UA Little Rock Alumni Board Welcomes New Members
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Alumni Board has welcomed several new members whose professional accomplishments and commitment to service reflect the impact of Trojan alumni across Arkansas and beyond.
“These alumni represent the best of what it means to be a Trojan,” said Derek Boyce, director of alumni and corporate and foundation relations. “Their leadership across health care, nonprofit service, and journalism reflects the ways our graduates make meaningful contributions to their communities, and we’re excited to have their voices on the Alumni Board.”
The Alumni Board supports the university’s mission by strengthening relationships between UA Little Rock and its graduates while creating opportunities for alumni engagement, mentorship, and community impact.
Cheryl Avants
Cheryl Avants, a lifelong Arkansan, brings decades of experience in pharmacy, health policy, and clinical operations. She retired from Arkansas BlueCross BlueShield in 2021 after six years as a clinical pharmacist, where she worked with national employers to expand medication management services and improve care strategies for patients with complex and rare conditions.
Prior to joining Arkansas BlueCross, Avants worked in drug review programs and served as director of the Retrospective Drug Utilization Review program for Arkansas Medicaid. She also worked with the Colorado Medicaid program and held an earlier role as a clinical analyst in information technology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Avants earned a Master of Business Administration from UA Little Rock and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Talethe Collins
Talethe Collins, a 2016 UA Little Rock graduate, has built a career focused on nonprofit leadership and youth empowerment. She currently serves as a development officer with Make-A-Wish Mid-South, supporting efforts to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
While attending UA Little Rock, Collins majored in political science with a minor in nonprofit leadership studies and earned her credential as a Certified Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. She has previously served with UA Little Rock Children International and Reading to Kids in Los Angeles County.
Collins is also the founder of the R.E.A.L. Scholars Program, which provides opportunities for students in her hometown of Marianna, Arkansas, and recently published her first children’s book, Curious Cassie, encouraging young people to explore future career paths.
Staci Miller
Staci Miller, MBA ’10, serves as director of development for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Community Journalism Project, where she works to strengthen local journalism through philanthropic partnerships and community engagement.
Miller spent more than two decades in publishing, including a 21-year career with WEHCO Newspapers. During her tenure with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, she held leadership roles such as creative services director, niche publications director, and special sections manager.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Arkansas University and a Master of Business Administration from UA Little Rock and remains active in several community organizations throughout the Little Rock area.
Learn More
Together, these alumni bring a shared commitment to service, leadership, and community impact that reflects the strength of the Trojan network and its continued support for UA Little Rock.
Learn more about the Office of Alumni and Development at ualr.edu/advancement.