University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Chance Melby, a Donaghey Scholar from Cabot, first got hooked on cybersecurity when he interned with the Cabot Public School District Technology Department during high school. "Originally, I was accepted into the Donaghey Scholars Program and that solidified my choice into going to UA Little Rock," Melby said. "I also heard the Computer Science Program was one of the best in the state. I saw the opportunities that computer science and the City of Little Rock could give me. I wanted to get my foot in the door and learn new things. I knew UA Little Rock was a place where I could excel." He graduated this semester with a bachelor's degree in computer science with a focus on cybersecurity and is looking forward to a future career in cybersecurity. UA Little Rock is starting its first bachelor's degree program in cybersecurity this fall. Melby has been instrumental in the development of the Cyber Arena, which provides cloud-based cybersecurity education for K-12 students in Arkansas.

Babatunji "Ted" Ogunjobi is graduating this month with a master's degree in business information systems from UA Little Rock and a perfect 4.0 GPA. Even though he had previously founded three startup companies, Ogunjobi had never joined a business program before UA Little Rock. "I chose the Business Information Systems Program because the curriculum blends acquiring business management and technology skills relevant for the technology driven world we live in today," he said. A native of Nigeria, Ogunjobi is putting his business skills and entrepreneurial mindset to good use as a senior business program manager at Microsoft. "There I will join the team in the quest to build products that empower every individual and organization in the world," Ogunjobi said.

The impressive achievements of future doctor Stuti Chatterjee have earned her the honor of the 2021 Edward L. Whitbeck Memorial Award at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Frank L. and Beverly Whitbeck established the award in memory of their son, Edward Lynn Whitbeck, who was a senior at Little Rock University, the predecessor of UA Little Rock, at the time of his death in 1965. Each scholar receives a personalized plaque and a monetary award. "The Whitbeck Award is given to the outstanding graduating senior," said Dr. Simon Hawkins, director of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. "Stuti is outstanding in so many ways, but more than that, she is inspirational. She represents the best of UA Little Rock. Stuti's education has changed her. It has given her so much, and she has given so much back to the university and the larger community."

After studying at UA Little Rock as an exchange student in 2013, Tuja Khaund, a native of Dibrugarh, India, couldn't stay away. "It was very exciting at first," Khaund said. "I had never been out of my country. It was one of the biggest challenges. We got to learn about different cultures and people and we made a lot of friends. It was quite the journey." After her study abroad experience, Khaund returned to Little Rock as a full-time computer science student in 2014. Now she is graduating with a Ph.D. in computer and information science and a new career as a senior data scientist at Walmart Inc.

Parker Lehnen, a native of Van Buren, Arkansas, graduated this semester with a bachelor's degree in applied communication. He eventually wants to work in higher education so he can advocate for students with disabilities. He also aspires to speak at conferences on Autism awareness.

Carletta Rainey is achieving a lifelong dream of completing her bachelor's degree as she graduates this month from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a bachelor's degree in applied communication. Rainey works as a nurse at the UAMS Women's Health Clinic and is a U.S. Army veteran who has served overseas in South Korea and Kuwait. "As a transfer student who stopped out for many years, she came to UA Little Rock in 2019," said Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, chair of the Department of Applied Communication. "Facing the odds against her with a recent cancer diagnosis, she has overcome these odds to complete her education."

Avery McLean has graduated from UA Little Rock with a bachelor's degree in biology, a minor in political science, and plans to make the world a better place through environmental law. McLean grew up on her family's cattle farm in rural Canada. Her hometown of Pilot Mound has about 500 residents and lies five miles north of the North Dakota border. She knew that she would have to leave home to receive the education she craved. At 15, McLean enrolled at the Institut Collegial Vincent Massey Collegiate in Winnipeg, Canada. From there, she was recruited as a swimmer to UA Little Rock.

Zachary Stine, of Little Rock, is a spring 2021 graduate with a Ph.D. in computer and information science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. As a member of the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Behavioral Studies (COSMOS), Stine has conducted research on computational social science, machine learning, natural language processing, cultural analytics, digital humanities, and network science. Stine will work in COSMOS as a postdoctoral fellow next year while he continues his research and mentors students. His ultimate goal is to enter academia as a professor of computer or information science.

Jennifer Tippit, of Benton, Arkansas, graduated in the spring 2021 semester with a bachelor's degree in applied communication. She transferred to UA Little Rock from UA-Pulaski Technical College and is the first in her family to get a bachelor's degree.

Uchenna "Uche" Umoga graduated this spring with a master's degree in computer science. He worked with Dr. Nitin Agarwal in COSMOS (Collaboration for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies).

Graduate Cassie Gehring is ending the spring semester on several high notes. Not only is she the first person in her family to earn a graduate degree, but Gehring has recently been promoted and is writing a grant proposal that could help single parents at UA Little Rock afford childcare. Gehring, a native of Helena who now lives in Searcy, is has graduated from UA Little Rock with a Master of Public Administration degree and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management.

After a 20-year career with the U.S. Marine Corps, Kevin Barnes, a native of Bauxite who now lives in Jacksonville, returned to Arkansas to pursue a nursing career.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock congratulates its fall 2020 graduates with multiple degrees.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announces its fall 2020 graduates.

Kathryn "Roza" Bost recently graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. At the age of four, Bost was adopted from Russia and raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. "I wrote a short story called 'The Sweet Exchange' about my memories of the orphanage," Bost said. "My goal is to share my story with international adoptee parents and international adoptees."

Tyra Robinson, a recent graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, said she was inspired to pursue a career in physical therapy after an unexpected experience with her mother.

A recent University of Arkansas in Little Rock graduate said she considers herself a "super-transfer student" after her unique college journey. Rodricka Blanks graduated Dec. 19 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication with an emphasis in mass media. Her college journey began in her hometown of Magnolia, Arkansas, after graduating high school in May 2014.

Julian Bassett, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied communication in December 2020, said coming to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock made him a more independent learner and gave him a second chance to earn his college degree.

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock employee has completed her bachelor's degree and is one step closer to fulfilling her childhood goal of becoming an advocate for the elderly. Cadence Baize, an administrative analyst in the Facilities Management office at UA Little Rock, graduated in December 2020 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and minor in sociology.

Rodricka Blanks will graduated in December 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication with an emphasis in mass media. She considers herself a "super-transfer student" because of her college journey.

Roza Bost graduated in December 2020 with a Master of Arts in applied communication. Her goal is to work at an international nonprofit organization because of her interest in multicultural issues.

Ingrid Safina, an applied biosciences doctoral student, graduated in December 2020 with a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a job offer from Columbia University to continue her nanotechnology research. Safina first joined UA Little Rock in 2009 as an undergraduate student intent on a career in medicine. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, she began pursuing a doctoral degree in applied biosciences.

While 2020 was a year of unprecedented challenges for many individuals, one woman took the opportunity to complete the college degree she started in 2002 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Lorien Dahl graduated in December 2020 with a bachelor's degree in applied communication after rejoining her program online in the spring 2020 semester.

Valerie Plate, a business major from Little Rock, graduated this semester with her bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock about 14 years after first starting college.

Daysia Klossner is a first-generation student who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management in December 2020 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The fall 2020 graduate is currently a project estimator at Baldwin & Shell construction company.

Esther Mead graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in December 2020 with a Ph.D. in integrated computing with an emphasis in information quality as well as post-doctoral research position to continue her research at UA Little Rock's Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS).

After graduating with two bachelor's degrees, a University of Arkansas at Little Rock soccer star has returned home to Germany with her sights set on a professional soccer career.

Jerome Wilson Jr. graduated in December 2020 with a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law as well as a Master of Public Service from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

Aisosa Osaretin graduated in December 2020 with a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law as well as a Master of Public Service from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. Once she takes the bar exam in February, Osaretin is planning a career in international law and human rights.

Tyra Robinson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in health education and promotion and a minor in health and exercise science in December 2020 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. After graduation, she plans to go to graduate school to become a licensed physical therapist.