As a respiratory therapist and later a pulmonary disease navigator, she encouraged others to continue their education and pursue new opportunities. When she decided to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree herself, it was her son, Jeffrey Andrews, who helped show her the way.

This spring, the pair celebrated a milestone together, as graduates of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

For Andrews, a first-generation college student, sharing the experience with his mother made the moment even more meaningful.

鈥淚t means a lot to me to graduate with my mother,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淚 admire her strength and commitment to self-improvement. She has instilled in me a passion to achieve big dreams without limitations. Graduating together encompasses the hard work we surpassed to achieve those dreams.鈥�

Andrews graduated with a Master of Public Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management. Johnson completed her Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies after decades working in healthcare.

Their paths to graduation were different, but both were shaped by determination, a commitment to education, and personal growth.

Andrews arrived at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2017 unsure what to expect about college life and a populated, busy campus after he graduated from Maumelle Charter High School. 

鈥淢y graduating class had 25 students,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was daunting to go to such a large institution in my eyes at the time.鈥�

A and New Student Orientation helped ease the transition, but he said the biggest surprise came when classes began.

鈥淭he small classroom sizes made the university feel like a second home,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淚 built connections with my professors and found new friends quicker than I would have at a larger university.鈥�

He credits supportive faculty, the Ottenheimer Library, Counseling Services, and friendships formed through campus involvement, including Kappa Sigma fraternity, with helping him succeed while working full time.

Those experiences eventually led him to join the Undergraduate Admissions team as a recruiter, where he began helping prospective students navigate the college process.

That knowledge became especially valuable when Johnson called him with an idea.

鈥淪he said, 鈥�I am thinking about going back to school,鈥欌�� Andrews recalled.

Johnson planned to pay out-of-pocket for tuition. Instead, Andrews helped her navigate scholarships and financial aid opportunities available through 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Their first success came when she received the Trojan Transfer Scholarship. Later, she also benefited from the Corporate Partnership Program between Baptist Health and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, helping make it possible to complete her degree with little financial burden.

鈥淎s a first-generation student, I did not understand what the FAFSA was or where to find scholarships,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淲hen I began working for the university as a recruiter, that knowledge came with the job.鈥�

For his mother, returning to school was both a professional and personal decision.

鈥淧rofessionally, I felt it was important to enhance and modernize my skills in technology and leadership,鈥� she said. 鈥淧ersonally, I always encourage new therapists to continue their education, so I have to practice what I preach.鈥�

She said 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock’s flexible online courses allowed her to balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing her degree. Faculty support also helped ease concerns about returning to the classroom after many years away.

鈥淭heir critiques, reviews, and responses encouraged, validated, and inspired me to continue,鈥� she said.

She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and has already begun work in the university’s early-entry Master of Arts in Applied Communication program.

Watching his mother embrace higher education has been one of the most rewarding parts of Andrews’ own academic journey.

鈥淪he went from being timid about returning to school to being excited about contributing to academia,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow we have long discussions about AI in the classroom and communication in healthcare.鈥�

But their shared graduation day almost did not happen. Undergraduate and graduate ceremonies were originally scheduled separately before a late adjustment placed them in the same commencement ceremony.

鈥淚 could see my mom three rows ahead of me,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淚t was a great experience to not only graduate but walk across the same stage together. I could not have asked for a better coincidence.鈥�

For Johnson, the moment carried just as much meaning.

鈥淕raduating with my son meant the world to me,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur journey was not easy, but it was worth the experience of completing such a big chapter in our lives.鈥�

Together, they hope their story encourages others to pursue educational goals, regardless of age or circumstance.

鈥淚 hope our experience and our story inspire others to start their own exciting journey,鈥� she said.

As Andrews looks toward a future that may include law school, he continues to carry a lesson that has guided both his and his mother’s path.

鈥淗ow big would you dream if you knew you could never fail?鈥� he asked.

The post A Family Milestone: Mother and Son Graduate Together from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock appeared first on News.

A senior double majoring in geology and biology with an ecological and organismal concentration, Joheim has spent the past year curating a fossil display on the library鈥檚 first floor. The project takes visitors on a journey through deep time, from the earliest ocean-dwelling life to the age of mammals. It鈥檚 the next chapter of a project that began when Joheim first organized and identified a collection of recently donated fossils, work that earned her first place in the Student Research and Creative Works Social Media Competition.

This year鈥檚 project, titled A Sneak Peek into Prehistory: Curating an Interactive Fossil Display to Spark Interest in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Natural History Museum, earned Joheim first place in the Student Research and Creative Works Social Media Competition for the second consecutive year. The display invites visitors to explore ancient sea scorpions, armored fish, megalodon teeth, and fossils found right here in Arkansas. Each specimen is a chapter in Earth鈥檚 story.

鈥淢y goal with this display is to get people curious about natural history,鈥� Joheim said. 鈥淚 want to introduce visitors to these basic principles in biology and geology and inspire them to investigate the world around them.鈥�

But fossils weren鈥檛 the starting point. Joheim came to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a fascination for fungi and a broad interest in ecological biology, but no clear direction. That changed in her sophomore year, when a childhood interest in paleontology resurfaced 鈥� and a simple Google search for 鈥淲hat is geology?鈥� set her on a new course. That curiosity led her to Dr. Ren茅 Shroat-Lewis, who first brought Joheim into the work of identifying and organizing the university鈥檚 donated fossil collection. This project earned her a competition win. From there, Dr. Shroat-Lewis encouraged Joheim to take the next step: transforming the cataloged collection into the public-facing display now housed in the library.

鈥淪yd is the kind of student every professor hopes for, curious, driven, with a genuine enthusiasm,鈥� said Dr. Shroat-Lewis 鈥淭hey are an exceptional science communicator with a rare ability not only to understand complex ideas but to bring them to life for others. I have no doubt they will become an outstanding paleontologist who inspires curiosity and shares the wonder of science with everyone they encounter.鈥�

When Joheim first entered the competition, she was still relatively new to research and the hands-on work of paleontology. In the year between her first win and this one, she completed a research internship with the University of Southern Mississippi, served as an ambassador for the Paleontological Society, presented at conferences, and became a Learning Assistant. Each experience strengthened her confidence and deepened her foundation in both paleontology and science communication. 

It鈥檚 a trajectory she hopes other students will pursue for themselves, following their passions and believing in themselves.

鈥淒o it,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he opportunity to show people what you鈥檙e doing can get you new connections, but it also helps you to feel proud of yourself and the work that you鈥檝e done.鈥� 

That growth shows. As a Trojan Tutor and Learning Assistant, Joheim has made a practice of translating complex ideas into accessible ones, a skill that carries directly into the social media entries that caught judges鈥� attention two years running.

鈥淚t鈥檚 often my job to turn complex ideas into easy-to-understand concepts for beginners. Participating in the social media contest requires that you communicate your project effectively, and those are skills I use every day in these positions,鈥� says Joheim. 

The display also serves a forward-looking purpose, generating excitement for the upcoming 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Natural History Museum. For many in the Little Rock community, it will be a rare opportunity to view specimens like ancient sea creatures, prehistoric mammals, and fossils, some even pulled from Arkansas soil. Planned for the fifth floor of Ottenheimer Library, the museum will serve as both a public-facing space where community members can explore the university鈥檚 natural history collections, and a working museum where faculty and collaborating researchers from across Arkansas and beyond can come to study, curate, and build the collection. For 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, it represents a chance to deepen its role as a cultural and scientific resource for the region, bringing world-class natural history education to the community. This summer, faculty will begin cataloging a variety of nearly 25,000 different specimens in preparation for the opening. 

With graduation approaching, Joheim remains committed to the public-facing science that has defined her time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. She is hopeful that her display will find a home at the Natural History Museum and hopes to play a role in bringing the museum to life 鈥� continuing to make big ideas approachable and inspiring the next generation to ask questions about the world beneath their feet.

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The project, called Trojan Forge, will give students access to tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, screen-printing equipment and woodworking tools. The space is designed to bring students from different majors together to experiment, build projects and collaborate.

Students in Library Vision Partners, a campus focus group created in 2023 to give students a voice in how the library evolves, have helped bring the idea to life.

The group hosted a March 11 town hall in the Ottenheimer Library to share plans for Trojan Forge and gather feedback from the campus community.

Will Fausel, an electrical and computer engineering major, Learning Commons IT support specialist and member of the Library Vision Partners group, said the concept for Trojan Forge began during his second semester at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, when the library asked students in the Vision Partners program to help design a makerspace for campus.

At the time, he said, students were still trying to figure out what that space might look like.

To test the idea, organizers hosted a prototype event in August 2025 and launched a to help shape the makerspace鈥檚 vision.

Brandon Sollars, director of the Learning Commons and adviser to the Library Vision Partners program, said the results demonstrated overwhelming student support for creating a makerspace on campus.

The survey showed 98 percent of respondents supported the idea, giving the group strong backing to present their proposal to university leadership.

That proposal led to $50,000 in funding for the project, by the chancellor鈥檚 office for campus improvement initiatives.

Survey responses also helped identify the tools and resources students want in the space. Many requested equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking hand tools, screen-printing equipment and a soundproof studio for recording music and podcasts.

Valerisse Bell-Ovwiomoriemu, an adviser on the Library Vision Partners committee, said organizers will review the most requested items and determine what the initial budget can support.

The team plans to compare student requests with available funding and narrow the list to equipment that can be included in the first phase of the project. Bell-Ovwiomoriemu said the long-term goal is to build a multidisciplinary space that can expand as additional resources become available.

Organizers also hope faculty will use the space for demonstrations, presentations and expert-led workshops that introduce students to tools and creative practices outside their primary fields of study.

Trojan Forge will also incorporate the library鈥檚 existing 3D printing services, allowing students to submit print jobs online and receive printed objects through the library.

The makerspace will be located on the first floor of the Ottenheimer Library, where students will be able to experiment with tools, develop projects and explore creative ideas across disciplines.

Organizers say Trojan Forge reflects several years of student research, feedback and advocacy through the Library Vision Partners program.

Construction is expected to begin in April, with organizers aiming to open the space in August in time for the start of the fall semester.

Students and faculty can continue sharing ideas through the Trojan Forge interest survey, which remains open indefinitely. More information about the project is available on the Ottenheimer Library website.

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The program, initially supported by federal CARES Act funding, is now sustained through a collaborative effort between the Office of the Provost, the Academic Affairs Retention Office, IT Services, and the Ottenheimer Library. The partnership reflects the university鈥檚 ongoing commitment to expanding access to essential technology.

Any student enrolled at the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock main campus is eligible to apply for a laptop. The Academic Affairs Retention Office assesses applicants based on financial need and grade level. Undergraduate students are given priority, though graduate students are also supported through the program.

A total of 278 laptops are in circulation. Students checked out 132 of them for the first time this semester, while renewing 146. Brandon Sollars, Learning Commons coordinator at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, said the program has an inventory of 348 laptops, though the number fluctuates as devices are returned and processed.

鈥淭he level of demand for technology has always existed at a steady level, and most students keep their laptops for multiple semesters,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淭his program is integrated into the existing loan system the library uses, so we can scale as needed or as we acquire more laptops.鈥�

The program plays a key role in student retention and academic success by reducing a significant financial burden.

鈥淚t鈥檚 one more thing off a student鈥檚 checklist,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淎 new laptop can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the student鈥檚 program needs. By providing students with a laptop, we can carry that cost, provide them with reliable technology, and give them access to library and IT support.鈥�

According to previous program surveys, 93% of students who responded said having a loaned laptop was 鈥渧ery important鈥� to meeting their academic needs, while the remaining 7% indicated it was 鈥渋mportant.鈥�

鈥淭he majority of our feedback highlights that the process for obtaining a laptop was easy, accessible, and simple,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淢any students reported that having the laptop was very helpful for completing assignments, attending online classes, and supporting their overall academic success.鈥�

Senior student Cornell Cornelius Jr. said the program has been critical to maintaining his academic progress.

鈥淭he CARES laptop provides a level of flexibility that is vital for me, especially when considering my disability and the recovery process from my previous surgeries. Having this technology available allows me to stay on track regardless of my physical constraint,鈥� he said.

鈥淚n all honesty, I don’t believe my GPA would be where it is today without the resources provided by this program. It is an incredibly important initiative, and I truly hope it continues to support students like me,鈥� Cornelius added.

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The exhibit, located on the library鈥檚 fourth floor, features playful puppets and illustrated works inspired by Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, as well as Beatrix Potter and Hill Top: A National Treasure by Linda Lear. A commemorative plaque anchors the display, honoring Dr. Berry and her lasting impact on education and storytelling at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

In addition to viewing the display, visitors can check out select books from the collection, allowing students, faculty, and community members to engage directly with the children鈥檚 literature that shaped Berry鈥檚 work.

Berry passed away in 2010, but her influence continues through her students and the creative spirit reflected in the collection.

鈥淭his collection is a reflection of the work she did with children,鈥� said Carol Macheak, collections management coordinator at Ottenheimer Library. 鈥淪he loved children and she loved children鈥檚 books. This just emphasizes that work and that love of educating children.鈥�

Berry founded the university鈥檚 Department of Elementary Education and served for many years as chair of the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education, playing a central role in developing teacher-preparation programs. During her 24 years at what was then Little Rock University and later 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, she became the first recipient of the university鈥檚 Outstanding Teaching Award in 1974, an honor later known as the Donaghey Outstanding Teacher Award. She was also named Arkansas Woman of the Year.

Known as a gifted storyteller, Berry brought literature to life through imaginative teaching and innovative outreach, including the 鈥淒ial-A-Story鈥� program, which allowed children to call in and listen to recorded stories.

The exhibit blends creativity, history, and education, reflecting Berry鈥檚 belief in the transformative power of books and the arts while inviting visitors to reconnect with the wonder of children鈥檚 literature.

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The weeklong event in June brought together high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to form interdisciplinary teams focused on real-world challenges such as social anxiety, attention deficits, emotional communication, and access to mental health services. Participants used modern AI tools to create rapid prototypes of digital products, with support from mental health professionals, academic mentors, and industry leaders.

鈥淭his hackathon was a great opportunity to improve my AI skills, meet new people, and collaborate across education levels,鈥� said recent computer science graduate Rana Olwan.

Her team created Story Buddy, a tool to help elementary-aged students express their emotions through AI-generated stories and imagery.

鈥淚t gives kids a way to talk about how they feel, especially boys, who often don鈥檛 speak up,鈥� Olwan added.

Hackathon organizer Marla Johnson, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 tech-entrepreneur-in-residence, said she considered the event a success for its impact on both learning and collaboration.

鈥淓veryone learned a lot about mental health, about AI, and about practically working to bring those two together to create something impactful in a team environment,鈥� she said. 鈥淪eeing the participants present their solutions was my favorite moment. I knew how much effort went into each of those presentations.鈥�

Participants attended morning training sessions covering topics such as AI tools for rapid prototyping, prompt engineering, and regulatory and ethical considerations. Many also earned NVIDIA AI certifications, including coursework on retrieval-augmented generation and agentic AI.

Teams presented their projects to a panel of judges from Arkansas Children鈥檚 Hospital, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare Systems, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The winning team, Focus Coach, developed a web-based assistant to help users combat distraction and boost productivity through real-time monitoring and mindfulness techniques.

鈥淭he idea behind Focus Coach is to help users recognize when they鈥檙e getting off task and nudge them back into focus using summarization, timers, and wellness breaks,鈥� said James Dempsey, a senior computer science major at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淓veryone struggles with focus. This is a universal problem.鈥�

Johnson said the Focus Coach team stood out for addressing a widely shared issue.

鈥淭here is a big need for the tools they built into their solution,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen Dani DeVito of NVIDIA met with the Focus Coach team, she said she would use it and especially liked that she could nudge and be nudged by her friends.鈥�

The hackathon emphasized student wellbeing alongside innovation. Participants enjoyed daily mental health breaks, including art therapy and a drumming circle. Dempsey said the mindfulness drumming session offered as a break during the week stood out as a surprise highlight.

鈥淚 had so much fun,鈥� Dempsey. 鈥淚t puts me in a flow state. I could have done it for hours.鈥�

Ph.D. student Praveshika Bhandari, whose team created Hapy Capy, a Duolingo-style tool to help teens with social anxiety prepare for conversations and job interviews, said the experience broadened her perspective.

鈥淚鈥檝e learned how to use new AI tools quickly and work with students at different stages of life,鈥� Bhandari said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a real learning experience.鈥�

Anay Pandit, a rising 10th grader at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, said the hackathon fueled his interest in technology and engineering.

鈥淏eing part of a team that included Ph.D. students and recent grads was amazing,鈥� Pandit said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e all learning from each other.鈥�

Hackathon challenges were based on real mental health needs identified by local organizations. Teen2Teen Connect, for example, was developed in partnership with the Arkansas Crisis Center to create a safe way for teens to offer support to other teens long before they are in crisis mode. The system was developed using AI prompts to include a way for teens to re-route calls to professional counselors if they feel the caller is in a crisis state.  

Additionally, Rapid Route, a scheduling and triage solution championed by the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, was aimed at getting patients matched with care faster based on urgency.

In total, students learned to apply AI ethics, prompt engineering, and software prototyping in service of community health.

Arkansas Children鈥檚 Hospital President and CEO Marcy Doderer said the students鈥� work aligned with growing concerns among healthcare providers.

鈥淲e see kids coming in for physical health issues, but underneath, so many are struggling with emotional or behavioral concerns,鈥� she said. 鈥淭raditional health systems don鈥檛 always have elegant solutions, but students like these give me hope.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Vice Provost for Research Brian Berry, who served as one of the judges, praised the students鈥� innovation, noting that final team scores were separated by less than two percentage points.

鈥淭hese projects blew us away,鈥� Berry said. 鈥淲hat you all produced in just a few days was phenomenal.鈥�

Johnson said the university is exploring ways to support continued development of the projects and plans are already underway for next year鈥檚 event, potentially with new themes and industry partners.

鈥淲e have business leaders hoping we will do an AI and entrepreneurship hackathon in their fields, or we may have challenges from five different sectors,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淓ven if every team is not focused on mental health next year, we鈥檒l continue to focus on participant wellbeing. Having real world problems made a world of difference. These time-compressed competitions open the door to exciting possibilities.鈥�

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The event, organized by the Library Vision Partners (VPs), will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Ottenheimer Library.

Open to students, faculty, staff, and the public, the event will showcase interactive demos, creative tools, and collaborative spaces designed to inspire curiosity and innovation across all disciplines. Attendees will be invited to explore equipment like breadboards, drum pads, guitars, easels, and potentially even a 3D printer, while offering feedback that could shape a permanent makerspace on campus.

鈥淲e want to create a space where any student, regardless of major, can access tools that help them learn, create, and explore,鈥� said Will Fausel, lead vision partner and an electrical and computer engineering major from Sherwood. 鈥淚 joined because I saw an opportunity in the library to create a space to provide physical learning tools to students. The library is the perfect place to host this kind of space because it serves everyone.鈥�

The idea of creating a makerspace in Ottenheimer Library, which has been dubbed the Trojan Quarry, is the result of months of research and planning by the Vision Partners team, a student advisory group that collaborates with library staff to enhance student success.

The student VPs include Fausel and vision partners Dominique Rivera, Ella Campbell, Eshaal Nadeem, Grayson Jackson, Khari Wiley, Marchello Burks, Tamara Scott, and Val Bell-Ovwiomoriemu.

The team visited regional makerspaces, surveyed best practices, and consulted with experts to develop a campus-specific plan tailored to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 unique student body.

鈥淗ands-on learning tools shouldn鈥檛 be limited to specific departments,鈥� said Ella Campbell, a geology and anthropology double major. 鈥淚 joined the program because I wanted to learn more about what the library has to offer and be able to share that with the rest of the community.鈥�

The event will feature live demonstrations, student-led activities, and giveaways. Visitors will be encouraged to fill out short surveys and participate in voting stations to share ideas and suggest items they鈥檇 like to see in a future campus makerspace. The Vision Partners will use this feedback to assess the feasibility, demand, and design of a permanent space in Ottenheimer Library.

鈥淚鈥檓 a nontraditional student in music education, and what excites me most is creating a space where students from all disciplines can build community and connect,鈥� said Val Bell-Ovwiomoriemu, a vision partner and music education major.

Support for the event comes from Ottenheimer Library and potential partners across campus, including academic departments and student organizations. The ultimate goal is to create a centralized space where students and employees can work on academic and/or personal projects with cross-disciplinary equipment and support. 

“As one of the staff advisors for this program, I am incredibly excited to see this event come to life,鈥� said Brandon Sollars, director of the Learning Commons. 鈥淭he makerspace has a lot of potential, but what is great to see is the enthusiasm and hard work that the VPs have contributed to this initiative.”

The VPs also envision the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock community being able to check out physical learning tools and kits, just like they would a library book, so they can learn new skills. They also plan for professors and registered student organizations to set up live demonstrations and free classes. 

鈥淭his event is just the beginning,鈥� Fausel said. 鈥淲ith enough support and feedback, we hope to make the Trojan Quarry a permanent fixture that empowers students to learn by doing.鈥�

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend the prototype event on Aug. 27 and help shape the future of innovation at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. For more information, contact Sollars at blsollars@ualr.edu or 501-916-5897.

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鈥淭his certification means that tutors who complete our training program become CRLA Level 1 certified tutors,鈥� said Brandon Sollars, co-director of the Learning Commons. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the culmination of two years of work and ensures that our tutors are trained according to best practices in tutoring and student support.鈥�

CRLA has been a leader in academic support for more than 30 years, with nearly 1,300 members and over 2,000 certified training programs worldwide. Achieving this certification demonstrates that the Learning Commons meets CRLA鈥檚 high standards for tutor selection, training, direct service, and evaluation.

To achieve CRLA certification, Sollars attended the CRLA Summer Institute in St. Louis, where he worked alongside other tutoring programs of similar size. From there, he began the extensive application process, which involved documenting the entire training program, ensuring a required number of training hours, and aligning the program with CRLA standards.

JB Hill, dean of Ottenheimer Library, emphasized the importance of this achievement for the university鈥檚 academic support services.

鈥淭he CRLA accreditation supports the Learning Commons in its commitment to offer high-quality service and, just as importantly, provides the tutors with credentials that highlight their skill attainment,鈥� said JB Hill, dean of Ottenheimer Library. 鈥淥ne of the great things about peer tutoring is that it is a win-win, as not only do the students receiving the tutoring gain benefits, but the tutors also gain skills as well. The tutors increase their understanding of the subjects and concepts while developing their skills in problem-solving, critical-thinking, communication, and teaching.鈥�

The Learning Commons鈥� tutor training program consists of 15 one-hour sessions, with 10 hours of in-person training and five hours of asynchronous learning modules. To complete Level 1 certification, tutors must also log 25 hours of documented tutoring sessions.

Currently, three Trojan Tutoring tutors will meet all the criteria for certification by the end of the spring semester. The Learning Commons plans to offer an accelerated training institute over the summer to expand certification opportunities for tutors.

鈥淔or Trojan Tutoring, I have 14 tutors, and across all tutoring centers, we have about 50 tutors,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淲e focus on subject-specific tutoring, primarily in introductory-level courses, though we do offer support for more advanced courses when tutors feel comfortable.鈥�

Benefits of Tutoring at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock

The Learning Commons, which opened in 2023, serves as a vital resource for students seeking academic support. In an average fall semester, the center records between 1,000 and 1,200 visits, assisting approximately 450 students.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a stigma that tutoring is only for students who are struggling,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淏ut even if you don鈥檛 think you need help, meeting with a tutor can reinforce your understanding, introduce new study strategies, and provide an opportunity to engage with peers about the content you鈥檙e learning.鈥�

Matthew McElhanon, a senior chemistry major and Trojan Tutor, has seen firsthand how the training has helped him both as a tutor and a student.

鈥淚 wanted to improve my communication skills, and that was something tackled pretty quickly,鈥� McElhanon said. 鈥淭he training has also helped me streamline my own learning process. I intend to get my certification because I see the value in it.鈥�

The Learning Commons consists of Trojan Tutoring, the Communication Skills Center, Mathematics Assistance Center, and the University Writing Center. It offers tutoring in various subjects, primarily focusing on introductory-level courses. Walk-in sessions are welcome, but appointments are preferred and can be scheduled online at ualr.edu/learningcommons.

Sollars expressed his excitement for the Learning Commons’ future and gratitude for those who supported the certification process. With CRLA certification, the Learning Commons is poised to enhance academic success at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock by providing well-trained tutors and a supportive learning environment for students seeking to reach their full potential.

鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful to the library and to JB Hill for helping me pursue this,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淗aving a standardized tutor training program means we can provide the best possible support to our students, and I鈥檓 excited to continue building on this achievement.鈥�

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The exhibit, 鈥淭he 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Garden Site (3PU1132) Archaeological Project,鈥� features 35 artifacts uncovered during the university鈥檚 recent campus dig, including items recovered from the site of the former Safeway Ice Cream Plant and early- to mid-20th-century materials believed to be residential refuse. Located on the first floor of the library, the exhibit will remain on display through the summer.

鈥淭his is an opportunity for people to learn about the history of our campus and how it was used in the early 20th century,鈥� said Dr. Maureece Levin, assistant professor of anthropology and lead researcher on the project. 鈥淚t also gives a sense of how archaeologists do what we do鈥攆rom excavation to interpretation.鈥�

The Garden Site Project launched in fall 2023 as part of Levin鈥檚 Archaeological Investigations course. Since then, students and volunteers have logged more than hundreds of hours uncovering artifacts such as bricks, nails, tiles, and glass. For Levin, one artifact stands out: a small metal jack from a children鈥檚 game.

鈥淚t sheds light on people鈥檚 recreational activities at the site,鈥� Levin said. 鈥淚t helps us better understand who lived there, which is ultimately our goal as archaeologists.鈥�

Paige Blair and Rebecca Hardcastle, both interns on the project, played key roles in developing the exhibit. They learned about public interpretation and artifact display鈥攕kills that go beyond the excavation site.

Although fieldwork has wrapped up for the semester, Levin said the team is preparing to analyze findings, present at conferences, and publish their research. Future excavations are expected to continue through the Archaeological Investigations course in coming years.

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Nearly 40 people participated in the event, held on the first floor of Ottenheimer Library, which provided refreshments. Participants made personalized cards for their friends and loved ones while also creating messages of encouragement for teens supported by Immerse Arkansas, a nonprofit established in 2008 as a response to the needs and obstacles of kids aging out of foster care.

鈥淲e are out here with a card-making station where students can make Valentine鈥檚 Day cards and also raise awareness that people can sign up for a CALS library card, and that our events are free,鈥� said Megan Trout, an adult programmer with Fletcher Library. 鈥淲e like to take the opportunity to get out and hang out with people in the community.鈥�

The event drew students looking to create something special for their loved ones. Lillian Scott, a counseling student at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, made a card for her sister鈥檚 birthday, which falls on Valentine鈥檚 Day.

鈥淭hey offer access to creative materials, and I like the fact that you have all these great items to use on your cards,鈥� Scott said.

Others took the opportunity to celebrate friendships and enjoy a creative break from their studies. Madison Giles, a freshman biology major, crafted Valentines for her little sister, boyfriend, and close friend. She convinced her friend Jahzeel Lopez, a freshman radiology major, to join in the fun.

鈥淚鈥檓 making Valentines for my friend because I asked her to be my friend Valentine,鈥� Lopez said, noting that Feb. 13 is also known as Galentine鈥檚 Day, a holiday that celebrates women鈥檚 friendship. 鈥淚 also like making things and like arts and crafts. I love to do this as a hobby.鈥�

Beyond personal messages, the event had a larger purpose. Students created extra cards to donate to Immerse Arkansas.

鈥淎ny extra Valentines we have we will take to Immerse Arkansas,鈥� said Chloe Kilcrease, a community resource specialist at CALS. 鈥淭he big population I work with as a community resource specialist is the unsheltered population. I thought it would be fun to give some extra love to the youth by bringing them Valentines.鈥�

Scott was among those who made a card for young people at Immerse Arkansas, recognizing the impact of small acts of kindness.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 always important to help out others who don鈥檛 have access to everything,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think they will appreciate the little things like a Valentine鈥檚 Day card.鈥�

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