Nursing Professor Shelia Brooks to Lead UA Little Rock’s 2025-26 Campus Campaign
Dr. Shelia Brooks carries decades of lived experience as a nurse, a mother, and a community leader. Now she will put that experience to good use as the newly appointed chair of UA Little Rock’s 2025-26 Campus Campaign.
Brooks, a clinical assistant professor of nursing, is the first faculty member, as well as the first African American female faculty member, to lead the annual faculty and staff giving initiative. For her, the role is both an honor and a responsibility.
“Without faculty and staff support, we can’t expect the outside community to have a buy-in on what we do here,” Brooks said. “Every dollar can make a difference, while every gift shows that we believe in the mission of our university.”
A Journey Rooted in UA Little Rock
Brooks’ connection to UA Little Rock runs deep. She earned her associate degree in nursing in 1994, returned two decades later for her bachelor’s degree, and then continued on to graduate studies, all while working raising a family with two sons. She joined the faculty in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing with her both clinical expertise and a passion for teaching.
“I’ve seen firsthand how much this university has grown,” Brooks said. “When I was a nursing student, our program shared half a floor in the Engineering Technology and Applied Sciences Building. Today, we have a state-of-the-art building and the largest program on campus. That growth was made possible by people who believed in us and gave back. Now it’s my turn to do the same.”
Brooks and her husband, Anthony, are lifetime members of the UA Little Rock Alumni Association and longtime supporters of the university. Their family business, Platinum Drywall, has also contributed to campus growth and student opportunities through campus building projects and student internships.
In addition to her work at UA Little Rock, Brooks is active in numerous service organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., The Links, Inc., and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She also serves on the board of Home for Healing, is an associate member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and a member of the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas.
Her leadership was recently recognized statewide when she was named one of the 100 Great Nurses of Arkansas for 2025.
“I didn’t expect the recognition but I feel honored and grateful for the opportunity to assist in positively impacting our university,” Brooks said. “I don’t do this work for accolades but for my love for people and serving our community. Nursing allows me to help others in their most vulnerable moments and to teach students how to offer that same compassion.”
Looking Ahead to the Campaign
The Campus Campaign encourages faculty and staff to support UA Little Rock through payroll deduction, one-time gifts, or in-kind contributions. Participation has grown significantly since the campaign began in 2001, with about 35 percent of employees contributing last year.
“Faculty and staff are in the grit of it,” she said. “We see firsthand the struggles and successes of our students, and we know what it takes to make this university a success. By giving, even in small ways, we’re showing that we believe in our students and in the future of UA Little Rock.”
Brooks is especially enthusiastic about campus events like Taste of Little Rock, UA Little Rock’s premier culinary event, which combines community engagement with great food and fundraising for student success. She also looks forward to sharing her own story as a way to encourage others.
“I am excited to lead this campaign and to show how far we’ve come as a university,” she said. “If we all give a little, together we can do so much more for our students, our colleagues, and our community.”
You can find out more about the Campus Campaign and how to donate by visiting the Campus Campaign website.