University of Arkansas at Little Rock

For their Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) capstone design project, a pair of University of Arkansas at Little Rock students, Jerry Adcock and Andrew Harris, decided to give back to the university in a practical and lasting way: making it easier and more efficient to open and close the shutter for the campus observatory.

From touring warehouses in the Port of Little Rock to reviewing commercial lease agreements and scouting potential business locations, University of Arkansas at Little Rock student Ryan Gillenwater spent his summer learning that commercial real estate is anything but a desk job: his experience offered a front-row seat to the fast-paced world he had only studied in the classroom. This June, Gillenwater was one of just seven interns selected for Colliers' month-long summer internship program in Little Rock. Earning a spot in the program was a turning point in his academic and professional journey. He hadn't imagined this path when he first arrived on campus as a business management major, but a presentation by real estate instructor Elizabeth Small introduced him to a career he hadn't previously considered. The internship didn't just expand Gillenwater's knowledge of commercial real estate-he was able to zero in on where he thrives, discovering that brokerage offered just the right mix of a field where he could put his analytical mind to work while building relationships and closing deals.

Twenty-five outstanding students from across Arkansas and beyond have been selected to join the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for the 2026-27 academic year. Selected from an applicant pool of 115 students, the incoming class enters UA Little Rock with an average high school GPA of 4.29. The Donaghey Scholars Honors Program provides a scholarship package valued at approximately $92,000 to $100,000 over four years. Scholars receive full tuition and fees, a housing subsidy, a stipend, a laptop, and funding for a required international study experience, allowing them to focus on research, leadership, service, and academic exploration throughout their college careers. At the heart of the Donaghey Scholars experience is an interdisciplinary curriculum where students from every academic discipline explore complex questions through discussion, writing, collaborative projects, and engagement with the Little Rock community. The program encourages scholars to think across traditional academic boundaries while using the state's capital city as an extension of the classroom. Founded in 1987 through the support of the George W. Donaghey Foundation, the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program reflects a legacy that stretches back nearly a century. Former Arkansas governor George W. Donaghey and his wife, Louvenia, established the Donaghey Foundation in 1929 with a singular purpose: to support Little Rock Junior College, the institution that would eventually become the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Their gift, recognized as the largest bequest in Arkansas history at the time, created one of the longest-standing philanthropic partnerships in the university's history. That investment continues to pay dividends through the accomplishments of Donaghey alumni. The Donaghey Scholars Honors Program has prepared hundreds of graduates for careers and advanced study in medicine, law, business, education, research, public service, and the arts. More than 70% of Donaghey alumni go on to earn graduate or professional degrees, nearly double the national average. Among program alumni, approximately 15% earn doctoral degrees, 10% become physicians, and 10% earn law degrees. Admission to the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, essays, recommendations, and intellectual curiosity. Finalists participate in an on-campus interview process with program leaders, faculty members, and current scholars before the incoming class is selected.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has announced the list of students who have been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2026 semester.

UA Little Rock announces its Spring 2026 Chancellor's List, recognizing students with superior academic performance in a semester. To be eligible for the Chancellor's List, students must earn at least nine credit hours and at least a 3.9 GPA.

Known across campus as "Mr. UALR," Noah Davidson, a history major from Beebe, Arkansas, will graduate in May from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Davidson, who has been deeply involved in student life, said the nickname began as an inside joke within the Delta Chi Fraternity. It originated with alumnus Turner Hudson, who appeared in university marketing materials online and on campus posters.

Balee Pennington is raising two children, balancing military life, and using every spare moment she has to pursue a college degree. This spring, the first-generation student will graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and plans to begin a master's program this summer.

An unforgettable week is on the horizon for Ragen Hodge and Sutton Manatt. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock students are preparing to graduate this May, compete in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Track and Field Championships, and get married-all within the span of just one week.

As a curious freshman, Sheranden Miller walked up to university photographer Ben Krain and asked if he needed an assistant. Four years later, she's graduating with a portfolio of real-world experience and a full-time career already underway.

This spring, University of Arkansas at Little Rock student, Grace Wilson, will cross the stage not only as a graduate, but as a mother and emerging broadcast journalist with real newsroom experience already under her belt. For Wilson, the journey to a career in broadcast journalism has been a story of family inspiration, perseverance and self-discovery.

Nistha Neupane was in the middle of presenting her research at the UA Little Rock Research Expo when she got the news.

A passion for helping others has shaped Taylor Ward's path at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, leading her to pursue careers in both health care and law enforcement.

For Kadeshia Cooper, the road to becoming a nurse has been anything but easy. From raising a child as a single mom to balancing long clinical hours and coursework, the North Little Rock native relied on determination and perseverance to reach this milestone.

From helping build a young program to earning top honors in the classroom, Little Rock wrestler Cael Keck will graduate summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock this May with a degree in business management.

For Brooklyn Marcee, the dream of competing as a collegiate athlete started early - and it became the foundation for a college journey defined by discipline, leadership, and determination.

Walking into Ottenheimer Library, you might not expect to come face-to-face with the skull of a sabertooth cat or the claw of an Allosaurus. But that's exactly the kind of moment Syd Joheim has been working to create.

A fear of bridges is not the typical start to a career path in engineering, but for UA Little Rock senior Faith Shelton, that fear of "floating roads" is what started it all. From skepticism to curiosity, Shelton found herself laying the foundation for a future in civil and construction engineering.

Sophomore Anterica Jones believes college is about more than earning a degree - it's about building community and encouraging others. On Saturday, Feb. 28, Jones was crowned the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's 2026 Homecoming Royal during the halftime homecoming court ceremony at the men's basketball game. The student body chooses the Homecoming Royal through Trojan Engage, a campus platform that connects students, faculty, and organizations through groups, community feeds, and events. Jones is a civil engineering major from North Little Rock, Arkansas. She is a member of the Chancellor's Leadership Corps, Student Government Association, National Society of Black Engineers, and UA Little Rock's New Student Orientation Leaders. She also serves on the lead team for the Little Rock Baptist Collegiate Ministry.

Little Rock's Matty Bianchi was named the 2026 Pac-12 Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the conference office announced ahead of the Pac-12 Wrestling Championships in San Luis Obispo.

From a young age, senior UA Little Rock student KJ Miley had Olympic-sized ambition. Now, he's working to turn that ambition into reality as he trains to make the U.S. World Teams in 2026 and 2027, with the ultimate goal of earning the 97-kilogram spot at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Brooklyn Marcee didn't arrive at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with the confidence she has now. It was something she built over time. When she first stepped onto campus, the Quitman, Texas, native never imagined she would become a visible campus leader, a Homecoming Royal, a graduating business administrationmajor, and a student-athlete balancing competition with entrepreneurship. Looking back, she sees her time at UA Little Rock as a period of steady growth, particularly in confidence and critical thinking.

Little Rock native Preston Lowe is making a national impact as a freshman in the School of Art and Design at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Lowe has been selected as one of just 15 artists nationwide for the 2026 Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program at the Kennedy Center, whose We Hold These Truths exhibit centers on identity, access and lived experiences. This program is a highly competitive national initiative supporting rising artists with disabilities through professional development, mentorship, and national visibility for emerging creatives. As part of the 2026 cohort, Lowe receives a stipend and a fully funded professional development residency in Washington, D.C., including workshops and networking events that prepare young artists for professional careers in the visual arts. The program culminates in a national touring exhibition offering significant career-building exposure. Lowe's piece, Flip Side, will be featured in the exhibition opening at the Kennedy Center in March and was previously selected for the iCREATE Public Art Program, where it was exhibited at Little Rock City Hall.

For Brooklyn Marcee, a senior business administration student and pole vaulter for Little Rock Track and Field, serving as the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's 2025 Homecoming Royal was an experience filled with meaning and memories. As her tenure comes to a close, she reflects on the moments that defined her journey.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has announced the list of students who have been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2025 semester.

UA Little Rock announces its Fall 2025 Chancellor's List, recognizing students with superior academic performance in a semester. To be eligible for the Chancellor's List, students must earn at least nine credit hours and at least a 3.9 GPA.

As he prepares to graduate this fall, Stephen Little has proven that success at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is as much about mental focus as it is physical strength.

After earning two business degrees debt-free and immersing herself in a community of mentors, leaders, and global experiences, Benton native An Le is stepping into graduation with something rare: genuine confidence about what comes next.

Proving that it's never too late to pursue a calling, Joyce Young White will fulfill a decades-long dream this December when she receives her master's degree in health education and promotion from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Inspired by her mother's work as a registered nurse, Kemiya Bornds knew by age seven that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine. She set her sights on becoming an OB-GYN, a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. With the support of her parents, that dream has never changed. This Saturday, Bornds will take a major step toward that goal as she earns her Bachelor of Science in biology with a concentration in clinical biology.

Balancing law school with a full-time job required tremendous resilience - a quality Verenice Perez Taylor is proud to claim. On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Hope, Arkansas, native will graduate Summa Cum Laude from the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.