University of Arkansas at Little Rock students won four of this year’s 10 Acxiom Diversity Scholarships.

In its sixth year, the highly competitive program provides $5,000 and an opportunity for a paid internship at Acxiom, a leading data provider for marketers.

The company selects recipients from throughout the country based on their professional interests and academic achievement in an information technology-related field of study.

“Acxiom is passionate about helping the next generation of leaders pursue their dreams through computer science and information technology careers,” said Scott Howe, Acxiom CEO and president, in a news release. “Our support positions them for future success and helps foster a more diverse pool of qualified talent, which will benefit the marketing and technology industries for years to come.”

UA Little Rock students who received Acxiom Diversity Scholarships include:

• Gary Dewayne Blanks II, an information science student from Little Rock
• Mukti Barole Shobha Sangappa, a computer science student from Little Rock, who also is a graduate research assistant with COSMOS — the Center Of Social Media and Online behavioral Studies, Dr. Nitin Agarwal’s research lab
• Vishnu Pillai, an information quality student from Little Rock
• Aziz Eram, an information quality graduate student from Little Rock, who received a $5,000 renewal scholarship

All four award winners are students in the UA Little Rock Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology.

This year’s award decisions were particularly challenging because of the quality of the scholarship applications, said Tammy Sanders, Acxiom director of engagement.

“We look forward to the contributions these students will make to Acxiom and to the marketing industry,” Sanders said in the news release.

Pictured above: Mukti Barole Shobha Sangappa, one of four University of Arkansas at Little Rock students to earn 2017 Acxiom Diversity Scholarships. Contributed photo.