Mission Statement
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Human Resources team department’s mission is to provide strategic and high quality services to students, staff, and faculty in support of the university’s mission to improve the human condition and be a transformative force in the world. This includes leadership in labor and Employee Relations, personnel management services, staffing, compensation, benefits administration and consultation on all workforce issues.
Utilizing our knowledge base and working as a team, we will provide excellent service to our entire customer base in a timely, efficient, and confidential manner, consistent with the goals of the institution.
Vision Statement
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Human Resources team will become a highly sought after strategic partner of the university, creating/sustaining a university culture of high productivity, student-centeredness, and balanced quality of work and life.
Our Location
The Department of Human Resources Office is located in University Services Building (US-B) 100, across from the tennis courts.
Phone: 501-916-3180
Fax: 501-916-3181
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mailing Address:
Department of Human Resources
2801 South University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204
Meet Our Team
LaTonda Williams
Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources/CHRO
[email protected]
LaTonda is the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources. LaTonda is responsible for overseeing a broad range of activities, including employee benefits, recruitment, employee relations, policy interpretation, training and development, Title IX, and the department’s overall operations. LaTonda provides guidance regarding disciplinary procedures, oversees the departmental budget, and ensures compliance with state and federal employment laws.
Cynthia Evans
Operations and Finance Manager/Leave Administrator
[email protected]
Cynthia is responsible for the accounting duties of the Department of Human Resources. Cynthia is responsible for processing requests for FMLA, Catastrophic Leave, Medical Leave Without Pay, and Workers’ Compensation.
Debra Simpson-Webster
Associate Director Benefits/Leave Administration
[email protected]
Debra is responsible for the day-to-day administration of employee benefits. Debra administers employee benefits programs, such as medical, dental, and vision plans; life insurance plans, 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans; and defined benefit retirement plans; long-term disability, flexible spending programs, and voluntary products. Debra also handles retiree benefits and processes death insurance claims. Debra responds to benefit inquiries and complaints to ensure quick and courteous resolutions.
Kirtida Monpara
HR Specialist – Benefits
[email protected]
Kirtida is responsible for the accounting duties of benefits. This includes payments for retirement plans, flexible spending, voluntary products, and UA System benefit payments. Allen processes COBRA for new and terminating employees, reconciles monthly enrollment for health, dental, and vision insurance, and assists the Associate Director of Benefits as needed with the completion of required reports.
Vacant
HR Administrative Assistant
The HR Administrative Assistant assists with administrative functions in the HR office and provides customer service support to visitors, students, and employees. They are also responsible for processing tuition discount requests.
Karen Baker
Associate Director – Employee Relations/Training and Development/ADA Coordinator/Deputy Title IX Coordinator/EEO Officer/ADA and Senior Deputy Title IX Coordinator
[email protected]
Karen supports UA Little Rock employees by providing guidance on the grievance and complaint process and facilitating and mediating conflict resolutions. Karen is responsible for requests for accommodations under the ADA and ensures business practices comply with state and federal employment laws.
Andrea Davis
HR Specialist – Employee Relations and Training and Development
[email protected]
Andrea is responsible for university-wide employee training, including supervisory and management training, leadership coaching, and development.
Each Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) is assigned to work directly with departments and colleges to address their individual HR needs.
Valarie Abrams
[email protected]
HRBP for College of Business, Health, and Human Services
Candi Barnum
[email protected]
Senior HRBP for:
- Vice Chancellor – Advancement
- Vice Chancellor – Athletics
- Vice Chancellor – Finance and Administration
- Vice Chancellor – Student Affairs
- Vice Chancellor – University Affairs
Vacant
HRBP for:
- College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Graduate School
- Provost Office
- School of Law
Connie Thorbs
[email protected]
HRBP for College of Humanities, Arts, Social Science, and Education
Sivakamy Chandrahasan
[email protected]
Programmer Analyst
The HR Programmer Analyst supports the efforts of the Department of Human Resources by facilitating the collection, analysis, and interpretation of institutional data. They are responsible for troubleshooting and problem-solving to resolve hardware and software problems and maintain the HR website.
Michele Curd
Director of HCM and HR Business Partner
rmcurd@ualr@edu
Michele is the Director of HCM and HR Business Partner. She is responsible for a broad range of activities including, but not limited to, managing HR Business Partners and other assigned personnel, oversight of all staffing business processes including recruitment and compensation Workday tasks, employee records, legislative reports, performance evaluations, and acting as HCM Lead for Workday.
Stephanie Ferguson
HR Personnel Specialist
[email protected]
As the HR Personnel Specialist, Stephanie is responsible for delivering exceptional customer service to campus constituents through the management of a variety of employment-related business processes. These critical business processes include, but are not limited to, immigration compliance, new employee orientation, payroll actions, performance evaluations, employment verifications, employee reports, training sessions, unemployment claims/hearings, position management, record retention, onboarding, and offboarding.
Allen Houston
HR Solutions Center Analyst
The HR Solutions Center Analyst serves as the leading customer service contact person for the Department of Human Resources. This position provides comprehensive customer service to the campus community by researching and responding to human resources-related questions and appropriate resolutions to HR issues in a timely manner and makes necessary referrals.
Emily Bell
Director of Title IX
[email protected]
Emily is the designated university official with primary responsibility for coordinating the university’s compliance with Title IX. This includes providing leadership for Title IX activities; providing consultation, education, and training; and helping to ensure the university responds appropriately, effectively, and equitably to Title IX issues.