UA Little Rock Names Faculty Excellence in Social Justice College Level Winners
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named three faculty members as college-level recipients of the Faculty Excellence Award for Social Justice, recognizing faculty whose work advances equity, opportunity, and meaningful access for individuals and communities.
Each academic college can select one faculty member for the honor. These recipients will be recognized during the UA Little Rock Faculty Excellence Awards on Thursday, April 2, when the university-level award recipient will also be announced. The university-level winner is sponsored by Scott Shuh, Katherine Shoulders, and Janna Riley Knight.
The 2026 recipients are Dr. Lundon Pinneo of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education; Dr. Mark Baillie of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; and Professor Suzanne Penn of the William H. Bowen School of Law.
Lundon Pinneo
College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education
Dr. Lundon Pinneo, assistant professor in the School of Education and coordinator of the Middle Childhood Education program, is recognized for her work strengthening access to high-quality education for students and educators across Arkansas.
Pinneo contributes to institutional and statewide efforts aimed at expanding opportunity in education. Through grant-funded initiatives and program redesign efforts, she has helped develop paid teacher residencies, strengthen curriculum alignment in teacher preparation, and support educators in rural and underserved communities. Her work emphasizes building systems that support both educators and students while reducing barriers that can limit access to educational opportunity.
Her work focuses on improving teacher preparation and supporting educators through evidence-based teaching practices. Pinneo plays a leadership role in initiatives such as the Mobile Summer Institutes on Scientific Teaching (MoSI) and related Communities of Practice, which help faculty adopt inclusive, active-learning approaches designed to improve student engagement and persistence.
“High-quality education is one of the most powerful tools we have for expanding opportunity,” Pinneo said. “My goal is to help create systems that allow educators and students to succeed while ensuring that education serves as a bridge to opportunity.”
Mark Baillie
Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Dr. Mark Baillie, associate professor of chemistry and director of the STRIVE program, is recognized for his work expanding equitable access to STEM education through faculty development, student mentoring, and statewide outreach initiatives.
As a national leader of the Mobile Summer Institutes on Scientific teaching, Baillie brought this workshop to UA Little Rock to increase faculty use of evidence-based teaching methods. His team has worked to expand its impact through further faculty training and communities of transformation. These efforts have helped transform instructional practices for faculty across the university and supported more inclusive classroom environments for students.
He also co-founded the university’s Learning Assistant program, which trains undergraduate students to support active learning in STEM courses while providing peer mentorship for fellow students. In addition, Baillie directs the STRIVE program, which connects middle and high school STEM teachers with industry internships and professional development opportunities designed to expand career awareness and strengthen STEM education across Arkansas.
“My work is grounded in the belief that education should expand opportunity for every student,” Baillie said. “By strengthening teaching and creating pathways into STEM careers, we can help students discover possibilities they may not have otherwise imagined.”
Suzanne Penn
William H. Bowen School of Law
Professor Suzanne Penn, supervising attorney and assistant clinical professor of legal education at the William H. Bowen School of Law, is recognized for her decades of work expanding access to justice for underserved Arkansans through clinical legal education and community advocacy.
Penn directs the Delta Divorce Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to individuals seeking divorces in counties across the Arkansas Delta where access to legal services is limited. The clinic travels to rural communities to assist individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford legal representation or travel long distances to seek help.
Through the clinic, law students gain hands-on experience working with real clients while helping individuals navigate complex legal processes. The program has assisted hundreds of Arkansans facing challenging circumstances, including individuals experiencing domestic violence or financial hardship, while providing students with practical training in advocacy and client-centered legal practice.
“Access to justice is a fundamental principle of our legal system,” Penn said. “The Delta Divorce Clinic provides meaningful opportunities for students to serve their communities while helping individuals navigate difficult legal situations.”