The new members include Donavon Colclough, supervisor of safety with Entergy Arkansas; Cameron Fuller, commercial banker with Simmons Bank; Grady McCorkle, director of workforce planning for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Bethany Siems, director of strategy at Ghidotti; and Alfreda Summons, data analyst lead at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

“We are thrilled to welcome our newest members to the Alumni Board of Directors and express our deepest gratitude for their dedication and commitment to our alma mater,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淭heir invaluable contributions will undoubtedly enrich our university community and help shape the future of our institution.”

All new board members are 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumni who are serving a three-year term from 2024 to 2027. More information on the new board members:

Cameron Fuller works as a commercial banker at Simmons Bank, where he helps customers fulfill financial needs such as financing, treasury management solutions, business credit cards, wealth management, point of sale solutions, 401k plans, and health insurance plans. Fuller graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2021.

鈥淚 am involved with a handful of local nonprofit organizations within the community and am so grateful to be a part of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors,鈥� Fuller said.鈥� I鈥檓 so excited to be a part of this board and can鈥檛 wait to contribute to my alma mater.鈥�

Donovan Colclough serves as supervisor of safety at Entergy Arkansas, having begun his career in 2006 as an apprentice lineman. Donovan has been married to his college sweetheart, Dr. Crystal Colclough, for 17 years, and they have four children. Driven by a desire to set an example for his children and complete his education, Donavon returned to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as a nontraditional student in 2017, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor鈥檚 degree of applied science in 2021.

Grady McCorkle works as the director of workforce planning at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. In this role, he is responsible for aligning the organization’s talent strategy with its business goals and objectives. He leads a team of professionals who provide expertise in workforce planning, performance management, employee engagement surveys, organizational change management, Workday strategy, and talent acquisition.

A graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 MBA program, McCorkle co-founded the Central Arkansas Leadership Development Forum, a network of high-caliber peers who share best practices and insights and sits on the board for Life Skills for Youth and the Bedford Falls Project.

Bethany Siems serves as the director of strategy at Ghidotti, a Little Rock-based public relations and content marketing agency, where she leads strategic communications ensuring that client messaging aligns with their core mission and moves them closer to achieving their goals. She has more than 15 years of experience in public relations, promotions, events planning and creative campaign management.

Siems graduated cum laude from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business communication with an emphasis in advertising and public relations. Following graduation in 2005, she spent nearly four years as a project manager and team lead for one of Little Rock鈥檚 largest advertising agencies, supporting various national and regional clients. She also worked for an 80-year-old architectural firm learning the ins and outs of new business development before landing at a popular lifestyle shopping center as marketing director for nearly eight years before joining Ghidotti. Siems recently served as the vice president of the Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Alfreda Summons is a data analyst lead at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield with over 15 years of experience, specializing in data management. She is a proud graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a degree in computer information systems. When she鈥檚 not working, Summons loves to help people and spends countless hours volunteering at many events at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, her church, and throughout Little Rock.

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鈥淲e are happy to introduce Trojan Champions, a new initiative that underscores our unwavering commitment to student success,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淲ith alumni engagement at an all-time high, this program opens doors for students to explore exciting opportunities at the next level.”

All Trojan Champions pledge to make an annual donation to the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Annual Fund for three years or more. Donations to the Annual Fund are unrestricted and can be used for a variety of opportunities to help students succeed.

鈥淚 became a Trojan Champion because I have benefited immensely from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and want to pay it forward,鈥� said Donovan Colclough, an alumnus who recently joined Trojan Champions. 鈥淚 live our mantra of 鈥楨xpect More鈥� out loud, especially as I look within and consider how I can help keep the path of success open for our future alumni.鈥�

Such funds could be used to establish a fund that enables 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students to showcase their talents at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, participate in national competitions, or engage in academic competitions. A current example of a gift in action are custom blazers for real estate students provided by Paul Rainwater at Q Clothier. These students will be outfitted for success when they participate in an upcoming national real estate challenge.

鈥淎s a Trojan Champion, you have the chance to empower students in a manner that suits you best,鈥� said Laterika Tooks, director of annual giving. 鈥淲e have had an overwhelmingly positive response from alumni who want to play a role in championing our students. Having graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, I recognize the significance of both on and off campus experiences, and this opportunity allows our alumni and friends to make a direct, positive impact on students benefiting from these unrestricted funds.”

With a focus on empowering the next generation of philanthropists, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock seeks to harness the collective generosity of its alumni community to pave the way for enhanced educational experiences and brighter futures for students from all walks of life. Trojan Champions represents a new opportunity for alumni to have an immediate impact on students.

鈥淚’ve wanted to find a consistent way to give to the university for a while, but no one ever talks about how intimidating giving can be when you already have the many financial obligations that come with raising a family, and you don’t have tens of thousands of dollars to spare,鈥� Trojan Champion Guy Choate said. 鈥淭he Trojan Champions Program gives me a responsible entry point that can still make an impact at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

New Trojan Champion Becky Flynn, director of development for the Women鈥檚 Foundation of Arkansas, said it was important for her to become a Trojan Champion to support student success at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淭his is a chance to donate directly to opportunities that create that success,鈥� Flynn said. 鈥淚t is my hope that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students are provided every opportunity to excel, inside and outside of the classroom. Knowing that this fund supports growth and development for current and future Trojans is what made me want to support the program. I appreciate 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for continuing to find innovative ways to advance students!”

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has a goal of welcoming the first 100 Trojan Champions by June 30, 2025. The generous contributions from these and future Trojan Champions is set to make a lasting impact by empowering students to build their dreams and construct a brighter future for themselves and their communities. This program is a part of the Centennial Campaign, which has a goal to raise $250 million in celebration of the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027.

For more information on how to become a Trojan Champion, or contact Tooks at lstooks@ualr.edu or 501-916-6439.

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