The next Woman to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock of 2023 is Dr. Laura Danforth, associate professor and co-director of the School of Social Work!

Tell us about yourself and your background.

For starters, my name is Laura Danforth, and I am a licensed certified social worker (LCSW), a social scientist, and a professor of social work. I earned my Ph.D. in social work from Mizzou (University of Missouri) in 2016 and began practicing social work after I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2011 and my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in 2009. I am a social work purist, through and through. This is not to say that I am not critical of the profession and some of the elements of how we practice professional social work, but I do love this discipline and line of work.

Social work has evolved since it became professionalized in the 1920s, and I hope to be part of the wave of social workers that continues to challenge the “old guard” way of thinking as it relates to how to “do” social work well, how to really work with client-partners in order to help them meet their needs, how to be part of large-scale social and policy change that will help everyone to meet their full potential and give everyone a fair shot of the pursuit of happiness, etc.

I am also a whole person outside of my job. I enjoy spending time exploring Arkansas with my best friend who happens to be my spouse. When spring rolls around, I love to be in my garden at home as well as my small plot at the Oak Forest Community Garden, where I am an amateur tomato and green pepper enthusiast. I enjoy reading, running anywhere outside, walking in my neighborhood, taking trips to Fletcher and the Downtown Library (who doesn’t love free access to that many books?), and fixing up our 1920 craftsman home.

What is your current position and professional duties at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

I am an associate professor in the School of Social Work, and currently serving as one of the interim co-directors of the School of Social Work alongside my friend and colleague Kim Jones. Right now, my duties include managing student enrollment, managing our budget, working with faculty to do some really cool strategic planning about who we want to be as a school, ensuring that students are given the best social work education in the state, and just making sure faculty are happy, engaged, and given every opportunity to meet their professional potential. At the same time, I am also continuing to teach graduate level courses, mentor students each semester, engage in university and community service, and attempt to maintain an active research agenda.

What brought you to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

I grew up in Arkansas and when I left for school, I never thought I would come back. Fast forward to being on the market for an academic job, and there was an assistant professor position open here. At the time, I was interviewing at other academic institutions all over the country and looking forward to moving somewhere new, but none of the schools that I was considering had the same community-engaged metropolitan designation that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock did. None of the other schools seemed to prioritize being active or involved in the communities where they were embedded or bridging that gown-to-town gap. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock always has always encouraged faculty to get students out of the classroom and into their communities to make things better, and to pursue high-impact learning opportunities and participatory-action research, and you just can’t beat that in an employer.

What are some of the exciting projects that you are working on at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

Right now, a couple of junior faculty members in our department and I are working with JoHanna Thomas (the acting director of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Fayetteville School of Social Work) to complete a program and process evaluation on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for the entire state of Arkansas. This is of course, super exciting, and I am super grateful for that partnership.

I am also mentoring a really talented Donaghey Scholar (Hi, Sahana!) who is completing her final Donaghey capstone project on the use of multi-dimensional approaches to improving the Arkansas Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) Program. Sahana is a biology major and is pre-med and being able to mentor someone in a completely different discipline because of her interest in public good and public health is a really cool experience. You know your department is special when you attract students from other disciplines to seek out faculty for this type of mentorship.

What woman has inspired you the most and why?

Two women come to mind. My mom, for sure. My mom is the person who first told me that education was equal to opportunity and choices. She was always really honest about the fact that she never got the opportunity to go to college and really wanted that for her kids. She also somehow did this without coming off as elitist or de-emphasizing the important things you can learn OUTSIDE of a classroom as well. Mostly, though, I watched her work for what she wanted, career wise. My mom is one of the most whip-smart people I know. She is a quick read, is extremely independent, and honestly just super resourceful. Chalk it up to being a single mom to three kids, but the woman is adaptable, driven, and pushed me harder than anyone ever has.

Another woman who inspires me every day is my older sister Lee Ann. She has a Ph.D. in cellular physiology and is brilliant, but doesn’t define herself by her academic accomplishments, which is refreshing and a good reminder that we are more than what we “do” or the degrees we earn. She actually left academia and is now a business owner in the fitness world, which is a tough arena to be in. I am most inspired by her ability to make folks feel seen, valued, and understood, and she makes me laugh harder than anyone else in the world.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Just because someone is speaking louder than you or over you or more than you, it does NOT mean that they are the arbiter on the topic. Don’t shrink to make anyone else more comfortable or let other folks’ arrogance make you feel like you don’t belong in specific spaces or leadership positions. I think as women, we are conditioned from an early age to “be nice, don’t make a fuss, be accommodating.” While I think it’s always important to be kind, it’s equally as important to not conflate kindness with passivity or unfettered agreeableness for agreeableness’ sake.

Further, it is important to have mentors whose goal is for you to grow out of your current position, role, or job. You have to put in the work as a mentee, too. Mentorship where both the mentee and mentor both acknowledge the necessity and desire for joint growth and where both parties are benefiting is key.

Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.

I made a commitment to myself in the last few years that I would explore new potential hobbies and try to develop skills outside of the often-cerebral environment of academia. As a result, I took drum lessons last spring and summer, and I love it. It’s a great way to get out any pent-up frustration, make a ton of noise, listen to (and make) music, and just have fun!

What is your favorite quote and why? 

Leslie Knope from “Parks and Rec” once said, 鈥淲e have to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, and work. Or waffles, friends, work. But work has to come third.鈥� It just really resonates with me.

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The next Woman to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock of 2023 is Dr. Tara Martin, assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I was raised in a factory town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. I received my B.S. in Psychology from the College of William & Mary and my M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina. Like a lot of criminal justice students, I was planning to work for the FBI, but after an internship with the Bureau of Justice Statistics, I decided on a more research-oriented career. I continued my education at the University of South Carolina, earning a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Before coming to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, I worked as a statistician with the South Carolina Attorney General鈥檚 Office in the Crime Victim Services Division.

What is your current position and professional duties at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

I teach classes in all of our SCJC programs. One of my favorite classes to teach is Research Methods because I love teaching skills that can be applied in many different situations.

My responsibilities also include conducting research in the field of criminal justice and criminology. My research focuses primarily on intimate partner violence and crime measurement, and I have published articles in Justice Quarterly, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, and Criminal Justice Policy Review.

I also get to mentor graduate students by working with them on research projects and serving on thesis and dissertation committees.

What brought you to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

SCJC at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock had everything I was looking for in a professor position! I liked that I could teach at every level from associate to Ph.D. I was excited to work with graduate students, and I liked that the smaller class sizes would allow for more interactive learning activities.

I would also have the opportunity to continue doing high-quality research, and SCJC has great relationships with local criminal justice agencies, which meant I would have the ability to work on applied research that directly benefited the field. Finally, the people I met during my interview really solidified my desire to come to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Our School has a wonderful team of people!

What are some of the exciting projects that you are working on at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

I am working on several exciting projects with graduate students at the moment. I am conducting a content analysis about how female victims of intimate partner homicide are portrayed in the news media with one of our M.A. students, ChristiAnna Page. Darlynton Adegor, a Ph.D. student, and I are finalizing a paper examining the relationship between citizenship status and willingness to report crime to the police. Additionally, Lacey Roughton, a Ph.D. candidate, Dr. Kilby Raptopoulos, and I have a paper under review that examines the relationship between social altruism and crime.

Another project I am excited to be working on is an evaluation of the Little Rock Police Department鈥檚 Crime Gun Intelligence Center Initiative. I enjoy this project because I get to work with practitioners in the field, and the research helps the City of Little Rock!

What woman has inspired you the most and why?

All of the women in my family have inspired me and taught me different lessons that have shaped who I am. My mom raised me and my brother as a single mother, and she taught us how to be kind and hard-working. My nana taught me perseverance and generosity, while my aunts taught me how to have fun and instilled a love of learning. Most importantly, though, they all modeled strength and independence, which gave me the confidence I needed to get where I am today.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Advocate for yourself in all spaces.

Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.

All five of my top songs from 2022 were from “Encanto.”

What is your favorite quote and why?

鈥淣ever be afraid to sit awhile and think.鈥� 鈥� Lorraine Hansberry, “A Raisin in the Sun”

We are always running from one activity to the next, and sometimes it鈥檚 good to just sit and think.

Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to add?

Introduction to Criminal Justice is a Core class, and we would love to see you in Ross Hall!

The post Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 2023: Tara Martin appeared first on News.

The next Woman to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock of 2023 is Alyssa Smith, a senior mechanical engineering major. A Donaghey Scholar and president of Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Smith will graduate, get married, and start a new career as an engineer this summer.

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I have lived in Arkansas my whole life, so I have lots of love for my home state. I was raised in Texarkana, AR, where I graduated in 2019 as an original Razorback at Arkansas High School! I have no siblings, so my small family has always valued time with each other, especially through traveling and various adventurous activities. Between traveling to famous museums, theme parks, or national parks and monuments, my childhood has developed my love for learning and also my appreciation for the world around me.

Ever since I was young, I valued school above many other things. I loved the challenge that a really difficult math problem presented or the satisfaction I received from completing a project that I worked really hard on. From such a young age, I knew that I had the ambition to succeed not only in school but wherever life takes me also. I have carried this in all aspects of my life, whether it is college, leadership positions, community involvement, and even my future career.

What brought you to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? 

I had quite a few very close family members that studied at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock before I ever began looking for colleges. So when the time came, I wanted to develop my own path and, oddly enough, go anywhere but 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock! I very quickly realized that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock had every aspect of a university that I was looking for and not finding in the other colleges I toured. Not only was it a close two hours from home, but it had a great department for engineering and a lively campus environment.

What finally sealed the deal was my acceptance into the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, a highly competitive honors program that only accepts 25 students a year! I was so honored and beyond excited about the full tuition scholarship, apartment dorms, and most of all, a funded study abroad program. With study abroad being a distant dream of mine that was now coming true, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock was the place for me!

What is your major? 

I am a mechanical engineering major! I love telling people what my major is, as their response usually involves something along the lines of  鈥淥h wow, you go girl!鈥� I am so proud to be a woman in STEM!

My interest in engineering first started with the various travels with my family, as roller coasters were always a big part of my childhood. I was fascinated by how they worked, what made them move, and how they brought so much joy to my family and me! Once I noticed that I had a strength in math, especially calculus in high school, I knew the path I was meant to take. Now, I enjoy the coursework and how engineering applies to so many different areas of our lives, but most of all I can not get enough of the challenge. The work is not easy, and it takes a lot of practice. I am proud to say that even with such a daunting major, I have maintained a 3.97 GPA and can not wait to see what challenges being an engineer allows me to tackle after graduation.

When will you graduate, and what do you plan to do after graduation? 

I have quite a few major life milestones coming up! I will graduate in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Only four short weeks after graduation, I will be getting married and officially moving into my own apartment! Soon after, I plan to continue in my current field of engineering and work as a natural gas engineer at Summit Utilities. As I interviewed for this job, I loved everything the company valued and especially that I would work in Little Rock, but be able to serve various parts of the state that I call home! I am incredibly excited to begin working after graduation. Life will look very different with no homework or tests to study for, but that just leaves room for new tasks to complete and new problems to solve. Besides, I鈥檓 sure I will return for a master鈥檚 degree someday!

What activities are you involved in at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? 

I am most involved with the Little Rock Baptist Collegiate Ministry. The BCM is a religious organization that is one of the largest student organizations on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus. When I came to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, I didn鈥檛 know anyone and felt very lost in terms of where to go or how to be involved on campus. I quickly got connected and went to worship every Tuesday and I have continued ever since!

In terms of leadership, I started on the Freshman Leadership Team where I learned under mentors and built many leadership skills that I value today. In my sophomore year, I moved to the 鈥渞eal鈥� Leadership Team for upperclassmen, where I was the new student orientation leader. My role was to reach out to new students, make them feel welcome, and overall grow the organization! In my junior year, I became a vice president also focusing on new students and freshmen. Finally, I am currently president of the BCM for my senior year. I have been so blessed to be a part of an organization with an emphasis on not only faith, but also leadership, outreach, and personal growth.

With the BCM, I lead weekly meetings with the leadership team but also small group Bible studies with various women across campus. Over the years, our studies have allowed us to share stories, learn together, and have a support system as we endure various trials of life. Also with the BCM, I have been able to attend leadership conferences and leadership retreats, and help lead on mission trips to serve my community.

Recently, I have been initiated into the Arkansas Beta chapter of Tau Beta Pi at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, an engineering honor society recognizing the top fifth of the graduating class who shows exemplary scholarship and character. Here, I get to extend my leadership skills to my area of study. This association is aimed at gathering 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock engineering students to make a difference through campus outreach.

What are some of the exciting projects that you are working on at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock? 

I am currently working on my Senior Capstone project. Alongside two other team members, we have designed a Vibrational Guidance Device for Visually Impaired Recreationalists. The idea came from considering daily activities and how we could make them easier or more efficient. Cycling came up, as riding a bike is not only a common activity, but promotes many health benefits. How could we change the fundamentals of cycling?

We decided that there was a group of people, the blind community, that likely was not getting the experience of riding a bike, or even walking or jogging individually. Our device consists of a harness with vibrational elements on the left, right, and back to signal for a turn or stop. A bystander will input signals through a control module that can either be hand-held or placed on the handlebars of a bike. Now, the rider can bike without being in tandem or jog without a partner directly by their side in a safe and controlled environment. It gives the experience of individuality to those who may otherwise not be able to enjoy such freedom.

In Tau Beta Pi, we are working hard on projects such as Fundamental Engineering exam preparation sessions and making these accessible and helpful to students, planning study sessions, and planning other fun events on campus. I am new to this organization but am so excited to begin helping with these projects. Since joining, I have taken the role of social chair, meaning that I make our organization well-known to the public and also display what a great organization Tau Beta Pi is through pictures. Therefore, I am working on projects on various social media platforms with the goal of focusing on community and campus outreach.

What woman has inspired you the most and why? 

Long before I knew about my heart for learning and my community, I was captivated by Dolly Parton鈥檚 music and quick sense of humor. Little did I know about her vast philanthropic outreach that has changed millions of lives, especially in education. She has selflessly used her platform to give back to a variety of well-known charities but also focuses on her own community where she grew up in Tennessee. Targeting children鈥檚 education, high school dropout rates, and supporting college tuitions, Dolly has given the gift of learning to thousands of children and young adults. I admire her investment in academics and am inspired by the number of new students eager to learn in classrooms thanks to her. 10-year-old me, who dressed up as Dolly for Halloween, would not be surprised at all if she knew how much I look up to Dolly today.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? 

Being in a male-dominated field, I know what it feels like to feel out of place or that your skills aren鈥檛 good enough because they aren鈥檛 like your peers. Everyone is different in what they excel at. Just because the people around you seem better, more knowledgeable, or simply make you feel as if you don鈥檛 belong, it does not mean that it is actually true! You may be exceeding differently, and that works just as well.

Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn. 

Much of my independence developed during my study abroad trip to Prague, Czech Republic. Here, I spent two months alone in a foreign country when I had never really gone anywhere by myself. Traveling alone is quite scary, but I would recommend it to anyone looking for a way to kickstart their decision-making skills, critical thinking, and overall self-confidence.

I came back from this trip a new person in terms of confidence, as I knew that if I could make the 18-hour flight to Prague and back, get around the city using public transportation while not knowing the language or work at a Czech electronics company, I can do anything I set my mind to! It was such a beautiful city and I will always have fond memories of this trip, but it is the character development that this adventure provided that I will always take with me.

What is your favorite quote and why? 

My favorite quote comes from a comfort song of mine, Vienna, by Billy Joel: 鈥淪low down, you鈥檙e doing fine. You can鈥檛 be everything you want before your time.鈥�

This song is a frequent listen before big tests, when I am nervous about an interview, or any other event that takes my mind into states of stress or worry. Billy talks about Vienna as a metaphor for the peace in life after all is done and you have accomplished everything you set out to do. I take this quote to heart as an encouragement when I feel as if I am not succeeding fast enough or how I want. I strive so hard to achieve everything I want all at once, but life comes in phases. It is important to know that if I take things one at a time, I can achieve everything I aim for when the time is right.

Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to add? 

I encourage any young woman to take leadership positions even if you don鈥檛 feel strong enough to handle them. I have learned so much about myself and my own strengths through my leadership positions, and this has allowed me to learn and work on my weaknesses as well. These are skills that I will always carry with me long after I graduate.

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The next Woman to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock of 2023 is Yvonnne Rodriguez. This Donaghey Scholar is a first-generation student who plans to go to law school, practice immigration and employment law, and become a judge.

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I am originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas, and I moved to Little Rock once I started my undergraduate degree at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. I am a first-generation college student. My family is from Oaxaca, Mexico, and when I can, I go every summer to see my family and engage in my culture, and eat amazing food, of course. I graduated from Lakeside High School in Hot Springs, AR.

What brought you to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

Once I graduated from high school in 2020, a year that now lives in infamy, my future was very rocky in terms of wondering if I could still go and pursue any type of post-secondary education while COVID-19 was running rampant throughout the country and the world. I settled on 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock because of the opportunities that were presented. I wanted to be close to my family just because COVID-19 put into perspective how little time we have in this world, especially with our loved ones. I also chose this university because of the academic scholarships that were offered, like the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program.

What is your major?

I am pursuing a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology and a certificate in business management and world languages in Spanish.

When will you graduate, and what do you plan to do after graduation?

I will be graduating in spring of 2024. My hope is to take a year off to set up some passive income for myself before I apply to law schools across the country. Once I do apply to law schools, I hope to practice immigration and employment law. After a couple of years practicing law, I want to run for a judge’s seat in Arkansas.

What activities are you involved in at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

I have been part of the Peer Mentor Program for two years dating back to the first year that it was piloted at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. I get the opportunity to serve as a guide for mentees by sharing my own success and setbacks as a college student. When I first joined, it was not surprising that many mentees needed help with getting through the year, and it helped giving the mentees one-on-one support.

Another activity that I am involved in is LULAC. For those who don鈥檛 know what LULAC is, it stands for the League of United Latin American Citizens. I joined last year as a member and could feel the fellowship and community LULAC is able to bring to Latino students. I am now serving as the president of LULAC council 771 here at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. It was a great honor, and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for our club and how we can be involved in not only 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock but also the Little Rock community.

I am also part of the International Studies Association and serve as the secretary for the club. Our club travels all over the U.S. and competes with other schools in a debate and speech setting. We have competed in Model UN and Model Arab League and are an award-winning team.

Another club I am immensely proud of being a part of is the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Young Dems. I serve as the outreach director, so if you are interested in joining, please do not hesitate to contact me. I have been part of Young Dems for about two years.

I am also currently serving as a senator at large for the Student Government Association here at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. I have been in this position for two years, and I want to continue working to bring positive change for the benefit of all the students.

What are some of the exciting projects that you are working on at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

One of the projects I am currently working on is developing a central hub of information for students to access to participate and be involved in volunteer opportunities around campus and the city of Little Rock.

One of the projects I am partnering with students – Lamar Townsend and Arisha Ishtiaq – deals with helping 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock international students and their H1-B Visas. This is a fantastic project that I was introduced to by Lamar and Arisha, and we will be planning on having workshops for international students and employers to understand the H1-B Visa process and give each group the resources they need to complete this lengthy process successfully.

The last project I am working on for this year is completing my Sociology Capstone Project/Donaghey Final Project. I am excited about this project because it not only deals with tough immigration topics but it deals with human participation, which is much more engaging. My project will study the Push and Pull Factors of Oaxacan Immigrants in Arkansas.

What woman has inspired you the most and why?

Everyone probably says this, but my mother is the woman who has inspired me to reach my full potential. My mother is one of the strongest and most resilient women I know. She came to this country without knowing the language or knowing anyone and came with nothing. She left all she knew behind to give my family a better opportunity in life. If she can do it, I can do it. I see what she has accomplished even after going through so much in her life.

I admire the courage and the sheer determination of her willingness to succeed in life despite the odds stacked against her. I respect her work ethic above all else. You need to have a drive in you to make something of yourself and the determination to keep working hard for your goals.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Don鈥檛 be passive. Of course, always show respect and be kind to others. I want more women to be aggressive, ask questions, and always be persistent in life, especially in our careers. I don鈥檛 ever want women to back down, be shy, or be overly polite just to appease men in higher positions no matter what. Don鈥檛 be afraid of your own strength, speak up, and make sure your voice is always heard at the table.

Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn

I do not eat cheese. I do not like the yellow American cheese, whether that is on cheeseburgers, mac n cheese, or dipping. I like it on pizza, but not on anything else. Also, I try to bring a jalapeno with me when I go out to eat just because I am afraid a restaurant might not have anything spicy or any salsa.

What is your favorite quote and why?

鈥淪uccess is its own reward, but failure is a great teacher too, and not to be feared鈥� by Sonia Sotomayer.

Not only do I love this quote because it comes from a woman that has made great strides for women in our federal courts but also because I truly believe that this quote is the essence of how we live and learn in navigating this crazy world. Yes, success is amazing and what everyone should try for, but failing is a great teacher because it showcases how resilient you are to failure. If you get hit 10 times, it matters if you get up again after each time.

The world is a tough place, but a tough environment breeds tough individuals. I agree with this, and I think it’s important for everyone to not fear the failure that will inevitably come, because if you are able to overcome failure, there is no need to be afraid of failure. But if you have never failed, and you fail once, you might never recover due to sheer fear. Keep at it no matter what. Cause if you stop, you would not only have failed but failed yourself.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I have recently been hired to work in the House Communications department at the Arkansas State Capitol. It has been an eye opening experience to say the least. I get to see first hand how representatives represent their constituents on a daily basis.

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The next Woman to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock of 2023 is Alicia Dorn, the chancellor鈥檚 chief of staff!

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, but I lived in Texas for 12 years. I鈥檝e served in different capacities before coming to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, but my background focuses heavily in public relations and communications. I am a people-person, and I love all things media and communications.

Prior to my current position, I served as the communications director at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff鈥檚 School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences after serving as the public information officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff鈥檚 Office, where I was also a part-time certified deputy. I never envisioned law enforcement as a career, but I went through the certification training so I could have a better understanding of the deputies鈥� duties and daily experiences. Prior to that, I served as a journalist for the Pine Bluff Commercial.

I love writing, but the most exciting aspect of this position was the adventure and the thrill of it. I also enjoyed meeting so many people from different walks of life. The news is changing daily, and it鈥檚 exciting to be the eyes and ears for those who are unable to attend government meetings, community events, etc. I could see my impact on the community through my writings. It鈥檚 one of my greatest accomplishments, and it鈥檚 how I built my reputation and gained trust and credibility. The people trust and respect me so much and that鈥檚 a 鈥榦ne of a kind鈥� feeling.

What is your current position and professional duties at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

As the Chancellor鈥檚 Chief of Staff, I serve as the primary liaison to the Office of the Chancellor and assist in areas of communication, planning and preparation, project management, and other administrative responsibilities.

What brought you to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

First, I am an alum of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, so it is an honor to be back on campus to serve in the role of Chief of Staff. I鈥檓 happy to be a team player at a university that has helped me become the individual I am today. It鈥檚 an exciting time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, with so many progressive things occurring. The university has grown since I was a graduate student here, and I鈥檓 looking forward to the exponential growth that will occur in the near future.

What are some of the exciting projects that you are working on at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

We are currently working on the five-year Strategic Plan, and it鈥檚 exciting because the university is in a good space right now, but the plan helps us to brainstorm and plan where we鈥檇 like to see ourselves in the next five years. Together, we will accomplish every goal we establish for our respective areas.

We also have the Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecture Series quickly approaching, and I鈥檓 super excited to be a part of the planning process. Our guest speaker is Kim Zetter, a national investigative journalist and author who has covered cybersecurity and national security for more than a decade. With cybersecurity being such a hot topic right now, this will be a very good and timely lecture. The Chancellor will host a reception/dinner, and I鈥檓 responsible for putting it together. I鈥檓 going to make sure this will be an evening to remember!

What woman has inspired you the most and why?

My grandmother, Lorene Ardella Dunlap, is the woman who has inspired me the most because of her unconditional love, her belief in me, and her unwavering strength. No matter what mistakes I鈥檝e made in my life, she has never judged me, she鈥檚 never ridiculed or ostracized me, and she has always been my biggest cheerleader. Now that I鈥檓 an adult, I realize that she was able to see something in me that I wasn鈥檛 aware of. She would always tell me, 鈥淏aby, you can do anything you put your mind to.鈥� She was right!

My grandmother was diagnosed with Polio, a disabling or life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus, at the age of 12, and she was told that she would never walk again. My grandmother overcame that and has been walking since I鈥檝e known her. That鈥檚 strength! I saw her as my guardian angel/my protector. My grandmother is the most fearless woman I know, and I believe that had to do with her strong sense of faith. When I was scared, I would call her and she would pray with me and provide a sense of calm and safety. There were times when she鈥檇 come pick me up and take me to her home, which was one of the safest places of my childhood. She always knew what to do to make things better, and I love and admire her for that.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

There is beauty in consistency and discipline. Forming these habits is what makes you a winner. Being able to stay on your path despite setbacks and countless victories is what sets you apart and builds your strong character.

Always believe in yourself no matter what the outside world may say or think of you. Don鈥檛 allow anyone else to define who you are and what you鈥檙e capable of. Don鈥檛 give up on yourself or what your heart desires.

Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.

I am a 鈥榥erd.鈥� Many people see me and make superficial judgments before getting to know me. It鈥檚 always fun to see how people鈥檚 facial expressions change once they hear me speak. I enjoy reading, and I consider myself a lifelong learner, with life and my experiences being my greatest teachers/mentors.

What is your favorite quote and why?

鈥淏e patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it鈥檚 holy ground. There鈥檚 no greater investment.鈥� – Stephen Covey

Self-growth is hard work. It can be frustrating and exhausting at times, but, in my opinion, it is the greatest journey an individual can decide to embark on. It requires a lot of patience with oneself. There鈥檚 nothing like the rewards that come from working on yourself and getting to know, love, appreciate, and accept yourself.

No one is perfect. There is always room for growth. Self-growth is about change, which is the only thing that is constant in this world. There is no growth without change. Personal growth is the very essence of life on Earth. If we aren鈥檛 growing during our time here, then we鈥檙e not learning and we鈥檙e missing the purpose of our life.

Only perfect people have no need to change, but I have not yet met a perfect human being, including myself. Everyone needs to change in some way. The goal is to become the best version of yourself.

Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to add?

Together, we can accomplish anything! Let鈥檚 Go, Trojans!!!

The post Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock: Alicia Dorn appeared first on News.

The next Woman to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock of 2023 is Tabitha Waite. A Donaghey Scholar, Waite has set her sights on a veterinary career. This Jane Goodall admirer is currently analyzing the behavior in captive gorillas at the Little Rock Zoo and what enrichment reveals about their social hierarchy for her final Donaghey project.

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I was born and raised in central Arkansas. My father is from Ohio and my mother is originally from Indonesia, and I have a younger sister who also attends 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. I am grateful to be close to all of them and for the opportunities to travel and visit family on my mom鈥檚 side. Some activities that I enjoy are traveling, skateboarding, and going to local coffee shops.

I graduated from Bryant High School in 2020. I enjoyed my time there with the same friends I鈥檝e known for years, although it was difficult in the final months because of the pandemic. Later that year, I entered 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to pursue a degree in biology. Science has always been my passion, and getting to apply that to my career goals in animal medicine is super exciting.

What brought you to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

When I was thinking about which colleges to apply to, I preferred something closer to home with financial benefits. My mother attended 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock around the time I was born, so she suggested checking out this campus. Getting accepted into the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program has also influenced my decision in attending.

What is your major?

My major is Biology (Ecology/Organismal track).

When will you graduate, and what do you plan to do after graduation?

I will graduate in the spring semester of 2024. My goal is to apply to veterinary school, so I鈥檒l most likely be taking a gap year to work in a clinic before then.

What activities are you involved in at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

Right now I鈥檓 a vice president of the BCM student organization. I help organize outreach events and get to connect with students on campus. There is also a pre-vet club soon to come in the future that I will be a part of as well!

What are some of the exciting projects that you are working on at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock?

Although not directly on campus, this project is associated with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. It will be my final project presented through the Donaghey program, and will be a field research project conducted at the Little Rock Zoo! The study will analyze behavior in captive gorillas and what enrichment reveals about their social hierarchy.

What woman has inspired you the most and why?

This might be a popular answer, but my mother has always and continues to inspire me the most. She is the hardest worker I know, especially when I was young and she successfully went through nursing school while raising two children. When going through difficult situations, she is incredibly focused and mentally tough. She always looks for opportunities to serve others rather than herself. Her goals in life were to raise her children to love others and grow in faith; no matter what, I can rely on her for anything!

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

One thing that helps me stay calm and focused is to 鈥渢rust the process.鈥� In other words, take one step at a time. It’s easy to overwhelm yourself with many big goals and to only be focused on the next achievement you鈥檙e working for 鈥� I鈥檓 guilty of it! While it’s good to push yourself, it’s also important to enjoy the process of getting there because time is precious. Things might not always go as planned, but learning to be grateful for my opportunities is a good practice.

Another thing I would like to mention is that representation does matter. I didn鈥檛 quite believe this growing up, but its impact does exist. Being able to see someone in your field that you can connect with on any level allows you to gain confidence and see yourself in their shoes. When I was interning at a vet clinic in Thailand, getting to work with many young, female, and Asian doctors was inspiring because I could see their success as a possibility for me too.

Name something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn.

When I was in high school, I was heavily involved in band! I played flute for concert and piccolo for marching band. I really enjoyed going to competitions and making memories there.

What is your favorite quote and why?

鈥淲e have so far to go to realize our human potential for compassion, altruism, and love.鈥� – Jane Goodall

I like this famous quote by Jane Goodall, who is a primatologist and expert on chimpanzees. Her kind heart and love for nature is truly beautiful!

The post Women to Watch at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 2023: Tabitha Waite appeared first on News.