UA Little Rock Expands Extended Education with Three New AI Courses to Equip Arkansas Workforce for Tomorrow
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is launching three innovative courses in its Extended Education program, designed to prepare Arkansas’s workforce for the future with practical skills in artificial intelligence.
The courses, including Supercharge Your Marketing Strategy with AI and Basics of AI for Better Living, aim to give business leaders, marketing professionals, and curious learners hands-on experience with AI tools that are transforming industries.
“These courses are about more than learning technology. They’re about giving professionals the ability to apply AI to real business challenges, solve problems creatively, and gain a competitive edge,” said Marla Johnson, UA Little Rock’s tech-entrepreneur-in-residence and instructor for several courses.
Johnson, a tech entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in innovation and digital transformation, leads classes that combine strategy, tools, and hands-on application.
The new offerings include:
· Supercharge Your Marketing Strategy with AI: A four-week certificate program teaching marketers how to leverage ChatGPT and other AI tools to accelerate campaign planning, uncover customer insights, and generate content at scale.
· Basics of AI for Better Living: A 1.5-hour, beginner-friendly course introducing AI for everyday applications, from planning travel to organizing hobbies.
· Customized AI Solutions for Business: Tailored AI consulting and training to help companies integrate AI tools for operations, marketing, and customer engagement.
These courses are designed to meet a wide range of professional and personal goals. Dr. Aaron Duvall, executive director of workforce development at UA Little Rock, said the programs provide practical, immediately applicable skills.
“Whether someone is new to AI or looking to implement advanced solutions in their business, participants will leave these courses with actionable strategies they can apply right away,” Duvall said.
In the Customized AI Solutions for Business program, Johnson will provide company-specific training and consulting, helping organizations build AI-driven tools and streamline processes, with every team training tailored to each individual company’s goals and systems. You can schedule a free consultation by contacting Johnson at [email protected] or Nick Stevens, director of extended education, at [email protected].
Other courses, like Supercharge Your Marketing Strategy with AI, are aimed at marketing professionals seeking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape. This course will take place from 6-8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays from Oct. 6-29 with seven live virtual sessions and one networking event (Oct. 29) at UA Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock.
Research shows that marketers using generative AI report productivity gains of 5-15 percent and improved personalization at scale, yet only 29 percent of marketers feel confident using AI today, highlighting the demand for upskilling. Participants will earn an AI for Business Certificate upon completion of the program.
The Basics of AI for Better Living course also opens the doors to nontechnical learners, including seniors, retirees, and anyone curious about integrating AI into daily life, making this technology more approachable and practical to use in everyday life. Sessions this fall will be offered from 3-4:30 p.m. Sept. 19 and 9:30-11 a.m. Oct. 17 in the Reynolds Business Building Room 108.
You can find out more information and register for these courses by visiting the UA Little Rock Extended Education website.