At the 91¸ŁŔű´óČ«, Corporate and Community Education is helping Central Arkansas companies explore how AI can fit into their work through hands-on training tailored to each organization’s needs.

The training meets companies where they are, whether employees are just beginning to explore AI or already using the technology regularly. Courses range from AI for leadership to applications tailored to specific industries, drawing on the expertise of UA Little Rock faculty and staff.

Marla Johnson, UA Little Rock’s tech entrepreneur-in-residence and AI workforce training coordinator, works directly with organizations before training begins to understand their workflows, goals, and challenges. She uses that information to shape each workshop and bring together faculty and staff with relevant expertise.

“I really do my homework,” Johnson said. “I spend time understanding their business.”

For Flake & Company, a commercial real estate firm, the goal was to streamline behind-the-scenes work. Jessica Flake Dearnley, principal broker and owner, reached out to Johnson to explore how AI could help the firm manage routine administrative tasks, speed up financial analysis, and support real estate decisions, including evaluating lease prices and developing counterproposals during transactions.

Dearnley sees the potential for AI to give her team more time to focus on the company’s future.

“Hopefully, we can focus on growth and ideas, and what’s next, and not get buried in the weeds,” she said.

At McLarty Automotive Group, AI training focused on how employees could use the technology to strengthen their decision-making and leadership skills.

As the company prepared to launch two new leadership development programs, it incorporated AI training into its sales leadership program. Nicole Erlan, the company’s learning and development manager, worked with Johnson and her team to develop the course.

After the training, employees began exploring ways to apply AI beyond the initial session. Erlan said one employee started using it as an executive coach to explore ways to become a more effective leader. Others used AI to dig deeper into reports and consider additional possibilities when setting priorities.

At the same time, the company’s IT team was evaluating how McLarty could adopt AI while protecting its information. Kirby McGill, the group’s IT director, and his team researched how large language models work and considered tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and ChatGPT, weighing their potential uses against the company’s security requirements.

“One of the biggest challenges for me was figuring out what this does to our security posture and how we protect McLarty data,” McGill said. “A priority is helping people understand why those security guardrails are in place while still giving them the tools to get results.”

Tarco CEO Steve Ratcliff and several employees were already exploring AI’s potential before working with Johnson, but her specialized training gave the team a chance to build on that foundation and explore how AI could further support Tarco’s operations.

They initially focused on areas such as sales, marketing, finance, and accounting. As they worked with Johnson, they began applying AI to more complex tasks, including automating financial processes, evaluating financial options and analyzing business decisions. Employees used AI to develop automated processes for a workbook with more than 60 worksheets covering the company’s locations and sales regions. Previously, they had to manually update figures, enter sales data, check totals, and prepare separate regional reports. AI helped the team create macros to automate many of those steps. The team also used AI to remove outdated information from the workbook, reducing its file size by nearly half. A process that once took at least two hours now takes about 30 minutes. 

Beyond financial reporting, Ratcliff has used AI to evaluate financial options and improve decisions about customer orders. He used the technology to compare multiple loan scenarios and generate amortization schedules, completing a process that would have taken much of a day in about 45 minutes. Tarco, one of the largest independently owned manufacturers of roofing and building envelope products in North America, has also developed a process to help determine how to fulfill recurring weekly customer orders. With plants in Texas and Pennsylvania, the company weighs production costs, current freight rates and product availability to determine which location should handle an order. The tool analyzes those factors and recommends which location should fulfill the order, helping Tarco make faster, more informed decisions.

As Tarco continues to explore new applications, Ratcliff said the company is focused on using AI to evaluate information, compare alternatives and question assumptions, rather than simply complete individual tasks. Employees remain responsible for checking the information and making decisions.

“AI is not replacing the institutional knowledge and experience already inside Tarco; it is helping us apply that knowledge more effectively while people remain responsible for validation, judgment and the final decision,” Ratcliff said.

Although the applications differ from one company to the next, each reflects an effort to find practical ways to address everyday challenges and help employees make better use of their time and expertise. For Johnson, that is the purpose of the training: helping businesses understand what AI can do for them now while preparing for how the technology will continue to evolve.

“I want every company in Central Arkansas to take advantage of these classes,” Johnson said. “They will help you and your team be prepared for now and what’s to come.”

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One doesn’t necessarily need to wear a uniform to make a difference; rather, “we can all be catalysts for change” simply by standing up for what is right and serving one’s community, said Phillips, the strategic communications director for the Arkansas National Guard. “Service is an honor, but carries with it a duty to make things better, and standing up for what’s right sometimes requires risk.” 

UA Little Rock students Corey Jewell, a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and Carlos Chavarria, a corporal in the Marine Corps Reserve, attended Wednesday’s ceremony on campus and concur with Phillips regarding community service.

“Doing your part is a great way to show support” for veterans and fellow citizens, said Chavarria, in his first semester at UA Little Rock studying computer engineering.

“It’s important to be part of a group, not just an individual,” and connect with one’s community, said Jewell, who began his biology studies at UA Little Rock last year. “Be involved and help develop your community.”

Jewell, who has been in the military for more than five years, wants to attend medical school so he can continue to serve his fellow citizens, and UA Little Rock has been a perfect place for his educational needs.

Professors understand that his military service is a time commitment, as is his job at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), so they are flexible in working with him on assignments and other academic work, he said. In addition, the Military Student Success Center — which serves over 700 active-duty, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and their family members — quickly answers questions and is “a really good service.” 

Chavarria and Jewell are also glad the university observes Veterans Day with an annual ceremony. 

“Veterans Day is important for our country,” Jewell said. “We need to remember veterans and their sacrifice.” 

UA Little Rock’s annual Veterans Day ceremony recognizes the dedication, service, and sacrifice of veterans and active-duty military personnel. It’s an opportunity for the campus community to come together in appreciation of those who have served. UA Little Rock is also a Purple Heart University, which signifies the university’s recognition and honor of veterans who were wounded in combat while serving their country and are now pursuing higher education and careers at UA Little Rock.

Phillips — who resides in Little Rock with his family, enlisted in the United States Army in 1991, attended Accelerated Officer Candidate School through the Georgia Military Institute, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry in 2003 — is a link in a long chain of military service: his father, a trailblazer, joined the U.S. Army in 1959, his stepfather was one of the vaunted Tuskegee Airmen, his wife and brother are both veterans, and his son now serves in the Air National Guard in Arkansas. 

Veterans Day “reminds us of the sacrifice” of veterans, but also the ideals they have fought for, and continue to fight for, said Phillips, a member of the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard, National Guard Association of Arkansas, National Infantry Association, United States Cavalry and Armor Association, Army War College Alumni Association, The ROCKS, Inc., and Military Officers Association of America. “There’s still work to do.” 

Phillips served in key leadership positions from platoon to brigade levels, including infantry platoon leader, legislative liaison, commander of 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, state public affairs officer/communications director, deputy G1, and deputy J3. He’s received myriad awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, National Infantry Association Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion), and the United States Cavalry and Armor Association Order of Saint George, Bronze Award.

While serving during the Iraq War, “every patrol, we made a point to do something good for someone who wasn’t us, (because) we all share a common humanity,” and that sense of shared community is all the more critical now, when a quarter of the globe lives in areas beset by conflict, Phillips noted. “People are united by courage and can change history.”

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Phillips, who resides in Little Rock with his family, enlisted in the United States Army in 1991, attended Accelerated Officer Candidate School through the Georgia Military Institute, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry in 2003. He’s served in key leadership positions from platoon to brigade levels, including infantry platoon leader, legislative liaison, commander of 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, state public affairs officer/communications director, deputy G1, and deputy J3. 

The 11 a.m. ceremony will be in the Leadership Lounge of the Donaghey Student Center, with light refreshments available in the lobby. Lunch will also be available in the Trojan Cafe from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and veterans can enjoy a free meal, with valid identification.

Phillips, who currently serves as the strategic communications director for the Arkansas National Guard, has received myriad awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, National Infantry Association Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion), and the United States Cavalry and Armor Association Order of Saint George, Bronze Award. His military education includes the United States Army War College (2023, Superior Graduate), Advanced Operations Course, Intermediate Level Education, Maneuver Captains Career Course, Cavalry Leader’s Course, Public Affairs Qualification Course, and the Army National Guard Strategic Planning and Management Course.

UA Little Rock’s annual Veterans Day ceremony recognizes the dedication, service, and sacrifice of veterans and active-duty military personnel. It’s an opportunity for the campus community to come together in appreciation of those who have served.

Phillips earned a Master of Arts in strategic leadership from the University of Charleston, West Virginia, in 2019, graduating summa cum laude. He is a member of the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard, National Guard Association of Arkansas, National Infantry Association, United States Cavalry and Armor Association, Army War College Alumni Association, The ROCKS, Inc., and Military Officers Association of America.

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Participants are encouraged to bring shelf-stable food items to support the Trojan Food Pantry, which serves students, faculty and staff of UA Little Rock. Students, faculty, staff, and community are invited to wear camo and maroon Friday, Nov. 13, as the 5K leads into a weekend of Trojans home basketball games, with the men hosting Northwestern State at 7 p.m. the following night, and the women hosting the Arkansas Razorbacks at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16. 

“It all just aligns perfectly, and we hope to see lots of people dressed up,” said Julie Magaña, Student Government Association (SGA) vice president. “We all thought a 5K would be absolutely great — everyone is excited about it — and we’ve gotten so many registrations.” 

The officially-chipped 5K — which begins and concludes on Trojan Way — starts at 4 p.m. and will feature free food, as well as the the Trojan Pep Band and performances by the Trojan Dance Team. The event is presented by SGA, in cooperation with the Student Activities Board and Little Rock Athletics. 

“I was in cross country and ran track (at Bryant High School), and I know there are a lot of people like me who want to be active,” said Otto Sandh, head of 5K operations.  “A 5K is a big accomplishment, and an opportunity to compete, totally free.” 

Participants interested in a more leisurely pace are also welcome for the 5K, which follows a scenic route through trails on campus, said Sandh, a sophomore nursing student. “I personally mapped the route, and I hope to see lots of people (along the route) cheering on the runners.” 

A recreational runner, this will be Magaña’s first 5K, so “I’m a little nervous” the sophomore marketing major said with a laugh. Fortunately, “I’ve been getting some really good tips from Otto.”

Those willing to volunteer for the event can sign up online using the .

To sign up for the 5K, use the .

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The seven-year campaign brought together 22,762 donors who made 197,887 donations, investing in scholarships, student success, academic excellence, and a campus that continues to evolve. Their generosity established 211 new endowments and helped grow UA Little Rock’s endowment by 192%.

Behind those numbers were years of personal conversations and relationship-building. Over the course of the campaign, UA Little Rock’s development team conducted more than 19,000 face-to-face visits with donors and prospective supporters, helping connect their philanthropic interests with opportunities to make a difference for students and the university.

The university announced the final campaign total of $266,532,569.07 during a Nov. 5 celebration of the donors, alumni, and community partners whose support has helped shape UA Little Rock’s future.

“Seven years ago, a $250 million campaign for UA Little Rock might have seemed out of reach,” said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. “Tonight, we celebrate not just reaching that goal, but what reaching it says about who we have become.”

The Centennial Campaign has helped make college more affordable, opened new opportunities for students and faculty, and transformed spaces across campus. Many of those investments will continue to benefit students long after the campaign’s conclusion.

“Leading this campaign has been one of the proudest accomplishments of my career, and I couldn’t be prouder of the advancement team that helped make it happen,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “We built the relationships, earned the trust of our donors and put in the work to achieve something historic for UA Little Rock. And we’re not slowing down. We’ll build on this momentum because our work is about creating opportunities that will change lives for generations and ensuring UA Little Rock is positioned to serve Arkansas for the next 100 years.”

Opening Doors Through Scholarships

One of the Centennial Campaign’s most significant accomplishments has been helping UA Little Rock rethink what college affordability can look like for Arkansas students.

Private support helped launch two major affordability initiatives, the Half-Off Scholarship and the Trojan Guarantee, which have reduced the cost of earning a degree and opened new opportunities for students and families.

The Half-Off Scholarship began with a transformational anonymous gift, allowing UA Little Rock to reduce tuition costs for incoming freshmen. The university later introduced the Trojan Guarantee, which covers remaining tuition costs for qualifying students who receive both a Pell Grant and the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.

Now, UA Little Rock is working to make that commitment to affordability permanent through the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Program, which was established through a $7.5 million gift from the Windgate Foundation. 

The goal is to ensure that the affordability initiatives students benefit from today will remain available to future generations.

For nursing student Erryn Washington, scholarship support has already made a difference.

“When I received my scholarship, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders,” Washington said. “Before that, I worried constantly about how I was going to pay for school. Now I can focus on finishing my degree and preparing for a career in healthcare.”

That kind of financial stability can change a student’s entire college experience, allowing them to spend less time worrying about tuition and more time preparing for what comes next.

Helping Students Succeed

Making college affordable is an important first step, but UA Little Rock’s commitment to students extends well beyond helping them enroll.

The Centennial Campaign also invested in student success, supporting the people, programs and resources that help students navigate college and complete their degrees.

At UA Little Rock, students come from many different backgrounds and follow different paths toward graduation. Some arrive directly from high school. Others return to college after time away, balance classes with full-time jobs, or pursue degrees while raising families.

For those students, success often depends on more than academic ability. Access to guidance, encouragement and support can make the difference between stopping out and continuing toward a degree.

UA Little Rock student Latoya Vaughn’s educational journey illustrates the persistence that many students bring to their studies and the importance of having a university community invested in helping them succeed.

“One of the things I’ve learned at UA Little Rock is that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own,” LaToya said. “There are people here to help in lots of ways. Having that support has given me more confidence in myself and reminded me that there are people here who genuinely want to see me succeed.”

Through the Centennial Campaign, donors have helped strengthen UA Little Rock’s ability to meet students where they are and support them as they work toward graduation.

Investing in Academic Excellence

The Centennial Campaign has also created new opportunities for faculty and students through investments in academic leadership, research and innovative teaching.

Endowed directorships, made possible by the Windgate Foundation, the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, and the Yupo and Susan Chan Charitable Trust, are already advancing programs in nursing, education and engineering.

At the Center for Simulation Innovation, Dr. Judy Staley is helping nursing students prepare for patient care through the new Innovation Station. Using virtual reality and other simulation technologies, students can practice complex clinical scenarios, strengthen their judgment and build confidence before entering a patient room.

In the School of Education, Dr. Rachel Eells has helped launch one of the state’s first year-long, paid teacher residency programs, giving aspiring educators extensive classroom experience before they begin their careers.

The program has achieved nearly 100% job placement among graduates within three years, and a member of its inaugural cohort has already been named Teacher of the Year in their district. 

Support from the Trinity Foundation has also helped the School of Education launch a new early childhood education program and endow faculty positions that support the program.

In the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Dr. Srikanth Pidugu is helping faculty establish new research laboratories and creating additional opportunities for students to participate in real-world engineering projects.

The benefits of these investments reach beyond the university. Nursing graduates will care for patients, education graduates will teach in Arkansas classrooms, and engineering graduates will build Arkansas’s infrastructure. 

The endowed directorships will continue supporting academic leadership and innovation, giving faculty the resources to develop programs and opportunities that will benefit future students.

Transforming the Campus Experience

The Centennial Campaign has helped reshape UA Little Rock’s campus, creating new spaces for students to learn, connect and build a sense of community.

One of the most visible changes is the revitalization of Trojan Way, which has created a welcoming new front door to campus and a gathering place for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors.

The project grew out of a longstanding partnership with the Donaghey Foundation, which has supported UA Little Rock since the university’s earliest years. Greg Flesher, chair of the foundation, said its trustees periodically challenge university leaders to bring forward ideas that could make a significant difference for the institution. Chancellor Drale answered that challenge with a vision for Trojan Way, a central gathering place that would change how students and visitors experience campus.

“Occasionally, we ask the chancellor for a game-changing idea,” Flesher said. “The chancellor came up with the idea of Trojan Way. She said it would be very instrumental to the university to have a focal point that stretched the entire length and width of the university.”

Flesher said the project’s impact has exceeded his expectations, particularly in creating a more welcoming environment for prospective students and their families.

Many professors were inspired to think about things that existed on campus but had been shuttered,” said Flesher “Different cohorts of professors have been involved in getting each of these back open not only for university students but for people here in Central Arkansas. All these things that get more people on campus are good for the university.”

The transformation extends into the classroom. A total of 22 classrooms and labs have been renovated, providing updated learning environments for students and faculty. Along with improvements to laboratories and other academic spaces, these projects are helping modernize the campus and enhance the student experience.

The Shellam Flake planetarium adds another dimension to UA Little Rock’s campus transformation, creating opportunities for students and visitors to explore astronomy and science in an immersive setting. The space also strengthens the university’s connection to the community, inviting people of all ages to experience learning and discovery on campus. The soft open is scheduled next month. 

A Legacy for the Next Century

Centennial Campaign Co-Chairs Alfred Williams and Jerry Damerow helped build support for the university’s ambitious fundraising goal, drawing on their longstanding connections to UA Little Rock and their commitment to its future.

For Williams, the campaign was an opportunity to continue a family connection that stretches back to the university’s earliest years. His father attended Little Rock Junior College and later served on its board of trustees. Williams attended Little Rock University, carrying forward a relationship with the institution that spans generations.

“Serving as a co-chair was deeply personal,” said Williams. “I know what a UA Little Rock education can mean, and I wanted the students who came after me to have even more opportunities. To see where we are today makes me incredibly proud.”

Damerow’s connection began through the STEM College Dean’s Advisory Council. After more than 35 years of making Arkansas home with his wife, he saw an opportunity to support a university whose graduates contribute to the state’s workforce and communities.

“It warms my heart to know that generations of Arkansans will benefit from our work on the Centennial Campaign,” he said. “As a result of outstanding leadership, UA Little Rock is on a sharp upward trajectory, and it has been a true joy to be a small part of that.”

Williams and Damerow were joined by members of the Centennial Campaign Cabinet, alumni, foundations, corporations, and thousands of individual donors who helped the university exceed its historic goal.

Among the campaign’s most enduring achievements are the 211 new endowments established to provide permanent support for scholarships, faculty leadership, academic programs, and student success.

Those funds will continue supporting the university long after the seven-year campaign has ended, allowing the generosity of today’s donors to reach students who have not yet set foot on campus.

“Those investments have changed UA Little Rock forever,” Drale said. “They have helped us become stronger, more innovative and better positioned to serve our students than ever before.”

As UA Little Rock enters its second century, the Centennial Campaign has laid the groundwork for the university’s future. Students will benefit from expanded scholarship opportunities, stronger academic programs and a campus transformed by the generosity of thousands of donors.

“Every gift to this campaign was an investment in what UA Little Rock can become,” said O’Neal. “Our responsibility now is to honor that generosity by putting these resources to work, delivering on the promises we’ve made to our donors, and continue creating opportunities for the students and communities we serve.”

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Kaylee Hooper toured the campus this spring, but wanted more information on campus clubs, financial aid, and scholarships. 

“The financial aid part was helpful, and I learned about (several) clubs I didn’t know about” previously, said Hooper, a senior at Poyen High School. “I really like budgeting, and learning about (UA Little Rock’s) real estate program made me a lot more interested in (that program) — there’s really not anything else like it.” 

Star City High School senior Jamee Hogue is already committed to UA Little Rock, but wants to be prepared for next fall, so she’s eager for opportunities like Discover where she can gain more knowledge about the university and campus. 

“I love the campus layout, and there’s no pressure” from UA Little Rock recruiters or other employees, which she appreciated as she was selecting a college, said Hogue, who planned to tour East Hall during Discover, where she expects to live next year. “Everyone here is kind-hearted, and there are plenty of opportunities for me.” 

Students and their families were welcomed to campus for academic showcases, student panels, admissions support, and interactive sessions with faculty and staff. Discover, one of the university’s most impactful recruitment events, gives prospective students a firsthand look at the strong academic programs, personalized support, and vibrant campus experience that define the Trojan journey.

“Discover is one of the most important opportunities we have to introduce prospective students and their families to everything UA Little Rock has to offer,” said Jonathan Coleman, director of Financial Aid & Scholarships. “It allows students to experience our campus firsthand, connect with faculty and staff, explore academic programs, and begin to envision themselves as part of the Trojan community, (but) just as importantly, it gives families the opportunity to see the value of a UA Little Rock education and the opportunities available to their students.” 

Hooper was pleasantly surprised to learn during Discover about all the resources available for students. 

“You can get free clothes for interviews” through the Trojan Career Closet, and students have access to numerous tools — from 3D printers and a sewing machine, to heat presses, sublimation printers, embroidery machines, and a buttonmaker — through the Trojan Forge makerspace, which officially opened in August, said Hooper. “I haven’t seen that anywhere else.” 

Hogue plans to major in business and minor in real estate, preparing for a career in real estate and interior design. She and her parents, Brian and Tanya Hogue, have been impressed by UA Little Rock’s welcoming atmosphere, helpful faculty and staff, and proximity to their home.

“It seems like a safe campus, and it’s not very far from home,” Tanya said, adding that the university has provided Jamee with valuable guidance on financial aid and scholarship opportunities, “which is really important.”

Jamee is “excited for all the new experiences” in college, but she won’t lose touch with her parents, either. 

“My dad is going to visit every Friday so we can play golf together,” she said with a smile. 

Many students, even local students, have never been on campus, so Discover lets them experience what life would be like at UA Little Rock, noted Coleman, assistant vice chancellor of enrollment management. “Discover gives those students their first opportunity to see themselves as college students and as UA Little Rock students.” 

Callie Walls is only a junior at Benton High School, so she has plenty of time to select a college, but she came to Discover to learn more about the nursing program and left impressed, as did her mother, Jessica. 

The nursing program is “very interactive,” and features state-of-the-art equipment, all at an affordable cost, which is “definitely a positive,” said Jessica, who was making her first visit to campus, as was her daughter. The campus is “really nice and pretty.” 

Nursing offers Callie an opportunity “to do what I love,” but without as many years of school as becoming a medical doctor or veterinarian, she noted. “I love helping people.” 

To learn more about applying to UA Little Rock, visit ualr.edu/admissions.

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Kicking off the series is the Fall Percussion Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, directed by Justin Bunting. The evening will highlight the many sides of percussion at UA Little Rock, beginning with performances by the Percussion Techniques class and the UA Little Rock Percussion Ensemble.

The Percussion Ensemble will perform traditional Mexican and Central American marimba music, recently featured at the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) DĂ­a de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival in downtown Little Rock. The ensemble will also perform “æther 6” by Michael Calamas, a piece six members will take to the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis – the world’s largest percussion convention – for a chamber ensemble competition.

The concert will also introduce the Global Rhythms Ensemble, formerly known as the Trojan Steel Band. The newly named ensemble will make its debut with three steel band selections, including “Jean & Dinah,” “Underneath the Mango Tree,” and “Shut Up and Dance,” alongside traditional West African drumming and Arabic frame drumming. The performance will bring together a range of musical traditions and percussion styles to close out the evening. See the for further details.

Just six days later, on Nov. 16, the Piano Ensemble and Chamber Ensemble Fall Concert will bring a holiday touch to the concert hall. Directed by Naoki Hakutani, the concert will feature 10 student musicians performing works by Edvard Grieg and Franz Gruber with the Piano Ensemble, along with selections by Dmitri Shostakovich and David Uber performed by the Brass Quartet and String Ensembles. For more information on the 7:30 p.m. concert, visit the .

Rounding out the November lineup is the Fall Jazz Ensemble Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19, directed by Michael Underwood. This year’s performance will celebrate the trumpet with a program featuring music by legendary jazz artists Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, as well as selections associated with Clark Terry and the Ray Anthony Big Band. The ensemble will also perform “Hurricane Season” by New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty and feature student vocalist Cooper Sikes on the American classic “Route 66.” Explore the to learn more.

From festive favorites to fresh rhythms, UA Little Rock’s November concerts offer something for every music lover. All three performances are free and open to the public. Come enjoy live music and celebrate UA Little Rock’s student musicians.

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Food trucks and raffle prizes will also be part of the festivities, from 5-8 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (DCSTEM).

“It’s a way to build community (among) students and their families, prospective students, and the Little Rock community,” said Erin Flowers, director of student services. “The exhibits make it amazing — more than half of them are from student organizations, which is really cool — and it’s a fun time for us all to be together.” 

Current and prospective DCSTEM students can learn about opportunities in the college including research opportunities, leadership programs, honor societies, career pathways, and student organizations. 

Much of the activity will be centered in the Engineering & Information Technology (EIT) building, on floors one and four, including a Trojan Forge Makerspace activity, Cybersecurity Club activities, virtual and augmented reality, and mobile and industrial robots, among other highlights. However, the Engineering Technology & Applied Science (ETAS) building, Stabler Hall, and Trojan Way will also offer opportunities, with check-in and the food trucks located in the parking lot between EIT and the Reynolds business building.

ETAS will have a gaming lounge with Esports, while Stabler Hall will have Pico Balloon launches at 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m., as well as stargazing. Trojan Way will host a crop demonstration, “disappearing ghosts,” and — new this year — pet rock adoptions.

“It should be clear Wednesday for stargazing,” and a live feed will also be available in the EIT building illustrating the visual splendor from the observatory, Flowers said. In addition, the pop-up planetarium will return this year, in the EIT building, thanks to the Aerospace Club, and “that’s very popular.”

Experiments and activities from the American Chemistry Society student group, as well as the university’s George W. Donaghey Emerging Analytics Center (EAC) and Cyberspace Operations Research and Education (CORE) Center, always draw plenty of attention, too, added Flowers. “Get here early, and make a plan, because there is a lot to do, and time flies by quickly.” 

Attendees should also arrive earlier rather than later to secure tickets for the food trucks, which can’t be procured in advance and are first-come, first-served. Dining options will include barbecue, tacos, and loaded potatoes, as well as vegetarian and vegan items, plus desserts.

More information, as well as the registration form, is available .

“We had more than 700 people last year, and we already have more than 600 signed up this year, which is ahead of” last year’s pace, Flowers said Monday. “This event just continues to grow every year.”

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Social work students Ahmed Alnomani, Leah Beaumont, Jasmine Kearney, and Trinity Louden are organizing the effort, with support from fellow student Grace Maddox, who is interning with The Van, a local nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness.

“As winter approaches, hygiene products often get forgotten,” Alnomani said. “Something as simple as a dry pair of socks can make a real difference in someone’s day.”

Louden said the drive also reflects the importance of recognizing the dignity of those experiencing homelessness. 

“I am going into social work because I believe everyone deserves to be seen and cared for,” she said. “It is easy to look past people who are struggling right in front of us. I want this drive to be a reminder that they deserve the same care and dignity we’d want for anyone we love.”

Through her internship, Maddox has helped with outreach efforts, sorted donations, and prepared supplies for distribution, giving her a closer look at how The Van serves those experiencing homelessness.

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how important it is to meet people where they are and build relationships rather than just provide supplies,” Maddox said.

As temperatures drop, hygiene products remain important alongside seasonal essentials such as coats and blankets. The Bags of Hope drive gives students, faculty, staff, and community members a practical way to support their community by donating everyday, often overlooked items.

“This drive is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and provide resources to individuals who deserve the same compassion and dignity as anyone else,” Kearney said.

How to donate

The most-needed items include socks, gloves, underwear, bar soap, menstrual products, and Neosporin. Other requested donations include hand warmers, oral hygiene products, hair care items, deodorant, lotion, lip balm, wet wipes, bandages, antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, flashlights, sunscreen, and batteries.

Donations can be dropped off at the following UA Little Rock campus locations: School of Social Work, fourth floor of Ross Hall; Ottenheimer Library, main lobby; and School of Nursing, main lobby.

Additional donation boxes are available at local businesses in Little Rock and Bryant. Visit the to find community drop-off locations or shop the to purchase needed items.

Donations will be accepted through Nov. 18. For questions about the drive, email bagsofhope4lr@googlegroups.com. To learn more about The Van and its work serving people experiencing homelessness in Pulaski County, visit .

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The grant marks the beginning of a new partnership between Kroger and the Trojan Food Pantry, strengthening efforts to address food insecurity and provide essential resources to members of the campus community.

The funding will help sustain pantry operations throughout the academic year, ensuring those in need have access to food assistance. 

For students balancing academics, work and other responsibilities, access to resources like the Trojan Food Pantry can help ease financial pressures and support their overall well-being.

“It may seem like a small support the pantry gives, but it does make a change in giving those that need it the assurance of having something in your pantry,” said Teresa Esparza, student success coach at UA Little Rock.

Kroger announced the grant Oct. 23 during a re-opening celebration for a renovated store in Benton, and it was one of several donations the company made that day to local organizations, including the Arkansas Foodbank and Benton Senior Center. 

This is the first time Kroger has provided financial support to the Trojan Food Pantry, but both Esparza and George Brown – manager of Communications and Public Affairs for Kroger’s Delta Division – hope the partnership will continue to grow. 

“One of our missions at Kroger is to Feed the Human Spirit, (and) we are so happy to support UA Little Rock and its students,” said Brown. “No student should have to worry where their next meal is coming from while also trying to further their studies, take care of their family, etc. We look forward to a long partnership.”

The partnership also highlights the importance of community organizations investing in the success and well-being of UA Little Rock students, many of whom contribute to the region through volunteer work, internships and employment.

“Students are constantly out in the community, volunteering at events, interning and working at local businesses, and giving back in the best way they can,” Esparza said. “It’s encouraging to know that the community is here to give back to them as well.”

The Trojan Food Pantry serves current UA Little Rock students, faculty and staff, providing an additional resource for those who need food assistance. The pantry operates by scheduled pickup appointments only. All orders and appointments must be arranged in advance through .

Community members interested in supporting the pantry can drop off in-kind donations at the Trojan Food Pantry, located on the second floor of the Student Leadership Center. Monetary donations can also be made online through the UA Little Rock giving website.

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