University of Arkansas at Little Rock

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, UA Little Rock is highlighting current and future educators. Haley Howard will graduate this semester with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Childhood Education with plans to become a full-time educator in the fall.

Tinaya Brown has always had a history of helping children. Now, she's turning that passion into a career as she prepares to graduate from UA Little Rock with a bachelor's degree in elementary education on May 17.

Sarah Fowler, originally from Lebanon, Tennessee, has been a caregiver most of her life. She became a certified nursing assistant at 17, inspired by a family full of nurses. But it was the experience of caring for her daughter Kyla, who was born at just 23 weeks, that gave her nursing career a deeper purpose. Fowler, who is graduating this May with an associate degree in nursing from UA Little Rock, began the program just months before Kyla passed away in 2023 at age 6.

Kelsey Miller, a first-generation college student from Hardy, Arkansas, will graduate summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on May 17. She is a senior biology major with a concentration in environmental and organismal biology and has a passion for animal behavior and conservation.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Paige Blair, a first-generation college student from Twin Groves, Arkansas, as the recipient of the 2025 Edward L. Whitbeck Memorial Award, the university's highest honor for a graduating senior. Blair leaves UA Little Rock with a perfect 4.0 GPA, the Most Outstanding Graduating Senior in Anthropology Award, and the distinction of being the first graduate of the university's Applied Archaeology Certificate program.

For Adrian Rogers, college has been more than just academics. It's been a launching pad for discovery, creativity, and connection. Born in Miami but raised in Little Rock, Rogers also claims another place as home. "I consider my second home to be San Salvador, where my mom and her family are from," he said.

Adison Cummings, a senior double majoring in architectural engineering and civil engineering, will graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on May 17. A native of Texarkana, Arkansas, Cummings has made the most of his time at UA Little Rock through a mix of academic excellence and campus involvement.

Tara Jones' path to her graduate degree in public history is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and persistence. Her seven-year academic journey at UA Little Rock was shaped by her deep passion for history and desire to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Hannah Jones, a senior mechanical engineering major from Benton, has spent her time at UA Little Rock immersed in research, leadership, and hands-on experiences that has prepared her for a future in aerospace engineering.

Charla Tozer will be graduating on May 17, wrapping up her journey here at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She will be earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design, along with a technical certificate in graphic design.

Amy Merriman, a native of Paragould, Arkansas, has earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in December from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, marking a long-awaited accomplishment.