“I have always been a big fan of school, for as long as I can remember,” she said. “I truly believe that school is both a challenge and a form of preparation that helps you grow into a disciplined human being.”

Martinez earned a double bachelor’s degree in business administration and communications with an emphasis in journalism from the University of the Cumberlands in 2024. For the Little Rock resident, education reflects the discipline, effort, and accountability required for success.

“A degree represents the hard work you’ve invested in gaining knowledge and holding yourself accountable,” she said. “That said, earning my master’s degree has always been a dream of mine.”

During her time in graduate school at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, Martinez has balanced multiple responsibilities. She is a full-time student and part-time graduate assistant. She also worked for the Arkansas Business Publishing Group during the summer and fall semesters.

“I’ve been lucky enough to earn my master’s while having two jobs that not only helped pay for my education but also allowed me to meet extraordinary people,” she said.

Throughout a demanding schedule, Martinez said the support of others helped her stay grounded.

“I’ve had incredible bosses, professors, family, and friends who made this juggle easier than I expected,” she said. “Easy? No, it wasn’t, but nothing in life that is worth it is easy. Everything comes with challenges and struggles, but that is the beauty of life.”

One of her most meaningful experiences was coaching the university’s — a role she initially stepped into without knowing how much it would shape her.

Before coming to Little Rock, Martinez had swum for four years as an undergrad on a scholarship.

“I wanted to explore coaching because my dad was my swim coach for 20 years, and I wanted to do the same thing he did for me – for other people,” she said.

What began as exploration soon became one of the most rewarding parts of her graduate experience.

“Over the past two years, I have experienced firsthand how impactful it can be to coach someone into becoming the best version of themselves,” she said. “The fact that the 30-plus women I met along the way allowed me to be part of their growth is something I will always be grateful for.”

Nathan Townsend, the team’s head coach, said Martinez worked as a graduate assistant and has been a cornerstone of the swimming program. She has shown a top work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

“Emilia is someone I trust deeply, not only because of how hard she works, but because of the insight and perspective she brings to every situation,” he said. “During challenging moments, her steady presence and mindset helped guide our team forward and played a meaningful role in our success.”

Martinez credits her parents, sister, and boyfriend with encouraging her to believe in herself and pursue her dreams while far from home. After graduation, she plans to work in FedEx’s sales enablement department, focusing on project management and communications content. 

During her college experience, Martinez gained insights she wants to share with other students.

“Don’t let fear stop you from doing the thing that scares you the most,” she said. “That is how I approached these last two years while pursuing my master’s. I stepped out of my shell to build real connections with my professors and allowed them to challenge me through different classes and assignments.”

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Oswalt first came to ����Vlog��ý Little Rock as an undergraduate student with plans to become a teacher. After an unexpected shift in interests, she changed her major to health sciences with an emphasis in community health promotion. Following graduation, she began working as an administrative assistant on campus, which sparked her interest in budget, finance, and human capital management.

“Eventually, I became the finance director for the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE), where I realized the benefit of better aligning my experiences and education,” Oswalt said.

While in the MBA program, Oswalt was actively involved in several campus committees and projects. She participated in the Anaplan test group, served on the Non-Faculty Salary Survey Committee, and contributed to search committees, including the one for associate vice chancellor of finance. She also co-led a staff book group for the School of Business and helped develop budget and finance training sessions within the school.

“These experiences have provided real-world application of MBA concepts, while the program has offered new perspectives,” she said. “Anaplan testing provided practical experience in business information systems, and management topics informed my work on search committees and training development. Similarly, finance and economics coursework has equipped me with tools for budget analysis, forecasting, and research.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of the program, Oswalt said, was the opportunity to explore youth suicide prevention research through Dr. Moiz Bhai’s final project.

“His support, including providing access to data and offering encouragement as I developed research methods, coupled with the skillset to accompany my ongoing research, is invaluable,” she said.

Her academic achievements were recognized with inductions into Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma, which she called rewarding moments of affirmation.

Oswalt offered advice to working professionals considering graduate school.

“Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ time to go back to school because life will always present obstacles,” she said.

Her own journey was filled with unexpected personal challenges, and she credits her friend and therapist for encouraging her to attend the first class.

“My advice is to not only acknowledge that it will require discipline and a commitment to a study schedule, but also to recognize the value of the education you’ll receive, even in the midst of difficulties,” she said. “Having a strong support system — even if it’s made up of just a few people — makes a difference.”

“If I could navigate a demanding program through significant personal struggles, know that your goals are achievable too. And, as a colleague once told me, ‘If you don’t cry at least once, did you even go to grad school?’”

Reflecting on her journey, Oswalt said, “My journey through the MBA program has been marked with both learning and perseverance. Successfully juggling work, school, and personal challenges has given me a strong sense of hope and optimism for the future. I’m grateful for the experiences and the people who have been part of the journey, as both have prepared me to face what’s ahead as I explore future opportunities.”

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The new members are John Dominick, a director and senior treasury officer at Bank of America; Chrissy Jennings, who has worked for charitable nonprofits for many years; and Tonya Middleton, a senior manager at Entergy Services, LLC.

George Burks, vice president of group markets at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, is the 2023 Foundation Fund Board chair. Burks earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in management at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock.

The board meets four times a year to oversee ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Foundation Fund activities. Members communicate the foundation’s mission and serve as ����Vlog��ý Little Rock ambassadors in the community, state, and region. The board also supports the mission and goals of the university as they relate to public higher education and ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s need for private and public support.

More information about the new members:

John Dominick is a director and senior treasury officer in the Global Commercial Banking group at Bank of America. Raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Dominick received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance and banking from the University of Arkansas.

He is a member of the Association for Financial Professionals and serves on the board of directors of Christopher Homes of Arkansas, Inc. Christopher Homes is a nonprofit human services organization that provides comfortable and affordable housing for low-income elderly people in Arkansas. Dominick has also served on the board of directors of the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Foundation.

Chrissy Jennings has worked for charitable nonprofits for 20 years and has served in various leadership positions. Jennings has spent most of her career helping children and teens with a focus on mental health, mentorship, and advancing education. She earned her Master of Business Administration at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hendrix College.

Jennings is a member of Leadership Arkansas Class 16 and Leadership Greater Little Rock Class 26. She served as chair of the Education Initiative Committee of the LGLR Alumni Board and currently serves on the board of the Little Rock Diamond Foundation and on the city of Little Rock’s Commission for Children, Youth, and Families.

Tonya Middleton, a native of Little Rock, is the senior manager of work management governance and EAM administration at Entergy Services. With more than 20 years in the utility industry, she has served in various capacities across distribution operations. Middleton graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in management information systems. She obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas. Middleton is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and is the Little Rock Alumnae Chapter president. She also serves as a trustee at her church, Eighth Street Missionary Baptist Church.

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