An innovative simulation partnership between the School of Nursing and the School of Social Work launched this spring to prepare nursing students for realistic, high-stakes scenarios that students typically don鈥檛 experience during hospital-based clinical rotations.

During these interprofessional simulations, the social work and nursing students work together to assess situations and develop patient-centered interventions, mirroring the level of teamwork required in today鈥檚 healthcare environments. Faculty members facilitate the scenario and later debrief the students to reflect on communication, teamwork and professionalism.

鈥淔eedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive so far,鈥� said Judy Staley, assistant professor of nursing. 鈥淔aculty members have seen noticeable gains in student confidence, and the students have improved in navigating conversations and understanding one another鈥檚 roles in patient care.鈥�

The initiative builds on other efforts already taking place within the nursing program, including a new partnership with the American Sign Language (ASL) program. 

The program was inspired by a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) capstone led by assistant nursing professor Anna Williams, which was rooted in a simple but critical insight: modern patient care requires strong alliances and synergy. 

The program intends to continue expanding simulation activities throughout 2026. The goal is to continue building interprofessional opportunities and enhancing the realism of simulation-based learning over the next several years.

Written by Olivia Hicks

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Johnson, a native of Joplin, Missouri, who now lives in Eureka Springs and works as a mental health counselor with Chenal Family Therapy, is one of only 155 recipients nationwide and one of two from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to receive the $1,000 award this year. The Love of Learning Award supports post-baccalaureate professional development, including advanced studies, research, continuing education, and career training.

For Johnson, the award will help fund training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a specialized therapy used to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. The six-day course in Fort Smith, Arkansas, will also help her build skills in a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities.

鈥淚 am so appreciative of this award,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淓ven though I鈥檝e completed my degree, continuing education is essential for therapists. There are dozens of therapy modalities beyond what we learn in graduate school, and many of them cost thousands of dollars to train and become certified in. This award helps make that training possible.鈥�

Johnson鈥檚 passion for helping others guides her work as a therapist, where she primarily serves children and families in the local school district. While 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock provided her with a strong foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, she said expanding her skill set through additional certifications is key to providing the best possible care for her patients.

鈥淎 therapist needs to be able to do at least a few modalities well and be familiar with many,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his training will give me another important tool to help my clients heal and thrive.鈥�

Johnson was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi in 2024 at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. She said the award comes at a pivotal time in her career.

鈥淚鈥檓 still building my caseload and working toward a full-time income, so I鈥檓 having to pinch pennies,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his support truly comes at the right moment, and I鈥檓 deeply grateful.鈥�

Since 1932, Phi Kappa Phi鈥檚 award programs have recognized members and students for outstanding academic achievement and professional potential. Each year, the organization distributes more than $1 million through awards and grants that benefit nearly 400 individuals.

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Morgan Leyenberger, instructor of social work, used the grant to purchase a GEME electric composter, a high-tech, microbiotic system that converts food waste into usable compost within hours.

Installed in Ross Hall during the spring 2025 semester, the composter has quickly become a centerpiece for faculty, staff, and students in the School of Social Work who are committed to reducing waste. The system, which uses aeration and beneficial fungi to break down food, produces nutrient-rich compost used in gardens and office plants.

Leyenberger said the idea stemmed from the School of Social Work鈥檚 culture of community. Faculty, staff, and students regularly share meals on campus, creating an opportunity to reduce waste while modeling sustainability in everyday practice. With support from Phi Alpha, the social work honor society, students helped research the equipment, host composting workshops, and create educational materials encouraging their peers to participate. The students have enthusiastically named the composter, Com-Post Malone.

Faculty members have enthusiastically adopted the new system. Dr. Theresa Flowers, assistant professor of social work, uses compost from the unit in her backyard garden, where she grows vegetables and herbs with her young daughter.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a fun process,鈥� Flowers said. 鈥淭he composter actually smells nice, and it鈥檚 kept me from having to figure out how to compost at home. It鈥檚 made sustainability simple.鈥�

The department estimates that between 20 faculty and staff members and 100 on-campus students regularly use the composter. Together, they鈥檝e produced around 20 gallons of compost since the composter was installed in the spring, diverting food scraps that would otherwise contribute to methane emissions in landfills.

The project has also inspired students to think more critically about their own environmental impact and the role they can play in building a more sustainable community.

Olivia Garderner, a Master of Social Work student, said the initiative aligns with the values of service and social responsibility that are central to her field.

鈥淚 was excited to see our department take on a project that shows how small actions can make a big difference,鈥� Garderner said. 鈥淐omposting may seem simple, but it鈥檚 a tangible way to reduce waste and take care of our planet. It makes sustainability feel personal and achievable.鈥�

For Leyenberger, the project represents both environmental and educational impact.

鈥淲hen we divert food waste from the trash, we鈥檙e reducing greenhouse gases and giving back to the Earth through our gardens,鈥� Leyenberger said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a simple, tangible way for students and faculty to engage in sustainability.鈥�

The initiative is part of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Sustainability Grants Program, which funds up to $2,500 for projects focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable campus operations. Dr. Kyungsun Lee, assistant professor of geography and chair of the sustainability grant committee, said Leyenberger鈥檚 project exemplifies the program鈥檚 goals.

鈥淢organ鈥檚 project is a great example of how small, thoughtful actions can make a lasting impact,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 inspiring to see the School of Social Work build sustainability into its daily routine.鈥�

Leyenberger has invited the campus community to contact her at mleyenberger@ualr.edu if they are interested in using the composter.

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The late Judith K. Faust, an instructor emerita at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Social Work, held degrees in journalism, philosophy, and social work. She was a longtime supporter of K糖心Vlog传媒R and a tireless advocate for civil rights. This endowment, which was funded by a gift from Faust鈥檚 estate, reflects her multidisciplinary approach to improving lives and her belief in the power of truth-seeking and civic engagement.

The endowment will support local reporting initiatives that reflect her values, beginning with one newsroom position and growing to sustain multiple roles in the years ahead. It ensures that Little Rock Public Radio can continue producing journalism that asks hard questions, highlights differing perspectives, and empowers Arkansans to make informed decisions.

“Judith’s devotion to truth, to knowledge, to the pulse of our shared humanity, was not just evident, it was radiant,鈥� said Amy Freer, Faust’s longtime friend and mentee. 鈥淎s a writer, a professor, a mind that questioned deeply and cared fiercely, she saw journalism as a sacred thread: weaving clarity through chaos, stitching light into the fabric of public discourse. That her gift now fuels the voices of public radio, voices that seek truth, speak it, and share it, is a legacy as luminous as she was. I am so grateful to have been able to witness lives changing through Judith’s generosity. She is a true inspiration.”

Looking ahead, LRPR鈥檚 vision for journalism is rooted in three priorities:

• Strengthening local, regional and statewide reporting
• Investing in transparency and accountability
• Ensuring that fact-based news remains accessible to all 

Public radio has always been a partnership between stations and the people they serve. With the continued support of listeners, donors, and partners, this gift ensures that LRPR will remain a vital civic institution. LRPR remains committed to helping Arkansans navigate change, strengthen democracy, and build an informed community for generations to come. 

Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, Little Rock Public Radio, home of K糖心Vlog传媒R FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, is a public service unit of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. University students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and K糖心Vlog传媒R operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production.

For more information about The Judith K. Faust Endowment for Journalism, visit .

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Kohoutek-Miller is from Mountain Home, Arkansas, and is majoring in social work with a minor in psychology. After starting her education journey again in 2021 at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, she feels honored to receive this grant. 

鈥淚 feel very honored to be awarded the Rutherford grant. It feels great to be supported by the larger community in this way,” she said. 鈥淚 never thought I would have the chance to go back to school at my age, and I just feel so grateful for this opportunity.鈥�

Kohoutek-Miller plans on using the Rutherford grant for educational supplies, as well as transportation costs for her internship with the School of Social Work at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 

鈥淚 am excited about using my social work education to serve my local community,鈥� Kohoutek-Miller said. 鈥淚 hope to eventually use my social work degree to help families and children, individuals with addiction issues, and also low-income individuals.鈥�

After earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in social work, Kohoutek-Miller plans to continue her education and get her master鈥檚 degree in social work. She is grateful to her professors at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for their support. 

鈥淚 would like to say thank you to all the wonderful professors I have had at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel that they have provided a lot of guidance and support.鈥�

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Originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Giblin chose 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock because of its amazing social work department and affordability. To Giblin, Little Rock had everything a student may need during their time in college: nature, fun activities, and much more.聽

Throughout her time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Giblin participated in a multitude of student organizations. 

She was the communications director for the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Young Democrats for two years and is now president. She was also an associate justice for the Student Government Association for the 2024-2025 school year and now serves as communications director. Additionally, she is part of the League of United Latin American Citizens (). 

Giblin has been able to gain real-world experience through an internship with the Little Rock School District鈥檚 school-based health clinics. 

鈥淚t has taught me more than any classroom ever could,鈥� Giblin said. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen firsthand how healthcare impacts academic success and how local and federal policies shape our public schools.鈥�

Three professors made a lasting impact on her: sociology professors Dr. Kinko Ito and Dr. David Briscoe in the School of Human Inquiry and Professor Essa Samarah Samarsky in the School of Social Work.

鈥淭hey are all outstanding professionals in their fields and have shown true passion for their work,鈥� Giblin said. 

Giblin is excited about what鈥檚 ahead. After graduation, she plans to pursue her master鈥檚 degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio. 

鈥淲hen I think about it too much, I get a little scared,鈥� Giblin said. 鈥淭hen I remember a lyric from my favorite song of all time: “Time makes you bolder.” At this university, I have met my lifelong best friends, fallen in love with my field, and grown into the woman I鈥檝e always dreamed of becoming. The last four years have been truly remarkable, but parting is such sweet sorrow.鈥�

Her advice to future students is quite simple. 

鈥淛oin a club. If you’re overwhelmed, take a walk. Prioritize sleep. Take it all in. It goes by so quick,鈥� she said. 

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“Social work is an avenue to create change, to support those who are ignored and pushed out,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o really, how could I not take on this vocational call?”

Campbell鈥檚 time in the MSW program has been transformative. Having earned her undergraduate degree from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, at age 27, she joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock at 33, an experience she described as both challenging and rewarding.

“The support you receive from the School of Social Work is unmatched,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is a community within the larger 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock community, and I felt at home.鈥�

While she refuses to name a single favorite professor, Campbell expressed deep gratitude for the faculty and mentors who supported her throughout the program.

“They walked with me through this experience, made space for me not to have all the answers, and understood what is at stake when returning to school, especially as a low-income student,” she said. “They know who they are, and I am grateful for them.”

For the past year, she has also gained invaluable experience and a passion for working with veterans through an internship at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS).

“The moment I started at the VA, I realized, 鈥楾his is what I am meant to be doing,鈥�” Campbell said. “Their approach to internships is unlike anything I鈥檝e experienced before. Everyone I interacted with, both veterans and VA employees, was eager to share their experiences and knowledge. They genuinely want to support and encourage you.”

After graduation, Campbell will begin a fellowship position in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) program at CAVHS, a step that will allow her to continue serving veterans.

“I鈥檓 excited and maybe a bit anxious,” she said of graduating. “I鈥檓 about to step into the professional world, but I know I will miss being able to send rambling emails to my professors about thoughts, connections, and worries. Who am I kidding? I plan to continue emailing them.”

She credits 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 MSW program with providing the education, mentorship, and real-world experience she needed to succeed.

“Several people in the social work profession who I respect praised 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 MSW program, and that was enough of a push for me to check it out,” she said. “When I did, I knew it was the right choice for me.”

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These grants, awarded annually, fund initiatives up to $2,500 that focus on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and the integration of sustainable practices into the university鈥檚 operations and curriculum. This year鈥檚 grants support four creative ideas from students and faculty that foster sustainable practices and enhance the university’s commitment to a greener future.

Dr. Kyungsun Lee, assistant professor of geography and chair of the grant judging committee, said she was delighted to see numerous outstanding proposals for this year鈥檚 sustainability grants.

鈥淚t is truly encouraging to see our campus community – students, staff, and faculty – coming forward with innovative ideas spanning water resources, waste management, ecology, and energy solutions to enhance 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock’s sustainability,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淭he quality and diversity of these projects reflect our community’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship, and we look forward to seeing their implementation over the coming year.鈥�

Lane Epperson, a biology student, received a grant to enhance campus biodiversity and support local wildlife populations by installing bat boxes along Coleman Creek and owl boxes across the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus. The project promotes natural pest control through ecosystem services, as both bats and owls effectively manage insect and rodent populations without chemical interventions.

Morgan Leyenberger, an instructor of social work, received a grant to purchase a food composter to reduce food waste for faculty, staff, and students in the School of Social Work.

鈥淭his is a faculty and student project. Officers from Phi Alpha, our social work honor society, researched the composter and chose the one we plan to purchase,鈥� Leyenberger said. 鈥淭hey also plan to develop a marketing campaign to encourage students and employees in social work to use it. We want to encourage people to use the compost for their plants and home gardens. The students are very excited about the sustainability project. They plan to hold a contest to name the composter. They are social work students, so of course they plan to anthropomorphize the composter.鈥�

Meanwhile, Dr. Heather Black, assistant professor of geology, will use her grant funding to conduct a comprehensive assessment of drinking water on campus. Black will collect and analyze samples from all buildings on campus, and the findings will contribute to understanding campus infrastructure and potentially guide future maintenance and improvement decisions.

鈥淚’m very excited to receive this $1,500 grant as we currently do not have drinking water quality monitoring on campus, so this will be the first step to ensure our water is of the best possible quality in the future,鈥� Black said.

Colby Martinez, a mechanical engineering major, received a grant to install solar-powered charging stations throughout campus that will provide students, employees, and visitors with access to renewable energy for their electronic devices. The initiative demonstrates a practical approach to sustainability, aiming to reduce the university’s carbon footprint while making renewable energy technology visible and accessible in daily campus life.

“Grant recipients will showcase their project progress at the upcoming Earth Day Event on April 22,” Lee said, who noted that another round of grant funding will open during the Fall 2025 semester. “If you have ideas for improving campus sustainability, hold onto them and apply in the fall.”

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Selected as part of the , Dr. Tara DeJohn, assistant professor of social work, joined faculty from schools of social work nationwide in delivering this innovative course, Core Components and Skills for Trauma-Informed Practice.

The National Initiative for Trauma Education and Workforce Development, which launched in 2021 at UNC Chapel Hill, is part of a larger $3 million SAMHSA-funded project aimed at improving trauma-informed practices nationwide. The program not only enhances students鈥� practical skills but also addresses the shortage of trained mental health professionals with specialized trauma expertise across the United States.

鈥淭hey recognized that social work educators and practitioners have a tremendous knowledge gap when it comes to addressing trauma,鈥� DeJohn said. 鈥淭he initiative is focused on improving access to faculty who serve in institutions and communities that work with minority populations and often have less opportunities for evidenced-based instructional training as compared to larger R1 institutions.鈥�

Last summer, DeJohn received training along with a cohort of 17 professors from around the country to teach the course, which equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to apply 12 essential trauma-informed practices in interventions and treatments for traumatized children and their families.

The course emphasizes understanding the impact of trauma, developing trauma informed interventions, and mastering the elements necessary to achieve these objectives. Taught through inquiry-based learning (IBL), the course engages students using full-length cases that reflect the diverse clients clinicians encounter. Additionally, it addresses self-care and heightens awareness of systemic issues affecting children and families, which can either mitigate or increase their risk for traumatic experiences.

鈥淭here is secondary trauma that can happen to social workers as they work with individuals and families facing so much trauma in their lives,鈥� DeJohn said. 鈥淭his class also teaches self-care techniques. It鈥檚 so important for social workers to take care of themselves and mitigate effects that can lead to burnout on the job.鈥�

The course has 24 Master of Social Work students, 12 on campus and 12 online, at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. DeJohn is very excited about bringing the initiative to Arkansas and feels this class is especially helpful to future social workers in the state.

鈥淒epending on the statistics you read, master鈥檚 level social workers provide between 50-80% of all mental health services,鈥� DeJohn said. 鈥淎ccording to the most recent , children in Arkansas are more likely to endure adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, than children in most other states. The impact from these adverse experiences not only impact a child鈥檚 mental health, but it also increases their likelihood for childhood obesity and chronic illnesses in adulthood. Students will learn how to work with children and families to help mitigate the negative long-term effects of trauma.鈥�

DeJohn and her cohort will receive ongoing training while they teach the course during the spring semester. During the summer, DeJohn will receive training to become a trainer herself and will then be able to offer training to other faculty members who want to teach the course in the future.

鈥淚 am very grateful to our department鈥檚 co-chairs Dr. Laura Danforth and Dr. Kim Jones for supporting me in being a part of this project,鈥� DeJohn said. 鈥淚 would also like to commend Dr. Strand, who is the faculty investigator at UNC鈥檚 School of Social Work, who along with her team secured a grant from SAMSHA to be able to offer this training to faculty around the country at no cost to the faculty or the faculty鈥檚 home university.鈥�

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鈥淒r. Miller鈥檚 generous donation demonstrates her strong commitment to advancing the field of gerontology and supporting future scholars,鈥� said Thomas Clifton, interim dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services. 鈥淗er gift will greatly benefit our students, allowing them to focus on their studies and future contributions to the field. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Miller鈥檚 unwavering dedication to education and her lasting impact at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

Miller has donated $26,000 to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to establish the Marilyn Miller Endowed Scholarship for the Benefit of Students Studying Gerontology. The scholarship will be given to a full or part-time student pursuing a graduate certificate in gerontology and can be used for education-related expenses including tuition, books, fees, and room and board. Preference will be given to students who are licensed health professionals or those pursuing licensure.

Miller earned a master鈥檚 degree in gerontology from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 1981, and she is still grateful for the education that has influenced much of her career.

鈥淚 was the academic coordinator of clinical education and a professor of physical therapy at UCA at the time,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he evening classes made it possible for me to work and complete the advanced degree. The classes were small. I am grateful for the degree that turned out to influence more than 50 percent of my career path. It opened opportunities for me in my career in whatever state I went to.鈥�

While finishing her thesis, Miller landed her first job in state government for the Executive Office of Aging for the Hawaii State Department of Health, where she reviewed what services the state provided to older adults in Hawaii. Throughout her career, she has come to recognize that the field of gerontology is becoming more important as the population of older adults is on the rise.

鈥淎t the time I received my master鈥檚 degree, physical therapy was waking up to the fact that the senior population was going to account for 80 percent of the healthcare dollars spent in this country,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淣ow we are taking over the world. Now that I鈥檝e become my subject matter, older adults are no longer a minor subset of any population. We are a major subset of all populations who are growing, definitely in this country. This is a global situation. I hope that students will see the value in studying gerontology and how important it is to the future.鈥�

According to the World Health Organization, one in six people in the world will be aged 60 years or over by 2030.

Miller is a physical therapist, an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certified geriatrics clinical specialist, and has served as an elected officer in several states and the national Section on Geriatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association. She is also a published author in research journals and book chapters.

Her contributions in physical therapy education include the establishment of a physical therapy assistant program and the design of problem-based learning hybrid graduate physical therapy curriculum. She has been a reader consultant, site visitor and team leader for PTA programs for the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education, and a content team member for Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation visits.

“The gerontology program learners come from various diverse backgrounds such as nursing and health-related disciplines, geriatrics, and social work,鈥� said Dr. Jacqueline Burse, gerontology coordinator and assistant professor of social work. 鈥淚’m excited about the scholarship that will benefit our students and take away some of the financial burdens and help make their college education more affordable.”

This donation is a part of the Centennial Campaign. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 largest fundraising campaign has the goal of raising $250 million by the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027. Learn more by visiting .

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