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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She鈥檚 sponsoring two in honor of her grandchildren, Sadie and Henry, making the project personal long before the doors open.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of a better way to celebrate curiosity and discovery than by supporting a space like the planetarium,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淜nowing Sadie and Henry will have a connection to this experience, and that so many other children will be inspired here, makes this especially meaningful.鈥�

That same opportunity is now available to others.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is inviting alumni, friends, and community partners to support the return of the planetarium through a new seat sponsorship program.

Following a $1.2 million gift to restore and modernize the Shellam Flake Planetarium, the university is offering a limited opportunity for supporters to sponsor seats inside the facility. Each sponsored seat will include a personalized nameplate displayed for five years.

鈥淭he return of the planetarium to our campus is a transformative moment for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and our seat sponsorship program offers our community a unique opportunity to be a part of that legacy,鈥� said Dr. Tansel Karabacak, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. 鈥淲e invite alumni, friends, and partners to lend their support and help inspire the next generation of scientists, educators, and explorers right here in central Arkansas.鈥�

Seat sponsorships are available for $2,500 for a five-year term, with the option to make a one-time gift or a five-year pledge of $500 per year. Sponsors will receive a personalized nameplate on a planetarium seat for the duration of the sponsorship, with the opportunity to renew at the end of the five-year period.

Sponsors may choose to recognize an individual, family, organization, or honor the memory of a loved one. Seat selections will be available on a first-come, first-served basis once commitments are confirmed.

Funds raised through the program will support the planetarium鈥檚 educational mission, including:

• STEM education programs
• K鈥�12 school field trips
• Public planetarium shows
• Equipment maintenance and upgrades
• Student learning experiences

The restored Shellam Flake Planetarium will serve as a multidisciplinary learning space, creating hands-on opportunities for students across campus. The space will feature student artwork in adjacent outdoor areas, involve students in developing the planetarium鈥檚 visual identity, and provide business students opportunities to create and implement marketing plans.

The planetarium is scheduled to open in Fall 2026. To learn more about the planetarium or to purchase a seat, visit ualr.edu/planetarium or call Lloyd Webre at 501-951-1794.

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鈥淲orkforce development is central to how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock fulfills its responsibility to students, employers, and our communities,鈥� said Ann Bain, provost and executive vice chancellor. 鈥淏y bringing together leaders from across business, education, healthcare, industry, and government, this advisory board strengthens the connection between education and opportunity while supporting the long-term economic vitality of Arkansas.鈥�

The inaugural members of the Workforce Development Center Advisory Board include:

• Kristi Barr, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Toni Lindsey, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
• Sen. Jane English, Arkansas State Senate
• Kenneth Calhoun, former Career Education and Workforce Development Board Chair
• Dr. Jeremy Owoh, Superintendent, Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District
• Dr. Summer Khairi, Nuclear Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
• Steve Shepard, Retired Senior Vice President, Greenway Equipment Inc.

The advisory board will help guide program priorities and identify opportunities for collaboration across key workforce sectors.

鈥淐reating this advisory board allows us to bring employer and community voices directly into the conversation as strategic advisors and thought partners on emerging workforce trends and community needs,鈥� said Aaron Duvall, executive director of Workforce Development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭heir insight helps us design upskilling training and credentialing opportunities that are relevant, flexible, and aligned with the skills Arkansas employers are seeking both now and in the future.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Workforce Development Center serves as a hub for professional skills training, professional development, industry-recognized credentials, and customized programs for employers. 

Located in the Reynolds Business Building, the Workforce Development Center is home to the offices of Study Abroad, University Career Services, Corporate and Community Education, and Concurrent Enrollment.聽For more information about the Workforce Development Center, visit ualr.edu/workforcedevelopment.

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The Board approved a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Artificial Intelligence. 

鈥淭hese degrees address two very different but equally important needs in Arkansas,鈥� said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain. 鈥淭hey give students practical pathways into high-demand fields while supporting the long-term needs of our region, and I鈥檓 proud of our faculty for listening to our community and responding in meaningful ways.鈥�

The new bachelor鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education will be housed in the School of Education and will prepare graduates to teach children from pre-kindergarten through second grade. The program responds to a growing shortage of highly qualified early childhood educators across Central Arkansas.

The program is strengthened by a recent gift of $4.2M from the Trinity Foundation, which supports curriculum development, instructional materials, and faculty resources aimed at preparing classroom-ready early childhood educators.

Rachel Eells, director of the School of Education, said the degree reflects both community demand and the university鈥檚 mission to be a strong community partner.

鈥淪trong early learning experiences shape everything that comes after,鈥� Eells said. 鈥淭his program allows us to prepare teachers who are ready to support young learners and families while helping address a critical need in Arkansas schools.鈥�

The Board also approved a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Artificial Intelligence, a new program housed in the Department of Computer Science. Designed as a stand-alone degree, the program offers focused coursework in areas such as machine learning, data analytics, robotics, and ethical AI applications.

Dr. Ahmed AbuHalimeh, chair of the Department of Computer Science, said the program was developed in response to rapid growth in AI-related careers across multiple industries.

鈥淎rtificial intelligence is already transforming how organizations operate,鈥� AbuHalimeh said. 鈥淭his program gives students the technical skills and applied experience needed to succeed in a fast-changing field while supporting workforce needs in Arkansas and beyond.鈥�

The proposal for both degrees will be forwarded to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for its consideration. If approved, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock plans to begin offering the degrees in fall 2026.

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Co-facilitated by Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for faculty relations and administration, and Dr. David Montague, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and student success, the yearlong program was established in 2012 to support new faculty as they navigate teaching, scholarship, and campus life.

The Faculty Mentoring Program introduces participants to key campus resources for both faculty and students, while creating space for connection and collaboration across disciplines. Collier-Tenison said the program helps foster a sense of belonging by allowing new faculty to build relationships in a smaller, more personal setting.

The program begins with a daylong orientation focused on student-centered teaching resources. During the session, a panel of student leaders offers candid insight into classroom experiences, giving faculty early perspective on what supports student success.

鈥淎s a first-year professor fresh out of graduate school, there were a lot of adjustments to make,鈥� said Rex Wilkins, a visiting assistant professor of Spanish. 鈥淭he program gave me the confidence and energy I needed to have a strong first year, and I hope to pay that forward in the future.鈥�

Throughout the year, participants attend monthly workshops featuring panels of experienced faculty members, teaching award recipients, and campus leaders. Topics include promotion and tenure, effective teaching strategies, and professional development. Panelists often continue serving as informal mentors and resources beyond their sessions.

鈥淚鈥檝e been at institutions where mentorship wasn鈥檛 a priority, and that can negatively affect the overall environment,鈥� Wilkins said. 鈥淭his program provided stability, reassurance, and support that are essential to building a healthy faculty community.鈥�

Michael Geiselhart, assistant professor of law at the Bowen School of Law, said the program created a structured environment for asking questions and learning from peers.

鈥淚 heard questions on topics I didn鈥檛 even realize I needed to ask,鈥� Geiselhart said. 鈥淚 would recommend the program to any newly hired faculty member.鈥�

Since its launch, more than 240 full-time faculty members have participated in the Faculty Mentoring Program. Graduates are encouraged to maintain peer connections, pursue ongoing mentoring relationships across departments, and continue building professional networks on and off campus. Participants also receive formal recognition through a letter of completion shared with their department chair and the Office of the Provost.

By Olivia Hicks

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The event celebrated nearly 40 new faculty who joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock this academic year and offered a chance to connect, reflect, and build a stronger community as they completed their first semester on campus.

鈥淥ur new faculty are already enriching the campus with their talent, ideas, and dedication,鈥� said Provost Bain. 鈥淲e want them to know how grateful we are that they chose 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and that they are not alone. They are part of a community that supports one another, collaborates, and truly cares.鈥�

Over the last three years, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has welcomed more than 100 new faculty members, part of a strategic effort to invest in the university鈥檚 future. 鈥淲hen our faculty are supported and successful, our students are more successful,鈥� Bain added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all connected, and it鈥檚 one of the ways we continue to grow stronger as a university.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock offers a range of programs designed to support faculty success including tenure preparation programs, grant writing workshops, and leadership development initiatives. 

The reception was one way to help new faculty feel welcomed and appreciated as they begin building their careers at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

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Dr. Erin Finzer, Associate Vice Chancellor for Continuous Improvement, will be leaving the university to pursue other opportunities. Dr. Melvin Beavers, currently the Chancellor鈥檚 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellow, will serve as the Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Continuous Improvement beginning March 4.

“Dr. Finzer’s contributions to our work on accreditation and assessment have been valuable to our university,” stated Dr. Ann Bain, provost and executive vice chancellor. “We are appreciative of her efforts and wish her success in her future pursuits.”

Dr. Beavers assumes the role of overseeing continuous improvement, bringing a wealth of experience that spans across key areas of university life. His comprehensive insight into the university’s operations stems from his tenure on the Chancellor鈥檚 cabinet, his direct work with students in the classroom, and his leadership as the director of first-year writing.

“I would like to thank Dr. Beavers for his willingness to serve in the interim capacity,鈥� said Provost Bain. 鈥淗is comprehensive understanding of our institution and his ability to collaborate with partners across campus make him an ideal fit for this role.”

As associate vice chancellor, Beavers will oversee all curricular processes in the Academic Affairs division including assessment, academic program reviews, and accreditation.

Dr. Beavers will continue to oversee diversity initiatives for the remainder of this fiscal year. It is anticipated that the Chancellor will select a new DEI Fellow next fall.

Beavers earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English from the University of Central Arkansas as well as a master鈥檚 degree in interdisciplinary studies and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Beavers joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2015 as an instructor and also served as the director of first-year writing at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock before becoming the inaugural Chancellor鈥檚 DEI fellow.

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The workshop provides a focus on active learning because that students are 1 陆 times more likely to pass classes in active learning classrooms compared to students in classes that use traditional lecturing only.

Since 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock began offering the workshop in 2019, they have trained more than 125 people including more than 105 faculty members and 20 graduate teaching assistants. Dr. Mark Baillie, assistant professor of chemistry, is part of a national Mobile Institute on Scientific Teaching leadership group and has run workshops at 15 locations around the world.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock received a nearly $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation last year to enhance teaching, learning, and student success in undergraduate STEM education. One of the things the grant provides funding for is a stipend for up to 75 STEM faculty to complete the workshop over the next five years. The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Office of the Provost generously provided matching stipends for any non-STEM faculty who completed this year鈥檚 workshop.

Participants had a hands-on experience on the impact of evidence-based teaching approaches such as active learning and inclusive teaching practices, with deliberate practice and backward design. This workshop has been identified as a major transformative event in the career of many college faculty, from R1 institutions to community colleges.

鈥淚 was very interested in learning about other teaching techniques to improve the learning environment,鈥� said Michelle Malone, digital learning specialist at Ottenheimer Library. 鈥淚鈥檝e heard about the Mobile Institute on Scientific Teaching before, and I was excited to take it for myself. I wanted to learn more about the latest teaching practices.鈥�

Malone was especially interested in learning about backward design, an approach to creating curriculum, subjects, and classes that prioritizes the intended learning outcomes instead of topics to be covered.

鈥淚 was able to practice backward design using lessons we plan to use in the next school year about open education and affordable learning practices,鈥� Malone said. 鈥淭he idea of having more engaged, experiential learning in the classroom is promising, and I am glad that so many people are taking this workshop.鈥�

Scott Woolbright, an assistant professor of biology, has previously taken the workshop back in 2020 and was helping lead this year鈥檚 event as a facilitator. He led small groups of 4-7 faculty members as they learned about the backward design process.

鈥淐oming back and being a facilitator of the workshop is extremely comprehensive,鈥� Woolbright said. 鈥淚 am retaining more knowledge, and it鈥檚 rewarding to facilitate and help other faculty members embrace these skills. I would encourage more faculty to attend this workshop.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock professors collected data on teaching practices during the spring semester from some of the faculty who completed this year鈥檚 workshop. They will collect data again in a year to measure any changes in their teaching practices and classroom environments that result from their participation in the workshop or communities of practice in the fall.

Participants also learn about the importance of data collection in teaching, which provides educators with insights on how to reflect on what changes they make in order to improve over the years. They can also use this data to publish research, which is especially important to career success for tenured and tenure-track faculty.

鈥淚t鈥檚 something that every class needs to do 鈥� improve activity and active learning,鈥� said Dr. Mariofanna Milanova, a professor of computer science. 鈥淚t also stimulates the brain to participate in this workshop. We鈥檝e had interesting exercises that encourage people to think in different ways. I will find this very useful in my classroom.鈥�

During the final day of the workshop, Chancellor Christina Drale, Provost Ann Bain, and Deans Sarah Beth Estes, Lawrence Whitman, and Thomas Cliffton joined the participants for lunch to hear their thoughts on improving learning at the university.

鈥淚n this lunch session, workshop participants were able to voice their appreciation for support provided by the administration and also make suggestions for how to increase the likelihood that they and others would be able to increase the use of student-centered approaches on our campus,鈥� Baillie said.

STEM faculty members who completed the workshop can continue to improve their teaching skills by participating in a Community of Practice 鈥� small groups of up to five faculty members who will meet bi-weekly to offer peer support and build out their expertise, another new 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock professional development program funded by the NSF grant.

鈥淭he grant also allows us to build out communities of practice for STEM faculty in the fall, where faculty from the workshop will meet every other week to receive support as they try to implement evidence-based practices into their classes,鈥� Baillie said. 鈥淭he grant does provide a stipend for these faculty participants.鈥�

This year鈥檚 participants, named Scientific Teaching Fellows after completing the workshop, include:

路  Amanda Trickey, assistant clinical professor, School of Nursing

路  Amy Brown-Westmoreland, online program coordinator, eLearning

路  Anita Neal, instructor, School of Social Work

路  Arya Basu, assistant professor, Department of Computer Science

路  Crystal Rose, assistant professor, School of Nursing

路  Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm, associate professor, School of Public Affairs

路  Fairah Solomon, assistant professor, School of Nursing

路  Farren Moore, assistant professor, School of Nursing

路  Fusheng Tang, associate professor, Department of Biology

路  Joanna Hall, director of simulation, School of Nursing

路  Josh Landers, instructor, Department of Biology

路  Kimberly Porter, assistant professor, School of Nursing

路  Krista Schoening, assistant professor, School of Art and Design

路  Li Poirot, researcher, Department of Chemistry

路  Mahbuba Begum, instructor, Department of Chemistry

路  Mariofanna Milanova, professor, Department of Computer Science

路  Maureece Levin, assistant professor, School of Human Inquiry

路  MD Karim, assistant professor, Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance

路  Megan Fritts, assistant professor, School of Human Inquiry

路  Michelle Malone, digital learning specialist, Ottenheimer Library

路  Nancy Hamilton, associate professor, School of Education

路  Phil Williams, staff, Department of Information Science

路  Raffaela Lesch, assistant professor, Department of Biology

路  Sheila Brooks, clinical assistant professor, School of Nursing

路  Stephanie Feola, post-doctoral researcher, STEM Education Center

路  Zephaniah Greenwell, graduate student, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

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