[{"id":94121,"date":"2026-05-14T08:26:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T13:26:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/?p=94121"},"modified":"2026-05-14T13:19:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:19:56","slug":"ua-little-rock-hosts-2026-summer-camps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/14\/ua-little-rock-hosts-2026-summer-camps\/","title":{"rendered":"UA Little Rock Hosts 2026 Summer Camps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>From robotics and cybersecurity to athletics, theatre, and creative writing, UA Little Rock will offer a wide variety of summer camps and enrichment programs in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore the full list of UA Little Rock summer camps and enrichment opportunities below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-athletic-camps\"><strong>Athletic Camps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information or to register for athletic camps, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/lrtrojans.com\">lrtrojans.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Baseball Camp \u2013 Benton<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 22-24<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 9 a.m. \u2013 Noon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $120<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Ages 6-13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Baseball Camp \u2013 North Little Rock<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 13-15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 9 a.m. \u2013 Noon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $120<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Ages 6-13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Baseball Camp \u2013 Little Rock<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 15-18<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $120<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Ages 6-13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Men\u2019s Golf Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 15-20<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volleyball College Prep Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 13<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 9 a.m. \u2013 Noon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $99<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Girls ages 14-18<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volleyball Elite Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 20<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 9 a.m. \u2013 4 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $150<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Girls ages 14-18<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volleyball All Skills Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 6-7<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $250<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Girls ages 9-13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volleyball Position Specialty Camp: Setting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 13<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: Noon \u2013 3 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $99<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Girls ages 14-18<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volleyball Position Specialty Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 13-15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Description: 3-Day Camp<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $275<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Girls ages 14-18<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volleyball Position Specialty Camp: Offense\/Hitter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 14<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: Noon \u2013 3 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $99<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Girls ages 14-18<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volleyball Position Specialty Camp: Defense\/1st Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: Noon \u2013 3 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $99<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Girls ages 14-18<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volleyball All Skills Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 17-18<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $279<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Girls ages 14-18<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Volleyball Elite Clinic Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 20-21<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 9 a.m. \u2013 4 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $279<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Girls ages 14-18<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Women\u2019s Basketball Team Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 22-23<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Women\u2019s Basketball Individual Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 29-30<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 12:30-5:30 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $90<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 5-12<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Women\u2019s Basketball Advanced Skills\/Elite Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: Aug. 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 11:30 a.m. \u2013 4:30 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $55<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 9-12<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wrestling Training Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 7-9<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wrestling 7-Day Elite Intensive Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 7-13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wrestling Team Competition Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 8-11<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-stem-camps\"><strong>STEM Camps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information, or to register for STEM camps, please contact Jami Eubanks at <a href=\"mailto:jeubanks1@ualr.edu\">jeubanks1@ualr.edu<\/a> unless otherwise noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>DCSTEM Outreach Summer Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 7-13<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $150<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 8-11<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Engineering Scholars Program<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 7-13<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: Free<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 8-11<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AI Hackathon &amp; HealthTech Startup Week<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 8-12<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: Free<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Ages 16-26<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact: Marla Johnson at <a href=\"mailto:mkjohnson@ualr.edu\">mkjohnson@ualr.edu<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Operation Cyber Sleuth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 22-26<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $85<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 7-12<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>VEX IQ Robotics Summer Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 22-26<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 8 a.m. \u2013 Noon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $150<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 5-8<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>VEX V5 Robotics Summer Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 22-26<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 1-5 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $150<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 8-12<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Girls Who CODE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 27-31<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 8 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: Free<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 7-8<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-arts-and-culture\"><strong>Arts and Culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Young Writers Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 1-5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 8:30 a.m. \u2013 4:30 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $300<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 3-5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact: Greg Graham at <a href=\"mailto:gxgraham@ualr.edu\">gxgraham@ualr.edu<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Emerging Writers Institute<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 22-26<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 9 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $175<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 6-10<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact: Greg Graham at <a href=\"mailto:gxgraham@ualr.edu\">gxgraham@ualr.edu<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MT Stage: From the Bard to Broadway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: June 29 \u2013 July 3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 8:30 a.m. \u2013 4:30 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: Free<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades 7-9<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Copy: Lori Delk at <a href=\"mailto:ladelk@ualr.edu\">ladelk@ualr.edu<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 6-17<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time: 12:30-5:15 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $350<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additional Fees: $25 application fee included<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For: Grades K-6<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact: Ann Robinson at <a href=\"mailto:aerobinson@ualr.edu\">aerobinson@ualr.edu<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Adult and Professional Development<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information, or to register for adult and professional development opportunities this summer, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/art\/artways-summer-program\/\">https:\/\/ualr.edu\/art\/artways-summer-program\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A+D Workshop for K-12 Art Educators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Session 1: June 1-5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Session 2: June 15-19<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: Free<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AP Summer Institute (APSI)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates: July 21-24<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Registration Deadline: July 14<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost: $750 or $799 depending on the course<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From robotics and cybersecurity to athletics, theatre, and creative writing, UA Little Rock will offer a wide variety of summer camps and enrichment programs in 2026. Explore the full list <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/14\/ua-little-rock-hosts-2026-summer-camps\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  UA Little Rock Hosts 2026 Summer Camps<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":94147,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1923,1925,1926],"tags":[35619,35323,2218,3350,29159],"class_list":["post-94121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-culture","category-community","category-featured","tag-advanced-placement-summer-institute","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-student-success","tag-summer-camps","tag-summer-laureate-university-for-youth-slufy"],"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 Hosts 2026 Summer Camps - 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\/14\/ua-little-rock-hosts-2026-summer-camps\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UA Little Rock Hosts 2026 Summer Camps\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From robotics and cybersecurity to athletics, theatre, and creative writing, UA Little Rock will offer a wide variety of summer camps and enrichment programs in 2026. 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That lived experience shaped her graduate research on resilience. This month, Wolven will earn a master\u2019s degree in applied communication from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Magnet Cove, Arkansas, resident earned a bachelor\u2019s in studio art with a minor in photography from UA Little Rock in 2017, but never imagined she would pursue a master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Thanks to the Shelby Breedlove scholarship from UA Little Rock, the tuition assistance program with my employer at Arkansas Children\u2019s, and a deep value for personal and professional growth, I decided to pursue a communication degree,&#8221; Wolven said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wolven serves as a strategic initiatives project manager in the Patient Experience Department and as a Family Advisory Board coordinator at Arkansas Children\u2019s Hospital. She has also been a photographer for 13 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy desire to improve my communication skills comes from both my role as a professional and my role as a mother to three children, one of whom is a medically complex child who inspires my journey daily,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her graduate school journey included personal challenges that tested her resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;When I was first pursuing my M.A., I was pregnant with my oldest, and also spent four months in the NICU with him during that time,&#8221; she explained. &#8220;I had to give myself grace and take my time with the master\u2019s, especially after finding out I was pregnant at the end of 2024. Though it took me a little longer than most since I was averaging one to three classes a semester, I did not give up.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Julien Mirivel, a UA Little Rock professor of applied communication, was Wolven\u2019s master&#8217;s paper advisor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn her paper, she explored the nature of resilience of families facing medical hardships, especially when dealing with a child who is medically complex,\u201d he said. \u201cThis research echoes her own experience since her child was diagnosed at birth with rare complications. Still, she persevered through her graduate work, delivered a baby in the process, and conducted meaningful research.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wolven has shared her research beyond the classroom, including with several staff members and parents she\u2019s met. \u201cI have also had the opportunity to present my research to one of Dr. Mirivel&#8217;s positive communication classes, to our Working Mothers ERG (Employee Resource Group) at the hospital, and in the 2026 Research and Creative Works Expo,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Encouraging words from her father before he passed in 2020 helped guide her through graduate school, Wolven said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;One of the last things I remember him really telling me, when I was at a rather low point in my life, was how he thought I should pursue school further because he thought that was always something that kept me grounded and motivated,&#8221; she said. &#8220;On the days I wanted to give up, I kept reminding myself how proud he would be of me. My mom has also always been a huge supporter. . .We all can do it if we set our minds to it &#8211; one day at a time.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wolven said earning her master&#8217;s degree strengthened her confidence as a communicator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Positive communication allows us the chance to be not only the light to others, but the light in ourselves,&#8221; she said. &#8220;The way we talk to ourselves matters. During times of adversity, lean on this. During times of triumph, share this. It makes the difference.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For Sarah Wolven, communication is more than an academic subject \u2014 it\u2019s a survival skill and a source of strength. That lived experience shaped her graduate research on resilience. This <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/14\/building-resilience-through-words-sarah-wolvens-graduate-journey\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Building Resilience Through Words: Sarah Wolven\u2019s Graduate Journey<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":94136,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926,1922],"tags":[2624,35910,35323,2218],"class_list":["post-94135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","category-research","tag-applied-communication","tag-arkansas-childrens-hospital","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>Building Resilience Through Words: Sarah Wolven\u2019s Graduate Journey - 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\/14\/building-resilience-through-words-sarah-wolvens-graduate-journey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Building Resilience Through Words: Sarah Wolven\u2019s Graduate Journey\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"For Sarah Wolven, communication is more than an academic subject \u2014 it\u2019s a survival skill and a source of strength. That lived experience shaped her graduate research on resilience. This ... 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Little Rock Expands Direct Admission Program with Addition of UACCM"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has expanded its new <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/admissions\/\">direct admission program<\/a> for transfer students with the addition of the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, making it easier for Arkansas students to finish a bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The direct admission program creates a simpler path for community college students to transfer to UA Little Rock. Students can complete their first two years at a community college and then transition to UA Little Rock to finish a four-year degree, with fewer application steps and more guidance along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cUA Little Rock is proud to continue expanding innovative pathways that make higher education more accessible for Arkansas students,\u201d said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. \u201cBy growing our partnerships with community colleges like the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, we are helping more students see a direct and achievable path to completing their bachelor\u2019s degree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through the partnership, eligible students at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton will benefit from features designed to remove common transfer barriers, including a waived undergraduate admission application fee, coordinated transcript collection to reduce administrative steps and costs, and access to the Trojan Transfer Hub. The online platform allows students to explore how their coursework applies to UA Little Rock degree programs and provides guidance throughout the transfer process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTransfer students are a vital part of our campus community, and we are committed to making their pathway to a four-year degree as clear and accessible as possible,\u201d said Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer at UA Little Rock. \u201cExpanding this program to include the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton creates new opportunities for students to continue their education and reach their goals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaders at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton said the partnership will help more of their students continue their education with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPartnerships within the UA System are very natural pathways for students wishing to pursue a bachelor\u2019s degree. With a clear and student-supportive transfer experience to UA Little Rock, students are now able to continue their education seamlessly beyond an associate degree\u201d said UACCM Chancellor Lisa Willenberg. \u201cWe\u2019re happy to be a part of the expanded access for more of our students to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree and build their future right here in Arkansas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The direct admission transfer partnerships will begin in Fall 2026 and are part of UA Little Rock\u2019s ongoing commitment to expanding access to higher education and supporting student success across Arkansas. Learn more about the program at <a href=\"http:\/\/ualr.edu\/admissions\">ualr.edu\/admissions<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has expanded its new direct admission program for transfer students with the addition of the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, making <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/13\/ua-little-rock-expands-direct-admission-program-with-addition-of-uaccm\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  UA Little Rock Expands Direct Admission Program with Addition of UACCM<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":93828,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926],"tags":[4310,36024,35323,2218],"class_list":["post-94133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","tag-admissions","tag-chancellor-christina-drale","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 Expands Direct Admission Program with Addition of UACCM - 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\/13\/ua-little-rock-expands-direct-admission-program-with-addition-of-uaccm\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UA Little Rock Expands Direct Admission Program with Addition of UACCM\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has expanded its new direct admission program for transfer students with the addition of the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, making ... 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The direct admission program creates a simpler path for community college students to transfer to UA Little Rock. Students can complete their first two years at a community college and then transition to UA Little Rock to finish a four-year degree, with fewer application steps and more guidance along the way. 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Setter Kaylee Smith Graduates Early with Honors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Kaylee Smith is leaving her undergraduate career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock earlier than expected \u2014 and with honors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith, a <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/management\/\">management<\/a> major from Little Rock, will graduate this month magna cum laude with a GPA above 3.8 while continuing her volleyball career in the university\u2019s MBA program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A setter for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lrtrojans.com\/sports\/womens-volleyball\">Little Rock Trojans volleyball<\/a> team, Smith said she chose UA Little Rock because it felt like the right fit academically and athletically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom the beginning, I could see that the program would challenge me in the classroom while also giving me the opportunity to compete at a high level in volleyball,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI really valued the supportive environment from the coaches, professors, and teammates. It felt like a place where I could grow and be pushed to reach my full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI also liked that I could build strong relationships and not feel like just a number,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith did not originally plan to graduate early, but continued taking courses to challenge herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOver time, that added up and put me in a position to finish ahead of schedule,\u201d she said. \u201cIt still took a lot of discipline, time management, and sacrifice, especially balancing academics with being a student-athlete.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith said earning magna cum laude honors and maintaining a GPA above 3.8 made the hard work worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s something I\u2019m really proud of, not just because of the recognition, but because of the consistency and effort it took over time,\u201d she said. \u201cMore than anything, it gives me confidence going into the next chapter, knowing I was able to push myself and succeed at a high level both in the classroom and on the court.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This year, Smith was inducted into UA Little Rock\u2019s Phi Kappa Phi chapter, the nation\u2019s oldest collegiate honor society. She was also nominated for Female Scholar of the Year at this year\u2019s Trojan Top Awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt represents all the hard work I\u2019ve put in both academically and athletically, and it means a lot to be recognized for balancing both at a high level,\u201d Smith said. \u201cAs a student-athlete, you\u2019re constantly working to meet expectations in the classroom and on the court, so this nomination feels like a reflection of that commitment and consistency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She added that the recognition helps challenge stereotypes about student-athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAcademics have always been a priority for me as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outside the classroom and volleyball court, Smith serves on the executive board for UA Little Rock\u2019s Management and HR Society and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She was also elected SAAC president for the upcoming school year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith said her favorite memory as a student-athlete was Little Rock\u2019s five-set victory over Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in its first home conference match last season at the Jack Stephens Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe energy in the gym was unreal,\u201d she said. \u201cThe stands were packed, and the intensity was high from the very first point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith said the match remained close throughout, and the team stayed united through every set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGetting that win to start conference play at home, in that kind of environment, is something I\u2019ll always remember because of the atmosphere, the competitiveness, and the way our team stayed together,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith credits professor Phil Harris and athletic trainer Jess Kiser for making a lasting impact on her journey at UA Little Rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI learned so much in his management classes, but what stood out even more was the mentorship he provided outside of the classroom through the Management and HR Society,\u201d Smith said of Harris. \u201cHe genuinely cared about helping students grow, not just academically but professionally as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said Kiser consistently supported student-athletes through injuries and challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe was incredibly passionate about her job and truly cared about each of us as athletes and people,\u201d Smith said. \u201cShe was always there whenever we were dealing with injuries, making sure we were taken care of and supported every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After graduation, Smith plans to use her remaining year of volleyball eligibility to continue playing for the Trojans while pursuing her MBA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis next chapter is a chance for me to keep growing both academically and athletically,\u201d she said. \u201cCompeting at a high level while taking on a graduate program will continue to push my discipline, time management, and leadership skills.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith said her biggest advice for future student-athletes is not to underestimate themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s easy to underestimate what you\u2019re capable of when you\u2019re balancing a full academic and athletic schedule,\u201d she said. \u201cBut you\u2019re capable of more than you think if you stay disciplined and committed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She also emphasized the importance of resilience and focusing on what can be controlled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou can\u2019t control every outcome, but you can control your effort, attitude, preparation, and how you show up every day,\u201d Smith said. \u201cIf you focus on those things, everything else tends to fall into place over time.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kaylee Smith is leaving her undergraduate career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock earlier than expected \u2014 and with honors. Smith, a management major from Little Rock, will <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/13\/trojan-setter-kaylee-smith-graduates-early-with-honors\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Trojan Setter Kaylee Smith Graduates Early with Honors<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":94130,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926],"tags":[28370,36044,35323,2276,24765,2218],"class_list":["post-94129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","tag-college-of-business-health-and-human-services","tag-commencement-2026","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-little-rock-trojans","tag-school-of-business","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>Trojan Setter Kaylee Smith Graduates Early with Honors - 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\/13\/trojan-setter-kaylee-smith-graduates-early-with-honors\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Trojan Setter Kaylee Smith Graduates Early with Honors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Kaylee Smith is leaving her undergraduate career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock earlier than expected \u2014 and with honors. Smith, a management major from Little Rock, will ... 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Little Rock Launches Wellness Vending Machine with Free Narcan and Fentanyl Test Kits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>UA Little Rock has installed a new wellness vending machine designed to give students easier access to personal care and harm reduction resources in one central location on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located near Health Services in the Donaghey Student Center, the vending machine was launched in partnership with the Arkansas Attorney General\u2019s Office as part of the statewide \u201cOne Pill Can Kill\u201d campaign, which raises awareness about the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl-related overdoses. Through the partnership, students now have free access to Narcan and fentanyl testing kits in a central location on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cArkansas has seen a sharp decline in opioid overdose deaths in the past several years, which is great news. But one death is too many, so our work with the One Pill Can Kill initiative isn\u2019t done,\u201d said Attorney General Tim Griffin. \u201cThis vending machine at UA Little Rock is a valuable tool in our fight against illicit opioids. The free Narcan available to students and others may well save a life, which is why I was proud to provide opioid settlement dollars to fund it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/unnamed-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"372\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/unnamed-2.png\" alt=\"NARCAN machine.\" class=\"wp-image-94125\" style=\"width:189px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/unnamed-2.png 372w, https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/unnamed-2-218x300.png 218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 372px) 100vw, 372px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to harm reduction resources, the machine also includes a variety of personal care and wellness items available for purchase, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First-aid supplies and headache medicine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pregnancy tests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Toothpaste and toothbrushes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deodorant and other hygiene products<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe health and safety of our campus community remain our highest priorities,\u201d said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs. \u201cBy providing these resources in a central and accessible location, we are helping ensure students have the tools they need to stay safe and supported.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>University leaders said the goal is to make important health and safety resources easier for students to access without stigma or unnecessary barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe want students to know these resources are here for them without judgment,\u201d said Sharon Ann Downs, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs. \u201cWhether someone needs a basic hygiene item or a fentanyl testing kit, this machine helps ensure support is available when they need it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The wellness vending machine is available during all Donaghey Student Center building hours.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UA Little Rock has installed a new wellness vending machine designed to give students easier access to personal care and harm reduction resources in one central location on campus. Located <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/12\/ua-little-rock-launches-wellness-vending-machine-with-free-narcan-and-fentanyl-test-kits\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  UA Little Rock Launches Wellness Vending Machine with Free Narcan and Fentanyl Test Kits<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":94128,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926],"tags":[35992,35968,23107,2987,64,35991,35604],"class_list":["post-94123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","tag-arkansas-attorney-general-tim-griffin","tag-arkansas-attorney-generals-office","tag-cody-decker","tag-donaghey-student-center","tag-health-services","tag-one-pill-can-kill","tag-sharon-ann-downs"],"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 Launches Wellness Vending Machine with Free Narcan and Fentanyl Test Kits - 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\/12\/ua-little-rock-launches-wellness-vending-machine-with-free-narcan-and-fentanyl-test-kits\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UA Little Rock Launches Wellness Vending Machine with Free Narcan and Fentanyl Test Kits\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"UA Little Rock has installed a new wellness vending machine designed to give students easier access to personal care and harm reduction resources in one central location on campus. 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The machine was launched in partnership with the Arkansas Attorney General\u2019s Office as part of the \u201cOne Pill Can Kill\u201d campaign, which raises awareness about the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl-related overdoses. 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The machine was launched in partnership with the Arkansas Attorney General\u2019s Office as part of the \u201cOne Pill Can Kill\u201d campaign, which raises awareness about the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl-related overdoses. 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Years later, that dream seemed deferred. However, a setback became the push she needed to pursue law school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was working as a paralegal and loving it, but I was laid off, and alongside applying to more jobs, I finally applied to law school,\u201d she said. \u201cI think with my personality and strengths, being a lawyer is the best way I can contribute to society. As a paralegal, I got to observe up close how much of a difference it can make just to have access to legal information, let alone advice, and I wanted to fill that role for my family and community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On May 16, James will earn her Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The first-generation law student has a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science from Philander Smith University, an associate degree in paralegal studies from Dallas College \u2013 El Centro Campus, and a master\u2019s degree in alternative dispute resolution from Southern Methodist University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cedar Hill, Texas, native said Philander Smith professor Justice Wynne encouraged her legal ambitions, including introducing her to Bowen. Wynne passed away before James could share her law school news, but she said his guidance remained influential. \u201cI am not disappointed in my choice to attend Bowen, so I still have him to thank for that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While at Bowen, James served on the Black Law Student Association, the First Generation Law Student Organization,&nbsp; the Honor Council, and as research editor of the Arkansas Journal of Social Change and Public Service, vice president of entertainment for the Sports and Entertainment Law Society, and Themis representative. She also worked as an inquiry law clerk for the Arkansas Municipal League (AML).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AML Legal and Inquiry Counsel Caleb Alexander-McKinzie called James dependable, dedicated, and genuinely impactful. \u201cShe is a fantastic researcher, she has excellent intuition, and an uncommon ability to understand the balance of governmental interests and individual impact of public policy, \u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>James describes her time on the Honor Council, a student court for resolving disputes and conflicts among students, as a meaningful experience. \u201cAs Chief Justice, I train the new justices that are elected, determine what cases brought before us fall under our jurisdiction, and facilitate the resolution for the cases we accept,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>James said support from faculty, including professors Jordan Wallace-Wolf and Aaron Schwabach, and former professor andr\u00e9 douglas pond cummings, helped her adapt to the challenges of law school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She appreciated cummings for \u201dhelping me adjust to the flavor of law school as a first-generation student. I wasn&#8217;t accustomed to the writing style, the study style, but between his course assignments and office hours, I started to find a rhythm.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>James credits Professor Terrence Cain with pushing her to grow academically. \u201cHe made me take law school seriously and really forced me to reckon with the idea that I fully don&#8217;t understand what&#8217;s going on, and I better figure it out,\u201d she said. \u201cHowever, once I committed to doing the work and figuring it out, he was committed to making sure the work was done properly so I could learn and succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She added that she received valuable advice from Dean of Academic Affairs Lindsey Gustafson, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Rejena Grotjohn, and former Dean Theresa Beiner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Jazmine is a very thoughtful and dedicated student,&#8221; Beiner said. &#8220;She always followed up after tests to see how she could improve her law school performance. She was also consistently prepared for class.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said she remains especially grateful for her parents&#8217; support. \u201cI want to thank my parents, Miles and Tonnie James, for loving me, supporting me, comforting me, and encouraging me throughout my time in law school,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After graduation, James will focus on preparing for the bar exam. As she prepares to begin her legal career, she encourages future law students to remember the human side of the profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy big advice is to remember people,\u201d she said. \u201cEverything starts to look like a case study in school, so we don&#8217;t always instinctively and fully appreciate that all the cases we are learning about were decided by real people because things happened to other real people.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>James said the law should always be considered in the context of the people it affects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are remiss to consider rules and laws without contextualizing them to the people creating and governed by them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jazmine James decided she wanted to be a lawyer when she was in fifth grade. Years later, that dream seemed deferred. However, a setback became the push she needed to <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/12\/guided-by-purpose-jazmine-james-finds-her-calling-in-the-law\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Guided by Purpose: Jazmine James Finds Her Calling in the Law<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":94116,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926,1922],"tags":[36044,35323,2218,535],"class_list":["post-94115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","category-research","tag-commencement-2026","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>Guided by Purpose: Jazmine James Finds Her Calling in the Law - 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\/12\/guided-by-purpose-jazmine-james-finds-her-calling-in-the-law\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Guided by Purpose: Jazmine James Finds Her Calling in the Law\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Jazmine James decided she wanted to be a lawyer when she was in fifth grade. Years later, that dream seemed deferred. However, a setback became the push she needed to ... 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Ecke Named Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education at UA Little Rock"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Dr. Jeremy Ecke dean of the <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/chasse\/\">College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE)<\/a> following a national search. His appointment will become effective July 1. Ecke has served as interim dean since July 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As dean, Ecke will lead one of the university\u2019s most interdisciplinary colleges, which prepares students for careers in education, the arts, public service, communication, social sciences, and related fields while advancing research, creativity, and community engagement across Arkansas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDr. Ecke\u2019s extensive experience in a variety of academic and administrative leadership roles at UA Little Rock has prepared him well for this position,\u201d said Provost Ann Bain. \u201cHis broad understanding of the college and the university will allow him to transition seamlessly into the role and continue the important work in CHASSE.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ecke earned a bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of California at Davis and a Ph.D. in English with a linguistic emphasis from the University of California at Berkeley in 2009. His scholarly work focuses on poetics, linguistics, and the history and structure of the English language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He joined UA Little Rock in 2012 as an assistant professor of English and has held numerous academic and administrative leadership roles at the university, including interim dean of CHASSE, interim associate dean of college operations for CHASSE, director of undergraduate research, chair of the Department of English, director of the Signature Experience Research and Creative Works Program, and student success coordinator for the Department of English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI am honored to serve as dean of CHASSE and continue working alongside our outstanding faculty, staff, students, and community partners,\u201d Ecke said. \u201cThis college plays a vital role in shaping creative thinkers, educators, and leaders who make meaningful contributions throughout Arkansas and beyond. I look forward to building on our momentum and expanding opportunities for our students and programs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Provost Ann Bain also thanked Dr. Brian Berry, who chaired the national search, for his leadership throughout the search process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDr. Berry has provided exceptional leadership during the search and helped facilitate a thoughtful and inclusive process,\u201d Bain said. \u201cWe appreciate his dedication and service to the university.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education serves thousands of students through a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs and plays a central role in UA Little Rock\u2019s mission of education, research, and community engagement.To learn more about the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, visit the college\u2019s website or email <a href=\"mailto:chasse@ualr.edu\">chasse@ualr.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Dr. Jeremy Ecke dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE) following a national search. His appointment <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/11\/jeremy-ecke-named-dean-of-the-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-at-ua-little-rock\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Jeremy Ecke Named Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education at UA Little Rock<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":94119,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1923,1925,1926],"tags":[2652,28389,2527,35323,2218],"class_list":["post-94118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-culture","category-community","category-featured","tag-ann-bain","tag-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-chasse","tag-jeremy-ecke","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>Jeremy Ecke Named Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education 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\/11\/jeremy-ecke-named-dean-of-the-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-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=\"Jeremy Ecke Named Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education at UA Little Rock\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Dr. Jeremy Ecke dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE) following a national search. 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Jeremy Ecke Named Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education at UA Little Rock\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/11\/jeremy-ecke-named-dean-of-the-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-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=\"2026-05-11T15:11:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-11T15:11:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/jeremy-ecke-headshot-2018.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"855\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"UA Little Rock\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"UA Little Rock\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/11\\\/jeremy-ecke-named-dean-of-the-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-at-ua-little-rock\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/11\\\/jeremy-ecke-named-dean-of-the-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-at-ua-little-rock\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"UA Little Rock\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/841beab92c4de6b8988cb3708c29b192\"},\"headline\":\"Jeremy Ecke Named Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education at UA Little Rock\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-11T15:11:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-11T15:11:07+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/11\\\/jeremy-ecke-named-dean-of-the-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-at-ua-little-rock\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":436,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/11\\\/jeremy-ecke-named-dean-of-the-college-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education-at-ua-little-rock\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ualr.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/240\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/jeremy-ecke-headshot-2018.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Ann Bain\",\"College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE)\",\"Jeremy Ecke\",\"Leaders in the Classroom and Communities\",\"Student Success\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Arts &amp; 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How does financial stress change the way we think? And what does it mean to interact with a system that can think back?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, psychology researchers are exploring these questions through a growing network of labs focused on sleep, cognition, and human-AI interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across three specialized lab spaces, faculty and students are examining how biological, cognitive, and technological forces intersect to shape human behavior. From tracking brain activity during sleep to modeling how stress affects memory and studying how people interact with AI systems, their work is helping answer questions that are increasingly relevant in everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-measuring-sleep-and-its-consequences\">Measuring Sleep and Its Consequences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the department\u2019s Biobehavioral Laboratory, often referred to simply as the sleep lab, Dr. David Mastin studies how sleep and sleepiness affect everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sleep affects nearly every aspect of daily functioning, from reaction time and memory to mood and overall health. According to Mastin, many people operate at a deficit without realizing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAlmost everyone carries a sleep debt,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s like being overdrawn in your checking account. You owe your body sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also notes that modern life makes that debt difficult to avoid, as artificial light, technology, and constant stimulation can disrupt natural sleep patterns and keep people from getting the rest they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That deficit can have serious consequences. Even one night without sleep can significantly impair performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you pull an all-nighter and we put you on a driving simulator, you would make as many mistakes as someone who is legally drunk,\u201d Mastin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The space is equipped with tools designed to measure brain activity, including electroencephalography (EEG), which tracks brain waves during different stages of sleep. A nap bed and observation room allow researchers to monitor eye and body movement without disturbing participants, while biofeedback equipment measures the body\u2019s physiological responses to different stimuli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond these tools, the lab also relies on controlled sleep tests that measure alertness and fatigue, providing objective data that can be compared with how participants report feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Much of the lab\u2019s research extends beyond campus. Mastin and his students frequently work in the community. Right now, for instance, they are studying firefighters to better understand how sleep impacts performance in high-stakes environments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of this research, Mastin and his students attended a firefighter convention in Hot Springs to interview participants about their sleep habits. The next step is to digitize the survey to reach firefighters across different regions and cultures, with the goal of improving both their well-being and performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students play an active role in the research process, contributing to ongoing studies and developing their own projects under faculty guidance. Through this work, the lab connects physiological measurement with real-world behavior, bridging psychology with biological and health sciences to show how sleep quietly shapes nearly every part of daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-understanding-how-we-think-under-stress\">Understanding How We Think Under Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Just down the hall, Dr. Colton Hunter\u2019s cognitive psychology lab focuses on how stress shapes the way people process and remember information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hunter\u2019s research centers on working memory, the short-term ability to hold and manipulate information. Specifically, he studies how socioeconomic status influences cognition, examining how stress from factors such as income, education, and environment contribute to changes in how people process and recall information \u2014 highlighting how psychological processes are shaped by broader economic and social forces.. His primary research examines the effects of financial worry on working memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe idea is that your financial problems might be occupying mental resources,\u201d Hunter said. \u201cIt\u2019s like the equivalent of having too many tabs open on your computer. It\u2019s going to slow down performance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In one common task used in his lab, participants are briefly shown a set of colored squares before the image disappears and reappears. They are then asked to determine whether anything has changed. While the task appears simple, it allows researchers to measure how much information a person can hold in mind, how accurately they respond, and how quickly they process what they see.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These tasks are paired with socioeconomic survey data and written responses in which participants reflect on financial stressors, personal challenges, and neutral daily experiences. Hunter\u2019s research explores whether financial stress uniquely impairs cognitive performance compared to other types of stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe idea is that for participants from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, writing about financial worries would potentially take away from their working memory performance more than a neutral event, but also more than any other type of stressor,\u201d Hunter said. \u201cThere\u2019s something special about financial stress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A key feature of the lab is a high-powered computing system that allows Hunter to run complex statistical models and analyze large amounts of data quickly \u2014 work that would otherwise take days or even weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lab integrates students into every stage of the research process. Undergraduate participants contribute to ongoing studies as participants, while others serve as research assistants through independent study, gaining hands-on experience in experimental design, data collection, and analysis. This approach also allows Hunter to examine how financial worry affects cognition specifically within the student population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-studying-the-future-of-human-ai-interaction\">Studying the Future of Human-AI Interaction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the department\u2019s newest lab, Dr. Mohsen Rafiei is exploring one of psychology\u2019s quickest evolving frontiers \u2014 how humans interact with artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rafiei\u2019s lab focuses on human-AI interaction, examining how people use, interpret, and trust increasingly sophisticated systems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are trying to understand how people interact with AI,\u201d Rafiei said. \u201cWe want to understand how you as a human being interact with a smart system so we can learn to optimize that system for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One current project looks at how students use AI in their daily lives, including whether they trust the results from their questions \u2014 and whether or not that trust is warranted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAI systems are probabilistic, which means there is always a good chance they are wrong,\u201d he said. \u201cMany students don\u2019t know this and trust whatever answer they are given. Our goal is to learn how to optimize this so we can address this problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To study these interactions, Rafiei\u2019s lab is equipped with advanced tools that allow researchers to observe both behavior and brain activity in real time. Eye-tracking technology reveals where users focus their attention on a screen, while EEG and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) systems measure which areas of the brain are active during interaction. Virtual reality headsets allow researchers to build immersive environments \u2014 such as a classroom with an AI assistant \u2014 and study how people respond in more lifelike scenarios.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lab also houses an incredibly powerful computer, known as an AI cluster, that allows researchers to run and customize AI models locally. By operating outside of internet-based systems, the lab can test models in a controlled environment without privacy concerns, giving researchers the ability to study how people interact with AI systems specifically designed for the experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Together, these tools allow Rafiei and his students to examine not only what people do when interacting with AI, but also what is happening in their minds as they do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The work is inherently interdisciplinary, combining psychology with neuroscience, computer science, and physiology to better understand how humans engage with increasingly intelligent systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students play a key role in that process, gaining hands-on experience working with AI models and advanced research tools. Skills gained in this lab prepare them for emerging careers in human-AI interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is a new field,\u201d Rafiei said. \u201cWe know about human cognition and perception, but how do we interact with another intelligent system? We don\u2019t even know all the questions we need to ask yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As AI systems become more advanced and increasingly human-like, the challenge becomes even more complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not like interacting with a tool,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s more like interacting with another intelligent being. And there are still so many open questions we need to answer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-looking-ahead-expanding-innovation-in-psychology\">Looking Ahead: Expanding Innovation in Psychology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Across all three labs, a common thread is clear: the future of psychology at UA Little Rock is increasingly hands-on, interdisciplinary, and grounded in real-world impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Dr. Sherwin, chair of the Department of Psychology, the new labs mark a turning point in the department\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cResearch has clearly become more prominent,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re intentionally building a department that is more uniformly engaged in research.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That shift is being driven in large part by new faculty hires, whose work is expanding both the scope and scale of research opportunities available to students. In the past, demand for research experience often outpaced availability. Now, that dynamic is reversing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe went from having more students than research opportunities to suddenly being in the opposite situation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the department grows, so does its emphasis on preparing students for careers beyond the classroom. Through lab work, students gain practical experience in skills Sherwin says are valuable across industries such as data analysis, problem-solving, and communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To support that growth, the department is also introducing a new \u201cResearch Experience\u201d course this fall, designed to give students earlier and more accessible entry into lab work. The course allows students to begin developing research skills before moving into more independent, advanced projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople don\u2019t always realize how marketable research skills are,\u201d Sherwin said. \u201cThat\u2019s really where our discipline shines at the undergraduate level \u2014 teaching students how to manage and present data, think critically and analytically, and answer questions effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As psychology continues to intersect with fields like artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and data science, the work happening at UA Little Rock is positioned at the forefront of that shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With new labs, advanced technology, and a growing emphasis on student-driven research, the department is not only keeping pace with the future of the discipline \u2014 it is helping define it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What happens when people don\u2019t get enough sleep? How does financial stress change the way we think? And what does it mean to interact with a system that can think <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/11\/exploring-the-human-mind-inside-ua-little-rocks-innovative-psychology-labs\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Exploring the Human Mind: Inside UA Little Rock\u2019s Innovative Psychology Labs<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2764,"featured_media":94096,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926,1922],"tags":[36004,25799,35323,3448,2218],"class_list":["post-94095","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","category-research","tag-department-of-psychological-science","tag-donaghey-college-of-stem","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-psychology","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>Exploring the Human Mind: Inside UA Little Rock\u2019s Innovative Psychology Labs - 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\/11\/exploring-the-human-mind-inside-ua-little-rocks-innovative-psychology-labs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Exploring the Human Mind: Inside UA Little Rock\u2019s Innovative Psychology Labs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What happens when people don\u2019t get enough sleep? 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How does financial stress change the way we think? And what does it mean to interact with a system that can think ... 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The awards celebrate the exceptional staff contributions to student success, innovation, and campus collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2026 Academic Award winners are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tammie Cash, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs \u2014 <em>Customer Service Award<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dana Steele, Office of Records and Registration \u2014 <em>Initiative Award<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brandon Sollars, Learning Commons \u2014 <em>Innovation Award<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ronda Petray, Mathematics and Statistics \u2014 <em>Teamwork Award<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese individuals represent the very best of UA Little Rock,\u201d said Provost Ann Bain. \u201cI am truly excited to celebrate their achievements and the meaningful impact they make every day. Their dedication to serving students, supporting colleagues, and advancing our mission reflects the spirit of excellence that defines our campus community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each award recognizes a different way staff contribute to the university\u2019s work\u2014from supporting colleagues and improving processes to finding new solutions and strengthening teamwork across campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Tammie Cash was recognized for her consistent commitment to providing exceptional support to faculty and staff. \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to support the important work happening across campus,\u201d Cash said. \u201cProviding strong customer service means helping others succeed, and I\u2019m proud to play a role in that every day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Known for her proactive approach, Dana Steele of the Office of Records and Registration received the Initiative Award for identifying opportunities to improve processes and better serve students. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to be recognized for taking initiative in my work,\u201d Steele said. \u201cAt UA Little Rock, we\u2019re encouraged to find better ways to serve students and colleagues, and that\u2019s something I strive for daily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the Learning Commons, Brandon Sollars earned recognition for developing creative solutions that enhance the student experience. \u201cInnovation is about finding new solutions that improve the student experience,\u201d Sollars said. \u201cI\u2019m thankful to be part of a team that values creativity and continuous improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ronda Petray, a staff member of the Mathematics and Statistics Department, was honored for her collaborative approach and dedication to supporting both colleagues and students. \u201cThis award reflects the collaborative spirit of our department and our campus,\u201d Petray said. \u201cWorking together is how we create meaningful opportunities for our students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Academic Awards recognize the staff members whose day-to-day work helps students and the university succeed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The University of Arkansas at Little Rock proudly recognizes four outstanding staff members as recipients of this year\u2019s Academic Affairs Staff Achievement Awards. The awards celebrate the exceptional staff contributions <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Academic Affairs Staff Award Winners<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":94109,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1923,1925,1926],"tags":[2652,32948,33002,35323,2560,2218],"class_list":["post-94101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-culture","category-community","category-featured","tag-ann-bain","tag-brandon-sollars","tag-division-of-academic-affairs","tag-leaders-in-the-classroom-and-communities","tag-office-of-the-provost","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>Academic Affairs Staff Award Winners - 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\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Academic Affairs Staff Award Winners\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The University of Arkansas at Little Rock proudly recognizes four outstanding staff members as recipients of this year\u2019s Academic Affairs Staff Achievement Awards. The awards celebrate the exceptional staff contributions ... 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Academic Affairs Staff Award Winners","og_url":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/","og_site_name":"News","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UALittleRock\/","article_published_time":"2026-05-08T13:00:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-05-12T21:22:25+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/Brandon.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"UA Little Rock","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"UA Little Rock","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/"},"author":{"name":"UA Little Rock","@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/841beab92c4de6b8988cb3708c29b192"},"headline":"Academic Affairs Staff Award Winners","datePublished":"2026-05-08T13:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-12T21:22:25+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/"},"wordCount":395,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/Brandon.jpg","keywords":["Ann Bain","Brandon Sollars","Division of Academic Affairs","Leaders in the Classroom and Communities","Office of the Provost","Student Success"],"articleSection":["Arts &amp; Culture","Community","Featured"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/","url":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/","name":"Academic Affairs Staff Award Winners - News - UA Little Rock","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/Brandon.jpg","datePublished":"2026-05-08T13:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-12T21:22:25+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/academic-affairs-staff-award-winners\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/Brandon.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2026\/05\/Brandon.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"caption":"Learning Commons Coordinator Brandon Sollars, center, won the Innovation Award at the Academic Affairs Staff Achievement Awards. 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From his early studies in Nigeria to his research in the United States, he has moved from traditional chemistry into emerging work in machine learning. As he prepares to graduate with a master\u2019s degree in chemistry from UA Little Rock, Afolabi looks back on how much he\u2019s grown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Originally from Nigeria, he began his academic career at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he built a strong foundation in chemistry. At UA Little Rock, his work began to shift, and he developed his skill in multiple scientific disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCompleting my master\u2019s degree in chemistry means a lot to me, both academically and personally,\u201d Afolabi said. \u201cIt shows how far I\u2019ve come, from building my foundation in Nigeria to developing my research interests at a more advanced level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He found a new direction combining chemistry with technology after seeing the limits of more traditional approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI saw how time consuming, and sometimes subjective, those methods could be,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s what pushed me to explore more data-driven approaches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That shift became central to his work in the lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cStephen has been in my research group for about two years,\u201d said Dr. Jerry Darsey, professor in the School of Physical Sciences\u2013Chemistry and director of the Center for Molecular Design and Development at UA Little Rock. \u201cAlthough he chose to pursue a master\u2019s degree rather than a Ph.D., he accomplished some very interesting and useful work for our center.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Darsey said Afolabi developed a software program that allows the lab\u2019s spectral data to be used in its artificial intelligence research. The spectrometer produces data in one format, and before it can be used in AI models, it has to be converted into another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cStephen wrote a program to make that conversion possible,\u201d Darsey said. \u201cHe also built a bridge between our quantum simulation program and the data processing system. That kind of work makes our research more efficient and more connected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The program was written in Python, making it compatible with many of the lab\u2019s existing research tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also started working on ways to make it easier and faster to identify compounds using infrared (IR) data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor me, it wasn\u2019t just about learning new tools,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was about finding better ways to understand the data and make the process more efficient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Afolabi sees this work as part of a broader shift in how science is done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey can help us test ideas faster, handle large amounts of data, and find patterns we might miss otherwise,\u201d he said. \u201cThey don\u2019t replace chemistry, they make it stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That sense of growth hasn\u2019t just happened in the lab. Moving to the United States meant adjusting to a new culture and academic system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat experience pushed me to become more independent and more confident in myself,\u201d he said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t always easy, but it helped me grow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also found value in working with students from different backgrounds, which helped him see problems from new angles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His academic path has also shaped that perspective. Along with chemistry, he holds a Certificate of Achievement in Geology, which has influenced how he approaches scientific problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt helps me look at problems in a more complete way,\u201d he said. \u201cNot just at the molecular level, but also how those ideas connect to real-world systems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Graduate school helped him grow into a steady, collaborative and persistent leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLeadership isn\u2019t always about being in charge,\u201d he said. \u201cSometimes it\u2019s about staying committed, helping others, and working through challenges together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said studying in both Nigeria and the United States shaped how he understands science and the way he approaches problems. His early education focused on theory, while his graduate studies emphasized research and application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBoth experiences shaped me in different ways,\u201d he said. \u201cNow I feel more prepared to approach problems from different angles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After graduation, Afolabi plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry and continue working in computational chemistry and machine learning, with the goal of using his research to solve real-world problems in the environment and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want my work to make things more efficient and more accessible \u2014 to help turn complex data into something useful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UA Little Rock has been part of that same progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m ready to keep growing and take on new challenges,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Growth has defined Stephen Afolabi\u2019s journey. From his early studies in Nigeria to his research in the United States, he has moved from traditional chemistry into emerging work in machine <a href=\"https:\/\/ualr.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/08\/ua-little-rock-graduate-student-combines-chemistry-and-technology-to-shape-future-of-research\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  UA Little Rock Graduate Student Combines Chemistry and Technology to Shape Future of Research<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2036,"featured_media":94090,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1925,1926,1922],"tags":[35931,88,36044,25799,35323,2218],"class_list":["post-94089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-featured","category-research","tag-chemistry-2","tag-chemistry","tag-commencement-2026","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 Graduate Student Combines Chemistry and Technology to Shape Future of Research - 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\/08\/ua-little-rock-graduate-student-combines-chemistry-and-technology-to-shape-future-of-research\/\" \/>\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 Combines Chemistry and Technology to Shape Future of Research\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Growth has defined Stephen Afolabi\u2019s journey. From his early studies in Nigeria to his research in the United States, he has moved from traditional chemistry into emerging work in machine ... 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