鈥淚 chose the medical and research field because I鈥檝e always been passionate about improving health outcomes and making a meaningful impact on people鈥檚 lives,鈥� she said of her career. 鈥淚鈥檓 drawn to the combination of science, education, and service 鈥� knowing that the work being done behind the scenes in research can directly improve patient care.鈥�

After earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology with a minor in health sciences from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Searles wanted to deepen her expertise. The Little Rock resident chose the graduate degree in health education and promotion because of its strong focus on public health and practical application in the medical field.

鈥淭he program offered coursework and research opportunities that aligned directly with my interests in improving patient outcomes and supporting health initiatives, which complemented my professional goals in healthcare and research,鈥� she said.

As a research regulatory coordinator at ACRI, Searles manages research protocols, ensures regulatory compliance, and helps facilitate studies designed to improve pediatric care.

Balancing graduate school with a 40-hour work week taught her valuable skills in time management, organization, and prioritization. 鈥淚 learned how to stay focused under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously,鈥� she said.

Searles described her time in the program as a period of significant growth.

鈥淭here were difficult moments and times that tested my discipline, but overall it was an incredibly rewarding experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he program allowed me to grow professionally and personally, gain valuable skills in health education and research, and feel proud of accomplishing a major milestone in my career.鈥�

Some of her favorite memories center on writing her thesis titled 鈥淭he Impact of Solo Runners vs. Group Runners on Stress Levels and Mental Health.鈥� 

鈥淎s a runner who has completed a marathon and plans to run more, I鈥檝e personally experienced how powerful running can be for stress relief and mental clarity,鈥� Searles said. 鈥淚 became curious about whether the experience differs when you run alone versus with a group.鈥�

Her thesis found that group runners reported better stress management and mental health than solo runners, though the results were not statistically significant, Searles said.

Designing and evaluating health programs, applying research methods to real-world challenges, and effectively communicating health information to diverse populations were among the most valuable lessons she took from the program.

Dr. Amar Kanekar, a professor and graduate program coordinator for health education and promotion,  praised Searles’ commitment as she pursued her master鈥檚 degree. 鈥淪he was a very dedicated student who worked hard on her research and was very good at communication, and hence I am proud of her work and work ethic,鈥� he said.

Searles credits her support system, including her partner, for helping her reach the finish line.

鈥淗e celebrated every small victory, from finishing a tough assignment to submitting a paper, and always reminded me that progress, no matter how small, was worth acknowledging,鈥� she said.

Her family and friends were also constant cheerleaders. 鈥淭hrough God鈥檚 strength and their unwavering belief in me, the challenging moments became manageable, and the entire experience was transformed into something joyful and meaningful,鈥�  Searles said.

She said earning her master鈥檚 degree was a journey of faith, perseverance, and growth that prepared her for her next step. She is now exploring Ph.D. programs.聽

鈥淓very late night, every challenge, and every small victory reminded me that I was never alone in this journey,鈥� Searles said. 鈥淎chieving this degree taught me the power of faith, determination, and community, and I hope my story inspires others to trust in God, lean on their loved ones, and keep moving forward even when it feels impossible.鈥�

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鈥淓arning a master鈥檚 degree in health education and promotion has significantly strengthened my effectiveness as a dental hygiene educator by expanding my understanding of behavioral, social and environmental determinants of health,鈥� Norton said. 鈥淎dditionally, my training in health promotion has strengthened my curriculum design and teaching methodology.鈥�

Norton, who lives in Maumelle, chose the program after researching academic paths and speaking with a mentor.

鈥淚 found that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock offered a strong public health focus aligned with my career goals 鈥� making it the perfect fit,鈥� she said.

Since graduating in 2020, Norton has become an assistant professor and director of community service at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She also serves as the interprofessional education contact for dental hygiene and as faculty representative for the Student American Dental Hygienists鈥� Association, helping students connect classroom learning with clinical and community experiences.

鈥淚 wear many hats in my current role,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 teach both didactically and clinically. Our students are required to obtain 38 hours of community service during the program. I develop partnerships with organizations, create community initiatives, and implement community service events.鈥�

Norton also serves as a preceptor at the 糖心Vlog传媒MS 12th Street Health & Wellness Center, a student-led clinic that provides free services to local residents. Students see firsthand the impact of public health education on underserved communities.

One of her favorite memories at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock was applying classroom concepts to real community needs. 

鈥淭he Community and Public Health course provided a broad understanding of areas such as biostatistics, epidemiology, and systems thinking,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hrough this course, I gained the ability to assess community health trends, identify disparities, and apply data-driven strategies to improve outcomes.鈥�

Perseverance Through Challenge

Balancing graduate school and full-time work brought challenges, but Norton said support from faculty, especially her academic advisor, Dr. Amar Kanekar, helped her stay on track. 

鈥淎s with any commitment, there were seasons of struggle,鈥� she said. 鈥淒uring those times, I reached out to my academic advisor, who helped me navigate the challenges.鈥�

Norton said her faith and family carried her through the most difficult periods. 鈥淢y husband, Michael Norton II, made countless sacrifices to support my goals, and my parents instilled the work ethic and determination that made this journey possible,鈥� she said.

Her perseverance was tested during her final year of the program, when she lost her mother to stage IV lung cancer. 鈥淭hat experience taught me profound lessons about self-care and the necessity of being well in order to care for others,鈥� she said.

She also learned practical lessons she now shares with students. 鈥淧ursuing a degree is a deeply personal decision, and not everyone will understand your path,鈥� she said. 鈥淐onsistency is key; working a little each day was far more effective than trying to catch up on weekends.鈥�

Continuing to Grow and Lead

Norton is now pursuing a Doctor of Education in organizational change at Baylor University and expects to graduate in May 2026. Her leadership has already been recognized nationally. She received the 2025 American Dental Education Association Leadership Institute Alumni Association Award to Honor Jack Bresch and was selected as a Mary Jo Smalls Fellow for 2025鈥�26 with the Society for the Future of Higher Education.

Norton credits 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with preparing her for doctoral-level work. 鈥淭he program deepened my understanding of research design, data interpretation, and evidence-based practice 鈥� skills that naturally progressed into the analytical expectations of doctoral study,鈥� she said.

She described 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as 鈥渟upportive, local, and welcoming.鈥� The proximity and accessibility of the campus, she said, made the program even more manageable as a working professional.

Dr. Kanekar said Norton鈥檚 determination set her apart from the beginning. 鈥淪he was a very conscientious, organized, and committed student who completed her master鈥檚 program in a timely manner,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he fact that she is now pursuing her Ph.D. fills me with great pride and joy.鈥�

For Norton, the lessons from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock extend far beyond academics. Her favorite quote, 鈥淏e the reason someone believes in the goodness of people,鈥� guides her in every class, clinic, and community initiative 鈥� a reminder that education, service, and compassion can transform not just careers but lives.

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The Newport native graduated from Newport High School in 2021 after helping lead the Greyhounds to a trip to the state basketball tournament. Before the pandemic, Dean had received several college offers to continue his athletic career. But by graduation day, COVID-related eligibility rule changes caused those opportunities to disappear.

Disappointed, Dean told his family, “If I can’t play ball, I’m not going to college.” His parents urged him to continue his education, reminding him that “maybe God has another route for you to take.”

Dean received several academic scholarships which provided him with the extra incentive to attend the university.  He is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in health education and promotion and a minor in sport management. 

Adjusting to life without basketball wasn鈥檛 easy. Dean struggled his freshman year and found himself on academic probation. But he refused to stay there. He rebuilt his academic standing, made the Dean鈥檚 List twice, and maybe a third time this semester.

“This journey has had its ups and downs, but I鈥檓 the kind of person who never gives up and always learns along the way,鈥� he said.

Dean also found a way to reconnect with the sport he loved. Women’s Basketball Head Coach Steve Wiedower welcomed him as a practice player for two years.

“He was a hard worker and enjoyed the game of basketball,” Wiedower said. “We could depend on him to be available to do whatever we needed him to do for the team. I always enjoyed J.D.’s friendly personality and his sense of humor.”

One of the most meaningful parts of Dean鈥檚 academic journey was his internship in a counseling and consulting office.

“Every day brought something new, and interacting with so many different personalities taught me the importance of professionalism and patience,” he said.

Outside the classroom, Dean discovered a new passion 鈥� day trading. “I’m a day trader and serial investor,” he said. “I trade U.S. stocks for a living.”

He and a classmate launched a program designed to teach others about trading, focusing not only on technical skills but also on discipline and mindset.

Throughout his time in school at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Dean has expressed gratitude. “I’m thankful to God for allowing me to wake up every day and give 110% to finish this degree, but also my professors for being on me to get the work in and letting me know where I鈥檓 wrong,” he said.

His parents鈥� encouragement has shaped his values and work ethic. “My parents have always made sure that my education was a top priority,” he said. “Even when school became challenging or overwhelming, they reminded me that hard work always pays off.”

Dean said one of the most important moments of his college years had nothing to do with academics. “I had the privilege of welcoming my beautiful daughter into the world,” he said.

Becoming a father shifted his perspective, strengthened his determination, and deepened his sense of responsibility.

“From the moment I first laid eyes on her, everything changed,” Dean said. “Her presence alone pushes me to stay focused and committed to my goals.”

Dean said he鈥檚 grateful he didn鈥檛 give up on college. His advice to others is rooted in resilience.

“If you are willing to give up, just ask yourself, ‘What am I getting out of quitting?’ If it鈥檚 worth quitting, that means you were never dedicated.”

After graduating, Dean plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in sport management at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. “Sports have always played an important role in my life,” he said. “The program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock offers the academic foundation and practical experience I need to turn this passion into a profession.”

As he prepares for the next chapter, Dean credits 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for helping shape him academically and personally.

“The experiences I鈥檝e had here, inside and outside the classroom, have shaped me into a more confident, focused, and well-rounded individual,” he said. “I have been able to build connections, step out of my comfort zone, and interact with people from all different backgrounds.”

The post From Lost Basketball Dreams to College Success: Jairus Dean Finds a New Path at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock appeared first on News.

White, who grew up in Helena and now lives in North Little Rock, returned to college nearly 28 years after putting her education on hold to focus on work and family. She previously earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in health education and promotion from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, along with associate degrees from Phillips County Community College and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 able to go to college right after high school, but my desire for knowledge never wavered,鈥� White said. 鈥淎s soon as I could juggle family, work, and school, I went for it.鈥�

Her path to becoming a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Trojan began in the winter of 1977, when two recruiters visited her community college to speak with students about a summer program. White said she had always believed in her ability to learn but faced limited career options during that era.

鈥淭hat innate desire to further my education remained a burning desire within me, regardless of the type of employment available that utilized my skills,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he opportunity to return to school presented itself a few years later, but after several semesters of juggling family and work, I realized I was headed for total burnout.鈥�

She put her education on hold 鈥� a pause that lasted nearly 28 years.

鈥淒uring that time, I witnessed the power of God opening and closing doors and revealing my true passion, which evolved into health care advocacy for the elderly,鈥� she said.

Eventually, White returned to school and completed her bachelor鈥檚 degree. Still, she doubted whether graduate school was realistic.

鈥淕raduate school seemed to be an unattainable dream, but God had better plans,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 found myself surrounded by a support system of encouragement.鈥�

The road was not easy. White faced serious health concerns and other hardships but said her 94-year-old mentor kept her grounded.

鈥淪he always said, 鈥楾hey can take your car, your house, and just about anything else, but they can never take away your education,鈥欌�� she said.

While studying full time, White landed what she called her dream job in private health care, working with patients with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease.

鈥淚 got real-world application concurrent with classroom training and knowledge,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n addition to learning, I got hands-on training and a critique of my craft.鈥�

Her job came to a heartbreaking end when she and her client contracted COVID-19, and her client died. White continues to experience long-term effects from the illness, but she persisted in her studies.

鈥淏eing a nontraditional senior citizen, this journey has been one of the most demanding, difficult, rewarding, and spirit-filled paths I will ever take,鈥� she said.

White struggled in her early graduate courses, at one point walking across campus in the snow, crying as she searched for help with an assignment.

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 ready to give up so easily or that early,鈥� she said.

Support from faculty helped her push forward. She remembers a professor commending her performance on a difficult exam, which gave her renewed confidence.

鈥淢y self-confidence rose to new heights, and I began to approach all my classes with a positive attitude,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hose encouragements became my incentive to always give it my best.鈥�

Throughout her coursework, White said she learned to view healing as a holistic concept that encompasses all dimensions of wellness. She also developed skills in qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis, which she successfully applied in defending her thesis.

Qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis combines insights from multiple qualitative studies to build a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of a topic. White鈥檚 thesis is titled Prayer for Healing: A Qualitative Interpretative Meta-Synthesis Connecting the Inner Man to the Spirit of God.

White said her mother鈥檚 belief in her abilities helped sustain her throughout the journey. Others, including mentors, professors, and friends, served as 鈥渧oices of reason鈥� who guided her through the challenges.

鈥淚t is because of each of them that I endeavored this journey, and because of their faith in my ability that I finished a very long and rocky road,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ll my professors were exceptional, and my committee was phenomenal.鈥�

Now on the verge of earning her master鈥檚 degree, White hopes her story inspires others to continue learning at any age.

鈥淚鈥檝e been blessed to do what I wanted to do, and as an older adult, I want to be a role model for those who seek to better themselves through education and training,鈥� she said.

White credits the university with helping her build confidence and chart a new direction.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock provided me with the formal education to pursue a better life,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he skills and knowledge I gained gave me a sense of direction that became exciting and very rewarding.鈥�

The post Never Too Late: Nontraditional Student Joyce Young White Earns Graduate Degree appeared first on News.

The chapter has been published in the new book, “.鈥� The book, edited by Kavita Batra and Manoj Sharma, addresses the growing use and importance of social media in conducting and disseminating research findings and covers an array of issues from cyberbullying to diversity and inclusion.

Written by health educators and practitioners for health educators and practitioners, this book is a timely resource for public health practitioners, professors, students, and researchers.

Kanekar said he became interested in the chapter, 鈥淓thical, privacy, and confidentiality issues in the use and application of social media,鈥� because he was originally going to be a co-editor on the book.

鈥淚 thought this would be an interesting topic because there is always a concern about privacy and confidentiality on social media, but the topic has not been addressed a lot in public health research. There aren’t a lot of guidelines. It鈥檚 been interesting and quite challenging as well. I spoke to Dr. Joseph Otundo, and he also thought it would be nice to write on this subject.鈥�

Kanekar and Otundo conducted much research on what guidelines and rules academic institutions and Institutional Review Boards (IRB) use to govern ethics, privacy, and confidentiality for research conducted using social media as well as privacy rules on social media platforms.

鈥淪ocial media is so dynamic, and more and more people are using social media for research,鈥� Otundo said. 鈥淚f you look at the policies of many universities, they are slightly behind what we are experiencing today in terms of technology. They need to catch up with the realities of social media.鈥�

The 22-page book chapter contains case studies on public health research, review questions, and websites with resources on the topic.

鈥淥ur chapter is on a complex topic, and we try to address as many aspects of that as possible,鈥� Kanekar said. 鈥淲hat is considered public and private information on social media? When do you need permission to use this information in research? More and more people are using social media for research. At the end of this project, we feel there is a need for more guidelines from universities and IRBs to help people navigate how to conduct research using social media.鈥�

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Dr. Joseph Otundo, an assistant professor of health education and promotion from Little Rock, participated in the 2023 Summer Faculty Fellowship program from May 27 to June 9.

鈥淕enerally, it was a very good trip, and it was eye opening,鈥� Otundo said. 鈥淚 learned so many things about Israel from social life, economic life, water conservation, history, and religious sites. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who likes adventure.鈥�

Through the support of Jewish National Fund-USA鈥檚 Boruchin Center and individual donors, the tour, in which more than 600 people have already taken part, is a fully paid intensive program to Israel for full-time U.S.-based academics from recognized universities/learning institutions.

The group visited six universities and eight colleges. Otundo met with Israeli professors from their respective disciplines and with the same, or similar, research interests 鈥� all with the goal of developing collaborations, research projects, co-authoring articles, and establishing exchange programs between faculty and students.

鈥淭he Israeli professors that I talked with were optimistic and excited,鈥� Otundo said. 鈥淪ome were looking for opportunities to work with international colleagues. I met a professor from Hebrew University whose research focuses on tobacco control and smoking cessation. Since I also work in public health, I had a conversation with her, and we hope to come up with some joint research projects in the future.“

Geographically, Israel is approximately the size of the state of New Jersey, so Otundo and the other 31 faculty participants of the trip were able to visit many cultural and historic sites around the country.

鈥淢y favorite part of the trip was visiting some of the places I鈥檝e only heard about from the Christian experience,鈥� Otundo said. 鈥淲e went to Jericho, the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, Jordan River, and the Dead Sea. Just visiting those places was very exciting for me.鈥�

During the trip, Otundo said he had some experiences that he found very surprising. One example is the co-existence and sharing of one place of worship by three religious denominations..

鈥淚 was surprised to find a holy place with a Synagogue that is used by three religions,鈥� Otundo said. 鈥淛ews, Christians, and Muslims all use the same facility. I never imagined that could happen, and I found that very interesting.鈥�

鈥淰isiting the region near Gaza strip was another unique discovery. More than 30 Palestinians cross the border every day to work in Israel. Visiting Yad Vashem (the Israel Holocaust museum) left me wondering why someone can hate others to the extent of murdering innocent people.鈥�

Otundo grew close to many of the other faculty members participating in the trip to Israel, and the tight-knit cohort made plans to collaborate on a research project while they traveled in-between sites on the bus.

鈥淚鈥檝e gained a new group of colleagues to work on research projects,鈥� Otundo said. 鈥淲e are targeting Africa and would like to research women empowerment, especially in areas where women are lacking economic development opportunities. Overall, Israel is a very nice country, it’s hospitable, and very diverse.鈥�

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Dr. Joseph Otundo, an assistant professor of health education and promotion from Little Rock, has been selected for the 2023 Summer Faculty Fellowship Program. Participants will travel through Israel from May 27-June 9, meeting Israeli professors from their respective disciplines and with the same, or similar, research interests 鈥� all with the goal of developing collaborations, research projects, co-authoring articles, and establishing exchange programs between faculty and students.

鈥淚 feel so excited and honored to be selected for this program,鈥� Otundo said. 鈥淚 want to thank the university. It鈥檚 through working here that I am getting the chance to represent 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock outside of the country. I can assure everyone from the chancellor and the rest of the employees that I will be a good ambassador for the university.鈥�

Through the support of Jewish National Fund-USA鈥檚 and individual donors, the tour, in which more than 600 people have already taken part, is a fully paid intensive program to Israel for full-time U.S.-based academics from recognized universities/learning institutions.

During the trip, the participants will meet Israelis from all walks of life and will hear from a variety of speakers. They will also be exposed to contemporary Israeli society, culture, historical sites, and the way of life in Israel. The academics will meet with professionals and experts in government, education, media, and other sectors to understand the many facets of Israel’s evolving national and international policies. Participants will gain a deeper awareness of Israel as a 鈥淪tart-up Nation,鈥� its success in water innovation, and how the country addresses regional and global challenges.

Otundo is especially looking forward to the trip, as this will be his first visit to Israel. To prepare for the trip, he and his fellow faculty members were given a book called 鈥淚srael: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn鈥� by Daniel Gordis to read. Some of the excursions that Otundo is looking forward to the most include a night walking tour of Jerusalem, a visit to Parliament and the Supreme Court, and a visit to a water treatment recycling plant.

Additionally, Otundo is looking forward to the chance to collaborate with faculty members in Israel and learn more about health education and promotion topics.

鈥淏y virtue of teaching health education and promotion, I鈥檝e been teaching classes on nutrition, and I am excited to learn about nutrition and diet in Israel,鈥� Otundo said. 鈥淚n line with one topic I teach about environmental health and water, I鈥檝e read about Israel being one of the leading countries in terms of water recycling. For the third item, as part of my research, I want to get data from all over the world. I鈥檝e never had the chance to find academics in Israel to collaborate with. The last thing is learning about Israeli culture.  Sometimes, there is a disconnect between what you hear and what you experience. It will give me the opportunity to experience the culture firsthand.鈥�

If anyone is interested in learning more about the 2023 Summer Faculty Fellowship Program, Otundo advised them to contact him at jootundo@ualr.edu.

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