The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will offer a public lecture series during the 2016-17 academic year covering topics on current leadership and change management.

Organizers say the series is a good fit for leaders seeking to enhance their communication and leadership knowledge, employees desiring career development, as well as UALR students and alumni.

The Leadership Lecture Series was conceived by the newly renamed Department of Applied Communication at UALR (formerly Speech Communication) and will feature former and current faculty members and alumni who are experts in their fields.

The lectures are free; however, a $15 contribution is requested to help cover the cost of each event.

Department Chair April Chatham-Carpenter said the concept stemmed from a committee formed more than a year ago to explore ways to engage the community and help raise the profile of the department and university. The committee worked with the department’s alumni/development board to implement the idea.

“We wanted to actively involve our community leaders, alumni, and other interested people in our mission who might also want to improve their communication skills in an easy and affordable way,” Chatham-Carpenter said.

Chatham-Carpenter said the department faculty members believe strongly “in the power of positive communication to create better social worlds,” and the lecture series is just one part of sharing that mission.

Each lecture, which will be held at the UALR Bailey Alumni Center from 7 to 9 p.m. on select Thursdays throughout the fall and spring, will be followed by a question/answer session and networking opportunities. A certificate of completion will be awarded to those attending all the lectures.

The following speakers and topics are scheduled:

• Dr. Julien Mirivel, “The Art of Positive Communication for Leaders: Small Actions with Big Impact,” Sept. 8
• Dr. Carol Thompson, “Nonverbal Communication for Today’s Leaders.” Nov. 3
• Dr. Linda Pledger, “Managing Conflict Positively as a Transformational Leader,” Feb. 16
• Mary Cantrell, “Why Yes Works for Leaders,” April 20

Background information with suggested readings for the lectures will be provided.

Light refreshments will be served. More information about the speakers and topics is available at the lecture series website, along with ticket information.