A University of Arkansas at Little Rock employee has earned the highest educational award attainable in the Toastmasters International program.

Alveno Smith, a motivational speaker who works in UALR Information Technology Services, is the first member of UALR’s Class Act

Toastmasters club to earn the title of Distinguished Toastmaster.

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs.

Smith joined Toastmasters in 1990 to improve his communication skills. He helped start UALR’s Class Act Toastmasters club in 2013 and became the club’s mentor. He won the Region 5 humorous speech content twice.

Class Act Toastmasters meets at noon Friday in Donaghey Student Center Room D. Visit the Toastmasters’ website for more information.