The 2026 Academic Award winners are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The program, initially supported by federal CARES Act funding, is now sustained through a collaborative effort between the Office of the Provost, the Academic Affairs Retention Office, IT Services, and the Ottenheimer Library. The partnership reflects the university鈥檚 ongoing commitment to expanding access to essential technology.

Any student enrolled at the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock main campus is eligible to apply for a laptop. The Academic Affairs Retention Office assesses applicants based on financial need and grade level. Undergraduate students are given priority, though graduate students are also supported through the program.

A total of 278 laptops are in circulation. Students checked out 132 of them for the first time this semester, while renewing 146. Brandon Sollars, Learning Commons coordinator at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, said the program has an inventory of 348 laptops, though the number fluctuates as devices are returned and processed.

鈥淭he level of demand for technology has always existed at a steady level, and most students keep their laptops for multiple semesters,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淭his program is integrated into the existing loan system the library uses, so we can scale as needed or as we acquire more laptops.鈥�

The program plays a key role in student retention and academic success by reducing a significant financial burden.

鈥淚t鈥檚 one more thing off a student鈥檚 checklist,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淎 new laptop can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the student鈥檚 program needs. By providing students with a laptop, we can carry that cost, provide them with reliable technology, and give them access to library and IT support.鈥�

According to previous program surveys, 93% of students who responded said having a loaned laptop was 鈥渧ery important鈥� to meeting their academic needs, while the remaining 7% indicated it was 鈥渋mportant.鈥�

鈥淭he majority of our feedback highlights that the process for obtaining a laptop was easy, accessible, and simple,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淢any students reported that having the laptop was very helpful for completing assignments, attending online classes, and supporting their overall academic success.鈥�

Senior student Cornell Cornelius Jr. said the program has been critical to maintaining his academic progress.

鈥淭he CARES laptop provides a level of flexibility that is vital for me, especially when considering my disability and the recovery process from my previous surgeries. Having this technology available allows me to stay on track regardless of my physical constraint,鈥� he said.

鈥淚n all honesty, I don’t believe my GPA would be where it is today without the resources provided by this program. It is an incredibly important initiative, and I truly hope it continues to support students like me,鈥� Cornelius added.

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The Division of Academic Affairs honored outstanding staff members with these awards for the first time in 2022. The winners received a prize of $500 and a certificate to display in their workplace. This year鈥檚 winners have not only excelled in their job performance but also in their attention to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 goal of preparing student success, strengthening and supporting the university鈥檚 mission, and encouraging creative endeavors.

Dana Steele, associate registrar, received the Staff Recognition Award for Customer Service, which honors a staff member who has made exceptional contributions to deliver superior service to members of our campus community and/or the community at large.

Kilby Raptopoulos, advanced instructor, who nominated Steele, called her a true reflection of what customer service should strive to be.

鈥淚 have worked with Dana regarding our school鈥檚 undergraduate academic advising, and I can鈥檛 imagine a Records and Registration Office without Dana Steele鈥檚 guidance and patience,鈥� Raptopoulos wrote. 鈥淒ana is not only an expert on internal policies and procedures, which makes her a true asset to this university, she goes out of her way to be helpful in a kind and supportive manner.鈥�

Geoff Nash, Blackboard support coordinator, received the Staff Recognition Award for Team Work, which recognizes a staff member who fosters a high degree of collegiality in their daily work with our students, faculty, other staff, and community members.

Dr. Edma Delgado, assistant professor of Spanish, nominated Nash for his constant support for students and faculty using Blackboard.

鈥淕eoff always goes above and beyond to support students and faculty working through Blackboard issues or teaching faculty how to enhance their course delivery by using online tools,鈥� Delgado wrote. 鈥淚 am confident in my abilities to run online classes because I know that Geoff Nash is backing me and all of the faculty. His professionalism, patience, and commitment to making online programs work should be lauded.

Next, Donna-Rae Eldridge, director of operations, received the Staff Recognition Award for Initiative, which honors a staff member who, of their own accord, has taken on exceptional responsibilities beyond their primary job duties.

鈥淚 had no idea that I was being considered for this award, so receiving the 2023 Academic Affairs Staff Award for Initiative was a wonderful surprise,鈥� Eldridge said. 鈥淚 am humbly grateful for the recognition.鈥�

Eldridge鈥檚 supervisor, Sharonda Lipscomb, nominated her for the award. Lipscomb, director of online learning, said Eldridge repeatedly steps up and takes on additional responsibilities to ensure that the Office of eLearning operates smoothly.

鈥淚 have found Donna-Rae to be quite attentive and never afraid to take on challenging tasks,鈥� Lipscomb said. 鈥淚 have been most impressed with her persistence, unrelenting drive, and determination to ensure projects are completed. She is a hard worker with a positive attitude and exemplifies 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 current theme of Expect More.鈥�

Finally, Rebecca Nugent, student affairs program manager, is the winner of the Staff Award for Innovation, which honors a staff member who has used creativity to develop or implement new and/or improved processes, services, and methods.

“I am grateful to get to go to work each day at a place where I feel welcomed and challenges me to do better,” Nugent said. “No two days are ever the same. I work with great co-workers and students that make my job enjoyable. Thanks to those who nominated me for this award it is much appreciated.”

Nominator Kristen Minton, director of academic support and bar services, describes Nugent as the best employee at the William H. Bowen School of Law who went above and beyond to make sure students had food options available.

鈥淒uring the pandemic, Rebecca would coordinate food trucks to provide students meals on campus,鈥� Minton said. 鈥淎fter the pandemic, Student Affairs met and decided we needed to take over the project of providing food. Rebecca spearheaded the project, renovated the space with the help of Lance Bennings, and worked through the process to get grab and go food that is available to law students, both day and night. She hires and coordinates student workers to supervise the market. She absolutely goes above and beyond with all of her projects.鈥�

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