MPA Alumni Spotlight

Byran M. Day

2023 Administrator of the Year
Bryan Day has been involved with state and local government for over thirty years; the positions he has held have allowed him to focus on building and strengthening communities. Bryan was appointed Executive Director of the Little Rock Port Authority in June 2014. Bryan started his career in government in 1987 when he was hired by the Arkansas State Park system. Throughout his career, Bryan has been active in the local community, having served on a number of boards and commissions. He received his undergraduate degree and Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Outside of his current position, Bryan serves as an adjunct professor for the MPA Program and regularly teaches Urban Management.

Alicia Dorn

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Alicia Dorn as the new chancellor’s chief of staff. Dorn is a graduate of the MPA Program, and we are so excited to see the tremendous strides she is making in her career. This statement by Dorn speaks volumes.

“I’m happy to be able to give back to the university that helped establish who I am today,” Dorn said. “They invested in me as a student. I get the chance to come back to a place that helped enhance my skills, abilities, and talents. It’s an honor to give back to the university that gave so much to me.”

Leslie Rutledge

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has appointed MPA Alum, Miguel Lopez, of Little Rock to the five-member Arkansas Ethics Commission.  Rutledge said that “Miguel is a respected professional in the banking world and I couldn’t be prouder to appoint him to the Commission.” Lopez is currently the chief community outreach officer for Encore Bank and has previously worked at First Community Bank and the Little Rock Regional Chamber. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science as well as his Master of Public Administration degree. Lopez also serves as vice chairman of Goodwill of Arkansas and chairman of the Excel Center school board. Lopez said he will work tirelessly for the commission and for the state. “As an immigrant, I carry with me a servant’s heart, always looking for ways to give back to the state that has given my family so much,” he said.