UA Little Rock Alumna Kelsey Norton Advances Dental Hygiene Education Through Service and Leadership

Working full time while pursuing her master’s degree wasn’t easy for Kelsey Norton. Between teaching, clinical duties, and family life, her days were full. Yet she found time to complete her graduate degree in health education and promotion at UA Little Rock — an experience she said strengthened her professional skills, resilience, and sense of purpose.

“Earning a master’s degree in health education and promotion has significantly strengthened my effectiveness as a dental hygiene educator by expanding my understanding of behavioral, social and environmental determinants of health,” Norton said. “Additionally, my training in health promotion has strengthened my curriculum design and teaching methodology.”

Norton, who lives in Maumelle, chose the program after researching academic paths and speaking with a mentor.

“I found that UA Little Rock offered a strong public health focus aligned with my career goals – making it the perfect fit,” she said.

Since graduating in 2020, Norton has become an assistant professor and director of community service at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She also serves as the interprofessional education contact for dental hygiene and as faculty representative for the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association, helping students connect classroom learning with clinical and community experiences.

“I wear many hats in my current role,” she said. “I teach both didactically and clinically. Our students are required to obtain 38 hours of community service during the program. I develop partnerships with organizations, create community initiatives, and implement community service events.”

Norton also serves as a preceptor at the UAMS 12th Street Health & Wellness Center, a student-led clinic that provides free services to local residents. Students see firsthand the impact of public health education on underserved communities.

One of her favorite memories at UA Little Rock was applying classroom concepts to real community needs. 

“The Community and Public Health course provided a broad understanding of areas such as biostatistics, epidemiology, and systems thinking,” she said. “Through this course, I gained the ability to assess community health trends, identify disparities, and apply data-driven strategies to improve outcomes.”

Perseverance Through Challenge

Balancing graduate school and full-time work brought challenges, but Norton said support from faculty, especially her academic advisor, Dr. Amar Kanekar, helped her stay on track. 

“As with any commitment, there were seasons of struggle,” she said. “During those times, I reached out to my academic advisor, who helped me navigate the challenges.”

Norton said her faith and family carried her through the most difficult periods. “My husband, Michael Norton II, made countless sacrifices to support my goals, and my parents instilled the work ethic and determination that made this journey possible,” she said.

Her perseverance was tested during her final year of the program, when she lost her mother to stage IV lung cancer. “That experience taught me profound lessons about self-care and the necessity of being well in order to care for others,” she said.

She also learned practical lessons she now shares with students. “Pursuing a degree is a deeply personal decision, and not everyone will understand your path,” she said. “Consistency is key; working a little each day was far more effective than trying to catch up on weekends.”

Continuing to Grow and Lead

Norton is now pursuing a Doctor of Education in organizational change at Baylor University and expects to graduate in May 2026. Her leadership has already been recognized nationally. She received the 2025 American Dental Education Association Leadership Institute Alumni Association Award to Honor Jack Bresch and was selected as a Mary Jo Smalls Fellow for 2025–26 with the Society for the Future of Higher Education.

Norton credits UA Little Rock with preparing her for doctoral-level work. “The program deepened my understanding of research design, data interpretation, and evidence-based practice – skills that naturally progressed into the analytical expectations of doctoral study,” she said.

She described UA Little Rock as “supportive, local, and welcoming.” The proximity and accessibility of the campus, she said, made the program even more manageable as a working professional.

Dr. Kanekar said Norton’s determination set her apart from the beginning. “She was a very conscientious, organized, and committed student who completed her master’s program in a timely manner,” he said. “The fact that she is now pursuing her Ph.D. fills me with great pride and joy.”

For Norton, the lessons from UA Little Rock extend far beyond academics. Her favorite quote, “Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people,” guides her in every class, clinic, and community initiative – a reminder that education, service, and compassion can transform not just careers but lives.