A UALR graduate student has received a scholarship from the greater Little Rock chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), an organization dedicated to the advancement of black public leadership in local and state governments.

Reteisha Byrd, a master of public administration graduate student from Helena-West Helena, was given the distinction during the NFBPA “Marks of Excellence” ceremony held Saturday, April 4, at the Clinton Presidential Center.

Byrd is the second MPA student from UALR to be awarded this scholarship over the last two years.

Byrd is a graduate assistant and is currently working with Assistant Professor of Public Administration Michael Craw on a project evaluating the impact of Little Rock’s neighborhood and property owner associations on crime, blight and redevelopment.

The project is funded by UALR’s Institute on Race and Ethnicity and Institute of Government.

“Reteisha’s help has proven very valuable in moving this evaluation project forward, and her ability to learn new software quickly and work independently have been important assets,” said Craw.

“It was wonderful to receive this award,” said Byrd. “I am very appreciative of the recognition from the chapter.”