Siraj鈥檚 research focuses on three key components of the battery: the anode, the cathode, and the separator. Together, these parts determine how much power a battery can store, how long it lasts, and how safely it operates. Her lab is developing a new type of high energy density battery to increase performance and longevity. Specifically, she looks to improve the life cycle, energy density, voltage capacity, and thermal stability of batteries. 

Siraj鈥檚 work on developing the separator 鈥� which prevents the two electrodes in the battery from connecting and short-circuiting 鈥� has gained recognition from prominent players in energy development. This work specifically has gained funding from the NASA Arkansas Space Grant Consortium.

By developing safer and more durable batteries, Siraj is not only increasing efficiency but also reducing waste and cost for everyday consumers. She said her research has potential developments for electric vehicles. 鈥淲e want to improve the life cycle of batteries. If we are able to reach 10,000 hour cycles, they could last up to 25 years, meaning you wouldn鈥檛 have to replace the battery in your car within your lifetime,鈥� Siraj said.

Her lab collaborates with U.S. Vanadium and Standard Lithium, two major companies advancing energy innovation in Arkansas. These partnerships connect university research with industrial development, creating opportunities for students to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom and presenting unique opportunities for internships. 

Inside the lab, students gain extensive hands-on experience with material synthesis, characterization, and advanced instrumentation. They also learn valuable skills for communicating about their research to both technical and public audiences. Senior students participate in proposal writing and learn how to secure research funding 鈥� training that, Siraj said, helps them 鈥渂ecome independent researchers by the time they graduate.鈥�

Siraj鈥檚 passion for her project goes far beyond science, however. Mentorship is as central to her mission as scientific discovery. As an instructor and researcher, Siraj takes joy in producing students with critical thinking skills and independence. 鈥淚 will see that as the greatest success of my life,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y greatest joy comes from seeing my students succeed. It fills me with pride and purpose. When they struggle, I can鈥檛 help but feel like I am falling short somehow. I feel incredibly proud and fulfilled because of everything they鈥檝e achieved. Their growth is my biggest reward.鈥� Her PhD students have gone on to careers in prominent national laboratories such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Energy, and the Arkansas State Crime Lab. She also serves as a Chemistry Olympiad coordinator, going beyond the collegiate setting to directly engage with the local community. Students as young as fifth and sixth grade have worked on projects with Dr. Siraj, who seeks to spark a love for STEM research in all she teaches. 

Siraj views her research as a way to cement Arkansas鈥檚 status as a leader in energy production and innovation. The development of longer life cycle batteries would be a complete game changer for human energy use. With the discovery of lithium reserves in southern Arkansas, she sees an opportunity to connect local resources with cutting edge research, positioning Arkansas at the forefront of these technological developments. Siraj said, 鈥淚f we are able to go all the way from the extraction of lithium to the utilization of that lithium in the batteries, then Arkansas will stand out in the whole United States.鈥� In order to continue meeting our energy demands, she said we must seek out alternatives to our dwindling energy sources 鈥� and perhaps the future of energy is right in our backyard.

By connecting research and real-world application, Siraj鈥檚 battery research laboratory is helping position 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 鈥� and the state of Arkansas 鈥� as a rising leader in energy independence and innovation.

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The council brings together leaders from across academic colleges and administrative units to discuss emerging workforce trends and to identify how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock can respond through new programs, partnerships, and student opportunities.

鈥淭he primary goals of this group are to discuss emerging workforce trends in each of our respective colleges, departments, and units and how our Workforce Development Center鈥攁nd the university as a whole鈥攃an respond to them,鈥� said Dr. Aaron Duvall, executive director of workforce development. 鈥淚 envision this council as a space to brainstorm, collaborate, and stay informed, especially since workforce development can鈥檛 occur in silos.鈥�

Located in the Reynolds Business Building, the Workforce Development Center is home to the offices of Study Abroad, University Career Services, Extended Education, and Concurrent Enrollment. The center is focused on streamlining processes across these units while advancing several key priorities:

• Examining prior learning assessment across the university
• Tracking workforce data
• Expanding internship opportunities for students
• Developing new certificate programs
• Ensuring students have ample career opportunities after graduation
• Working to upskill employees throughout central Arkansas

With this approach, the center will support lifelong learners – from concurrent enrollment students as young as 14 to professionals seeking to reskill and upskill later in their careers.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to join colleagues across campus in serving on this council,鈥� said Dr. David White, director of the Survey Research Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淚鈥檓 eager to explore how the Survey Research Center can help shape evidence-based solutions to real-world challenges and foster positive change in our community.鈥�

The Workforce Development Center Council includes representatives from every college and major administrative area:

• Dr. Ahmed Abu Halimeh, interim chair of the Department of Computer Science and interim director of the Emerging Analytics Center
• Dr. Ann Bain, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost
• Dr. Melvin Beavers, interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs
• Dr. Mike Cavanaugh, director of the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology
• Dr. Laura Danforth, co-director of the School of Social Work
• Dr. Aaron Duvall, executive director of workforce development
• Marla Johnson, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 tech-entrepreneur-in-residence
• Dr. Barclay Key, chair of the Department of History
• Dr. Matt Matusiak, associate dean in the College of Business, Health, and Human Services
• Dr. Derek Slagle, director of the School of Public Affairs
• Diana Snyder, assistant dean for career services at the William H. Bowen School of Law
• Fairah Solomon, associate professor of nursing
• Kiel Thorlton, director of the School of Mass Communication
• Dr. Anne Turner, assistant professor in Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering
• Thomas Wallace, coordinator of the Web Design and Development and Information Technology programs
• Dr. David White, director of the Survey Research Center

The council will serve as a hub for collaboration across campus, helping 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock strengthen connections with industry partners while ensuring students are prepared to succeed in today鈥檚 dynamic job market.

鈥淯ltimately, from concurrent enrollment to extended education, we have a unique opportunity to support learners from ages 14 to 100,鈥� Duvall said. 鈥淭his council is an important step toward ensuring 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock continues to meet the needs of both students and employers in central Arkansas and beyond.鈥�

Members of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock community and the public who wish to share ideas or provide feedback on workforce development efforts are encouraged to contact Dr. Aaron Duvall at aduvall@ualr.edu.

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The new Innovation Station, located in the Pat Walker Center for Nursing, is designed to revolutionize how students learn, practice, and prepare for real-world patient care. Combining state-of-the-art virtual and augmented reality technology with hands-on clinical training, the lab gives students access to realistic, repeatable scenarios that strengthen their clinical skills and judgment.

鈥淭oday鈥檚 nurses must be more than compassionate caregivers,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale said. 鈥淭hey must be clinically sharp, technologically proficient, and ready to adapt in fast-paced healthcare environments. The Innovation Station revolutionizes how our students learn, practice, and prepare for real-world care. This is just one of the ways 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is strengthening the future of healthcare in Arkansas.鈥�

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain, a registered nurse and former chair of the School of Nursing, emphasized how simulation-based education is key to addressing Arkansas鈥檚 ongoing nursing shortage.

鈥淪imulation-based education is one of the most effective ways we can prepare students for patient care,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淥ver the past four years, our students have completed more than 114,000 hours of simulation training, supported by $1.26 million in new technology and equipment. The Innovation Station is the next step forward, giving students access to realistic, repeatable clinical scenarios that sharpen judgment and build confidence.鈥�

The dedication ceremony drew campus and community leaders as well as alumni and healthcare partners, who explored both the new Innovation Station and the internationally recognized Center for Simulation Innovation. Visitors observed demonstrations of high-fidelity manikins, Echo masks, and other advanced training tools that replicate the sights and sounds of real healthcare environments.

Students also showcased the new virtual reality technology during live demonstrations. Using Oculus headsets, they navigated AI-powered clinical scenarios involving pediatric patients, dehydration cases, postoperative care, and even rare emergency events that students might never encounter during traditional clinical rotations.

鈥淲e have the Oculus VR equipment set up for our class, and we鈥檙e able to come here and pick a scenario,鈥� said Brendon Johnson, a junior nursing student from Cabot. 鈥淚 had a patient who was dehydrated and experiencing abdominal pain. I was able to talk to him, get his vitals, and follow up with his doctor to determine the next stage of care. It gives us a way to see things that would be dangerous if they happened to real patients and to practice handling them safely.鈥�

Students also performed CPR demonstrations on new interactive training carts that provide real-time feedback on compression depth, speed, and technique, which will help 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock nursing students meet certification standards and develop life-saving skills.

For Joanna Hall, director of simulation and a three-time graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 nursing program, the power of simulation lies in its ability to replicate critical moments safely and repeatedly.

鈥淪imulation allows students to make mistakes in a safe environment and learn from them,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淲e no longer rely on chance for students to encounter critical scenarios during clinical rotations. We can create those experiences on demand. The Innovation Station takes this capability to the next level, ensuring our graduates are confident, capable, and clinically prepared.鈥�

Keya McGee, president of the Student Nurses Association, said the new lab will help students approach their careers with more confidence.

鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just about cool headsets. It鈥檚 about the future of healthcare,鈥� McGee said. 鈥淪imulation gives us the confidence to make decisions under pressure, reflect on our choices, and apply what we learn to real patients. This lab elevates not only the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Nursing, but also healthcare for the millions of Arkansans we will serve.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnus Jussus Sanchez, a 2014 graduate and certified registered nurse anesthetist at 糖心Vlog传媒MS, said the new lab represents a major leap forward in training.

鈥淢y time as a student was stressful but rewarding, and I came out well prepared,鈥� Sanchez said. 鈥淣ow, with augmented reality, you鈥檙e more one-on-one with your clinicals. It results in a more focused approach. It will help nurses build confidence, learn how to approach patients, and experience things that a manikin alone can鈥檛 represent.鈥�

As the open house concluded, Provost Bain invited guests to tour the facilities and see firsthand how the Innovation Station and are reshaping nursing education across Arkansas.

Bain said the dedication of the Innovation Station is more than an investment in technology; it鈥檚 an investment in the health of Arkansas.

鈥淚t ensures our students are ready to deliver excellent care, whether in hospitals, clinics, or rural health centers,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淢ost importantly, it鈥檚 a step forward in addressing the critical nursing shortage facing our state.鈥�

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The new fund will provide annual support to purchase and replace equipment and materials for students studying fine arts, with a special focus on jewelry and metalsmithing.

鈥淚 wanted to support the students because I鈥檓 a jeweler myself, and I know what it鈥檚 like to be a young student without all the resources you need,鈥� Weiss said. 鈥淭hey have a fantastic program with great teachers. The students already have a good facility, and this fund can help them get the equipment they need.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Metalsmithing and Jewelry program introduces students to the foundational techniques of jewelry making and metalwork, including fabrication, forging, casting, and surface finishing. Through hands-on projects, research, and critiques, students develop skills in design, craftsmanship, and creative problem-solving for both functional and artistic works.

Weiss took summer classes at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock when she was younger and remains a strong supporter of the university and the local arts community.

鈥淭his gift is all about supporting the students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wish them the best and can鈥檛 wait to see their next exhibition.鈥�

Weiss, who splits her time between Little Rock and France, has been a jeweler since the age of 18 and believes deeply in the value of fine arts education.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important for students to express themselves through their art and having the right facilities to do that is fantastic,鈥� she said.

Lydia Martin, visiting assistant professor of metals, expressed her gratitude for the fund, noting the vital impact it will have on student creativity and development.

鈥淎s a lifelong learner, an attitude I encourage in all students who walk into my classroom, I understand how important it is to have access to the right tools,鈥� Martin said. 鈥淎ccess to tools is not just about learning a technique but discovering the creative potential of your own vision. The Jewelry and Metalsmith Equipment Fund provides students the resources they need to build their ideas into reality. I can’t wait to see the work they create and the new directions they find because of it!鈥�

The donation will directly support students in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 School of Art and Design, helping them access professional-grade tools and materials needed to refine their craft and explore new creative directions.

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The stage, part of the recently revitalized outdoor space on campus, lies at the center of campus just outside Ottenheimer Library. It serves as a focal point for campus events, performances, and gatherings.

The donation honors the Donaghey Foundation for its long-standing support of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and its commitment to enriching the university鈥檚 academic and campus life. The Donaghey Foundation donated more than $8 million for the completion of Trojan Way.

Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor for university advancement, expressed his gratitude for the donor鈥檚 generosity and the recognition of the Donaghey Foundation’s impact at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淲e are incredibly thankful for this generous gift and the donor鈥檚 desire to honor the Donaghey Foundation Board members,鈥� O鈥橬eal said. 鈥淭his contribution will enhance the campus experience for our students, faculty, and staff while celebrating the legacy of a foundation that has consistently invested in the growth and success of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

The Donaghey Stage is a key component of Trojan Way, which was recently transformed into a modern, engaging outdoor learning and gathering space. Trojan Way includes walkways with landscaping and lighting, multiple gardens and outdoor learning environments, and benches with built-in charging stations. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock planted more than 250 trees along the more than 200,000 square-foot-project.

The newly named stage is a testament to the impact of philanthropic efforts in enhancing campus life and enriching the student experience at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. The gift is a part of the Centennial Campaign, which is raising funds for academic scholarships, student success initiatives, the living and learning environment, and program excellence ahead of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027. Visit /centennial/ for more information.

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鈥檚 donation builds on the company鈥檚 rich history of investing in the university鈥檚 growth and community engagement initiatives. In recognition of the gift, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will name the campus garden the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Garden.

鈥淎rkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is proud to sponsor organizations that strive to improve the health and lives of Arkansans,鈥� said Rebecca Pittillo, president of the Blue & You Foundation. 鈥淐ommunity plays a crucial role in shaping our health by providing a sense of belonging. We want to encourage pursuing higher education in our state by supporting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock’s living and learning environment. Investing in our universities is investing in our state.鈥�

The Trojan Way Project includes a series of campus improvement and renovation projects, funded by a grant from the Donaghey Foundation, that have significantly transformed the face of the university. Trojan Way features a new north-south promenade, complete with improved walkways, seating areas, and vibrant meeting spaces.

鈥淥ur hope is that the Trojan Way Garden will be a place where students can come together to study, eat, enjoy nature, and talk to one another,鈥� Pittillo said. 鈥淭hese walkways, seating areas, and gathering spaces provide an opportunity for an inclusive and supportive community at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has a longstanding tradition of supporting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, with the company set to fund technology upgrades in a computer science classroom later this year. The partnership between the two institutions is deeply rooted, as over 350 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumni are employed at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and more than 1,150 of its employees have attended classes at the university.

Several Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield executives continue to strengthen this relationship by serving on 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock boards. Grady McCorkle, director of strategic workforce planning and people analytics, and Alfreda Summons, data analyst lead, serve on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors. Alicia Berkemeyer, executive vice president and chief health management officer, has previously served on the School of Business Advisory Board, while George Burks, vice president of group markets, has served on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Foundation Fund Board.

“We are incredibly grateful to Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield for their generous support in helping bring the campus garden on Trojan Way to life,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭his donation not only enhances the beauty of our campus but also provides a unique space that will benefit our students and the entire community for years to come. Their continued commitment to our university is truly inspiring.”

This gift is a part of the Centennial Campaign, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 capital campaign to raise $250,000 million in time for the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027. The campaign pillars include scholarships, student support, program excellence, and the living and learning environment. Find out more about the Centennial Campaign by visiting

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The classroom in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Education is named in memory of Pauline Graves Wyatt, who served as an elementary school educator in Pulaski County Special School District for more than 30 years.

Wyatt鈥檚 daughter, Dr. Paula Wyatt Morris, who is also an alumna of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and a member of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Heritage Society, gave a donation that was used to update technology and materials for hands-on learning in the classroom. Additionally, the gift will create an endowed scholarship in Wyatt鈥檚 name that will provide scholarships for education students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淢y mother was the epitome of the 鈥榥ontraditional鈥� student,鈥� Morris said. 鈥淪he attended college at night, on weekends, and in the summer sessions while she worked full time and raised a family. Often it was quite a struggle. Hopefully, this scholarship will make the road easier for the students that receive it.鈥�

Wyatt graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 predecessor, Little Rock University, in 1965 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education. She earned her degree while working full-time and raising a family and is similar to many of today鈥檚 nontraditional students who sacrifice a lot to go back to school.

鈥淢any of our graduates have persevered financially to earn their degree, so you are truly helping put skilled teachers into the classroom sooner,鈥� said Dr. Rachel Eells, Windgate Endowed Director of the School of Education. 鈥淚鈥檓 sure there are students who would have been excellent teachers, but who faced barriers to the completion of their degrees. I know your mom worked double-duty to earn her degree, and 30 years of second grade students benefited from her doing so. You can imagine that the need for day-one ready educators is even greater today.鈥�

Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, remarked that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 goal to educate and equip the next generation of impactful educators remains as strong today as it was when Wyatt received her diploma from this program.

鈥淚n higher education, we are all keenly aware of our mission: to educate the leaders and workforce of tomorrow,鈥� Estes said. 鈥淚n the School of Education, our responsibility is even more profound. Not only are we shaping future teachers, we also impact the young minds they will educate. We take that responsibility very seriously, knowing that a student’s success begins with a skilled educator. We all certainly appreciate your mother鈥檚 (Wyatt鈥檚) fierce dedication to literacy, and that remains a top priority for us as well.鈥�

Inside the J. Pauline Graves Wyatt Classroom in Education, a space that is dedicated to Wyatt鈥檚 honor contains a portrait of Wyatt along with a child鈥檚 chair that was once a part of Wyatt鈥檚 reading circle.

鈥淚t is my hope that in honoring my mother through this scholarship, students in the School of Education will be able to follow in her footsteps,鈥� Morris said. 鈥淪he strove for excellence as a student and as a teacher. Her belief that reading was the basis for all learning continues to be true. As new teachers in training pass through her named classroom and see the little reading circle chair, I hope that this concept will be instilled in their approach to classroom teaching.鈥�

For 30 years, the reading circle is where Wyatt engaged young minds, sparked her students鈥� imaginations, and worked to foster a lifelong love of learning. Wyatt鈥檚 family donated the chair to encourage future educators to keep literacy and the love of reading at the forefront of their own careers for the benefit of the students whose lives they will impact.

鈥淪he incorporated reading into every subject and held two reading classes with every student every day,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Provost Ann Bain said. 鈥淗er goal was to ensure that every one of her students was reading at grade level by the end of the year. That was no small feat. Equally important, Mrs. Wyatt hoped that she had fostered in her students a love of reading at the same time. Thank you, Dr. Morris, for your investment in our students, mirroring the commitment your mother made to hers.鈥�

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The classroom in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Education is named in memory of Pauline Graves Wyatt, who served as an elementary school educator in Pulaski County Special School District for more than 30 years.

Wyatt鈥檚 daughter, Dr. Paula Wyatt Morris, who is also an alumna of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and a member of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Heritage Society, gave a donation that was used to update technology and materials for hands-on learning in the classroom. Additionally, the gift will create an endowed scholarship in Wyatt鈥檚 name that will provide scholarships for education students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淢y mother was the epitome of the 鈥榥ontraditional鈥� student,鈥� Morris said. 鈥淪he attended college at night, on weekends, and in the summer sessions while she worked full time and raised a family. Often it was quite a struggle. Hopefully, this scholarship will make the road easier for the students that receive it.鈥�

Wyatt graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 predecessor, Little Rock University, in 1965 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education. She earned her degree while working full-time and raising a family and is similar to many of today鈥檚 nontraditional students who sacrifice a lot to go back to school.

鈥淢any of our graduates have persevered financially to earn their degree, so you are truly helping put skilled teachers into the classroom sooner,鈥� said Dr. Rachel Eells, Windgate Endowed Director of the School of Education. 鈥淚鈥檓 sure there are students who would have been excellent teachers, but who faced barriers to the completion of their degrees. I know your mom worked double-duty to earn her degree, and 30 years of second grade students benefited from her doing so. You can imagine that the need for day-one ready educators is even greater today.鈥�

Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, remarked that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 goal to educate and equip the next generation of impactful educators remains as strong today as it was when Wyatt received her diploma from this program.

鈥淚n higher education, we are all keenly aware of our mission: to educate the leaders and workforce of tomorrow,鈥� Estes said. 鈥淚n the School of Education, our responsibility is even more profound. Not only are we shaping future teachers, we also impact the young minds they will educate. We take that responsibility very seriously, knowing that a student’s success begins with a skilled educator. We all certainly appreciate your mother鈥檚 (Wyatt鈥檚) fierce dedication to literacy, and that remains a top priority for us as well.鈥�

Inside the J. Pauline Graves Wyatt Classroom in Education, a space that is dedicated to Wyatt鈥檚 honor contains a portrait of Wyatt along with a child鈥檚 chair that was once a part of Wyatt鈥檚 reading circle.

鈥淚t is my hope that in honoring my mother through this scholarship, students in the School of Education will be able to follow in her footsteps,鈥� Morris said. 鈥淪he strove for excellence as a student and as a teacher. Her belief that reading was the basis for all learning continues to be true. As new teachers in training pass through her named classroom and see the little reading circle chair, I hope that this concept will be instilled in their approach to classroom teaching.鈥�

For 30 years, the reading circle is where Wyatt engaged young minds, sparked her students鈥� imaginations, and worked to foster a lifelong love of learning. Wyatt鈥檚 family donated the chair to encourage future educators to keep literacy and the love of reading at the forefront of their own careers for the benefit of the students whose lives they will impact.

鈥淪he incorporated reading into every subject and held two reading classes with every student every day,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Provost Ann Bain said. 鈥淗er goal was to ensure that every one of her students was reading at grade level by the end of the year. That was no small feat. Equally important, Mrs. Wyatt hoped that she had fostered in her students a love of reading at the same time. Thank you, Dr. Morris, for your investment in our students, mirroring the commitment your mother made to hers.鈥�

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Dedicates Pauline Graves Wyatt Education Classroom appeared first on News.

鈥淭he residency program has been an invaluable opportunity for professional growth for our educators as well as our teacher interns,鈥� JNPSD Superintendent Jeremy Owoh said. 鈥淚t provides hands-on experience and mentorship that are critical for developing effective pedagogical skills. I highly recommend the residency program to any superintendent or principal looking to enhance their educator鈥檚 professional capacity and increase their educator pipeline to the District, and I am happy to welcome this second cohort of teaching residents to JNPSD.鈥�

The seven new residents are working in Bayou Meto Elementary, Bobby G. Lester Elementary, and Murrell Taylor Elementary schools for the 2024-25 school year.

The new teacher residents include Fallon Armstrong, mentored by teacher Amanda Lercher; Trula Bell, mentored by teacher Regina Eubanks; Averee Betts, mentored by teacher Wanda Eskridge; Trinity Gilstrap, mentored by teacher Ashley Polen; Maggee Powell, mentored by teacher Kimberly Williams; Layla Schwab, mentored by teacher Sarah Henderson; and Janelle Solis, mentored by teacher Danielle Pelletier. Dr. Terri Guy serves as the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock site coordinator for JNPSD.

鈥淭he Trojan Teacher Residents in Jacksonville are working in three different schools, providing high impact math tutoring to small groups of students,鈥� said Dr. Rachel Eells, Windgate Endowed Director of the School of Education at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淥ur partnership with Jacksonville has allowed us to shift to respond to their district鈥檚 needs, and these residents applied for the role, knowing that this was the particular need for this year. We are pleased to be able to partner for experiences that accomplish multiple goals.鈥�

Last year, the first participants of the teacher residency program worked in Jacksonville at Murrell Taylor Elementary and Jacksonville Middle School. In lieu of traditional student teaching, residents spent the entire academic year in the same classroom with an experienced teacher mentor, learning all the tricks of the trade to be successful educators.

鈥淓ver since I was a little girl, I loved and enjoyed being around kids. I enjoyed it so much I would set up my room as a 鈥榗lassroom鈥� and play teacher with my family and friends,鈥� said Averee Betts, a senior elementary education major from Benton who is teaching fourth-grade math. 鈥淚 am very thankful for this opportunity and to be a part of the Jacksonville School District. This residency also is very hands-on and helps prepare me by having the opportunity to teach and be the teacher of the classroom.鈥�

The teacher residency program is supported by a grant from , which is helping 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock address Arkansas鈥檚 teacher shortage by working to increase the number and diversity of teacher candidates entering the field.

Maggee Powell, a senior elementary education major from Benton, originally planned to go into healthcare, but quickly realized that it wasn鈥檛 for her.

鈥淚 had a realization that my true passion is with kids, that being in a classroom is where I saw myself,鈥� Powell said, adding that participating in the residency program has allowed her to grow as a teacher.

鈥淏eing in an internship with a support system is truly so important,鈥� Powell said. 鈥淚 feel supported by my colleagues and my fellow classmates. Murrell Taylor has shown me a true support system, and I am forever thankful. I have grown to love Murrell Taylor and the people at it. They have welcomed me like I was already family.鈥�

Trinity Gilstrap, a senior middle childhood education major concentrating in science from Cabot, is teaching fifth-grade science and writing at Bayou Meto Elementary. She credits her fourth-grade teacher Mr. West for inspiring her to become a teacher, but thanks her teacher mentor Ashley Polen for showing her how to be a good teacher.

鈥淏eing a part of this teacher residency program is helping me prepare to be a day-one ready teacher because I鈥檓 gaining confidence in teaching,鈥� Gilstrap said. 鈥淚鈥檓 seeing all aspects of what a teacher really does and how to handle a classroom. So, when it comes time for me to teach, I鈥檒l know what to do and how to do things!鈥�

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The significant addition to campus, which was funded by an $8.5 million grant from the George W. Donaghey Foundation, features a beautiful new north-south promenade running from University Drive to 28th Street.

It represents 鈥渙ur commitment to enhancing the student experience, fostering campus engagement, and embracing the future of our university,鈥� according to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale.

Trojan Way also features a newly reimagined plaza space outside Ottenheimer Library, transformed into an outdoor campus learning environment with expanded seating and gathering areas.

鈥淚t would be hard to overstate the impact of this opportunity to create a unifying experience on this campus,鈥� Dr. Drale said. 鈥淭hrough the generosity and vision of the Donaghey Foundation as well as others who have stepped up to contribute to this effort, we have been able to turn a walkway into a destination. I want to thank Shawn Luther with DCI for his work in creating a beautiful destination design that will take us into our next 100 years.鈥�

The university celebrated the Trojan Way dedication Oct. 8 by showing pictures of how the previous promenade used to look with a big reveal of the transformed walkway. The former pathway was made from many different materials that evolved over the years without a comprehensive plan in mind.

鈥淥ver the last three years, I鈥檝e been lucky enough to see the transformation to where we are then to where we are now,鈥� said Shawn Luther of DCI. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not that often as a landscape architect that we get to work on projects that are this big and transformative not only in the immediate sense, but this is the type of project that will provide a framework for the development of this campus for decades into the future.鈥�

Representatives of WER Architects, the project architect, and Nabholz Construction, the project鈥檚 contractor, joined the celebration. Special guests who joined the dedication include U.S. Rep. French Hill, Dr. Donald Bobbitt, president of the University of Arkansas System, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Emeritus Joel Anderson, and members of the George W. Donaghey Foundation Board of Directors, University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Board of Visitors, and the Centennial Campaign Committee.

Student Government Association President An Le, who studied abroad last semester, said she was shocked when she returned to campus and saw how different everything looked with the fences taken down and the project completed.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really fun to walk to class and see everyone gathering here and hanging out,鈥� Le said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so nice to have a place to meet, to take a quick study break, or to connect with classmates after getting our Starbucks. The unity on campus is so much better, and I am so excited for future students to have this for their entire campus career here at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

The Trojan Way project is a part of the Centennial Campaign, which aims to improve the university’s living and learning environment, scholarships, and program excellence. The Centennial Campaign has a goal of raising $250 million by 2027.

Several donors have made gifts to enhance spaces along Trojan Way, including the Riggs Benevolent Fund who sponsored the North Terminus in memory of John A. Riggs Jr., an anonymous donor who funded the Donaghey Stage in honor of the George W. Donaghey Foundation Board of Trustees, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield who sponsored a garden near the Fine Arts Building, and H.A. Ted Bailey III who funded the gardens that flank the Donaghey Stage.

Trojan Way includes walkways with landscaping and lighting, multiple gardens and outdoor learning environments, the new Donaghey Stage for events, and benches with built-in charging stations. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock planted more than 250 trees along the more than 200,000 square-foot-project.

鈥淚t adds a new dimension to the community,鈥� said Michelle Malone, a librarian communications specialist. 鈥淚t was so exciting for the fences to come down and see the space so transformed. It has brought in new energy to see people connecting and interacting right outside the library.鈥�

Maison Wright, a senior nursing major, thinks that Trojan Way makes campus look and feel more open.

鈥淚鈥檝e seen a lot more people out and about since it was finished,鈥� Wright said. 鈥淚t feels homey and refreshing.鈥�

The idea for the Trojan Way Project emerged four years ago when Dr. Drale was touring campus with the facilities director and noted that the Ottenheimer Library Plaza needed some TLC.

鈥淚 noted that this spot should be the heart of the campus with the student center on one side and the library on the other,鈥� Dr. Drale said. 鈥淭he Donaghey Foundation had never done anything like this before, but I took a chance on convincing them of the transformational impact a project like this could have.鈥�

The Donaghey Foundation liked the idea so much that they asked Dr. Drale to expand the project, resulting in the celebration of 鈥渨hat Greg Flesher would call a big hairy audacious goal.鈥�

Flesher, president of the Donaghey Foundation Board of Trustees, noted that Gov. Donaghey is often remembered as the education governor for starting multiple colleges in Arkansas as well as his gift to support 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淗e thought it was very important in his vision for this university to help the city grow, and he wanted all the funds to be used to benefit the experience the students had while on campus,鈥� Flesher said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a great city in the United States that doesn鈥檛 have a great university. I think it鈥檚 very important that we the citizens of Little Rock support this university. There is so much going on here. There鈥檚 a lot that can be done. I would ask everyone here to think about what we can do to support the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and take it into the future.鈥�

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