University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock marked a major milestone this spring as it celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of students to earn a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity. The inaugural class of nine graduates includes Kenneth Barnett, Bryce Ebsen, Isaac Gonzalez, Courtney Ingram, Cameron Jackson, Cameron Johnson, David Leitnaker, Emily McClenahan, and Brandon Orender.

Four University of Arkansas at Little Rock students were honored on May 9 during a special Match Day ceremony hosted by the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, marking the next step in their journey to becoming teachers through the Trojan Teacher Residency Program.

Two of UA Little Rock's most overlooked landmarks, the campus observatory and planetarium, are getting a second chance in the spotlight thanks to a short documentary created by graduating student Adrian Rogers.

Music students from UA Little Rock traveled to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition (NATS).

A team of tech-savvy UA Little Rock students earned second place and a $750 prize during the ninth annual JOLT Competition that took place April 4-6.

UA Little Rock announces its Spring 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.

Robert Bennett's path to becoming a lawyer wasn't just about pursuing a dream, but about honoring the man who helped shape it.

UA Little Rock student Vivian Angeles has graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on May 17 with two bachelor's degrees in criminal justice and English.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announces students who have made the Dean's List for the Spring 2025 semester, recognizing nearly 1,500 students whose academic performances have been superior at the end of each semester. To be on the Dean's List, UA Little Rock students must earn at least nine credit hours and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA.

The road to a law degree isn't always smooth-especially when it's paved with long commutes, late night classes, and the constant balance of school, work, and motherhood. For Jessica Schoultz, the journey is equal parts ambition and sacrifice, driven by her desire to lead by example for her children and to use her legal skills to bring justice to those who need it most.

As a child, Chris Carlisle sat captivated beside his family, eyes glued to episodes of Matlock and Perry Mason flickering across their living-room television. In those evenings filled with dramatic courtroom battles and triumphant verdicts, a dream began to formone he carried through decades of life's detours before he found the courage to pursue it.

After years of working in tech and real estate, raising a family, and even earning a pilot's license, one might say that Allison Baker of Little Rock has done it all. With the completion of her fourth degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Baker has proven that it's never too late to pivot toward a lifelong calling.

Ginny Oswalt never planned to earn a Master of Business Administration. But after an unexpected career shift and a growing passion for finance, the Louisiana native who was raised in Little Rock has recently graduated with her MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

When Averee Betts walks into a classroom, everything else fades away. The single mother from Benton has faced more than her share of obstacles-balancing motherhood, chronic health issues, school, and a part-time job. But through it all, she never let go of her belief that teaching is where she's meant to be.

After more than a decade in bookkeeping and years of stop-and-start college courses, Courtney Ingram took a leap of faith that has led her to become one of the first graduates of UA Little Rock's cybersecurity program and to a promotion in a fast-growing tech field she never imagined herself in.

Alycia Jameson, a Little Rock native, will graduate with her Juris Doctor from the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law on May 17. She is passionate about immigration law and hopes to use her degree to advocate for Arkansas immigrants in need of legal representation.

When Armin Mortazi co-founded the Pre-Health Club at UA Little Rock, he hoped to offer his peers something he knew was vital for future healthcare professionals-early exposure, shared experience, and a sense of support.

Chris Carlisle of Perryville has worn many hats - retail manager, houseparent, and homeschool teacher - but through every career twist and turn, one goal stayed quietly in his heart: attending law school.

After balancing law school, clerkships, and public service, Olivia Halsey is graduating with a Juris Doctor - and a new title: Miss Arkansas USA 2025.

Whether in the courtroom or the classroom, Owen Haynes has always been drawn to the fight for constitutional and civil rights. The White Hall native, who majored in political science with a concentration in international studies and a minor in Middle Eastern studies, will graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on May 17.

Transformative leadership is not a cliche to Clifford McLeod, it's his legacy. The outgoing Student Bar Association president and May 2025 graduate of the William H. Bowen School of Law, McLeod hopes to be remembered as the type of person that didn't wait for others to do something when he could.

Colleen Gilliland, a graduating senior at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is setting her sights on a future in dentistry, but only after experiencing an upcoming gap year filled with travel, growth, and adventures abroad. Gilliland, a Donaghey Scholar and former soccer captain, will graduate May 17 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Originally from Longview, Texas, she transferred to UA Little Rock in 2022 after being recruited to play soccer. The Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, however, was what ultimately sealed the deal.

Whether slicing through water or solving complex equations, UA Little Rock senior Jaelle Carlson is known for giving her all as both a standout student-athlete and a driven future engineer. A mechanical engineering major with a 3.97 GPA and a minor in mathematics, Carlson was named the 2025 Most Valuable Player for UA Little Rock's swimming and diving team and will leave the university as a Scholar All-American. Her success stems from a strong work ethic, intentional time management, and a deep love for her sport and her teammates.

John Rainwater will conclude his time at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on May 17. He will be graduating with his Master of Business Administration degree.

After spending much of his youth in Michigan's foster care system, Curtis Harris Jr. knew he wanted to pursue a career that would allow him to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others facing similar challenges.

Stephanie Giblin will be graduating with her bachelor's degree in social work with a minor in sociology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on May 17.

Most people don't start a new career in their 50s, much less in one of the fastest-evolving fields in the world. But Slynn McMinn isn't most people. The 60-year-old Christiansburg, Virginia, resident will soon graduate from UA Little Rock with a Master of Science in information science, a milestone in a journey marked by resilience, reinvention, and relentless dedication.

Kai Ahn Harris, a nursing student from Dumas, will graduate with a deep sense of purpose as she earns her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from UA Little Rock on May 17.

Bailey Ellis didn't always know she wanted to be a teacher. In fact, after high school, she imagined herself becoming a beautician. But a feeling she couldn't quite shake during college orientation set her on a new path-one that led to a degree in education and a lifelong career in shaping young minds.

When Austin Herndon started college, teaching wasn't part of his plan. But after gaining real-world experience in the classroom through UA Little Rock's teacher residency program, he found his purpose. "My internship time out here at Fountain Lake Middle School with Michael Carey in eighth grade social studies solidified to me that this is what I want to do with my life," said Herndon, a Benton native who will graduate with a bachelor's degree in middle childhood education and a minor in history on May 17.