Academic Affairs Retention Office (AARO) Team

Student Success Coaches & Child Care Support

Student success coaches in our Academic Affairs Retention Office (AARO) offer students one-on-one support with time management, test-taking strategies, note-taking skills, connecting with faculty, and campus involvement. In addition, AARO partners with each college’s student support specialist for stress management, relationship navigation, conflict resolution, and community resource connections. Child Care Connections services are also available to support students with children.

Schedule an appointment by completing a Care Team request.

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Student Success Coaching | Academic Affairs Retention Office

Our Academic Affairs Retention Office offers Student Success Coaches for one-on-one support with time management, test-taking strategies, note-taking skills, connecting with faculty, and campus involvement.

News Articles:

Meet Our Coaches

Heyam Dannawi, M.A. | Student Success Coach  hxdannawi@ualr.edu

Heyam Dannawi is a proud UA Little Rock double graduate, having obtained a master’s degree in art history and a master’s degree in higher education. Dannawi previously worked in different academic departments and subsequently in different roles, from library staff, administrative assistant to advising. She hopes to educate students on developing skills and habits that will lead to academic success. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, walking in nature, drawing, traveling, and cooking new recipes.

De’Ja Johnson, M.A. | Student Success Coach  dxjohnson1@ualr.edu

De’Ja K. Johnson, a native Arkansan, is a proud double UA Little Rock graduate, having obtained her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in applied communication with a concentration on interpersonal relationships. In her role as a success coach, Johnson hopes to inspire students to define success on their terms and help them realize that they have the ability to create the life they want. The one piece of advice she would give to her younger self:  “Nothing just happens, but everything is created. And you have the power to do just that.” When she’s not working, Johnson enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Meet the Rest of the Team

Heather A. Reed, Ed.S., M.P.A. | Director of Academic Affairs Retention Office | hareed@ualr.edu

A native of Kansas City, MO, Heather Reed now calls Arkansas home. As a lifelong learner, she has earned an education specialist degree in education policies and leadership studies from the University of Iowa, a master’s degree in public administration from the UA Little Rock, a master’s degree in college student personnel from Western Illinois University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from Truman State University. She has 20-plus years of experience helping students succeed in college, drawing on her time in housing/residence life, teaching and building learning communities, crisis management, mentoring, judicial affairs, first-year experience instruction, advising, and success coaching. Reed has served as an assistant dean at UA Little Rock and now focuses on building and leading the AARO. She is passionate about student success/retention and believes in reducing barriers for students to achieve success.

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Tiffany M. Holloway, Ed.S.  | Child Care Connections Director  childcare@ualr.edu

Tiffany M. Holloway is a native Arkansan and a proud UA Little Rock alumna. She earned an Education Specialist degree in Educational Diagnostics from Northwest Missouri State University. She has years of experience in public service and project management from her roles as a federal government specialist, public educator, and advisor. Her primary goal is to empower students to succeed by ensuring they can access every available resource. Tiffany joined the AARO team in April 2024.

Child Care Connections News Articles:

Vacant | Senior Research Assistant 

 

Our Student Success Coaches Can Help With
Academic Success Skills: Classroom Success: Life Skills:
  • Time Management & Organization Skills
  • Study Skills & Test Preparation
  • Goal Setting & Strategizing
  • Learning Styles Exploration
  • Forming Study Groups
  • Building Productive Faculty Relationships
  • Motivation VS Procrastination
  • Personal Health
  • Relationship Building
  • Grit ~ Resiliency ~ Skills to Thrive