University of Arkansas at Little Rock

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.

Chuck Bonet's life has been anything but linear. So, it's no surprise that his journey to earning a master's degree in public history took a few unexpected turns. Set to graduate from UA Little Rock in December, Bonet's journey has taken him from community college classrooms to archives filled with stories of Arkansas's labor movement.

Caley Sample, a Jacksonville native who now lives in Lonoke, is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UA Little Rock this December, marking a significant milestone in her nursing education.

Galloway's journey to earning his Juris Doctor from the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law this December is one of resilience, family legacy, and hard work.

Spencer Massengale, a University of Arkansas at Little Rock doctoral student from Russellville, is set to graduate with a Ph.D. in information science, marking a significant achievement in AI research aimed at protecting critical infrastructure.

After more than a 20-year gap since earning her undergraduate degree, Bobbie Handcock found herself inspired by the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic to return to school and pursue a long-held dream: earning her master's degree.

Jessica Edwards, a non-traditional student from the small town of Wautoma, Wisconsin, is celebrating a remarkable journey as she graduates from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock this December.

A dedicated nursing student and Arkansas Army National Guard member is about to achieve a major milestone as he graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Duaa Abu Halimeh, who holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from her home country of Jordan, was unable to find a job that fit with her responsibilities as a mother to three active daughters. Seeking a fresh start, she decided to return to school to earn a master's degree that would lead her to a fulfilling career.

After spending years monitoring and analyzing high-risk legal threats for tech giants, Oscar Leyva realized that he wanted to use the law to help those who needed it the most.

Dallas Martin, a first-generation senior nursing major from Helena, really does it all. This wife and mom of two is a full-time student at UA Little Rock, set to graduate in December with her bachelor's degree in nursing, while also working full-time as a physician's registered nurse in oncology and hematology at Carti Cancer Center in Little Rock.

Heather High, a second-grade teacher and mother of four from Bella Vista, and her 14-year-old son Elijah have something in common - a love of gifted and talented education.

Bobbie Handcock of Lonoke, Arkansas, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Handcock was initiated at University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock congratulates its Spring 2024 graduates with multiple degrees.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announces its spring 2024 graduates.

For Yvonne Rodriguez, a UA Little Rock senior political science and sociology double major, the news of winning a prestigious Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Grant came as a surprise and an honor.

Claire Cockrell, a graduating student at the William H. Bowen School of Law, expects to begin her career in law as Assistant District Counsel for the east district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.

What do you want to be when you grow up? We've all been asked this question before, especially as children. While most people's answers change over time, some know very early on exactly what they want to do. Such is the case for Rachael McKenzie, a 2024 graduate of the William H. Bowen School of Law.

In an innovative thesis project that melds technology with historical preservation, Jackelyn Cordova Romano, a graduating public history student at UA Little Rock, has brought President Bill Clinton's legacy to life through the creation of immersive virtual 3D artifacts.

Benjamin Miller developed a passion for computer science and technology as a teen growing up in Cabot, Arkansas. That interest ultimately led him to pursue a bachelor's degree in computer science and a Certificate of Proficiency in Cybersecurity at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

After earning her bachelor's degree in finance from Covenant University in Nigeria, Mary Mezue said a simple birthday phone call led to a major change in life.

Hailing from Nigeria, Lotenna Nwana has carved a remarkable academic journey at UA Little Rock, culminating in the attainment of a master's degree in business information systems and analytics.

After studying computer science as an undergraduate student in Nigeria, Anulika Nwashili was intrigued by the prospect of participating in the cutting-edge research taking place at the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS) Research Center at UA Little Rock.

Following her diagnosis of throat cancer in 2015, Shalonda Michelle Nelson faced a daunting future.