Penn Named 2026 Faculty Excellence University-Level Award Winner
Suzanne Penn, supervising attorney and assistant clinical professor of legal education, has been named the recipient of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Social Justice, which recognizes faculty whose work advances equity, opportunity, and meaningful access for individuals and communities.
Penn is recognized for her decades of work expanding access to justice for underserved Arkansans through clinical legal education and community advocacy. She directs the Delta Divorce Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to individuals seeking divorces in counties across the Arkansas Delta where access to legal services is limited.
The clinic travels to rural communities to assist individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford legal representation or travel long distances to seek help. Through this work, Penn has helped expand access to critical legal services while addressing barriers faced by individuals in underserved regions.
At the same time, the clinic provides law students with hands-on experience working with real clients and navigating complex legal processes. The program has assisted hundreds of Arkansans facing challenging circumstances—including individuals experiencing domestic violence or financial hardship—while preparing students for client-centered legal practice.
“This award reflects the work of the many law students who have participated in the Delta Divorce Clinic and the Delta Experience Intersession since 2015,” Penn said. “Their dedication has made it possible to serve clients across more than a dozen counties in eastern Arkansas who might otherwise be unable to afford or access legal assistance. The clinic was designed to help people who are often left without options by the system. Together, we are making access to justice a reality.”
Penn was first selected as the Bowen School of Law’s recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award for Social Justice. She was then chosen as the university-level award winner, the highest honor awarded to faculty at UA Little Rock. She previously won the university-level award for public service in 2017.
The Social Justice Award was sponsored by Scott and Amy Schuh, Katherine Shoulders and an Anonymous Donor.
About the Awards
Established in 1989, the Faculty Excellence Awards have recognized outstanding faculty achievement for 35 years. The UA Little Rock Board of Visitors selected the university-wide winners from a pool of faculty members representing their respective colleges and the William H. Bowen School of Law. Each university-level award recipient will receive a $5,000 prize.