as a professional athlete.

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting and humbling to be part of the first graduating class,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e setting the tone for future students and helping build the reputation of the program. It feels like I鈥檓 part of something bigger than just my own education. Long term, I鈥檓 interested in combining my cybersecurity knowledge with legal studies to help organizations stay secure and compliant. I鈥檓 excited for what comes next and to represent 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock wherever I go.鈥�

Emily McClenahan, a former chef and sales professional from Malvern, saw cybersecurity as a chance to pursue a more intellectually challenging career.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been curious about how things work鈥攅specially in tech鈥攁nd after a decade in the culinary and sales industries, I was ready for a career that would challenge me intellectually and keep me learning,鈥� she said. 鈥淐ybersecurity checked all the boxes, and the program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock felt like the perfect fit.鈥�

McClenahan returned to school after reading about the new program in an article and graduated this spring with honors.

鈥淢y experience was challenging, rewarding, and hands-on,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned so much and gained confidence in areas like digital forensics, incident response, and compliance. The faculty support has been outstanding, and I鈥檓 proud to be graduating with honors.

鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly emotional and rewarding,鈥� said Dr. Sandra Leiterman, cybersecurity education research professor. 鈥淲e launched this program during the uncertainty of COVID, when we had just a handful of students. These graduates took a chance on a new program. They believed in us, and we believed in them.鈥�

Graduates are stepping into roles such as security operations center analysts, threat hunters, and incident response specialists across government, healthcare, and private sectors.

鈥淭he stakes are high when it comes to cybersecurity,鈥� Passmore said. 鈥淔rom safeguarding patient records to protecting infrastructure, these students are entering careers that truly matter.鈥�

As cyber threats grow in complexity and frequency, the demand for trained professionals continues to climb.

鈥淭he market is robust and expanding,鈥� Passmore said. 鈥淲e need more students to step into this field prepared to protect what matters most.鈥�

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His paper, 鈥淔rom Novelty to Knowledge: A Longitudinal Investigation of the Novelty Effect on Learning Outcomes in Virtual Reality,鈥� received the Best Paper Honorable Mention Award at the 32nd , held March 8-12 in Saint-Malo, France.

Basu’s research, co-authored with Dr. Joomi Lee of the University of Arkansas and Dr. Chen Crystal Chen of the University of Miami, explores how VR鈥檚 initial novelty influences engagement and learning outcomes over time. 

The study found that while the novelty of using VR technology initially fuels excitement and exploration of VR, it can also impede learning. However, this effect diminishes over time, and learning outcomes continue to improve, suggesting that VR鈥檚 long-term educational benefits may be underestimated.

鈥淎 decade of research later, the core question still remains: How do we design immersive experiences that go beyond novelty to drive deep, lasting learning?鈥� Basu said. 鈥淭his study is an important step in understanding how we can optimize VR for education.鈥�

Investigating the Novelty Effect in VR Learning

The study involved 25 college students from Arkansas, including eight men and 17 women. Participants watched a lecture in a virtual environment and repeated the experiment twice over the course of two weeks.

Unlike traditional classroom settings, the virtual environment was designed as a fully furnished studio apartment, creating comfortable and immersive experiences. Students could walk around and use a virtual remote to start their lecture, allowing for a more natural and engaging learning experience.

鈥淭he novelty effect is something everyone encounters. It鈥檚 that 鈥榳ow鈥� moment when experiencing new technology,鈥� Basu explained. 鈥淥ur research shows that while this effect fades, learning continues to grow, reinforcing the importance of designing VR learning experiences that extend beyond the initial excitement.鈥�

Basu emphasized that VR is not just for gaming and entertainment but also holds great promise in education, particularly for students who may have difficulty accessing traditional learning environments.

鈥淒uring the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual platforms became essential for education,鈥� Basu said. 鈥淰R can provide an immersive learning experience that reaches a broader audience, including students who are working full-time or managing family responsibilities. As the technology becomes more accessible, it has the potential to reshape how we approach education.鈥�

Looking ahead, Basu plans to expand his research by incorporating eye-tracking technology to analyze how students鈥� attention and retention evolve in VR settings.

鈥淭his is just the beginning,鈥� Basu said. 鈥淥ur goal is to continue refining VR learning tools to make them more effective and engaging. Ultimately, I want students to actively integrate VR into their curriculum, making learning more interactive, lasting, and impactful.鈥�

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Brandon Sollars, director of the Learning Commons, had been looking for a way to recruit tech tutors that could assist students when he saw an email looking for service-learning projects for computer science students.

鈥淚t seemed serendipitous to me, and it has been smooth sailing ever since Ahmet Yaman and Will Moore reached out to me about working in the Learning Commons for their project,鈥� Sollars said.

Yaman, a double major in computer science and cybersecurity from Turkey, and Moore, a web design and development major from North Little Rock, are both freshmen who took the first-year experience (FYE) course for students in the Department of Computer Science during the fall semester. Students in the course complete a service-learning project at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚 work as a part-time tutor teaching reading and math at Gideon Math and Reading Center, so when my FYE wanted me to prepare a project, my first thought was finding ways to tutor computer technology,鈥� Yaman said. 鈥淚 saw the Learning Commons on the list of project sponsors, and I immediately thought that would be the best place to tutor people.鈥�

Yaman and Moore hosted technology tutoring hours on Mondays and Wednesdays during the fall semester as well as worked with the Disability Resource Center to host a technology workshop in October in honor of Disability Awareness Month.

During the Basics of Technology: Accessibility Edition Workshop, Moore and Yaman introduced and demonstrated Texthelp, an accessibility tool that is offered through the Disability Resource Center. Texthelp tools provide literacy and translation support.

鈥淚 have gained so much from this experience,鈥� Moore said. 鈥淚 had gotten familiar with Texthelp earlier in the semester, and I particularly like the narration feature where it reads text to you so you can listen to text on the go. We got to help so many people this semester, from students who weren鈥檛 familiar with Blackboard to students in web design class to those that just needed general technology tutoring sessions.鈥�

鈥淚 enjoyed everything about the service-learning project,鈥� Yaman agreed. 鈥淚 loved working on the workshop with Will and working with the Communications Skills Center to practice our presentation. It was a collaborative experience that I enjoyed. As a tutor, I got to help many students, including a lot of my friends, with any computer question they had. It was generally a very fun experience.鈥�

The Learning Commons has continued the project with tech tutoring hours and Basics of Technology workshops during the spring semester. The tech tutors assist students with basic computer skills, internet and web browsing, email use, mobile device assistance, digital communication tools like videoconferencing and message apps, basic file management, and basic troubleshooting.

鈥淲ill Moore has come on board as our primary tech tutor and will take other tutors and students from the FYE course under his wing,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淲e鈥檇 like to keep this momentum going by continuing to collaborate with on-campus partners like the Department of Computer Science and continue to have technology workshops in collaboration with partners like the Disability Resource Center.鈥�

The post First-Year Experience Course Brings Tech Tutoring to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Learning Commons appeared first on News.

鈥淚’m excited to take on this new challenge, ready to empower the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, bridge the skills gap, and drive innovation in our field,鈥� Leiterman said. 鈥淢y goal is to inspire students to tackle the complex challenges of today’s digital landscape and to contribute to the cutting-edge research that will shape the future of cybersecurity.鈥�

In her new role, Leiterman will continue to manage the Cyber Arena while overseeing various cybersecurity education programs, advancing cybersecurity research, and working on several high-level cybersecurity grants and projects at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

These projects include the continuing development of a competency-based academic program in cyber-informed engineering tailored for the energy sector, which will equip students with specialized skills to strengthen the cybersecurity expertise of operators, technicians, and engineers within the energy sector.

Additionally, she will be working on building partnerships to expand the Cyber Learning Network, a consortium of seven University of Arkansas System campuses to expand and diversify workforce education in emerging cyber technologies. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Cyber Arena provides cloud-based cybersecurity workouts and simulations for the Cyber Learning Network.

In her new position, Leiterman is looking forward to helping students meet the evolving demands of the cybersecurity landscape, one of the most popular careers in the U.S. There are currently more than 3,400 open cybersecurity positions in Arkansas alone, according to Cyber Seek.

鈥淚 really want to expand access to education and help people realize there are a lot of different opportunities in the cybersecurity field,鈥� Leiterman said. 鈥淚 want to be a difference maker who helps people realize their potential. By increasing their access to education and helping people find the right educational pathway, we are helping to shape their future while helping address state security, national security, and economic growth. These are all benefits of having a well informed and educated, diverse workforce.鈥�

Leiterman joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2015 as a STEM education instructor and previously taught middle school math and science in Little Rock. She holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in middle school math and science education and a graduate certificate in gifted and talented education from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, as well as a master鈥檚 degree in digital and teaching learning from Kansas State and a Ph.D. in Urban Education with an emphasis in Math Education from the University Wisconsin 鈥� Milwaukee. She鈥檚 also pursuing a graduate certificate in cybersecurity education through 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy.

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