The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Applied Communication will  host its second annual Leadership Lecture series beginning Thursday, Sept. 28.

The goal of the series is to generate a discussion among students and guests about ways they can create healthier interpersonal relationships, manage conflicts constructively, and embrace differences.

Each session will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Donaghey Student Center Room G. The cost of attendance will be $5 for students with identification cards and $20 for other  guests.

Mike Hemphill, director of academic programming for the Clinton Foundation and manager of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program, will kick off the series with his presentation, “Leadership as Storytelling.”

For 24 years, Hemphill served UA Little Rock as the chair of the Department of Speech Communication and dean of the College of Professional Studies. He also held the title of provost and dean at the Centenary College of Louisiana, as well as associate dean for academic affairs and chief academic officer at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

Additional lecturers in the series include:

• Kristen McIntyre: “Connection Not Perfection: A Communication Orientation to Public Speaking” – Thursday, Nov. 9
• Gerald Driskill: “Leadership and Community Transformation: Co-Creating Counter Narratives” – Thursday, Feb. 22
• Andrew Pyle: “Fostering Positive Communication to Prevent Self-Inflicted Crises” – Thursday, April 19

Organizers of the event encourage community and business leaders, employees, and UA Little Rock students, faculty, and alumni to attend the series to understand the importance of communication and how it can positively impact the workplace and community.

For more information, contact April Chatham-Carpenter, chair of the Department of Applied Communication, at 501.569.3158.