School of Human Inquiry - News - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Announces 2026 Faculty Excellence Award Winners

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:30:00 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock has announced the recipients of its 2026 Faculty Excellence Awards, recognizing outstanding faculty members for their contributions in teaching, research and creative works, public service, social justice, and rising faculty achievement.

Selected from college-level honorees, this year’s winners represent the highest level of achievement across the university. Winners are recognized for excellence in the classroom, advancing knowledge in their fields, and making meaningful contributions to communities across Arkansas and beyond.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock annually recognizes faculty who are making a difference through their work across these areas, with the Faculty Excellence Awards representing the highest honor the university bestows on its faculty. Each year, academic colleges and the William H. Bowen School of Law select top faculty members in each category.

“Our faculty continue to demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to teaching, research, and service that strengthens both our university and the communities we serve,” said Provost Ann Bain. “These awards reflect the depth of talent and dedication across our institution.”

Each university-level award recipient receives a $5,000 prize, made possible through private support.

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Board of Visitors selects the university-wide winners from the college-level winners in each category.

“I want to thank the Board of Visitors again for their thoughtful continued commitment to recognizing faculty excellence,” Bain said. “We appreciate their dedication and the positive feedback they consistently share about the impact of our faculty.”

Teaching Award

Sponsored by the Bailey Foundation

Dr. Jana McAuliffe, associate professor of philosophy in the School of Human Inquiry in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching.

McAuliffe is recognized for her engaging, student-centered approach that encourages students to develop their own intellectual voice while exploring complex philosophical ideas. She teaches across the philosophy and interdisciplinary studies curriculum, including the University Core and the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program.

In the classroom, McAuliffe emphasizes critical discussion, collaborative exploration, and writing for diverse audiences. Her assignments challenge students to translate complex philosophical concepts into accessible formats, helping them communicate ideas beyond academic settings.

She is also deeply committed to mentoring undergraduate research, supporting independent student projects, helping students secure Signature Experience grants, and guiding them as they present their work at academic conferences. Her impact extends beyond campus through her work as co-director of the Arkansas High School Ethics Bowl and as project director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Ethics and Philosophy Summer Academy.

“Philosophy as a discipline is well-known for not offering one ‘right’ answer,” McAuliffe said. “I work hard to help my students feel comfortable enough with that to craft their right answer, and to share that with each other and with the broader world.”

Research and Creative Works Award

Sponsored by Jafaar Golzar

Dr. Nitin Agarwal, the Jerry L. Maulden-Entergy Endowed Chair and Donaghey Distinguished Professor of Information Science in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Research and Creative Works.

Agarwal is internationally recognized for his research in social computing, artificial intelligence, and cognitive security. Since joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2009, he has built an interdisciplinary research program that examines how information spreads across online networks and how digital influence campaigns shape public perception.

He founded the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS), an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to understanding evolving social and cyber behaviors on modern information platforms.

“Understanding how digital information ecosystems influence society is one of the defining challenges of our time,” Agarwal said. “I’m fortunate to work alongside talented students and colleagues who are committed to advancing knowledge and developing solutions that strengthen communities and institutions.”

Over the past five years, Agarwal has secured more than $60 million in federal funding, including grants from the National Science Foundation, DARPA, and the U.S. Department of Defense, with nearly $30 million directly supporting ��Vlog��ý Little Rock research initiatives.

His collaborations span more than 200 researchers across 130 academic, government, and industry organizations worldwide. His work includes 12 books and more than 400 articles in top-tier journals and conferences, earning 26 best paper awards.

Agarwal’s research has also produced widely used tools for analyzing digital information ecosystems, including systems designed to identify adversarial influence campaigns and online scams. These tools are used by organizations such as NATO, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the World Health Organization. He has also been nominated to serve on the Arkansas AI task force established by Governor Sarah Sanders.

Public Service Award

Sponsored by Alfred Williams in Honor of Elaine Eubank

Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, professor and chairperson of the Department of Applied Communication in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Public Service.

Chatham-Carpenter is recognized for applying her expertise in communication to strengthen civic dialogue and democratic engagement at the local, state, and national levels. Her work includes co-hosting the public affairs podcast On the Other Hand, which features conversations with leaders and community members about issues shaping Arkansas and the nation.

She also serves in leadership roles with Braver Angels, a national grassroots organization focused on reducing political polarization. In that role, she facilitates workshops, contributes to statewide and national initiatives, and supports community leaders working to bridge political divides and foster more constructive dialogue.

Chatham-Carpenter brings that work back to campus and into the community through courses, trainings, and public programs that help students, faculty, and community partners navigate conflict and engage across differences. Her outreach includes workshops with organizations such as the City of Little Rock and the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

“Service allows us to translate what we study in the classroom into real-world impact,” Chatham-Carpenter said. “By helping people develop the skills to engage across differences, we can contribute to healthier communities and stronger civic dialogue.”

Sponsored by Scott and Amy Schuh, Katherine Shoulders and an Anonymous Donor

Professor Suzanne Penn, supervising attorney and assistant clinical professor of legal education at the William H. Bowen School of Law, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Social Justice.

Penn is recognized for her decades of work expanding access to justice for underserved Arkansans through clinical legal education and community advocacy. She directs the Delta Divorce Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to individuals seeking divorces in counties across the Arkansas Delta where access to legal services is limited.

The clinic travels to rural communities to assist individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford legal representation or travel long distances to seek help. Through this work, Penn has helped expand access to critical legal services while addressing barriers faced by individuals in underserved regions.

At the same time, the clinic provides law students with hands-on experience working with real clients and navigating complex legal processes. The program has assisted hundreds of Arkansans facing challenging circumstances—including individuals experiencing domestic violence or financial hardship—while preparing students for client-centered legal practice.

“Access to justice is a fundamental principle of our legal system,” Penn said. “The Delta Divorce Clinic provides meaningful opportunities for students to serve their communities while helping individuals navigate difficult legal situations.”

Rising Faculty Award

Sponsored by Scott Bowen

Dr. Kent Kovacs, associate professor in the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance in the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Rising Faculty Award.

Kovacs is recognized for his strong early impact in research, teaching, and service since joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2024. His work focuses on environmental and resource economics, with particular emphasis on groundwater sustainability, agricultural resilience, and ecosystem services.

He has maintained an active research agenda, publishing in academic journals and securing external funding, including a National Science Foundation award as principal investigator and support from the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. His research examines the economic incentives shaping producer and household decision-making, with issues directly relevant to Arkansas and the broader Mississippi Delta region.

In the classroom, Kovacs teaches courses including Macroeconomic Principles, Quantitative Business Analysis, and Environmental Economics, where he connects theory to real-world policy problems through active learning, data-driven exercises, and applied case studies. He has also supported student research and helped revive Environmental Economics as an upper-level elective.

“Economics offers powerful tools for understanding and addressing complex environmental and policy challenges,” Kovacs said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring that work into the classroom and to build research and teaching connections that strengthen ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s impact.”

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Film Series Explores Sustainability Across Latin America

Mara Crumby — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:44:22 +0000

Supported by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Sustainability Grant, the School of Human Inquiry in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education — along with Spanish program faculty, students, and the Spanish Club — will launch the first Latin American Film Series on Sustainability at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13.

The six-film series runs through April and will feature guest speakers at each screening. Each film will be shown at 1 p.m. in Room 205G of the Donaghey Student Center.

The festival is free and open to the university community and the public, with snacks and drinks available.

Dr. Elizabeth Sotelo, an assistant professor of Spanish at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, said the series reflects two central components of the university’s mission: to foster humane empathy among students and to empower them to utilize knowledge to contribute to society.

“This is precisely the foundation of the film series’ purpose,” she said. “To better understand the relevance of sustainable practices, we must become more knowledgeable about what is occurring in different parts of the world.”

Sotelo said each of the selected films communicates realities where nature and humanity are interconnected and impacted.

“The goal is to encourage comprehension and reflection on the effects and transcendence of our footprints in different spaces,” she said. “Furthermore, through conversations with our guest speakers, we will discuss the complexities of the films and articulate actionable steps that can be taken.”

Below is the schedule for the film festival:

Event 1: February 13, 2026

Theme: Extractivism in South America

Film: Chevron vs. The Amazon (2016) by Abby Martin

Guest Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Sotelo (University of Arkansas at Little Rock)

Event 2: February 27, 2026

Theme: Extractivism in South America

Film: When Two Worlds Collide (2016) by Mathew Orzel and Heidi Brandenburg

Guest Speaker: Dr. Meloddye Carpio Rios (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)

Event 3: March 13, 2026

Theme: Environmental justice in Central America

Film: Berta Didn’t Die, She Multiplied! (2017) by Sam Vinal

Guest Speaker: Dr. Rex Wilkins (University of Arkansas at Little Rock)

Event 4: April 3, 2026

Theme: Environmental justice in Central America

Film: Treasure of the Caribbean (2023) by Ana Salceda

Guest Speaker: Dr. Cornesha Tweede (Arizona State University)

Event 5: April 17, 2026

Theme: Crisis and impact in North America

Film: El tren y la península (2023) by Sky Richards & Andreas Kruger Foncerrada

Guest Speaker: Dr. Bri Romanello (University of Arkansas)

Event 6: April 22, 2026

Theme: Crisis and impact in North America

Film: The Gods of Mexico (2022) by Helmut Dosantos

Guest Speaker: Dr. Romy Cerón Canché (Texas State University)

Dr. Rex Wilkins, a visiting assistant professor of Spanish at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, said the film series also supports a broader goal of strengthening connections between the university and the local community — students, friends, and neighbors alike.

“Watching films together and talking about them is one of the best ways to build bridges of understanding between nations, cultures, and people,” he said. “Learning, like so many other things in life, has a social component.”

Organizers hope to reinforce the idea that in-person conversations can foster greater understanding, respect, and care in an increasingly divided world,” Dr. Wilkins added.

“We invite all of Little Rock to come and experience that for themselves by attending this film series,” he said. “We hope this will become an annual film series centering on other Latin American issues such as immigration and family life.”

For more information, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Sotelo at esotelo1@ualr.edu or Dr. Rex Wilkins at rrwilkins1@ualr.edu.

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CHASSE Announces 2025 Faculty Excellence Winners

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education announced the five recipients of the college-level 2025 Faculty Excellence Awards.

Professors Rebecca Glazier, Emily Hood, John Kirk, Jana McAuliffe, and Julien Mirivel were named winners by the college’s Faculty Excellence Awards Selection Committee.

The college recipients will be recognized at the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Faculty Excellence Awards on Thursday, April 3, and the university-level recipients will be announced.

Rising Faculty Award for Excellence

Dr. Emily Hood received the college’s Rising Faculty Award for Excellence. An assistant professor of art education, Hood joined the School of Art and Design in the fall of 2021.

This award is given to faculty members in their first five years at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock who display exceptional promise in teaching, research or creative endeavors, or public service. For Hood, her work intersects across all three.

Among updating the Art Education curriculum to better serve future contemporary art educators, Hood has also shifted the program to a cohort model to promote a sense of community among the students.

“Dr. Hood, as a role model, demonstrates effective teaching strategies and also creates a professional environment that is always inclusive, productive, and encouraging,” a former student writes. “I am also grateful that I have the ability to reach out and ask for help from my professor even after I have graduated.”

In addition to her teaching, Hood’s research involves young disabled artists and documenting their relationships to art materials in an art studio setting. This research led to the creation of a course that involves a field placement for students at Easterseals Academy.

“Her innovative teaching, both in and out of the classroom, her student mentorship, and her commitment to building strong relationships with students, campus resources, and broader community members makes her an excellent candidate for this award,” her nomination letter states.

Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service

Dr. Rebecca Glazier received the college-level Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service. A political science professor in the School of Public Affairs, Glazier has been at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for 15 years.

The recipient of this award applies their skills to their disciplines in service to the community, state, or nation in areas of public interest. In 2012, Glazier started a research program focusing on the intersection of faith and community called the Little Rock Congregations Study.

“Her careful attention to the needs and interests of the populations she studies, her production of numerous resources and events to benefit those partners, and the subsequent positive impact on the Little Rock community make her an ideal candidate to receive this award,” one peer wrote.

Glazier utilizes her research expertise in religion and community engagement to advance knowledge in areas of public interest and offer students hands-on experiences.

The data from her studies have been released to the public and her work has been recognized through a national award for Civic and Community Engagement from the American Political Science Association.

“Dr. Glazier goes above and beyond to provide mentorship, guidance, and support, whether by assisting students with research, offering career advice, or dedicating her time to community initiatives,” a former student wrote.

Faculty Excellence Award for Research and Creative Endeavors

Dr. John Kirk is the recipient of CHASSE’S Faculty Excellence Award for Research and Creative Endeavors. As a George W. Donaghey Distinguished Professor of History, Kirk has taught at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for 14 years.

The Faculty Excellence Award for Research and Creative Endeavors is given to those who have contributed to the expansion of knowledge and the quality of life in a particular area. During the past five years, Kirk published his ninth and 10th books.

His most recent book, “Winthrop Rockefeller: From New Yorker to Arkansawyer, 1912-1956” won the 2024 Booker Worthen Literary Prize from the Central Arkansas Library System for best work of fiction or nonfiction by an author living in Arkansas and the 2024 John G. Ragsdale Book Award from the Arkansas Historical Association for the best book published in Arkansas History.

“To provide a new generation of students and scholars with such diverse and important voices on a topic that continues to evolve in the twenty-first century is testament to John’s ability to promote knowledge exchange and research,” a lecturer in U.S. History at University College London wrote.

Along with his published books, Kirk also regularly contributes to a number of newspaper articles, magazine articles, radio programs, and podcasts. Not only does he produce this work himself, but he also invites his public history students to contribute alongside him to further their academic careers.

“In addition to being one of the nation’s foremost historians and researchers, Dr. Kirk has served as an ambassador for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with his many radio, television, and speaking appearances,” one letter of endorsement states. “He has been a guest on my podcast and never fails to [make] the university proud.”

Faculty Excellence Award for Social Justice

Dr. Jana McAuliffe was named the college’s recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award for Social Justice. An associate professor of philosophy in the School of Human Inquiry, McAuliffe has taught at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for nearly a decade.

This award is given to a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty member, regardless of years served, whose advocacy spans across teaching, service, and research.

McAuliffe describes her research process as “first [explaining] the meaning of challenging, complex ideas from the philosophical tradition and then [putting] these ideas to work to help address the problems of the present.”

Over the past five years, she has taught courses such as “The Philosophical Life,” “Ethics and Society,” “Philosophy of Law,” “Reasonings Across Disciplines,” and many others.

“Her reading lists demonstrate deliberate and concerted effort to represent a variety of perspectives and background, and her syllabi include a wealth of helpful information aimed at ensuring that all of her students have the resources they need for educational success,” her nomination letter states.

In addition to her teaching and research, McAuliffe contributes to public service as the director of the Ethics and Philosophy Summer Academy and as the faculty mentor for student groups that prioritize supporting and strengthening community.

“She not only provides an astute analysis of economic, political, and social problems as part of her research agenda, Dr. McAuliffe consistently and ably carves out spaces to increase opportunities for those in need and to inspire others to consider their own responsibilities in the creation of a more just world,” one of her peers said.

Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching

Dr. Julien Mirivel received the college’s Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching. A professor in the Department of Applied Communication, Mirivel has been at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for 19 years.

In the past five years, he’s taught courses in the department such as “Introduction to Communication,” “Communication and Community,” “Interpersonal Communication,” among many others.

The Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching is given to exemplars of the teacher/mentor model who maintain high expectations of their students.

“Today, Dr. Mirivel’s teaching is centered on creating transformative experiences for students, in both his face-to-face and online classes, empowering them not only to acquire knowledge but also to develop the skills and values necessary for personal and professional growth,” his nomination letter states.

Mirivel’s research on positive communication led to the creation of the widely recognized Positive Communication model and the Positive Communication Network, which he utilizes as the foundation for many of his courses. The model blends the creation of thoughtful relationships with conducting research.

“His ability to blend intellectual rigor with genuine human connection fosters an environment where students feel challenged, supported, and inspired,” a former student said.

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CHASSE Announces March College Events

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 14:00:59 +0000

The College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE) at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is preparing for a number of events this March, ranging from concerts and lectures to exhibitions and theatrical productions.

To see the full list of events happening throughout the semester, visit the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock calendar online.

School of Art and Design

“Wood Works: Assembled from the Permanent Collection”: The School of Art and Design will unveil the second exhibition in the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery this year titled “Wood Works: Assembled from the Permanent Collection.” The exhibition will run from March 3 until May 16 in the Windgate Center of Art + Design.

Featuring artwork from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Permanent Collection, this exhibition highlights the craftsmanship of artists who produced pieces made from wooden materials.

artWORKS Lecture by Carey Voss: “Art Adjacent: My Career in the Museum Field”: An Arkansas artist and curator at the Historic Arkansas Museum, Carey Voss will give a lecture regarding her career trajectory from an MFA in Painting to curator at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday March 12 in Room 101 in the Windgate Center of Art + Design.

Following the lecture, Voss will be available to visit with attendees. These lectures are free, open to the public, and made possible through the support of the Windgate Foundation. For additional information, contact Kristi Pruett, the school’s administrative analyst, at kncrow@ualr.edu.

“William Beckman: On the Horizon”: At the end of March, Gallery One in the Fine Arts building will open with its third exhibition since its reopening in the fall 2024 semester titled “William Beckman: On the Horizon.” The exhibition will be open to the public from March 31 until June 30.

Beckman’s oil paintings can be seen in a number of museums, including the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

Free and open to the public, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock galleries are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The galleries in the Windgate Center of Art + Design have additional hours on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All ��Vlog��ý Little Rock galleries are closed on university holidays.

For additional information on exhibitions, contact Gallery Director Brian Young at byoung2@ualr.edu.

Department of History

Evenings with History: Drs. Kris McAbee, Charles Romney, and Larry Smith, “Playing with History: Community and the Contemporary Stage”: At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professors Kris McAbee, Charles Romney, and Larry Smith will present an interdisciplinary lecture as part of the Evenings with History series. Given each professor’s unique background in English, history, and theater, respectively, the lecture will explore the intersection of history, storytelling, and modern-day theatre.

The public is invited to attend the free event in the Ottenheimer Auditorium at the Historic Arkansas Museum. More details regarding the Evenings with History series can be found on the Department of History’s website. For additional information, contact Dr. Michael Heil at mwheil@ualr.edu.

School of Human Inquiry

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Garden Site Archaeology Project Open House: The School of Human Inquiry is hosting an open house to showcase ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Garden Site Project. In celebration of Arkansas Archaeology Month, the Open House is from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, March 14 in Stabler Hall 107. If weather permits, tours will be given of the excavation site, and the lab and found artifacts will be on display.

Assistant Professor of Anthropology Dr. Maureece Levin leads the Garden Site Archaeology Project. The Open House is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Levin at mlevin@ualr.edu.

School of Literary and Performing Arts

Theatre Production: “The Theory of Relativity”: The Theatre Arts program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will present “The Theory of Relativity,” a heartwarming musical that explores interconnectedness and shared experiences from Drama Desk Award nominees Neil Bartram and Brian Hill.

Shows will run on Wednesday, March 5 through Sunday, March 9 in Haislip Theatre on ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s campus. Audiences can attend 7:30 p.m. showings on March 5 through March 8, or they can attend 2:30 p.m. showings on March 8 and 9.

In the School of Literary and Performing Arts at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Stacy Pendergraft, producing artistic director, will direct, Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities, will lead music, and Caelon Colbert, coordinating assistant, will oversee choreography and act as assistant director. Shows are free and open to the public, but .

March Chamber and Wind Ensemble Concert: The first chamber and wind ensemble concert of the semester will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13 in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus.

Led by Dr. Nickolas Doshier, director of music education, the ensemble concert is free and open to the public.

Visiting Writers Series: An Afternoon with Jay Jennings: The English program will host the spring 2025 semester’s Visiting Writers Series lecture, which is free and open to the public. Author Jay Jennings will share insights into his craft at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 14 in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall.

Jennings, a writer and editor who lives in Little Rock, has worked with national newspapers and magazines, including “The New York Times” and “The Wall Street Journal.” He was also an editor at “Oxford American” from 2015 to 2021. Additional information on Jennings and his work can be found .

Justin Bunting Faculty Recital: Closing out the performances for the School of Literary and Performing Arts in March is Dr. Justin Bunting’s Faculty Recital at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18 in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall.

Bunting, who is an assistant professor of percussion and leads the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Percussion Ensemble, will showcase his musical talents and expertise. This concert is free and open to the public.

For additional information regarding the events hosted by the School of Literary and Performing Arts, contact the school’s coordinating assistant Caelon Colbert at cdcolbert@ualr.edu or 501-916-3291.

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CHASSE Announces Upcoming Leadership Changes

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 17:18:35 +0000

The (CHASSE) has announced a number of leadership changes within the college, effective July 1, 2024.

Office of the Dean

Dr. Michael Norton, former co-director of the , has accepted the position of Associate Dean for Student and Faculty Success for the college, replacing Dr. Johanna Miller Lewis, who retired in June after 33 years at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

The major duties of this position include supervising and supporting the college’s Student Success Center—which houses the director of student services, five academic advisors, and the college’s student support specialist—developing and supporting faculty development initiatives, and working with faculty, academic units, and the Provost’s Office on curriculum and program development and review.

Headshot of Dr. Michael Norton. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

As an associate professor and chair of philosophy, Norton coordinated four programs—anthropology, interdisciplinary studies, philosophy, and sociology—to establish the School of Human Inquiry in 2022. He was one of two faculty members to serve as the school’s first co-directors.

Prior to the formation of the School of Human Inquiry, Norton served in a variety of chair positions for departments, committees, and task forces. He has also been the co-organizer of the annual Arkansas High School Ethics Bowl for the past ten years.

Norton’s philosophy research touches on a variety of topics: religion, politics, climate change, and more. His forthcoming book “Anthropocene Religion: Rethinking Nature, Humanity, and Divinity Amid Climate Catastrophe” is expected to be released in 2025 by Edinburgh University Press.

“Dr. Norton has been an adept chair and co-director for all the units in which he has worked,” said CHASSE Dean Dr. Sarah Beth Estes. “For many years, he has worked closely with the Dean’s Office and his predecessor on curriculum and advising. The college will benefit greatly from having his skills in the dean’s office.”

School of Human Inquiry

Headshot of Dr. Neveen Shafeek Amin. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

With Norton’s move to the Office of the Dean, Dr. Neveen Shafeek Amin, associate professor of sociology, has been appointed to serve as interim co-director of the school, joining Dr. Kathryn King, current interim co-director.

Shafeek Amin joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2015, and she has since received more than a dozen awards and grants for her research, teaching, and service. Shafeek Amin served as the School of Human Inquiry coordinator for the academic year 2023-2024, and she has also served as co-director of the (ATLE) at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock since 2023. Most recently, she received the 2024 CHASSE Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching.

Her most recent nomination for the Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching highlighted her active-learning pedagogy. Along with her approach to hands-on learning, she has also developed new courses in the sociology program based on her areas of expertise: “Sociology of Health and Illness in the U.S.” and a special topics course on the immigrant experience.

“Dr. Shafeek Amin is a longtime faculty leader whose pedagogical skills and curriculum development will serve the new and growing School of Human Inquiry very well,” Estes said. “I am grateful for her willingness to step into an administrative position.”

School of Education

Headshot of Dr. Rachel Eells. Photo by Brandon Paul Eells.

Dr. Rachel Eells, who served as interim director of the during the 2023-2024 academic year, has been named the inaugural Windgate Foundation Endowed Director of the School of Education.

The $3.5 million gift from the Windgate Foundation is designed to “support the transformation of teacher education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in its quest to become a premier provider of teachers in the state,” according to a 2023 release.

Eells brings with her over a decade of leadership experience in higher education where she has served as a faculty member, department chair, dean, and vice president. She has developed new college programs, led during a college restructuring, and has extensive knowledge of accreditation, assessment, and compliance processes.

Her research takes an interdisciplinary approach that focuses on leadership, innovation, psychology, and education.

She was also recently named by Soirée Magazine as part of the 2024 Class of Women to Watch.

“Dr. Eells has just finished leading the pilot year of the Forward Arkansas funded teacher residency program in partnership with Jacksonville North Pulaski School District and Little Rock School District,” Estes said. “We are elated to have her in the director position to continue the transformation of our educator preparation program in the School of Education.”

Department of Rhetoric and Writing

Headshot of Dr. Jennifer Dawes. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

Dr. Jennifer Dawes has been selected as the next chair of the , replacing Dr. Joyce Carter, who retired in June after nine years at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

Dawes comes to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock from Wichita Falls, Texas, where she served as chair of the department of English, humanities, and philosophy, as well as a professor of English, at Midwestern State University.

Prior to her tenure as department chair, she was an English professor at Henderson State University, a faculty member in the English/Writing program at Eastern Oregon University, and a faculty member in the English department at Idaho State University, as well as the American Studies Program Director.

Dawes has experience in student and faculty recruitment, retention, and support. She has served on a number of task forces and committees devoted to promoting student success.

Her research has covered popular culture topics, as well as tourism in the American West. She is currently working on a new publication that explores dark tourism in Texas.

Dawes’s pursuit of research, her dedication to student success, and the experience she brings to campus edifies the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community.

“Dr. Dawes joins us having already completed a successful stint as an external chair,” Estes said. “We are lucky to have her expertise in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing as we continue to modify our composition program to best meet student needs.”

These leadership changes went into effect on July 1, 2024.

“Since its founding in 2020, CHASSE has continued to recruit strong leadership in key positions,” Estes said. “In addition to successful faculty placements in combination with the strength of our existing faculty, these changes enhance the college’s curriculum, programming, community outreach, and ultimately, our success in serving students.”

To learn more about the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, visit the or email chasse@ualr.edu.

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Receives Two Grants to Hold New Ethics and Philosophy Summer Academy

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 13:00:26 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received two grants totaling around $20,000 to fund the inaugural ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Ethics and Philosophy Summer Academy for Arkansas high school students.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock received a nearly $15,000 grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as a $5,000 grant from the American Philosophical Association. The project is also supported by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education.

The grants will allow ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host about 25 high school students from across the state for a free week-long summer camp geared toward philosophy and ethics education. The camp will be free to attend, and the grants will cover the students’ on-campus housing and meals.

Dr. Jana McAuliffe, associate professor of philosophy and principal investigator on the grants, and Dr. Michael Norton, co-director of the School of Human Inquiry, have been working with Scott Hairston and Jake Morris, teachers and Ethics Bowl coaches at Little Rock Central High School, to bring the summer academy to life.

“We are so grateful for the support we have received from these organizations to host our first Ethics and Philosophy Summer Academy,” McAuliffe said. “This project comes out of 12 years of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s philosophy program organizing the Arkansas High School Ethics Bowl. This is a competition where students work together as teams to develop ethical arguments about important issues in the world. We are collaborating with high school teachers to give students the opportunity to further study philosophy and ethics at no cost to themselves or their families.”

The Ethics and Philosophy Summer Academy will be held from June 24-28 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The inaugural theme will be “Ethics and Technology.” Participants will explore a variety of topics like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, social media, fake news, nuclear weapons, predictive policing, surveillance capitalism, driverless cars, organ transplants, and genetic technologies.

Under the guidance of experienced college faculty and high school teachers, students will consider a variety of philosophical concepts, encounter diverse points of view, develop skills in argument analysis and construction, and practice civil discourse and disagreement on the ethical questions technology raises.

“We will engage in lively seminars in the morning, small-group activities in the afternoon, and films and games in the evening, all of which will culminate in a small-scale Ethics Bowl at the end of the week,” McAuliffe said. “These students will leave the academy with the tools to start an Ethics Bowl Team or Philosophy Club at their own schools or in their communities.”

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CHASSE Announces 2024 College-Level Faculty Excellence Winners

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 13:15:07 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE) has announced Neveen Shafeek Amin, Edma Delgado-Solórzano, Heidi Skurat Harris, Daryl Tate, and Kiel Thorlton as the 2024 Faculty Excellence winners for the college.

The university-level Faculty Excellence winners will be announced at the April 4 ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in the EIT Auditorium in the Engineering and Information Technology Building.

More information on the CHASSE winners and excerpts from their nomination letters are below:

Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service

Dr. Edma Delgado-Solórzano is an assistant professor of Spanish who is deeply involved in service in her program, at the university, and in our larger community.

In highlighting her work at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, her nomination letter states “she is the heart and soul” of supporting Spanish heritage speakers through recruiting students to the program, supervising Spanish language testing requirements, writing memos to the registrar, and advising and mentoring these students.

“Her years-long work with LULAC, El Zócalo Immigrant Resource Center, Mamas Unidas in Little Rock, the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas in Springdale, and El Centro Hispano in Jonesboro are a testament to a hard-working individual who strongly believes in setting an example for her community,” her nomination letter states. “And these organizations have awarded her efforts with the 2023 Mentor of the Year Prize from Mamas Unidas, as Arkansan of the Day (July 17, 2023) by THV Channel 11 News, and Recognition for Community Service (October 13, 2023) from Univision Arkansas.”

Faculty Excellence Award for Research and Creative Endeavors

Dr. Heidi Skurat Harris is an associate professor and graduate coordinator in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing. With a decade of experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Harris has made significant impacts in the research field.

“Her three primary research areas involve online instruction… online writing program development and administration, and archival research on the writing and publication process of the novella ‘A River Runs Through It’ by Norman Maclean,” states her letter of nomination.

“In the last five years alone, Dr. Harris has published in four edited collections and book chapters, a bibliography, twelve journal articles, and two co-edited books (Routledge 2024),” her letter continues. “In addition, she collaborated with faculty and students from across disciplines and across the country. Her work appears in seminal books, like “Foundational Practices in Online Writing Instruction” and in some of the top journals in the field, including “Technical Communication Quarterly,” “Computers & Composition,” and “Communication Quarterly.” She has maintained this research pace while simultaneously developing and coordinating the Graduate Certificate for Online Writing Instruction (the only of its kind in the nation and recipient of the CSSC 2017 Curricular Innovation Award) and serving as the graduate coordinator for [the] department.”

Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching

Dr. Neveen Shafeek Amin is the coordinator of the sociology program and an associate professor of sociology who emphasizes mentoring and student-oriented service.

“[Dr. Shafeek Amin] is well versed in scientific teaching and uses evidence-based methods to improve her students’ learning outcomes,” her nomination letter continues. “She uses several pedagogical strategies with her students to encourage active learning, which has been shown to improve students’ retention. For instance, in her Introduction to Sociology classes, she has her students engage in service-learning activities and write reflective papers about the experience (for this work, she was named a Service-Learning Advocate by the College of Social Science and Communications in 2020.)”

Her work in teaching and learning continues outside the School of Human Inquiry as well. Her nomination letter states, “This year she was selected to serve as one of the three co-directors for the Academy of Teaching and Learning (ATLE). [Dr. Shafeek Amin] is extraordinarily well suited to this role. She has regularly attended ATLE programming since she began working at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and has received numerous recognitions from the group, including a curriculum innovation award, numerous teaching fellow awards, and a Lifetime Participation award. Her leadership in this organization demonstrates her commitment to ongoing improvement in teaching, not just for herself, but also for her colleagues. Through this work she is working to improve the classroom experience for all students by providing continuing education for the educators.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Social Justice Award

Dr. Daryl Tate, associate professor in the School of Education, coordinates the Learning System Technology Education Program. He is also ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s inaugural eLearning Fellow.

According to his nomination letter, “[Dr. Tate] has been a much sought-after person to address equity for all in the online environment; he has done so via his publications, scholarly presentations, media interviews, grants, and direct action with students to facilitate programming. On his grants, two of them focused on how to provide open educational resources (OER) to his students as a student retention effort… In essence, his programming has a lasting impact that promotes and defends social justice in the form of access to education.”

Regarding Tate’s entire body of work, his nomination letter goes on to state: “Dr. Tate’s pivotal work to provide educational access using technology and pedagogy innovatively approaches student success. It also exemplifies his commitment to ensuring ��Vlog��ý Little Rock remains relevant in producing student scholars who will function with this same focus on inclusionary access for all to learn.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Rising Faculty Award for Excellence

Professor Kiel Thorlton, assistant professor in the School of Mass Communication, joined the university in 2020. Since that time, he has taught 11 different classes in the area of video production.

His nomination letter states: “In addition to his considerable teaching load, Prof. Thorlton also serves as the coordinating producer for ESPN+ in conjunction with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock athletics. In this capacity, he is responsible for all student crews for roughly 100+ broadcasts in an academic year.”

In addition to his service to the university and in the larger community, he also continues to thrive in scholarship/creative activity. “Since 2010, Kiel has been the director, cinematographer, and owner of Falling Leaf Productions, a company that specializes in video production ranging from narrative film to commercial work,” his nomination letter continues. “Perhaps the most notable of the work his company has produced is the feature film ‘A Place Called Home,’” which was released worldwide on Dec. 20, 2022. Thorlton served as the writer, director, and co-producer of the movie.

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Anthropology Professor Participates in International Panel and Research

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 13:07:47 +0000

Dr. Maureece Levin, an assistant professor of anthropology within the School of Human Inquiry, participated in an international panel that recently published its findings in New Phytologist, an international journal that focuses on plant sciences.

In early 2022, Levin, along with 19 other scientists from across the globe, was selected to participate in a panel with a goal of identifying 100 questions that affect the future and the community of plant science on a global scale.

The scientists were divided by regions including the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Levin, an archaeobotanist, served on the Americas panel with other scientists from both North and South America, and she also acted as an Americas panel representative on the global panel.

What started as 600 questions that prioritized the sustainability of plant science, as well addressed its biggest threats, was then narrowed down to 100 questions based on importance.

“There was actually remarkable congruency on a lot of questions,” Levin said. “A lot of the questions seemed to be things that were globally really important.”

Similar questions and ideas were discussed 10 years ago with another group of scientists that was also published in New Phytologist.

The recent panel and research reflects on the changes to plant science and identifies how much progress has been made in the past ten years, the press release detailed.

“The thing that really stood out to us on the panel was that so many more of the questions were focused on climate change. This emerged as really one of the massive themes,” Levin said.

In addition to climate change, the questions also addressed issues of technology, sustainability, and more.

Also in the recent study was a larger pool of scientists. According to the press release, lead researchers emphasized including those from a variety of backgrounds, regions, and cultures to show “how an inclusive international exercise can be used to identify diverse research questions.”

Levin compared her experience participating in the panel to her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

“I think there can be parallels drawn. Being in a university setting that encourages connection across disciplines is something that I think is really valuable,” she said.

While she interacts with other anthropologists every day, she mainly interacts with those who aren’t anthropologists—something she says is conducive to building other ideas.

“One hundred important questions facing plant science: an international perspective” can be read in New Phytologist.

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����Vlog��ý Little Rock Announces 2026 Faculty Excellence Award Winners