Jones Honored with Three Scholarships, Two Internships
Christine Jones, of Cabot, is a blogger, writer, editor, and graduate student in the Professional and Technical Writing Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Jones stays busy, working as a graduate assistant in communications for the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education Dean’s Office while also interning as a web reporter for KUAR 89.1 FM this summer. She also currently serves as vice president of the Graduate Student Association, senator at large on the Student Government Association, as well as a member of the Academic Integrity Grievance Committee (AIGC) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).
“It just looks like I’m managing it all. I thrive in situations where I have a lot to do,” Jones said. “My advice for other UA Little Rock students is to go at your own pace. Do whatever it is you feel that you can do. Don’t take on more than you think you can handle. My most serious piece of advice is write everything down and cross it off as you get it done.”
Jones’ achievements have been celebrated over the spring semester through three scholarships at UA Little Rock totaling nearly $5,000. They include the Clarence and Judy Albers Quality Writing Scholarship, the Douthit Scholarship/Summer Internship for KUAR Public Radio, and the LULAC/JCA Scholarship.
“I was blown away by getting all these scholarships. I wasn’t prepared,” Jones said. “I was really blown away when I found out about the LULAC Scholarship. I really am proud that this scholarship will allow me to represent my culture and university at the same time.”
Two of the scholarships also come with internships that will provide Jones with valuable experience. In the fall, Jones will intern with Just Communities of Arkansas. She is currently spending the summer as an intern at UA Little Rock Public Radio.
“I’m learning a lot. I’m still nervous about putting my voice on the radio,” she said. “I do like the research and writing part of the job, and I do like retraining my mind to go back to journalism. I wrote for The Forum as an undergrad.”
Jones also serves as one of the co-chairs of the new UA Little Rock Racial Barriers Committee.
“Right now we are working on introducing ourselves to the campus and establishing ourselves,” she said. “We want to be a place where a student can come to feel safe. There will be a meet and greet event in September that will give the campus an opportunity to meet us and ask us questions.”
After earning her associate degree at Arkansas State University-Beebe, Jones transferred to UA Little Rock to continue her education.
“UA Little Rock was my first choice in undergraduate studies,” Jones said. “It suited me in terms of location and flexibility with my schedule. I was a single mom of two kids at the time. When I decided it was time to go for my master’s degree, a UA Little Rock ad popped up on my social media feed for professional and technical writing. I was already writing for a career. I wanted to get the credit and the representation I deserve. I also hope to get a higher paying job in the future with this degree.”
Since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication in 2018, Jones has worked as a writer and editor for companies like Inuvo, Inc., Team SI, and The Heritage Company.
Jones lives in Cabot with her husband Mike, two cats, three children, and four dogs. She plans to graduate with her master’s degree in 2022. Afterward, she would like to work as a writer and editor for a technology company.
She credits Drs. Heidi Harris, Cynthia Nahrwold, and Barbara L’Eplattenier from the Department of Rhetoric and Writing as professors who have made a difference in her life.
“Dr. Harris is my advisor, and I love her to pieces. She’s very fun and very relaxed,” Jones said. “Dr. Nahrwold and Dr. L’Eplattenier have been great mentors. The two of them are so motivating. They care so much that it was easy to want to do well in their classes. I really appreciated their guidance.”
