The pilot course, 鈥淗R Essentials: What You’re Expected to Know,鈥� will run April 1鈥�22 at the Reynolds Business Building. The program prepares entry-level HR professionals, career changers, business owners, and organizational leaders with practical training in compliance, documentation, employee relations, and workplace risk management.

鈥淭his is exactly the kind of program our new Workforce Development Center was created to deliver,鈥� said Nick Stevens, director of Corporate and Community Education. 鈥淲e work closely with industry leaders to identify real workforce gaps and respond with relevant, high-impact training. By piloting programs like this, we鈥檙e building scalable pathways for professional advancement and strengthening Arkansas鈥� workforce.鈥�

The university partnered with Gina Smith, PHR, MA, CEO of Rock Region Consulting, Inc., and a board member of the Central Arkansas Human Resources Association (CAHRA), the local affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), to integrate direct industry insight into the course design.

Rock Region Consulting provides human resource consulting, compliance guidance, and workforce development training to organizations across Arkansas.

鈥淥rganizations need HR professionals who are prepared before they鈥檙e faced with high-stakes decisions,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭his program blends core knowledge with applied learning so participants leave with practical skills they can immediately use. We鈥檙e proud to partner with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to strengthen the HR talent pipeline in our region.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock maintains long-standing partnerships with CAHRA and continues building relationships across the professional HR community to ensure programs remain responsive to workforce needs.

As part of Corporate and Community Education鈥檚 expanded professional development strategy, the pilot will inform the launch of additional HR continuing education and certification preparation opportunities for working professionals, alumni, and current students in the School of Business. Registration is now open for the April cohort.

Learn more about the program or register here:
/continuingeducation/professional-development/hr-professional-essentials/

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The prize is $50,000 in services from PREDICTif Solutions, funded by Amazon Web Services.

Hosted by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, along with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 School of Business, Tech Launch and Workforce Development Center, this contest is for Arkansas entrepreneurs with innovative ideas for transforming business operations and accelerating growth with AI.

The competition is open to Arkansans who are in business or have a business idea, across all industries. The business does not need to be an AI company or technology startup.

鈥淲e are seeking current and future Arkansas entrepreneurs who envision practical, creative, high-impact ways to put AI to work in a business setting,鈥� said ASBTDC State Director Laura Fine.

An idea might solve an operational challenge, increase revenue, expand market reach or create scalable efficiencies.

Entrepreneurs must apply for a spot in the competition. Selected participants will pitch their AI concept in front of judges and have the opportunity to win up to $50,000 worth of professional services from PREDICTif to support development of the winning idea.

This prize is not cash and not AWS credits. Instead, it is AWS Partner-funded support delivered through technical resources, architecture guidance, and solution development services. All competitors will receive expert feedback on how to bring their concepts to life.

The Amazon Web Services AI Pitch Competition will take place Thursday, April 16, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus. The event is open to the public and free of charge.

鈥淭he community is invited to join us for a fun and inspiring time. Come enjoy the pitches, support Arkansas innovators and expand your AI knowledge,鈥� said Fine.

Visit to get more details, sign up to pitch or register to attend.

In the first four months of 2026, AWS and PREDICTif will hold 34 pitch competitions with Small Business Development Center partners nationwide, with more expected. 鈥淲e are thrilled to bring this opportunity to Arkansas through our SBDC connection,鈥� Fine said.

For questions about the event, contact ASBTDC鈥檚 Laterika Tooks-Staton at 501-804-4530 or lstooks@ualr.edu.

ASBTDC offers no-cost services and resources for Arkansas entrepreneurs and small businesses. Learn more at .

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鈥淲orkforce development is central to how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock fulfills its responsibility to students, employers, and our communities,鈥� said Ann Bain, provost and executive vice chancellor. 鈥淏y bringing together leaders from across business, education, healthcare, industry, and government, this advisory board strengthens the connection between education and opportunity while supporting the long-term economic vitality of Arkansas.鈥�

The inaugural members of the Workforce Development Center Advisory Board include:

• Kristi Barr, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Toni Lindsey, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
• Sen. Jane English, Arkansas State Senate
• Kenneth Calhoun, former Career Education and Workforce Development Board Chair
• Dr. Jeremy Owoh, Superintendent, Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District
• Dr. Summer Khairi, Nuclear Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
• Steve Shepard, Retired Senior Vice President, Greenway Equipment Inc.

The advisory board will help guide program priorities and identify opportunities for collaboration across key workforce sectors.

鈥淐reating this advisory board allows us to bring employer and community voices directly into the conversation as strategic advisors and thought partners on emerging workforce trends and community needs,鈥� said Aaron Duvall, executive director of Workforce Development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭heir insight helps us design upskilling training and credentialing opportunities that are relevant, flexible, and aligned with the skills Arkansas employers are seeking both now and in the future.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Workforce Development Center serves as a hub for professional skills training, professional development, industry-recognized credentials, and customized programs for employers. 

Located in the Reynolds Business Building, the Workforce Development Center is home to the offices of Study Abroad, University Career Services, Corporate and Community Education, and Concurrent Enrollment.聽For more information about the Workforce Development Center, visit ualr.edu/workforcedevelopment.

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These members have entered into a unique partnership with the university, and are committed to strengthening relationships in the community. The program enables partnering employees to begin or finish an undergraduate or graduate degree or certificate while continuing to work for their employer.

鈥淲e are proud to welcome 15 new partners to the program as we work to develop the next generation of leaders in the Arkansas workforce,鈥� said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. 鈥淭he success of the Corporate Partnerships Program allows us to continue to add to our vibrant roster of committed business partners to create affordable, quality educational opportunities for their employees.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has more than 130 partnerships with Arkansas businesses, organizations, school districts, and corporations. 

Over 67,000 people in Arkansas鈥檚 workforce are eligible to receive educational benefits at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock through the Corporate Partnerships Program. More than 1,500 students have already taken advantage of these scholarships to pursue an affordable and accessible education at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, with nearly 475 students enrolled for the fall 2025 semester. 

Employees who wish to participate in the program will receive a 10-percent tuition scholarship, a $25-per-credit-hour textbook scholarship, and a waived application fee when they enroll in classes at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 newest corporate partners include:

1. Arkansas Department of Transportation
2. Camden Fairview School District
3. Central Arkansas Library System
4. Empower Healthcare Solutions
5. England School District
6. Jasper School District
7. Lexicon, Inc.
8. Mena Public Schools
9. Pleasant Valley Rehabilitation and Nursing
10. Priority Wire & Cable
11. Searcy Public Schools
12. South Conway County School District
13. Texarkana Arkansas School District
14. Twin Rivers Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
15. Vilonia School District

Adding these businesses and organizations to the Corporate Partnerships Program will help enhance the university鈥檚 partnerships with other great central Arkansas employers that provide higher educational opportunities for working adults. 

These new corporate partners join a list of organizations who have already joined the program, including the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Education, Finance & Administration, Arkansas Secretary of State, CARTI, Bradley County Medical Center, Mena Regional Health System, along with the Mayflower and Sheridan School Districts, Relyance Bank, The Root Cafe, and more. 

Those interested in learning more about 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Corporate Partnerships Program may visit the Corporate Partnerships website for more information.

Companies interested in becoming a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock corporate partner should email Matthew Bellew, corporate partnerships coordinator, at msbellew@ualr.edu.

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The council brings together leaders from across academic colleges and administrative units to discuss emerging workforce trends and to identify how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock can respond through new programs, partnerships, and student opportunities.

鈥淭he primary goals of this group are to discuss emerging workforce trends in each of our respective colleges, departments, and units and how our Workforce Development Center鈥攁nd the university as a whole鈥攃an respond to them,鈥� said Dr. Aaron Duvall, executive director of workforce development. 鈥淚 envision this council as a space to brainstorm, collaborate, and stay informed, especially since workforce development can鈥檛 occur in silos.鈥�

Located in the Reynolds Business Building, the Workforce Development Center is home to the offices of Study Abroad, University Career Services, Extended Education, and Concurrent Enrollment. The center is focused on streamlining processes across these units while advancing several key priorities:

• Examining prior learning assessment across the university
• Tracking workforce data
• Expanding internship opportunities for students
• Developing new certificate programs
• Ensuring students have ample career opportunities after graduation
• Working to upskill employees throughout central Arkansas

With this approach, the center will support lifelong learners – from concurrent enrollment students as young as 14 to professionals seeking to reskill and upskill later in their careers.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to join colleagues across campus in serving on this council,鈥� said Dr. David White, director of the Survey Research Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淚鈥檓 eager to explore how the Survey Research Center can help shape evidence-based solutions to real-world challenges and foster positive change in our community.鈥�

The Workforce Development Center Council includes representatives from every college and major administrative area:

• Dr. Ahmed Abu Halimeh, interim chair of the Department of Computer Science and interim director of the Emerging Analytics Center
• Dr. Ann Bain, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost
• Dr. Melvin Beavers, interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs
• Dr. Mike Cavanaugh, director of the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology
• Dr. Laura Danforth, co-director of the School of Social Work
• Dr. Aaron Duvall, executive director of workforce development
• Marla Johnson, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 tech-entrepreneur-in-residence
• Dr. Barclay Key, chair of the Department of History
• Dr. Matt Matusiak, associate dean in the College of Business, Health, and Human Services
• Dr. Derek Slagle, director of the School of Public Affairs
• Diana Snyder, assistant dean for career services at the William H. Bowen School of Law
• Fairah Solomon, associate professor of nursing
• Kiel Thorlton, director of the School of Mass Communication
• Dr. Anne Turner, assistant professor in Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering
• Thomas Wallace, coordinator of the Web Design and Development and Information Technology programs
• Dr. David White, director of the Survey Research Center

The council will serve as a hub for collaboration across campus, helping 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock strengthen connections with industry partners while ensuring students are prepared to succeed in today鈥檚 dynamic job market.

鈥淯ltimately, from concurrent enrollment to extended education, we have a unique opportunity to support learners from ages 14 to 100,鈥� Duvall said. 鈥淭his council is an important step toward ensuring 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock continues to meet the needs of both students and employers in central Arkansas and beyond.鈥�

Members of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock community and the public who wish to share ideas or provide feedback on workforce development efforts are encouraged to contact Dr. Aaron Duvall at aduvall@ualr.edu.

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The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees approved the new center during its Sept. 26 meeting. Housed within the Office of Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Ann Bain, the Workforce Development Center brings together four existing units 鈥� Concurrent Enrollment, Corporate and Community Education, Study Abroad, and University Career Services 鈥� under one strategic umbrella. The goal is to enhance collaboration, optimize resources, and align the university鈥檚 efforts with state and regional workforce priorities.

鈥淭he Workforce Development Center gives us the unique opportunity to support learners from age 14 through retirement,鈥� said Dr. Aaron Duvall, executive director of workforce development, who leads the new center. 鈥淥ur mission is to equip students and professionals with the skills and credentials that employers are seeking while helping companies across Arkansas upskill their workforce. We want to start by actually listening to business and industry leaders in our community and design programs and certifications that they value and need. Workforce development cannot happen in silos.鈥�

The Workforce Development Center will serve as a central hub for aligning academic programs with non-credit courses and expanding opportunities for learners. Among its priorities are:

路   Expanding non-credit workforce pathways through Corporate and Community Education

路   Developing new certificates of proficiency that meet industry needs

路   Increasing internship opportunities through University Career Services

路 聽 Broadening career and technical education opportunities for high school students through Corporate and Community Education

路   Creating tools for workforce data collection and assessment

路   Evaluating prior learning assessment across the university

路   Expanding global workforce experiences, such as global internships, through Study Abroad

路   Supporting grant writing for workforce-related initiatives

Provost Bain said the creation of the center reflects 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 commitment to both student success and Arkansas鈥檚 economic vitality.

鈥淭his center is about more than connecting students with jobs,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about strengthening Arkansas鈥檚 economy by preparing graduates to meet workforce demands, supporting employers in developing their talent pipelines, and creating opportunities that benefit entire communities.鈥�

The Workforce Development Center will build upon the success of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Corporate Partnerships Program, which offers employees of partner companies a 10 percent tuition scholarship, a $25-per-credit-hour book scholarship, and a waived application fee. This fall alone, the program has seen nearly 475 enrollments from 130 corporate partners. Since 2022, more than 1,500 students have participated, generating an estimated financial impact of nearly $5 million.

The Workforce Development Center will also house the newly formed Workforce Development Center Council, a group of faculty, staff, and administrators from across the university. The council will meet regularly to share insights on workforce trends in their fields, ensuring the center鈥檚 initiatives remain responsive to changing needs in the state and region.

By uniting these efforts under one umbrella, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is positioned to help students succeed in their careers while supporting businesses and industries with the talent and training they need to grow.

鈥淭his is a space for collaboration,鈥� Duvall said. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e a student, alumni, or employer, we want to work together to make sure 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is providing the right pathways for Arkansas鈥檚 workforce now and in the future.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock invites community members, alumni, employers, and industry leaders to partner in shaping the future of workforce development in Arkansas. Those interested in sharing ideas, identifying workforce needs, or exploring partnership opportunities are encouraged to contact Duvall at aduvall@ualr.edu.

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