Tusty ten Bensel - News - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Launches Academic Leadership Academy to Train Emerging Campus Leaders

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 13:05:00 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has launched the Academic Leadership Academy (ALA), a new initiative supported by the Office of the Provost to cultivate and strengthen academic leadership across campus.

Launched during the 2024-25 academic year, the ALA is a cohort-based program designed to prepare new academic administrators and faculty members interested in leadership roles by offering skill-building workshops, retreats, and peer engagement opportunities.

“This is a pilot program funded by the provost’s office to provide in-house training for those starting leadership positions and those interested in leadership opportunities,” said Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, associate dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services (CBHHS) and co-leader of the program. “It’s a lot of skill-building on how to be a leader and how to be a leader on our campus specifically.”

The ALA is led by Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, Dr. ten Bensel, associate dean for CBHHS, and Dr. Laura Danforth, co-director of the School of Social Work, who were all drawn into administrative roles during their academic careers and wanted to create a more intentional pathway for emerging leaders.

“The inspiration for the Academic Leadership Academy stemmed from our own experiences as we transitioned into leadership roles,” Collier-Tenison said. “Each individual’s path to an academic administrative role is different, but there are commonalities in terms of necessary skills and resources that can ease that transition.”

Participants meet monthly for three-hour workshops and attend two half-day retreats throughout the academic year. Sessions focus on topics such as conflict resolution, mentoring, team building, leadership styles, annual reviews, tenure and promotion, data-driven decision-making, and work-life balance.

The inaugural cohort includes nine faculty members from across the university:

Dr. Matthew Matusiak, associate dean of CBHHS
Dr. Annie Childers, interim associate dean of the Donaghey College of STEM
Dr. Joli Livaudais, interim director of the School of Art and Design
Dr. Katie King, interim co-director of School of Human Inquiry
Dr. Lindsey Gustafson, associate dean for academic support at the William H. Bowen School of Law
Dr. Michael Cavanaugh, director of the School of Criminal Justice
Dr. Neveen Amin, interim co-director of School of Human Inquiry
Dr. Qingfang He, chair of the Department of Biology
Dr. Yue Zhao, chair of the Department of Management, Marketing, and Technology

Dr. Annie Childers, an associate professor of mathematics, said she joined the program to intentionally develop her leadership skills as her responsibilities increased.

“The academy has helped me better understand my leadership style and how to leverage my strengths while being more mindful of areas for growth,” Childers said. “One of the most valuable takeaways has been the emphasis on reflective practice—taking time to pause, evaluate, and adjust. This has allowed me to lead with more empathy, adaptability, and purpose.”

The idea for the academy grew from the shared experiences of its founders, who saw a need for more intentional leadership development on campus.

“At most universities, the people who show what are considered leadership qualities are ushered into permanent or interim administrative positions,” Danforth said. “For us, we would have loved something like this earlier in our careers. We bring information we’ve learned along the way, but we’ve also learned a great deal from the participants. It’s been a transactional, collaborative experience.”

Dr. Lindsey Gustafson, left, and Dr. Yue Zhao, right, receive their certificates for completing the Academic Leadership Academy.

Dr. Lindsey Gustafson, Nadine Baum Professor of Law at Bowen, said she valued the program’s structure and insights.

“Any leadership skills I’ve developed have been through trial and error,” Gustafson said. “This training was thoughtfully conceived and executed to provide us with information and support. I also improved my leadership vocabulary—understanding better what is happening around me and why everyone involved may be responding in certain ways.”

In addition to developing individual leadership skills, the program’s cohort model aims to create a supportive community that continues beyond the academy.

“When you go into a leadership position, it can be a lonely transition,” ten Bensel said. “Our hope is that each cohort bonds and can share advice with each other throughout their careers.”

Planning is underway for the 2025-26 cohort, which will focus on faculty who are not currently in administrative roles but are interested in academic leadership. Interested faculty should contact their college dean’s office for more information.

“We are all appreciative of the provost’s support,” Danforth said. “It’s been such an enriching experience for all of us, and we look forward to seeing how the program continues to evolve.”

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Completes Final Year of Undergraduate Research Experience Focused on Hate Crime Victimization in the South

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 22:04:52 +0000

A group of undergraduate researchers from across the country spent the final year of a National Science Foundation-funded research project investigating obstacles to passing hate crime legislation in Arkansas.

Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, associate dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services and professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Robert Lytle, associate professor of criminal justice, received a three-year $324,987 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant in 2021 to study anti-Muslim sentiment and hate crimes in Arkansas.

The Research Experience for Undergraduates program provided 10 talented undergraduate students with a funded opportunity to engage in research. During the final summer of the program, student researchers studied the perceptions of lawmakers as to the extent of hate crimes against Muslims as well as the obstacles in passing hate crime legislation in Arkansas.

“We spent this summer talking with policy makers and looking at some of the transcripts of public hearings related to the hate crime bills that were passed in Arkansas a few years ago,” Lytle said. “The goal was to learn about the policy process and to look at how we as a state respond to hate crimes. The first two years of the study we focused on understanding what hate crimes and anti-Muslim sentiment looks like. This year, we were able to talk with some legislators. The students also transcribed videos of committee and floor meetings in which legislators debated the hate crime bill. The videos are publicly available on the state’s General Assembly website.”

This year’s summer researchers included Sophia Atwell of George Mason University, Emily Flesher of the University of Oklahoma, Brandon Goetz of Wartburg College, Maya Hwang of Los Angeles Pierce College, Aneesha Lawrence of Howard University, Alexandra Kazen of the University of Texas at Austin, Justin Paolino of Bard College, Star Purchase of Indiana University-Indianapolis, Marybeth Sloat of Husson University, and Ayshe Yeter of the University of Kentucky.

“I am really interested in research in the social sciences,” said Goetz, a senior psychology and criminal justice major. “I think my future career interest is in counseling psychology and graduate school will be research oriented. I wanted to take a summer to home in on these skills and get involved in a research project. I wanted to learn skills that will help me in my career.”

This year’s cohort built upon the work of the previous two summer cohorts. Last year, the students studied the extent and scope of anti-Muslim hate crimes in Arkansas. The 2022 group analyzed qualitative interview data with members of the Muslim community in Central Arkansas to identify common patterns and themes in experiences with anti-Muslim sentiment and hate crime.

Yeter, a senior political science major, was especially interested in exploring the political side of things as she is interested in practicing public service law in the future.

“The most interesting thing for me was to see how much the legislative process can change from state to state,” Yeter said. “We got to visit the Arkansas State Capitol, sit in on a committee hearing, and interview legislators. This summer is like a boot camp for research. We basically did everything a Ph.D. student does in their first year during our eight weeks here.”

During the summer program in June and July, the student researchers participated in research and content workshops, alumni presentations, experiential activities, collecting and analyzing data, writing a research brief on findings, and participating in a final presentation for internal and external stakeholders.

“I am originally from Arkansas so being able to do research in my home state was really cool,” said Flesher, a junior public health and art therapy major. “Getting to study communities that are near and dear to my heart has been great. My university research experience is primarily focused on quantitative skills so getting to focus on qualitative skills has been great as I hope to become a mixed-methods researcher.”

Flesher remains grateful for the summer research opportunity because of all the valuable skills she learned as well as the insight she learned about applying to graduate school.

“The program has been really helpful in terms of my future career,” Flesher said. “My dream job is to be a college professor at a research institution. I’ve really fallen in love with the process of research and what it can do for the world around us.”

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Professor Discusses Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in Arkansas

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:02:38 +0000

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, a professor of criminal justice and associate dean at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is highlighting her work to address human trafficking in Arkansas. As a member of the , she plays a vital role in shaping statewide efforts to combat this issue.

“I am honored to represent ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council,” said ten Bensel. “This initiative is critically important to our community, and I am committed to contributing to the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking in Arkansas. It is a meaningful opportunity to make a difference and support this vital cause.”

She was appointed to the council in 2023 for a five-year term. She is the only ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty member serving on the council, whose mission includes developing victim-centered approaches to identify human trafficking victims, investigating and prosecuting sex and labor trafficking cases at all jurisdictional levels, and providing resources and services tailored to the needs of survivors.

“Human trafficking involves the illegal transportation or coercion of individuals to exploit their labor or services, often through forced labor or sexual exploitation. It is, in essence, modern-day slavery,” ten Bensel explained. “Through this council, our goals are to reduce trafficking across the state, enhance training for professionals who work with victims, and ensure improved protection and resources for survivors.”

Her extensive research background in violence, particularly violence against women and children, informs her work on the council.

“My research has always focused on understanding the challenges faced by victims and the support they need,” she said. “Serving on the council allows me to apply that knowledge to real-world solutions and help make a tangible difference in the lives of trafficking survivors.”

Ten Bensel co-chairs the council’s Training Subcommittee alongside Annie Smith, a professor of law and director of the Civil Litigation & Advocacy Clinic and Human Trafficking Clinic at the University of Arkansas School of Law. Together, they lead efforts to create standardized training across various fields, including law enforcement, victim services, survivor advocacy, legal assistance, and mental health services.

“Our subcommittee is also tasked with reviewing existing training resources to ensure accuracy and relevance, as well as providing updated training to groups in diverse sectors,” ten Bensel said.

With Arkansas’s location along the I-30 corridor, the state sees a significant amount of human trafficking activity. Ten Bensel emphasizes the importance of awareness as a key step in addressing the issue.

“Human trafficking is a significant issue in Arkansas, and the Arkansas State Police and other agencies are working tirelessly to identify and assist victims,” she said. “Raising awareness is one of the most effective steps we can take to combat human trafficking victimization. While crime will never disappear entirely, we can work to reduce it, but until then, we must continue to have these conversations and bring attention to this critical issue.”

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Criminal Justice Professors Researching How to Reduce Youth Violence in Pine Bluff

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:00:44 +0000

A group of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock criminal justice professors and students are participating in a long-term project to help the City of Pine Bluff reduce youth violence in their city.

The City of Pine Bluff is taking part in a program called (GVI), a program that works behind the scenes to lower gun violence among youth and young adults. Criminal justice professors Tusty ten Bensel and David Tyler have joined the project to help research and evaluate GVI.

“For a number of years, Pine Bluff has been working to reduce gun violence associated with gangs,” ten Bensel said. “The key stakeholders have come together, and they have adopted the GVI model to reduce gun violence and gang association in the city.”

Pioneered by Operation Ceasefire in Boston during the 1990s, the GVI model seeks to reduce homicide and gun violence, minimize harm to communities by replacing enforcement with deterrence, and foster strong relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve.

“It is one of the most consistently effective interventions for reducing gun violence across jurisdictions,” Tyler said. “They are coordinating efforts between law enforcement, moral voices, and community organizations to present a unified message to people. It’s a very strong statement against violence. It’s paired with an intervention from people in the community who can reach the youth and pair them with services, so they have a way out of gangs and youth violence.”

By using the GVI strategy, Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr., who serves as chairman of the GVI Steering Committee, believes that Pine Bluff is addressing the immediate concerns of violence while laying the groundwork for long-term solutions.

“The research being conducted by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock team, in partnership with local law enforcement and community stakeholders, provides crucial insights that will guide our efforts and measure our progress,” Woods said. “It showcases a proactive approach to addressing youth violence and gang activity, emphasizing the importance of research, community involvement, and multidisciplinary efforts in tackling such complex issues.”

Judge Earnest Brown Jr., circuit judge for the Sixth Division of the 11th Judicial District West, said that the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock criminal justice team members have been valued partners in Pine Bluff’s efforts to address violent crime for the past three years.

“They have attended our GVI Governance Board and Steering Committee meetings as well as Town Hall Meetings with our community,” Judge Brown said. “The expertise that Dr. Ten Bensel, Dr. Tyler, and their doctoral students have brought to the table have helped us to implement the GVI strategy with fidelity and measure where we were and where we are going. Words cannot express Pine Bluff GVI’s appreciation for the professionalism, support, encouragement, and man hours spent helping to change the narrative and trajectory on gun and gang violence in our community!”

The criminal justice team is working on a two-prong approach to the research project. First, they are working with Pine Bluff law enforcement officials to collect data on gun violence in Pine Bluff. Next, they will develop a survey for those individuals involved with youth violence and conduct interviews with people from schools and those involved in the juvenile justice system. Over the years, the professors will use this research to determine if there has been a change in youth violence and gang activity in Pine Bluff and whether it can be tied to the implementation of the GVI program.

“What I can say through my experience is that Pine Bluff is really concerned about the youth in their city,” ten Bensel said. “The passion and concern for the youth comes through in every meeting we have with them. We love working with practitioners in the field who are so dedicated to helping and improving their community.”

Assisting the professors in the GVI project is a group of criminal justice doctoral students participating in an advanced research methods class. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students are conducting research and helping to write the surveys ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will use to better understand youth violence and gangs in Pine Bluff. This type of real-world experience helps the doctoral students prepare for their future careers as researchers and professors.

“A lot of our students are actively involved in the project, and it’s a great opportunity for them to do more than just sit behind a desk,” Tyler said.

Dana Fachner, a doctoral student from Modesto, California, said that working on the GVI project has been an amazing opportunity to apply what she has been learning in the classroom to help the community solve ongoing issues.

“Dr. Tyler and Dr. ten Bensel’s willingness to include our research interests and questions in the youth survey is facilitating the development of my skills as a researcher,” Fachner said. “I am learning how to think critically about the issues of a local community, develop research questions that can provide insight into potential solutions, and conceptualize survey questions that measure the experiences of the community. This project will be helpful in my future career as I will be better prepared to lead these types of projects on my own, after having been mentored through the process.”

Sheriff Woods expressed gratitude for the professionalism, support, and dedication exhibited by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock team.

“Their contributions are invaluable as we work together to change the narrative and trajectory of gun and gang violence in our community,” Woods said. “I commend the doctoral students involved in this project for their active engagement and enthusiasm. Their contributions not only enrich their academic experiences but also serve as a testament to the transformative impact of community-based research. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient Pine Bluff, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive free from the threat of violence.”

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Student Researchers Investigate Muslim Hate Crimes in Arkansas

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 13:03:12 +0000

A second group of undergraduate students from across the country spent the summer at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock investigating Muslim hate crimes and anti-Muslim sentiment in Arkansas as part of a three-year National Science Foundation grant project.

Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, associate dean of CBHHS and professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Robert Lytle, the graduate coordinator for the school, received a three-year $324,987 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant in 2021 to study the perceptions of Muslims in Arkansas who have been the target of discrimination, harassment, or interpersonal crime, along with the impacts such behaviors have on victims.

The 2023 summer student researchers include Eliyah Campbell of the University of Alabama, Anna Goyette of Washington University, Gracie Hess of Longwood University, Larissa Nichols of the University of Florida, Dalal Shalash of Ohio State University, Sam Strickland of Florida State University, Zion Soloman of Rogers State University, and Jimmi Winn of University of Central Oklahoma. This year’s cohort participated in the design, implementation, analysis, and reporting of this project through the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program.

“Getting research experience as an undergrad sets you apart,” said Solomon, a senior psychology major. “I wanted to see if research is something I want to do in the future, and I wanted to experience working with people who are as excited about being in a learning environment as I am. They taught us about such a variety of things, it’s all going to be useful at some point.”

This year’s cohort build upon the work of the 2022 summer cohort, who analyzed qualitative interview data with members of the Muslim community in Central Arkansas to identify common patterns and themes in experiences with anti-Muslim sentiment and hate crime.

“This year’s cohort focused on quantitative methods to produce a data analysis of public perceptions of anti-Muslim discrimination,” Lytle said. “However, they are also part of an ongoing project to gather experiences with anti-Muslim sentiment and hate crime from a larger sample of Muslims in Arkansas.”

The students completed a literature review of research on anti-Muslim sentiment and victimization as well as a data analysis using a publicly available opinion poll – the American National Election Study (ANES). The literature review incorporated more than 100 research articles on four topics – hate crime offending, hate crime victimization, help-seeking and crime reporting, and Islamophobia.

“The data analysis looked at public perceptions of Muslims as a group targeted for discrimination in the United States – essentially a measure of the belief that Muslims experience discrimination in the U.S,” Lytle said. “In addition to a written report on the findings of the literature review and data analysis, the students also presented their findings in a public presentation on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. The written report will be finalized over the coming weeks. Some of the students have expressed interest in presenting the results at academic conferences in the coming year.”

Undergraduate students from all over the country participate in an eight-week Criminal Justice Research Experience for Undergraduates program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Photo by Benjamin Krain

During the summer program from June 5 to July 29, the student researchers participated in research and content workshops, alumni presentations, experiential activities, collecting and analyzing data, writing a research brief on findings, and participating in a final presentation for internal and external stakeholders. Three criminal justice professors and three graduate assistants at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock served as mentors for the students.

Strickland, who is a senior psychology and law major, said participating in the program helped build her research, statistical analysis, and academic writing skills.

“My goal is to get a Ph.D. in clinical and forensic psychology,” Strickland said. “You need to have a really great understanding of different groups of people so you can provide meaningful and worthwhile treatment to your patients. This is a gem of a program, and it touched my heart. I really wanted to challenge myself this summer and see how I would grow as a researcher and a person.”

Hess, a senior, said that the summer research project was a perfect way to combine her majors of criminal justice and sociology.

“I was really excited to put my research skills to the test,” Hess said. “I think that this topic combines my two majors well. I also wanted to learn more about graduate school and more about in-depth research. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that the research is never over. It’s applicable to many areas like policy and law.”

During the upcoming 2024 summer research program, undergraduate students will interview police officers, prosecutors, and policy makers. The reports from the research project will be used to provide information for policy change, dispel myths about Islam, empower victims, identify help-seeking resources that need to be better supported, and help add training, education, and awareness in the community.

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Tusty ten Bensel - News - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Launches Academic Leadership Academy to Train Emerging Campus Leaders