[{"id":94092,"date":"2026-05-07T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/?p=94092"},"modified":"2026-05-06T09:31:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T14:31:38","slug":"a-family-affair-mother-and-daughters-graduate-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/07\/a-family-affair-mother-and-daughters-graduate-together\/","title":{"rendered":"A Family Affair: Mother and Daughters Graduate Together"},"content":{"rendered":"\nWalking across a graduation stage brings pride, relief, and sometimes a spark of disbelief. For one Little Rock family, that moment will carry a rare sense of unity and accomplishment: three women \u2014 two daughters and their mother \u2014 each in different fields, each carving her own path, but all reaching the finish line together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grace Shelton, a biology major with pre-med dreams, Faith Shelton, determined to make her mark in civil engineering, and their mother Aaronda Williams, building her future in construction management, all share the same graduation date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Across the three women, there are 16 organizational involvements, 13 scholarships, three majors, and one shared journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s crazy to think about,\u201d Grace says, reflecting on the idea of all graduating together. \u201cI don\u2019t think we ever would have thought it would happen, but here we are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t exactly planned, but maybe it was always meant to be. Aaronda remembers conversations from when her daughters were young, when she would ask them about their dreams and talk through the steps they\u2019d need to take. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey would ask me, \u2018Mom, what do you want to be?\u2019 And I\u2019d tell them. They\u2019d say, \u2018You can still do that!\u2019 I always said, \u2018Maybe when y\u2019all go back, I\u2019ll go back too,\u201d Aaronda recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aaronda was always grateful for the small moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so amazing having them on campus. We have lunch together, go to events, and cheer each other on. It means the world,\u201d Aaronda says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it\u2019s not always easy. Burnout, doubt, and exhaustion are familiar hurdles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSometimes it\u2019s hard to keep going,\u201d Grace admits. \u201cBut we always remind each other of our goals. When I felt unsure if I belonged, I could come home, talk it out, and get my motivation back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Aaronda, her daughters are more than just support \u2014 they\u2019re inspiration.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re working, going to school, having a social life, and still showing up for me. I can\u2019t complain about working and going to school when I see them doing it all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That mutual inspiration is rooted in the example Aaronda set. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeeing our mom balance everything, that\u2019s what shaped our mindset,\u201d Grace reflects. \u201cHer strength influenced us a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, the women have built their own campus families, branching out into leadership programs, sororities, and student organizations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve found mentors and friends at UA Little Rock,\u201d says Faith, \u201cbut our family bond is always there, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each woman can pinpoint moments that will stick with her forever. For Aaronda, it\u2019s lunch together at The WOW Cafe with all her daughters. For Faith, it\u2019s the quiet joy of everyone gathered in her dorm, just talking, just being together. For Grace it is the memory of all of them realizing they would be graduating together after all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As graduation nears, emotions run high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be grateful and at peace,\u201d Aaronda says. \u201cI can finally breathe.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grace knows she\u2019ll be emotional, thinking of how much she\u2019s grown since her shy, uncertain middle school days. Faith, too, feels the weight of her family\u2019s achievement, coming from a background without many degrees, and now adding three new ones at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, they look to the legacy they hope to leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Grace, representation in medicine is key. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere aren\u2019t enough Black women physicians. I want to open a practice for underserved communities and be someone people can see themselves in,\u201d Grace says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aaronda dreams of creating a nonprofit to help women enter construction, opening doors that have too often been closed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need more women in construction, and I want to show them the way\u2014give them a clear pathway to a career,\u201d Aaronda says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faith is focused on civil engineering and preparing for a career in roadway and infrastructure design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to create infrastructure that strengthens and connects communities,\u201d Faith says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s next? More giving back, more mentorship, more dreams. Maybe even graduate school, Aaronda jokes \u2014 though with two more daughters still in high school, she might have company again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now, the focus is on celebrating, on capturing a family photo in cap and gown, on reflecting on just how far they\u2019ve come \u2014 together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Walking across a graduation stage brings pride, relief, and sometimes a spark of disbelief. For one Little Rock family, that moment will carry a rare sense of unity and accomplishment: … A Family Affair: Mother and Daughters Graduate Together<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2906,"featured_media":94093,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926,1922],"tags":[42,28370,36044,2155,35323,2218],"class_list":["post-94092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","category-research","tag-biology","tag-college-of-business-health-and-human-services","tag-commencement-2026","tag-department-of-construction-management-and-civil-and-construction-engineering","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-student-success"],"yoast_head":"\nA Family Affair: Mother and Daughters Graduate Together - News - UA Little Rock<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/07\/a-family-affair-mother-and-daughters-graduate-together\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Family Affair: Mother and Daughters Graduate Together\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Walking across a graduation stage brings pride, relief, and sometimes a spark of disbelief. 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For her, earning a bachelor\u2019s degree has long been a personal goal shaped by passion and practicality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I knew that getting an undergraduate degree would give me the opportunity to specialize in something, like graphic design, while also opening doors for me career-wise,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her family\u2019s experience was also a motivation. Her parents didn\u2019t attend college after high school, and her father earned his undergraduate degree in his 40s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Growing up, I remember hearing a lot about how they wished they had gone to college, so I think that influenced me a lot too,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A full-time student, Boone worked while completing her coursework, which felt overwhelming at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Despite the stress, I\u2019m really glad that I continued to work throughout school,\u201d she said. \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t, I wouldn\u2019t have developed some of the skills in time management and prioritization that I have now. It\u2019s also been nice to have the opportunity to work for the Communications and Marketing office here because it\u2019s given me a peek into what my career will look like after I graduate. I don\u2019t think the transition will be so difficult now that I have that experience under my belt.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boone found her educational journey rewarding and challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“It\u2019s definitely been difficult, but overall, I would say it was a great experience,” she said. “I\u2019m incredibly grateful to be in the Donaghey Scholars Program, as that\u2019s taken a huge financial burden off of my shoulders while opening a lot of doors for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Early on, she had a hard time balancing school, extracurriculars, work, family, and social life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“If I didn\u2019t push myself to endure those challenges, I wouldn\u2019t have had the opportunity to do things like study abroad, participate in art exhibits, make the friends I have now, or get my first internship,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among her most memorable experiences were study abroad opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I got the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, France, and Berlin, Germany with the art department, and it was an absolute blast going on those trips with my friends and professors,” she said. “I also studied abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last summer on my own, and I think that has been one of my most rewarding experiences so far.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Simon Hawkins, director of the Donaghey Scholars Program, said Boone is committed to both artistic excellence and pragmatism. “Skylar is a thinker and an artist and uses those skills to help every group that she works with,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boone served as president of the Art Club, communication director for the Student Government Association, and as an award-winning executive editor of the Forum student newspaper. She has a BFA art show at the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery at UA Little Rock and has also had a show at the university’s downtown space. These roles and achievements have helped her grow creatively and professionally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Muriel Schrepfer, a senior graphic designer in UA Little Rock’s Office of Communications and Marketing, praised Boone’s creativity and professionalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Skylar is a joy to work with and has been such a valuable member of our team this year. Her creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail shine through in every project she works on,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kevin Cates, professor of graphic design, said Skylar’s work evolved as she \u201cput everything she had into every project.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe results were excellent, thoroughly thought out and researched, and meticulously built with the software applications,\u201d he said. \u201cDuring the course of the projects, she would enthusiastically build on strengths and correct any weaknesses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boone said she\u2019s ready to take the next step in her career path: an internship with mhp.si, a full-service marketing agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I\u2019m incredibly proud of how far I\u2019ve come,” she said. “My experience wasn\u2019t always easy, but I think that every challenge I\u2019ve faced was worth it. I\u2019m excited to take everything I\u2019ve learned at UA Little Rock and finally start my career in the real world.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Skylar Boone graduates in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, she will mark years of determined effort <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/07\/designing-her-future-skylar-boone-prepares-to-graduate-with-graphic-design-degree\/\" class=\"more-link\">…<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Designing Her Future: Skylar Boone Prepares to Graduate with Graphic Design Degree<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":94087,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1923,1925,1926],"tags":[28389,36044,35323,2218],"class_list":["post-94086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-culture","category-community","category-featured","tag-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-chasse","tag-commencement-2026","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-student-success"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Designing Her Future: Skylar Boone Prepares to Graduate with Graphic Design Degree - News - UA Little Rock<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/07\/designing-her-future-skylar-boone-prepares-to-graduate-with-graphic-design-degree\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Designing Her Future: Skylar Boone Prepares to Graduate with Graphic Design Degree\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When Skylar Boone graduates in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, she will mark years of determined effort ... 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Doors for guests will open at 8 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Special guests for the morning ceremony will include Ms. Danyelle Walker, distinguished alumna, member of the UA Little Rock Board of Visitors, and the first African American president of the Arkansas Bar Foundation. A graduate of the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, Walker is a nationally recognized consumer bankruptcy attorney with 30 years of experience advocating for debtor rights and expanding access to justice in Arkansas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Dean Kumpuris, chair of the UA Little Rock Board of Visitors, will also participate in the ceremony. A respected cardiologist and civic leader, Kumpuris has long championed educational opportunity, healthcare access, and community engagement in Arkansas. Through his leadership, he has supported initiatives that strengthen student success and advance higher education across the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Student Nistha Neupane, recipient of the 2026 Edward Lynn Whitbeck Memorial Award, will be recognized during the morning ceremony. The Whitbeck Award is the university\u2019s highest honor presented to a graduating senior. Neupane, a biology and chemistry student, has earned recognition for her cancer research, leadership, and advocacy work focused on improving access and representation in medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Undergraduates from the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE), along with all graduate students from the Graduate School, will participate in the 2 p.m. ceremony. Doors for guests will open at 12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to Walker and Kumpuris, special guests for the afternoon ceremony will include Col. Nathaniel Todd of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. Todd is a retired military officer and longtime public servant who has supported education, leadership development, and community engagement efforts across Arkansas through his professional and civic service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Family members and guests are encouraged to review commencement policies and ceremony details before arriving on campus. A clear bag policy will be in effect at the Jack Stephens Center for all commencement ceremonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Live streaming information, parking details, guest information, and additional commencement resources are available at <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/commencement\/ceremony-info\/\">UA Little Rock Commencement Information<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information about UA Little Rock commencement, contact the Office of Records and Registration at (501) 916-3110 or visit <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/commencement\/\">UA Little Rock Commencement<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UA Little Rock will confer approximately 1,125 degrees and certificates upon graduates during spring 2026 commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, at the Jack Stephens Center. Two ceremonies will take <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/06\/commencement-ceremonies-set-for-may-16\/\" class=\"more-link\">…<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Commencement Ceremonies Set for May 16\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":94099,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926],"tags":[112,6102,28370,28389,36044,25799,122,35323,2218,535],"class_list":["post-94098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","tag-alumni-association","tag-ua-little-rock-board-of-visitors","tag-college-of-business-health-and-human-services","tag-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-chasse","tag-commencement-2026","tag-donaghey-college-of-stem","tag-graduate-school","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-student-success","tag-william-h-bowen-school-of-law"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Commencement Ceremonies Set for May 16\u00a0 - News - UA Little Rock<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/06\/commencement-ceremonies-set-for-may-16\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Commencement Ceremonies Set for May 16\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"UA Little Rock will confer approximately 1,125 degrees and certificates upon graduates during spring 2026 commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, at the Jack Stephens Center. 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Little Rock Professor Joins Board of Institute for Design Science and Public Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Dr. Mohsen Rafiei, a faculty member at UA Little Rock, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.idspp.org\/\">Institute for Design Science and Public Policy (IDSPP)<\/a>, a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the role of design science in legal and public policy discussions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked about the initial reaction to joining the board, Rafiei described it as both an honor and a responsibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not just a title,\u201d he explained. \u201cIDSPP is doing important work that bridges research and public policy. The invitation represents an opportunity to contribute in ways that go well beyond traditional academic work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IDSPP is an organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between design research, legal reasoning, and public impact. Its broader aim is to support applied design research and ensure that legal and policy discussions are informed by strong evidence. The organization contributes to public discourse through research initiatives, amicus briefs and working papers \u2013 all aimed at integrating scientific understanding of design into real-world contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe invitation felt like a natural fit because my work consistently explores the ways research can connect human behavior, design and decision making in practical settings. IDSPP\u2019s commitment to bringing rigorous design-related research into public and legal contexts is deeply meaningful to me,\u201d said Rafiei.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Design science plays an important role in public policy. Design shapes how people interact with products, systems, and institutions, affecting usability, access, behavior, and decision-making. This means design is not just a creative issue \u2013 it is also a public one. By bringing evidence-based approaches to design-related policy questions, organizations like IDSPP help ensure that legal and policy decisions are informed by scientific understanding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Serving on the IDSPP board has already begun to challenge and expand Rafiei\u2019s perspective as a researcher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt expands my thinking by pushing me to consider how research can function outside academic settings,\u201d said Rafiei. \u201cIn research, we often focus on theory, methods and findings, but in a role like this, you also have to think about how evidence is interpreted in broader public, legal and institutional contexts. That is valuable because it pushes me to think more carefully about how research can be communicated, applied and made useful in higher-stakes environments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rafiei also sees the opportunity as one that extends beyond his own work, with benefits for the university community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He hopes to bring back stronger models for how academic research can translate into real-world impact, particularly in public conversations, policy decisions and interdisciplinary collaboration. For Rafiei, seeing how research is applied in legal and policy contexts reinforces the importance of scholarship that contributes to broader societal discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Personally and professionally, the appointment represents a meaningful milestone for Rafiei, reflecting his commitment to research that extends beyond academia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt reflects the work I care about most \u2013 research that matters beyond academia,\u201d Rafiei said. \u201cIt\u2019s also a chance to work alongside experts from different fields, contribute my perspective, and continue growing as a scholar. It\u2019s about connecting strong research with real-world application \u2013 that\u2019s the kind of work I\u2019m most passionate about.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Mohsen Rafiei, a faculty member at UA Little Rock, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Institute for Design Science and Public Policy (IDSPP), a nonprofit <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/06\/ua-little-rock-professor-joins-board-of-institute-for-design-science-and-public-policy\/\" class=\"more-link\">…<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> UA Little Rock Professor Joins Board of Institute for Design Science and Public Policy<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2906,"featured_media":94084,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926,1922],"tags":[25799,35323,2218],"class_list":["post-94083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","category-research","tag-donaghey-college-of-stem","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-student-success"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>UA Little Rock Professor Joins Board of Institute for Design Science and Public Policy - News - UA Little Rock<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/06\/ua-little-rock-professor-joins-board-of-institute-for-design-science-and-public-policy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UA Little Rock Professor Joins Board of Institute for Design Science and Public Policy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dr. Mohsen Rafiei, a faculty member at UA Little Rock, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Institute for Design Science and Public Policy (IDSPP), a nonprofit ... UA Little Rock Professor Joins Board of Institute for Design Science and Public Policy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/06\/ua-little-rock-professor-joins-board-of-institute-for-design-science-and-public-policy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UALittleRock\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-06T13:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/Mohsen-Rafiei-faculty-headshot-2025_123.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Samantha Koros\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Samantha Koros\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/06\\\/ua-little-rock-professor-joins-board-of-institute-for-design-science-and-public-policy\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/06\\\/ua-little-rock-professor-joins-board-of-institute-for-design-science-and-public-policy\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Samantha Koros\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/4d2d71db64fc5dad90eaff1ce9387967\"},\"headline\":\"UA Little Rock Professor Joins Board of Institute for Design Science and Public Policy\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-06T13:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/06\\\/ua-little-rock-professor-joins-board-of-institute-for-design-science-and-public-policy\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":526,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/06\\\/ua-little-rock-professor-joins-board-of-institute-for-design-science-and-public-policy\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/240\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Mohsen-Rafiei-faculty-headshot-2025_123.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Donaghey College of STEM\",\"Leaders in the Classroom and Communities\",\"Student Success\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Community\",\"Featured\",\"Research\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/06\\\/ua-little-rock-professor-joins-board-of-institute-for-design-science-and-public-policy\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/06\\\/ua-little-rock-professor-joins-board-of-institute-for-design-science-and-public-policy\\\/\",\"name\":\"UA Little Rock Professor Joins Board of Institute for Design Science and Public Policy - 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a Simple Ask to a Full-Time Career: Sheranden Miller Makes the Most of Her Time at UA Little Rock"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As a curious freshman, Sheranden Miller walked up to university photographer Ben Krain and asked if he needed an assistant. Four years later, she\u2019s graduating with a portfolio of real-world experience and a full-time career already underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Little Rock native, Miller has spent her time at UA Little Rock turning initiative into opportunity. A mass communication major with an emphasis in media production and a minor in digital marketing, she built her college experience around hands-on work that prepared her for life after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve always been the type of person where if you don\u2019t ask, you don\u2019t know,\u201d Miller said. \u201cAnd the worst thing they can say is no.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That mindset paid off almost immediately. Just days after introducing herself to Krain, Miller was assisting on photography assignments, beginning a mentorship that would shape her creative voice and professional growth over the next four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s not even just a mentor \u2014 he\u2019s genuinely a friend,\u201d Miller said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through that experience, Miller developed a strong portfolio that helped her land an internship with Little Rock-based marketing and advertising firm Marian Agency. There, she creates content for clients, including South on Main (SoMa 501), gaining real-world experience working with brands and engaging with the local community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After graduation, Miller will transition into a full-time role with the agency\u2014an opportunity she credits in part to the work she began as a freshman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI feel like what I\u2019ve learned has already prepared me for the real world,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Miller said UA Little Rock stood out not only for its opportunities but also for its accessibility. With the help of scholarships and campus support, she will graduate debt-free, allowing her to focus on building her future instead of worrying about financial barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnytime that I needed help, the school helped me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond academics and career preparation, Miller found community through her involvement on campus. As a member of the Chancellor\u2019s Leadership Corps, she participated in service, networking, and leadership development opportunities that connected her with mentors and peers. She also served on the board of the Rainbow Alliance, helping create an inclusive space for students and planning campus events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt allows you to connect with people and be part of a community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those relationships extended into the classroom, where Miller said faculty support played a key role in her success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey really care about the students and the work that you do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now graduating cum laude, Miller reflects on her time at UA Little Rock with a mix of excitement and anticipation. While stepping into a full-time career marks a major transition, she says she feels ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a big change, but I feel prepared and hopeful for the future,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For current and future students, Miller\u2019s advice is simple: take initiative and make the most of every opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCollege is what you make of it,\u201d she said. \u201cPut yourself out there, network and find ways to learn and create.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a curious freshman, Sheranden Miller walked up to university photographer Ben Krain and asked if he needed an assistant. 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Cano Turned Opportunity into a College Degree at UA Little Rock"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As Angel Cano prepares to walk across the commencement stage at UA Little Rock, he thinks back to a decision he made as a teenager in Cartagena, Colombia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He was 16 when he left home, recruited to the United States to play baseball and pursue an education. It meant leaving behind family, familiarity and everything he had ever known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a new country, baseball was his one constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It became his balance, carrying him through the early years of adjustment \u2014 learning a new environment, building a new routine and figuring out life away from home. But Cano understood this was more than a chance to play college baseball in the United States. It was an opportunity to earn a degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cano is graduating with a degree in criminal justice, a career path he plans to pursue when his playing days are over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI know there will be life after baseball,\u201d he said. \u201cThe reason I chose criminal justice is I\u2019ve always been fascinated with how law and the process of law works. And I have a lot of respect for law enforcement and what they do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Baseball opened the door for Cano, but his education will carry him forward long after his playing days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI always know baseball isn\u2019t going to be everything,\u201d Cano said. \u201cI came to the United States when I was 16 because of baseball, and I\u2019m still doing what I love. But the reality is, if I would\u2019ve stayed in Colombia, this probably wouldn\u2019t have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cano came to UA Little Rock as a transfer student-athlete from Western Oklahoma State University. As a Trojan, he\u2019s continuing to build on the foundation he laid for himself since he began playing the sport. Since his arrival in the U.S., he\u2019s spent time learning how to adjust to the changes. But baseball was familiar and kept him focused. Over the past two seasons, he has become a steady presence for the Trojans, taking on a larger role in 2025 despite missing time due to injury. This season, he\u2019s playing a major role, hitting .321 with 52 hits and seven home runs across 42 games, providing a reliable, steady presence in the middle of the lineup while anchoring first base with a .985 fielding percentage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That steadiness, he said, didn\u2019t come from avoiding challenges, but from learning how to move through them. Moving away from his native country at 16 forced him to grow up quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe biggest challenge was being away from home,\u201d he said. \u201cI had to grow up real fast. Colombia is a developing country, so coming here and seeing all of this \u2014 it\u2019s a dream for a lot of people. As long as you put in the work, it\u2019s a dream that could last forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, that perspective shaped how he approaches everything around him. Baseball, school, and daily life all require the same mindset: adjust, reset, and keep moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m a baseball player, and that\u2019s my mindset in class,\u201d Cano said. \u201cI view everything as a challenge that I have to solve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Baseball, he said, has shaped how he handles challenges when they come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBaseball taught me endurance and patience with challenges,\u201d Cano said. \u201cIf I\u2019m struggling with an assignment, I have to figure out the best way to get out of it. It made me a critical thinker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s also how Cano views leadership: not in speeches or titles, but in how a team responds when things don\u2019t go perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEveryone will have a bad day, and it\u2019s up to your team to pick you up when you do,\u201d he said. \u201cThe team is most successful when everyone can step up for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the thrilling 2025 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, Cano put together the best stretch of his college career. Over five games, he had 10 hits, four home runs, and drove in 15 runs, earning Most Valuable Player honors. He homered in three straight games, including a two-run shot in the second inning against host and top-ranked LSU that helped spark Little Rock\u2019s regional semifinal win. That swing later earned Play of the Year at the Trojan TOP Awards, where Cano was also named Baseball MVP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As graduation approaches, Cano said he is aware of how far he has come \u2014 and how many people back home are part of that journey with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is the dream,\u201d he said. \u201cNo matter why you\u2019re here, this is the dream \u2014 to do it in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For him, that dream has meant responsibility, change, and growth, but also gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s cool for the experience of another country and the environment,\u201d Cano said. \u201cBut you still have to take care of school. It\u2019s why you\u2019re here. For my family and friends back home, this is everything to them for me to be doing this, and I don\u2019t take it for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As Angel Cano prepares to walk across the commencement stage at UA Little Rock, he thinks back to a decision he made as a teenager in Cartagena, Colombia. He was <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/04\/angel-cano-turned-opportunity-into-a-college-degree-at-ua-little-rock\/\" class=\"more-link\">…<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Angel Cano Turned Opportunity into a College Degree at UA Little Rock<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2036,"featured_media":94062,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926,1922],"tags":[28389,36044,178,35323,3272,9540,29226,2218],"class_list":["post-94061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","category-research","tag-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-chasse","tag-commencement-2026","tag-criminal-justice","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-little-rock-athletics","tag-little-rock-baseball","tag-school-of-criminal-justice-and-criminology","tag-student-success"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Angel Cano Turned Opportunity into a College Degree at UA Little Rock - News - UA Little Rock<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/04\/angel-cano-turned-opportunity-into-a-college-degree-at-ua-little-rock\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Angel Cano Turned Opportunity into a College Degree at UA Little Rock\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As Angel Cano prepares to walk across the commencement stage at UA Little Rock, he thinks back to a decision he made as a teenager in Cartagena, Colombia. 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It originated with alumnus Turner Hudson, who appeared in university marketing materials online and on campus posters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After helping his chapter win the Trojan Spirit Award, senior fraternity members began calling Davidson \u201cthe new Mr. UALR.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe nickname spread quickly among the chapter and our friends,\u201d Davidson said. \u201cI love it and have accepted it as a defining part of my time as a student. It\u2019s a sign my chapter brothers recognize the work I\u2019ve put into improving our chapter and student life as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Davidson chose UA Little Rock in part because of his mother, Dr. Sloan Davidson, director and professor in the School of Nursing. She has worked at the university since 2008, and he often visited campus as a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAttending freshman orientation and touring campus helped solidify that I made the right decision,\u201d Davidson said. \u201cI liked the smaller campus and class sizes. Coming from a small town, it made me feel comfortable and at home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He became involved on campus almost immediately. On his first day of classes, Delta Chi\u2019s recruitment chair invited him to an event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAfter attending recruitment week and accepting my bid, I quickly became close with the chapter members and eager to get more involved,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Davidson said he connected with the fraternity\u2019s values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe guys in the chapter genuinely cared about me and wanted what was best for me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He was elected Delta Chi president during his junior year in 2024. Wanting to increase student involvement, he ensured the fraternity participated in major campus events. The chapter later won the Trojan Cup and Chapter of the Year honors, and Davidson received the Trojan Spirit Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In summer 2025, he became a Student Government Association senator representing the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI saw this as another way to advocate for Greek life and improve student life at UA Little Rock,\u201d he said. \u201cI just wanted to be part of something bigger than myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI always thought UA Little Rock had the potential for a strong, connected student body,\u201d he added. \u201cI\u2019m honored to have played a role in improving Greek life, student life, and the campus community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of his favorite memories was leading Delta Chi during homecoming week in spring 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHomecoming includes the Trojan Cup competition, a series of events and challenges,\u201d Davidson said. \u201cI was able to coordinate my team through many of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said the cardboard boat regatta was his favorite event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur team sailed to victory, earning the team spirit award and winning the Trojan Cup overall,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was especially meaningful because it was the first time our chapter had ever won.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Later that year, the chapter also won Chapter of the Year for the first time in its history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was honored to lead the chapter during such a historic year,\u201d Davidson said. \u201cReceiving the Trojan Spirit Award that semester recognized my commitment to campus involvement and leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Davidson credits faculty members Dr. Barclay Key, Dr. Kristin Mann, and Dr. Stephanie Davis for shaping his experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDr. Key helped me navigate challenges with my courses, motivation, and graduation plans,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I felt lost, he helped me stay on track.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said Mann and Davis also had a strong impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey have a genuine passion for their work and their students\u2019 success,\u201d he said. \u201cThey helped me understand difficult material and truly wanted me to succeed. They\u2019ve helped shape who I am as a student and influenced my decision to pursue graduate school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After graduation, Davidson plans to continue at UA Little Rock, pursuing a master\u2019s degree in public history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want to focus on historic preservation and begin a career in parks or a related field,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope to help maintain historic sites for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Davidson said his experiences at UA Little Rock have prepared him well for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy involvement as a student leader taught me leadership, communication, and a passion for success,\u201d he said. \u201cMy coursework strengthened my research, historiography, and writing skills. Together, those experiences have prepared me for what\u2019s next.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His advice to students is simple: get involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re only here for about four years,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t spend all that time in your dorm room. Find what interests you. UA Little Rock has something for everyone \u2014 student government, Greek life, academic and recreational clubs. You\u2019ll build friendships, grow your network, and gain valuable skills that will impact your future.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Known across campus as \u201cMr. UALR,\u201d Noah Davidson, a history major from Beebe, Arkansas, will graduate in May from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Davidson, who has been <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/04\/ua-little-rock-graduate-earns-nickname-through-years-of-campus-leadership\/\" class=\"more-link\">…<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> UA Little Rock Graduate Earns Nickname Through Years of Campus Leadership<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":94046,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926],"tags":[28389,36044,35323,16288,2463,2002,2218],"class_list":["post-94045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","tag-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-chasse","tag-commencement-2026","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-sloan-davidson","tag-student-experience-center","tag-student-government-association","tag-student-success"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>UA Little Rock Graduate Earns Nickname Through Years of Campus Leadership - News - UA Little Rock<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/04\/ua-little-rock-graduate-earns-nickname-through-years-of-campus-leadership\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UA Little Rock Graduate Earns Nickname Through Years of Campus Leadership\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Known across campus as \u201cMr. UALR,\u201d Noah Davidson, a history major from Beebe, Arkansas, will graduate in May from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Davidson, who has been ... 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in Her Family, Emilia Martinez Turns a Dream Into a Master’s Degree"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Originally from Mexico, Emilia Martinez is preparing to reach a milestone in her family\u2019s history. This May, she will graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/masscomm\/ma\/\">master\u2019s degree in mass communication<\/a> \u2014 becoming the first in her family to earn a graduate degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I have always been a big fan of school, for as long as I can remember,” she said. “I truly believe that school is both a challenge and a form of preparation that helps you grow into a disciplined human being.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Martinez earned a double bachelor’s degree in <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/business\/\">business administration<\/a> and communications with an emphasis in journalism from the University of the Cumberlands in 2024. For the Little Rock resident, education reflects the discipline, effort, and accountability required for success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“A degree represents the hard work you\u2019ve invested in gaining knowledge and holding yourself accountable,\u201d she said. \u201cThat said, earning my master\u2019s degree has always been a dream of mine.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During her time in graduate school at UA Little Rock, Martinez has balanced multiple responsibilities. She is a full-time student and part-time graduate assistant. She also worked for the Arkansas Business Publishing Group during the summer and fall semesters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I\u2019ve been lucky enough to earn my master\u2019s while having two jobs that not only helped pay for my education but also allowed me to meet extraordinary people,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout a demanding schedule, Martinez said the support of others helped her stay grounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“I\u2019ve had incredible bosses, professors, family, and friends who made this juggle easier than I expected,” she said. “Easy? No, it wasn\u2019t, but nothing in life that is worth it is easy. Everything comes with challenges and struggles, but that is the beauty of life.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of her most meaningful experiences was coaching the university\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/lrtrojans.com\/sports\/swimming-and-diving\">Little Rock Swimming and Diving Team<\/a> \u2014 a role she initially stepped into without knowing how much it would shape her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before coming to Little Rock, Martinez had swum for four years as an undergrad on a scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI wanted to explore coaching because my dad was my swim coach for 20 years, and I wanted to do the same thing he did for me \u2013 for other people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What began as exploration soon became one of the most rewarding parts of her graduate experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Over the past two years, I have experienced firsthand how impactful it can be to coach someone into becoming the best version of themselves,” she said. “The fact that the 30-plus women I met along the way allowed me to be part of their growth is something I will always be grateful for.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nathan Townsend, the team’s head coach, said Martinez worked as a graduate assistant and has been a cornerstone of the swimming program. She has shown a top work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEmilia is someone I trust deeply, not only because of how hard she works, but because of the insight and perspective she brings to every situation,\u201d he said. \u201cDuring challenging moments, her steady presence and mindset helped guide our team forward and played a meaningful role in our success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Martinez credits her parents, sister, and boyfriend with encouraging her to believe in herself and pursue her dreams while far from home. After graduation, she plans to work in FedEx\u2019s sales enablement department, focusing on project management and communications content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During her college experience, Martinez gained insights she wants to share with other students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Don\u2019t let fear stop you from doing the thing that scares you the most,” she said. “That is how I approached these last two years while pursuing my master\u2019s. I stepped out of my shell to build real connections with my professors and allowed them to challenge me through different classes and assignments.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Originally from Mexico, Emilia Martinez is preparing to reach a milestone in her family\u2019s history. This May, she will graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/04\/first-in-her-family-emilia-martinez-turns-a-dream-into-a-masters-degree\/\" class=\"more-link\">…<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> First in Her Family, Emilia Martinez Turns a Dream Into a Master’s Degree<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":94037,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926],"tags":[28389,36044,35323,3272,2071,24765,171,2218,36010],"class_list":["post-94010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","tag-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-chasse","tag-commencement-2026","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-little-rock-athletics","tag-master-of-business-administration","tag-school-of-business","tag-school-of-mass-communication","tag-student-success","tag-swimming-and-diving-team"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>First in Her Family, Emilia Martinez Turns a Dream Into a Master's Degree - News - UA Little Rock<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/04\/first-in-her-family-emilia-martinez-turns-a-dream-into-a-masters-degree\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"First in Her Family, Emilia Martinez Turns a Dream Into a Master's Degree\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Originally from Mexico, Emilia Martinez is preparing to reach a milestone in her family\u2019s history. This May, she will graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a ... 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The event will take place May 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Reynolds Business Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lender Quick-Connect will bring together 14 banks, credit unions, and alternative lenders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one conversations with lending professionals, gaining valuable insights into funding options, application requirements and what lenders look for in loan applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLender Quick-Connect is an excellent opportunity to pitch a project to several potential local funding partners in a short period of time and explore financing options available through banks, credit unions, microlenders, and Community Development Financial Institutions,\u201dsaid ASBTDC State Director Laura Fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The event aims to empower entrepreneurs to confidently pursue the capital they need to launch or expand their ventures. Whether you\u2019re a startup seeking seed money or an established business looking to grow, Lender Quick-Connect offers a unique platform to learn about financial resources and make meaningful connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no cost to attend. Pre-registration is required. <a href=\"https:\/\/asbtdc.ecenterdirect.com\/events\/70372508\">Reserve your spot online<\/a>, or contact ASBTDC\u2019s Laterika Tooks-Staton at 501-804-4530 or lstooks@ualr.edu. For more information, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/asbtdc.org\/fast-track-your-funding-search-at-lender-quick-connect\/\">ASBTDC website<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host an exciting opportunity for local entrepreneurs and small business owners to fast-track their funding search at the upcoming Lender Quick-Connect event. <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/01\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\/\" class=\"more-link\">…<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Find Your Funding: ASBTDC\u2019s \u2018Lender Quick Connect\u2019 at UA Little Rock<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2906,"featured_media":93467,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926,1922],"tags":[1932,35323,2218],"class_list":["post-94053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","category-research","tag-arkansas-small-business-and-technology-development-center","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-student-success"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Find Your Funding: ASBTDC\u2019s \u2018Lender Quick Connect\u2019 at UA Little Rock - News - UA Little Rock<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/01\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Find Your Funding: ASBTDC\u2019s \u2018Lender Quick Connect\u2019 at UA Little Rock\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host an exciting opportunity for local entrepreneurs and small business owners to fast-track their funding search at the upcoming Lender Quick-Connect event. ... Find Your Funding: ASBTDC\u2019s \u2018Lender Quick Connect\u2019 at UA Little Rock\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/01\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UALittleRock\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-01T13:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-01T16:16:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/02\/ASBTDC-setups-2025_256.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"808\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Samantha Koros\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Samantha Koros\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Samantha Koros\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/4d2d71db64fc5dad90eaff1ce9387967\"},\"headline\":\"Find Your Funding: ASBTDC\u2019s \u2018Lender Quick Connect\u2019 at UA Little Rock\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-01T13:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-01T16:16:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":253,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/240\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/ASBTDC-setups-2025_256.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center\",\"Leaders in the Classroom and Communities\",\"Student Success\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Community\",\"Featured\",\"Research\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/\",\"name\":\"Find Your Funding: ASBTDC\u2019s \u2018Lender Quick Connect\u2019 at UA Little Rock - News - UA Little Rock\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/240\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/ASBTDC-setups-2025_256.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-01T13:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-01T16:16:36+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/01\\\/find-your-funding-asbtdcs-lender-quick-connect-at-ua-little-rock\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/240\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/ASBTDC-setups-2025_256.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/240\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/ASBTDC-setups-2025_256.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":808,\"caption\":\"UA Little Rock will host Lender Quick Connect May 13 at the Reynolds Business Center. 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A familiar face at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the social media coordinator will graduate May 16 with a master\u2019s degree in mass communication. Ambrus is not only telling the university\u2019s story \u2014 she\u2019s actively shaping it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ambrus earned her undergraduate degree in journalism in 2023 from the University of Central Arkansas and was convinced she had closed the school chapter of her story.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA few months after graduating with my bachelor’s, I applied for a social media coordinator position at UA Little Rock. Once I got the job and experienced the campus, everything just felt like divine timing\u2014going from one college campus to another,\u201d Ambrus said. \u201cAfter encouragement from a close family friend and falling in love with the campus, I pushed myself to keep going and pursue a master\u2019s degree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That sense of \u201cdivine-timing\u201d became a defining chapter in both her academic and professional career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through the <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/masscomm\/ma\/\">Master of Arts in Mass Communication<\/a> program, Ambrus had the opportunity to explore the world of public relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn undergrad, my minor was in public relations, and after graduating, I realized I connected more with the strategic and creative aspects of PR than traditional journalism,\u201d Ambrus said. \u201cI enjoyed the storytelling side, but I was especially drawn to how messaging, branding, and audience engagement all come together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The shift in focus allowed her to invest in the skills that aligned with her evolving career aspirations. Through her coursework and hands-on experience, she strengthened her abilities in areas such as social media strategy, campaign planning and audience analysis. She was then able to turn around and directly apply what she was learning to her job, providing additional insights to the Marketing and Communications department. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m proud of Sydney\u2019s hard work in graduate school and her ability to tell UA Little Rock\u2019s story through engaging social media. Her drive and determination reflect the very best of our students,\u201d said Meaghan Milliorn, senior director of web strategy and operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Working in a real-world communication environment while completing her degree was invaluable, yet did not come without its challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBeing in a real-world university communications setting gave me a significant advantage because I was able to bridge the gap between theory and practice in a very hands-on way,\u201d Ambrus said. \u201cI chose UA Little Rock because the online format was convenient and the program was affordable and flexible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her dedication did not go unnoticed. She earned the honor of being inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. An accomplishment that is open only to the top 10% of graduate students. She has also been recognized multiple times by her high school alma mater as a successful alum and role model for current students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Behind those academic accomplishments was consistent mentorship from faculty. Ambrus said Dr. Timothy Edwards, a professor within the school of mass communication and her professional project chair, provided steady guidance, sharing scholarship opportunities and was always available to provide support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSydney is focused, determined, disciplined, and hardworking. I always knew she would exceed\u00a0expectations and succeed professionally,\u201d Edwards said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her experience as a graduate student has served her far beyond just academics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBalancing a full-time role with an online program pushed me to take ownership of my learning and adjust to competing priorities,\u201d she said. \u201cMore than anything, it taught me to keep going, keep learning, and that knowledge truly is power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For students considering a similar path, she offers practical advice rooted in her own experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGraduate school is a marathon, not a race. Take it one step at a time, lean on your support system, and remember that everyone’s journey looks different.\u201d Ambrus said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What began as a return to campus for a job has come full circle for Sydney Ambrus. A familiar face at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the social <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/01\/ua-little-rock-graduate-sydney-ambrus-turns-passion-for-storytelling-into-strategic-communications-career\/\" class=\"more-link\">…<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> UA Little Rock Graduate Student Sydney Ambrus Turns Passion for Storytelling into Strategic Communications Career<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2906,"featured_media":94034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926],"tags":[28389,36044,35323,2218],"class_list":["post-94033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","tag-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-chasse","tag-commencement-2026","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-student-success"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>UA Little Rock Graduate Student Sydney Ambrus Turns Passion for Storytelling into Strategic Communications Career - News - UA Little Rock<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/01\/ua-little-rock-graduate-sydney-ambrus-turns-passion-for-storytelling-into-strategic-communications-career\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UA Little Rock Graduate Student Sydney Ambrus Turns Passion for Storytelling into Strategic Communications Career\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What began as a return to campus for a job has come full circle for Sydney Ambrus. 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