UA Little Rock’s Department of Applied Communication will host its third annual Leadership Lecture Series beginning Thursday, Sept. 27, and continuing through the rest of the academic year on select Thursdays.

The first lecture, titled “Embracing Super Hybridity: Implications for a Positive World,” will be presented by Dr. Avinash Thombre, professor in the Department of Applied Communication, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27. The lecture will explore current research on hybrid cultures and make a case for embracing larger models of diversity in order to create a better social world through positive communication.

Bruce Trimble will present “Language Matters: Our Role in Destigmatizing Health Issues” on Thursday, Nov. 1. The lecture will provide attendees with a better understanding of mental health conditions and available treatment options, as well as a challenge to reframe mental health care as healthcare.

Trimble is the director of business development for The BridgeWay Hospital and has served on the Arkansas Suicide Prevention Council since 2015. He received a master’s degree in interpersonal and organizational communication from UA Little Rock.

Tamidra Marable will present “Leading Transformational Change” on Thursday, Feb. 7. The session will explore transformational change through practical examples that focus on skills needed and tools that support leading transformational change initiatives. Marable is the performance initiatives leader for Heifer International and received a master’s degree in applied communication from UA Little Rock.

The final lecture of this year’s series will be presented by Tonya Oaks Smith on Thursday, May 9. In this lecture, listeners will unpack their perceptions and learn to hold public communication to a higher standard.

Smith is the executive director of university communications and marketing at Louisiana Tech University. She has previously served as executive director of marketing and communications at Henderson State University and director of communications at UA Little Rock’s William H. Bowen School of Law. She received a master’s degree in applied communication from UA Little Rock.

All lectures will be held at 7 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter A. To register and purchase tickets, visit the Leadership Lectures Series website.