Felan Appointed to Little Rock Sister Cities Commission

Dr. Joe Felan, associate professor of management at UA Little Rock, has been selected to serve a five-year term on the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission.

The Sister Cities Commission fosters global relationships between Little Rock and its international sister and friendship cities, promoting collaboration through arts, culture, youth education, business, and community development. Little Rock currently maintains sister city relationships with cities in Taiwan, Korea, China, England, and Brazil, along with friendship cities in Italy and China. New outreach efforts are also underway for cities in Ghana and Cameroon.

“I think they value having a university professor on the commission,” Felan said. “We bring an educational component that can connect visiting delegations with UA Little Rock and possibly create opportunities for student exchanges and cultural engagement.”

Felan, who joined the UA Little Rock faculty in 2002, brings extensive international, educational, and business experience to the role. He has led five study abroad programs, including two consecutive trips with Dr. Otmar Varela, professor of management, to Argentina. He has also taught in Austria as part of a summer program sponsored by the University of New Orleans.

“I think my experience working with students abroad and my connections with the local business community put me in a unique position to contribute to all areas of the commission’s mission,” he said.

Felan’s first meeting with the commission was in May, which he attended via Zoom from his study abroad trip in Argentina. His appointment continues UA Little Rock’s strong connection with the commission, following in the footsteps of former member Dr. Ashvin Vibhakar, Joe T. Ford Professor of Finance, whose term expired earlier this year.

Felan and Varela are now exploring the possibility of planning a future study abroad trip to one of Little Rock’s sister cities. They are especially interested in visiting Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, which has been a sister city since 2016, for its business and educational opportunities.

“Newcastle-Upon-Tyne has a port and a university we’ve partnered with in the past,” Felan said. “It could offer great opportunities for our students to learn about international business, trade, and culture.”

Beyond his academic work, Felan is a longtime community volunteer with a passion for education and youth development. He recently just completed his term as president of the Small Business Institute, an organization of professors from around the country that teach small business and entrepreneurship. He has previously served on the boards for Junior Achievement of Central Arkansas, Benton School Board, and Central High School Band Boosters.

“I want to be a good representative of Little Rock,” Felan said. “Whether it’s welcoming visiting delegations or helping our students connect globally, I’m excited to help build relationships that strengthen cultural understanding and community ties. I want to be a good representative of Little Rock and show them some good Southern hospitality.”