Food trucks and raffle prizes will also be part of the festivities, from 5-8 p.m.聽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.”聽

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

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聽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.”聽

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.”

The post UA Little Rock Nerd Night Offers STEM Demos and Experiments for All appeared first on News.

The seven students — Brandon Bean, Rabecca Cisneros, Hank Herzfeld, Matthew Stocks, Katie Rainey, Abigail Hustead, and Blakely Spears — conducted their research over the summer, working extensively with Taylor Handford, an attorney at the Association of Arkansas Counties. In early August, the students presented their findings to Sen. Clarke Tucker, Rep. Carol Dalby, and members of the AAC legal staff.聽

Their work was so “excellent” that Dalby and others asked some of the students to also present at a recent meeting of the Arkansas Bar Association Board of Trustees, she said. “This is an issue of importance not only to practicing attorneys, but the citizens of Arkansas.”聽

Dalby also believes legislation could arise from the work the students completed.

“Legislators want efficient use of tax dollars, (as well as) the fines and fees that go into this system, and county law libraries need to be brought into the 21st Century,” she said. “People want to see improvements, and as the chair of House Judiciary, I’m always looking for ways to improve items that fall under that committee.”

Handford “would be very surprised if legislation doesn’t come out of this research project aimed at improving aspects of a system that is antiquated and in need of reform,” he said. “The data and information (students) uncovered, compiled, and presented in a cogent, understandable manner was spectacular.”聽

Tucker, too, is “confident we can enact some reforms at the county and state level that would be a direct result of this work,” he said. “We’re blessed to have a talented group willing to take this on — we have tremendous staffs, but there’s a limit to what they can do when already operating at capacity — because it’s a question worth investigating, and this is a huge benefit to us as legislators.”聽

“The quality of their work was extremely high from an effort and analytical standpoint — I don’t think any effort like this has ever been undertaken on this issue in our state — and their presentation was so impressive,” added Tucker. “Our future is bright” as a state with students like this at Bowen law school.

“I felt very heard and respected, (as) we were giving them data on what is really happening, not just ‘vibes,'” said Cisneros, who is in her second year at Bowen. Both Tucker and Dalby “want to be good stewards of resources and make sure the rights of people are taken care of.”聽

The public should care about this issue, because county law libraries are not only points of access to justice for Arkansans, but research spots for attorneys who represent them, said Rainey, a Little Rock native who is in her final year of law school at Bowen and currently working with the prosecuting attorney’s office in Pulaski County. “Having working, sustainable county law libraries serves the public.”聽

The research was prompted by conversations with Tucker and Jim Jackson, an Arkansas Bar Association Trustee and Bowen alumnus, regarding the Administration of Justice law, which funds county law libraries, said Bowen Dean Colin Crawford. Students found significant differences across the state in how funding is distributed and spent, with several counties having substantial balances.

“We’re terrifically proud of (these students),” Crawford said. “It’s really impressive work.”

Indeed, Handford made clear to students he would be a resource, but he couldn’t “hold their hand,” so they had to “take the bull by the horns,” which they did, and he’s proud the AAC could partner with Bowen on such a worthwhile project.聽

“We most definitely appreciated their hard work and the professional product,” Dalby noted. “It was very well done and informative.”

Students drove all over the state for this project, because while simply sorting through all the county data required “so much labor and time, you have to physically go there to get the full picture,” Tucker noted. “They left no stone unturned.”聽

The AAC was already looking into county law libraries, and how they’re functioning, so it made sense to collaborate with Bowen to “tackle the issue in a holistic way,” said Handford, a Batesville native who has his law degree from Bowen.聽This project was valuable for students to understand the role counties play — “the local level is really where the rubber meets the proverbial road” — and their research confirmed that the county law library system requires reform, which will be based largely on stakeholder input, as well as determining who county law libraries are really meant to serve (judges and attorneys, the general public, those detained in jails and prisons, or some combination).聽

Under the law, funding goes to county treasurers, who remit those funds to appropriate partners, ideally the county’s law library board, but, in some cases, counties didn’t even have law library boards, Crawford said. “There’s no uniform habit — some counties have their materials locked up,” and some counties refused to talk about their law libraries with the students, despite the libraries being funded by public dollars — so the system warrants “a rethinking.”

Roughly half of the students focused on Arkansas county law libraries, while the other half examined the systems for county law libraries in other states. Cisneros led the former, while Rainey was team lead for the latter.聽

“I really like relevant work, and as a transplant to Arkansas, I was able to get a better idea of access to justice and public policy in Arkansas” through this project, said Cisneros, who relocated to Arkansas from Utah and sees similarities between the two states. “What works as a solution in one area of a state” that is densely populated may not work in more rural areas of a state, and vice versa.聽

“My biggest takeaway is there’s no ‘one way’ — every state and county is a bit different — there’s no national model,” but thriving county law libraries that best serve the legal community and general public through resources, awareness, and clinics did share some commonalities, Rainey said. They’re mandated by state code, and generally run through the judiciary in each county in conjunction with local county libraries, and there’s specificity in the laws on exactly what funding is for, with oversight.

“There’s local control, but a report-back on spending,” so that funding can’t be misappropriated, she said. “Local control is important, because they know best, but there needs to be some accountability.”聽

Cisneros and her fellow law students engaged in healthy debate about the balance of local control and government oversight for this issue.

“It seems the intent was for local control, but with no method to re-draw or reallocate funds, so a different problem was created, despite the best intentions,” said Cisneros, a military veteran and former school principal drawn to Bowen for its affordability and pillars of access to justice, public service, and professionalism. “There can be a chasm between policy-makers and those who execute policies.”聽

A system created before the internet has to “modernize with the times,” and while Tucker believes the state should defer to counties on these decisions, he wants to see counties learn from each other, he said. “If they can share best practices, that will improve the end product (for people) trying to make their way through the justice system.”聽

As an attorney herself, Dalby understands the value for a law student of working on a project of this nature.聽

“This real-world learning experience makes for better attorneys, because they can see the impact of an issue on a wide range of people,” she said. “It broadens the horizons of students.”

The project isn’t closed, either, as the law school and its students continue to collaborate with the Association of Arkansas Counties. Bowen students could assist in drafting legislation that might enhance the law library system.聽

Building up the state’s courthouse kiosks — computer stations located in courthouses and libraries throughout Arkansas that provide free access to legal forms, step-by-step guides, and interactive tools for civil legal matters — would be a “low-cost, high-result option,” said Cisneros. “They’re very successful — people use them — and your access to justice should not be limited by financial,” educational, or geographical barriers.聽

The state currently has more than 90 kiosks, according to the Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation, which collaborates on the kiosks project with the Court Improvement Program and the Administrative Office of the Courts.聽

The kiosks “have filled the gap, expanding access to legal resources,” noted Handford. They “have a dedicated mission and purpose,” whereas county law library boards “have become a vestige of a system no longer functioning” as intended.聽

Cisneros found the county law library project invaluable.

“All of the research, writing, and analytical skills the law school is teaching us came out doing this report,” Cisneros said. She was also able to collaborate with team members she didn’t previously know well and distill data down “to what’s important for policymakers (versus) what is fluff.”

Additionally, “I loved going out on road trips” to various Arkansas counties, Cisneros said with a smile. “Everyone was overwhelmingly helpful and nice — I have fallen in love with the people of Arkansas.”

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While these personalized recommendations can make social media more engaging, they can also create opportunities for manipulation, according to Dr. Nitin Agarwal, a 91福利大全 researcher studying the intersection of artificial intelligence, human behavior, and online influence.

Agarwal, founding director of UA Little Rock鈥檚 Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies () Research Center, recently shared his expertise with — formerly the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences — following a landmark court ruling involving Meta and YouTube.

Agarwal, who also serves as Maulden-Entergy Chair and Donaghey Distinguished Professor of Information Science, discussed social media addiction, algorithmic recommendations, and their broader societal implications.

The conversation explored how social media platforms are designed to capture users鈥� attention and how those same technologies can potentially be exploited to influence what people believe and how they behave.

鈥淚 felt it was an important conversation because the case raises questions that go well beyond how much time we spend on our phones,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淚t gets to the fundamental issue of how AI-powered platforms are engineered to capture and retain human attention and what happens when those same mechanisms influence what people see, believe, and ultimately do.鈥�

At COSMOS, Agarwal and his team have spent years examining the relationship between artificial intelligence, social networks, and human behavior. Their research focuses on understanding how information spreads online, how algorithms shape what users encounter, and how malicious actors can exploit those systems to manipulate public perception.

According to Agarwal, social media recommendation systems operate through a continuous feedback loop. As users interact with content, algorithms learn what captures their attention and use that information to personalize future recommendations. Those recommendations, in turn, influence how users engage with the platform.

While this process can help people discover relevant content, it can also expose them to increasingly narrow information environments and reinforce particular narratives or beliefs.

鈥淭he same AI infrastructure that can keep someone scrolling can potentially be exploited to keep someone inside a particular narrative or worldview,鈥� Agarwal said.

This potential for manipulation is one of the central concerns driving COSMOS research in cognitive security, a field examining how information and technology can be used to influence human perceptions, beliefs, and behavior.

Agarwal explained that malicious actors do not necessarily need to compromise a computer system or take control of a social media platform to influence its users. Instead, they can exploit human psychology and the algorithms themselves.

One way malicious actors can exploit these systems is by making certain posts appear more popular than they actually are. Through networks of automated or coordinated accounts, they can artificially boost engagement, potentially increasing the likelihood that a platform recommends the material to a wider audience.

鈥淭hat is why our research approaches cognitive security as a socio-computational problem,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淵ou cannot adequately understand the threat by studying human behavior or artificial intelligence independently. You have to understand the interaction between them.鈥�

At COSMOS, researchers are using artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis to investigate suspicious online activity and uncover patterns that may indicate organized manipulation. Their work also examines how influence campaigns develop, spread across platforms, and adapt over time.

COSMOS has received more than $30 million in research support from federal agencies, including the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and National Science Foundation.

Its research has also attracted interest from NATO and defense communities in Europe, Australia, and Singapore, reflecting the growing international importance of protecting information environments from manipulation. Tools developed by Agarwal to mitigate cognitive threats have been recognized by NATO鈥檚 innovation hub as among the top 10 globally for countering cognitive warfare.聽

UA Little Rock students also contribute directly to federally funded COSMOS projects addressing issues involving artificial intelligence, misinformation, and national security.

Working alongside faculty, students analyze information gathered from social media platforms and gain practical experience with technologies such as machine learning, data analytics, and large language models.

鈥淪tudents are integral to virtually everything we do at COSMOS,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey are not simply observing research. They are actively participating in federally funded projects addressing real-world problems of national and international importance.鈥�

Beyond identifying threats, Agarwal believes researchers have an important responsibility to help make artificial intelligence and social media technologies safer, more transparent, and more resilient to exploitation.

Through his participation in the Governor鈥檚 AI Center of Excellence Task Force, Agarwal has also contributed research perspectives to discussions about responsible AI adoption, government effectiveness, safety, and public trust in Arkansas.

He emphasized that addressing the risks associated with artificial intelligence requires a shared commitment from technology companies, researchers, policymakers, and the people who use these platforms. For everyday social media users, he encourages greater awareness of how online content is recommended and how it influences their emotions and decisions.

鈥淲e should periodically ask ourselves: 鈥榃hy am I seeing this? Why does this content make me angry, anxious, or excited? Did I choose to spend this much time here, or did the system successfully keep me engaged?鈥欌�� Agarwal said.

For Agarwal, understanding the influence of artificial intelligence is an important step toward ensuring these technologies are developed and used responsibly.

鈥淎I is extraordinarily powerful, but ultimately, we determine the values and objectives around which these systems are designed,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淎I doesn鈥檛 define us, it reflects us.鈥�

The post UA Little Rock鈥檚 Nitin Agarwal Shares Expertise on how Social Media Shapes What We Believe appeared first on News.

Independent evaluation of federally funded programs on campus is another growing area for the SRC, which can also fill research gaps for faculty while acting as a resource beyond campus, said Dr. David White, director of the SRC. “When people have important questions that require solid answers, I want them to know the SRC is there to give them the support they need.”

The Research and Writing Group will meet at noon on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, beginning Oct. 13, in Ross Hall 404. Open to all faculty interested in publishing in peer-reviewed journals, the group offers opportunities to connect with writing colleagues and helps experienced researchers boost productivity.

“The best part of the writing group is that we can tailor information to meet the group’s needs,” White said. “Depending on where they are in their journey, they may need support developing and refining their ideas, establishing their methodology, conducting聽their research, analyzing and organizing their findings, or even choosing which journals provide them with the best publication opportunities.”聽

“A vital aspect of the SRC鈥檚 mission is to provide a collaborative campus hub where we help researchers turn questions and ideas into research that results in publication, presentations, posters, and other scholarly works,” added White. “We have proudly served as Arkansas鈥檚 only academic survey research center for more than 40 years, supporting government, nonprofits, the business community, and academic researchers.”

The SRC is a felicitous fit for program evaluation because of its regular work collecting and analyzing data.

“We can work with administrative units and project teams to determine what outcomes need to be measured and develop a data collection and evaluation plan,” White said. “We can develop tools including surveys, interviews, focus groups — as well as provide analysis of existing data — we compile all of an organization’s data into聽clear, actionable聽reports that help our聽partners identify trends and make decisions.”聽

The development phase is the best time to incorporate the SRC.

“By integrating evaluation from the beginning, we help researchers design their work around clear, measurable metrics that go beyond simply meeting a reporting requirement,” White noted. “Our goal is to give people the information they need to get things done.”

While some faculty members have grants, etc., allowing them to hire graduate assistants or other support team members, the SRC can be a resource for those who don’t, helping them design projects, seek funding, collect data, and analyze results. Experience, expertise,聽solid methodology, scientific sampling, and reliable data analysis offer faculty confidence that their work will withstand the rigor of peer review.聽

As the state’s only聽academic survey research center, the SRC can support faculty and administrators throughout the University of Arkansas System’s campuses and across Arkansas; however, the work isn’t limited to higher education institutions, White said. “Arkansas is seeing major investment in areas such as technology, data infrastructure, and mineral extraction; as those industries grow, companies and policymakers will need reliable information about Arkansas’s communities, the workforce, and the effects of that growth.”

“Good decisions depend on good data,” added White. “The SRC can gather that data using research methods that give decision-makers confidence in the results.”

Nonprofits serving Arkansas should consider the SRC, which can help them show what their work is accomplishing, White noted. “Through needs assessments, grant evaluations, and impact studies, we can help them use their data to tell their story and demonstrate the value that makes a strong case for funding.”

The SRC is community-focused and centered, working with organizations like the Venture Center and the Rally Point Nonprofit Center of Excellence.

“Our goal is to provide data that drives decisions and builds opportunities for the people of Arkansas,” White said.聽Helping people work through research plans and processes “is at the heart of everything we do.”聽

The SRC can be reached by email at SRC@ualr.edu, on the web, or in person (Ross Hall, Room 404).

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Students in the 91福利大全鈥檚 new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence want to do more than simply use AI. They want to understand how it works and explore what they can build with it.

This fall marks the inaugural semester for the new major, which gives students the opportunity to study topics ranging from AI governance and machine learning to natural language processing, robotics, and deep learning. The 120-hour program combines technical coursework with hands-on projects and includes two capstone courses that allow students to apply their knowledge. 

For freshman Anshika Singh, the new degree comes at a time when her curiosity about technology is becoming a career goal.

Singh, an India native who has lived in Little Rock for the past four years, initially planned to major in computer science, but as she learned more about the growing role of artificial intelligence in technology careers, she decided she wanted to study AI more directly.

鈥淚 was originally planning to major in computer science, but the more I looked into it, the more I realized AI was reshaping what those jobs even look like,鈥� Singh said. 鈥淎 lot of roles that used to be purely computer science are folding in AI skills now. I wanted to actually understand the technology driving that shift instead of just adjacent to it.鈥�

The new program appealed to Singh because of its emphasis on machine learning and the opportunity to specialize in a field she sees transforming the technology industry.

She is particularly interested in understanding the technology behind AI tools she already encounters in everyday life.

鈥淚鈥檓 really looking forward to digging into the history of AI 鈥� how it actually got started 鈥� and then comparing how today鈥檚 models like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini work under the hood,鈥� Singh said.

Her curiosity also extends to applications such as facial recognition and self-driving cars. After riding in a self-driving vehicle, Singh said, AI became less abstract and more tangible because she had experienced the technology firsthand.

She hopes to eventually work as an AI engineer, building and deploying machine learning models to solve real-world problems.

Junior Coy Stone also sees the new degree as a way to turn a longstanding interest in technology into a career.

A transfer student from Southern Arkansas University, Stone initially came to UA Little Rock intending to study computer engineering. During his first advising meeting, however, he learned about the new AI program and realized it aligned closely with what he hoped to do professionally.

鈥淚 actually transferred to UA Little Rock for computer engineering, but it was in hopes to work with AI,鈥� Stone said. 鈥淲hen I was in my first advising meeting I was told about the new AI degree, and it sounded perfect for everything I wanted to do with my career.鈥�

Stone is particularly interested in machine learning and the process through which computers can learn to identify patterns and solve problems.

鈥淭he way that a computer can 鈥榯hink鈥� its way through a problem is a concept I still struggle to grasp, so learning exactly how it all works is going to be really fun to study,鈥� he said.

He is also interested in the potential applications of AI in health care, particularly ways the technology could assist doctors and contribute to improved patient outcomes.

Stone said he wants to use his education to do meaningful work that can make a difference in other people鈥檚 lives.

For Joud Musallam, pursuing an AI degree represents another step in a longer educational journey.

Musallam began her education in Jordan before continuing her studies in the United States and earning an associate degree in technology and engineering. She said artificial intelligence has been an area she has wanted to study since she first began college.

When she learned that UA Little Rock was offering a bachelor鈥檚 degree specifically in AI, she knew she wanted to pursue it.

鈥淏eing able to officially major in artificial intelligence at UA Little Rock feels really meaningful to me,鈥� Musallam said.

She’s especially interested in learning how AI works beyond simply using the technology and exploring how it can be applied responsibly to real-world problems and different industries.

As UA Little Rock expands its academic offerings in artificial intelligence, students entering the new program will have the opportunity to study a rapidly evolving field alongside faculty engaged in AI and machine learning research. The university has existing research strengths in areas including artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and cybersecurity, providing opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with research and applied projects.

鈥淲hat makes this program especially exciting is that it is built on a strong foundation of AI and machine learning research already taking place at UA Little Rock,鈥� said Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost of research and dean of the Graduate School. 鈥淥ur students won鈥檛 just learn how to use the AI tools that exist today; they will have opportunities to understand the science behind them, work alongside faculty engaged in cutting-edge research, and develop the skills to build what comes next. This program will help prepare the AI builders of the future who can create, improve, and responsibly deploy the technologies that will shape our economy and society for generations to come.鈥�

The new degree has also drawn interest from industry leaders who see opportunities to strengthen partnerships with the university and prepare students for the growing demand for AI skills.

鈥淚n the past, we might have had to go outside the state to look for some of these programs,鈥� said Michael Goad, manager of cybersecurity and access management at Southwest Power Pool. 鈥淭o see a program like this here locally, we鈥檙e excited to get to partner with UA Little Rock and for what this partnership looks like in the future.鈥�

For Singh, Stone, and Musallam, the new degree offers different paths into the same rapidly evolving field, united by a shared desire to understand not just what the technology can do, but what they can do with it.

鈥淚 just know I want to do something meaningful, something that can actually impact the lives of others around me,鈥� Stone said.

The post UA Little Rock Students Explore the Future Through New Artificial Intelligence Degree appeared first on News.

Nano Day 2026 will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Ledbetter A, B, and C of the Donaghey Student Center. The event will showcase nanotechnology research taking place across UA Little Rock through faculty presentations, student research posters, laboratory tours, and opportunities for networking and interdisciplinary collaboration. Registration for the event is now closed.

Nanotechnology involves studying and manipulating materials at an extremely small scale, often at the level of individual atoms and molecules, with applications spanning fields such as medicine, electronics, energy, and advanced materials.聽

Dr. Gregory Guisbiers, associate professor of physics and astronomy at UA Little Rock, launched Nano Day in 2025 as a way to bring together researchers and students working across disciplines.

鈥淲hen I started Nano Day at UA Little Rock in 2025, one of my goals was to create a space where our faculty members and students could come together to share ideas, highlight the exciting nanoscience and nanotechnology research being conducted across our campus, and build new connections,鈥� Guisbiers said. 鈥淣anotechnology is inherently interdisciplinary, bringing together physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, materials science, and many other fields.鈥�

This year鈥檚 event will feature an invited presentation from Dr. Saw Hla of Argonne National Laboratory, a leading researcher in nanoscience and nanoscale materials. His presentation will give attendees an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge developments in nanotechnology and engage with an internationally recognized scientist.

Students will also have the opportunity to showcase their own work through judged poster presentations, interact with researchers, and learn more about different areas of nanotechnology.

鈥淓ngaging directly with the scientific community and interacting with internationally recognized researchers are invaluable experiences that complement their academic education and help prepare them for future careers in science and technology,鈥� Guisbiers said.

In addition to research presentations and laboratory tours, Nano Day will provide opportunities for attendees to network and build connections across disciplines. The event will conclude with an awards ceremony recognizing student poster presentations.

The post UA Little Rock to Celebrate Nanotechnology Research at Nano Day 2026 appeared first on News.

鈥淎I in Production鈥� marked the second time UA Little Rock has hosted an AI InTheRock meetup, which creates open spaces for people across industries and backgrounds to connect, share ideas, and discuss the growing role of AI.

The Sept. 30 event brought together attendees for food, networking, presentations, and an open discussion among the audience and presenters. It featured presentations from Ouachita Labs and Arkana Laboratories on production machine learning, clinical AI, GPU infrastructure, and the use of AI models in renal pathology.

The event reflects UA Little Rock鈥檚 broader efforts to connect its academic expertise with the growing real-world applications of AI.

鈥淎I is rapidly moving from something we study and experiment with to something that is actively transforming how organizations operate and solve problems,” said Dr. Tansel Karabacak, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. “At UA Little Rock, we want to be a place where students, faculty, industry partners, and the broader community can come together to explore these applications, learn from one another, and responsibly turn AI innovation into real-world impact for Arkansas.”

Matt Olson, co-founder of AI InTheRock, emphasized the importance of the discussion as AI continues to move beyond its familiar role as a search tool.

鈥淎I in production is an important conversation right now because it affects everyone,” he said. “It’s not just a search tool; it can actually run processes. It can communicate with people. That’s why everyone should know about AI’s role in production.鈥�

That shift also changes how people should think about AI and what it can do. Olson said one common misconception is viewing AI simply as a tool for finding information, rather than as technology that can help people solve problems, navigate situations, and accomplish tasks that previously were not possible.

鈥淚t’s not just a search tool. It can craft deals, listen to conversations, help mitigate situations, and come up with solutions,鈥� Olson said. 鈥淚 believe it’s less about artificial intelligence and more about a superpower, not a super intelligence. It’s a powerful tool that can give you the ability to do things you couldn’t do before.鈥�

The next AI InTheRock event, 鈥淎I Distilled,鈥� will be Oct. 21 at Little Rock’s Skyline Event Venue. Phil Brandon, UA Little Rock alumnus and founder and CEO of Rock Town Distillery, will discuss how the local distillery has used AI in its operations. For more information about upcoming AI InTheRock events, visit .

The post UA Little Rock Hosts AI InTheRock for Machine Learning and Production Discussion appeared first on News.

Thomas, a Little Rock native, participated in the program to strengthen her preparation for the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, a standardized exam used in the medical school admissions process, while gaining a better understanding of the medical profession.

鈥淚 applied to the program because I wanted to become more prepared and competitive for medical school, but I gained much more than academic preparation,鈥� said Thomas, a biology major with a chemistry minor. 鈥淭he mentorship, clinical exposure, physician interactions, and guidance from medical professionals gave me a clearer understanding of the path ahead and strengthened my confidence that I am pursuing the right career.鈥�

Thomas spent her mornings volunteering on a surgical floor at UAMS, where she transported patients to pre-op, assisted patients鈥� families, and saw how surgical teams operate. Her afternoons included MCAT preparation, professional development, and conversations with physicians, residents, medical students, and admissions representatives. She also gained hands-on experience through ultrasound and suturing labs.

The program gave Thomas her first opportunity to shadow a physician in a clinical setting. She especially enjoyed shadowing a surgical oncologist, which helped her further explore her interest in oncology and surgery.

鈥淪eeing the combination of patient care, teamwork, and problem-solving made me even more excited to pursue medicine and look forward to experiencing clinical rotations during my third and fourth years of medical school,鈥� Thomas said.

She said her coursework at UA Little Rock gave her a strong foundation for the academic side of the program, particularly its focus on MCAT preparation. Courses in anatomy, physics, biology, General Chemistry I and II, psychology and organic chemistry covered subjects she encountered while studying for the exam.

Courses such as Organic Chemistry I and II, Microbiology, and Human Anatomy have also challenged Thomas to develop new study methods and focus on understanding and applying material rather than simply memorizing it. She said those experiences have helped her become a more disciplined and adaptable student as she prepares for medical school.

Thomas has also received support through the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. She credited Donaghey Scholars directors Dr. Jessica Scott and Dr. Simon Hawkins with helping guide her through important decisions about her classes and degree plan. She also works with Donaghey mentors Nistha Neupane and Maria Waite, who have supported her journey toward medical school and helped her navigate challenging courses.

The Donaghey Scholars program has also supported Thomas鈥� research experiences, including helping fund an opportunity for her to present research at an American Chemical Society conference in Atlanta.

Beyond Donaghey Scholars, Thomas has spent the past year conducting research in Dr. Wei Zhao鈥檚 lab, where she has grown as a researcher and received opportunities including a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship grant, travel grants, and Signature Experience Grants. She also credited organic chemistry professor Dr. Juliette Rivero with supporting her academically and helping secure funding for her research presentation.

“Her discipline, resilience, and focus on her goal of becoming a medical doctor set her apart as one of my most dedicated students,鈥� Rivero said. 鈥淟ydia is a wonderful representation of our Trojan community, and I’m very proud of her. I have no doubt that the same drive will carry her all the way to becoming a great physician.鈥�

Thomas said the support she has received from faculty and mentors across campus helped shape her experience at UA Little Rock and given her confidence as she pursues her goals in medicine and research.

鈥淓ach of these mentors has supported me in a different way, whether through academics, research, financial support, mentorship, or simply believing in me,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淭heir encouragement has given me opportunities I might not have had otherwise and has helped me become more confident in myself as a student. More importantly, they have helped me realize that I belong in spaces where I can pursue both medicine and research, and their support has played a significant role in the person and future physician I am working to become.鈥�

Thomas is also involved in several campus organizations, including the Student Government Association, Pre-Health Club, McNair Scholars, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the American Chemical Society, and Art Club. She said those experiences have helped her build leadership, communication, organization, and time-management skills that proved useful while interacting with medical professionals during the UAMS program.

The summer experience ultimately strengthened Thomas鈥� decision to pursue medical school and gave her a clearer picture of the career she is working toward.

鈥淥verall, this experience strengthened my decision to pursue medical school because it allowed me to see medicine in a real-world setting,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淚 left the experience feeling even more certain that I want a career where I can work directly with patients, be part of a healthcare team, and use my knowledge and skills to make a difference in people’s lives.鈥�

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The two-day symposium featured research presentations from faculty and graduate students who received CBHHS research grants, along with workshops and a guest lecture from Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale, a clinician, researcher, adjunct faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine, and director of the OCD Institute of Texas. Her talk, titled 鈥淭he Un-Fragile Generation: What OCD and Anxiety Research Teaches Us About Educating Independent, Resilient Young Adults,鈥� closed the first day of the symposium.

Drawing from her experience growing up with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder and later receiving evidence-based treatment, she discussed how well-intentioned efforts to ease anxiety could sometimes reinforce avoidance. McIngvale encouraged attendees to recognize anxiety without removing the situations that triggered it, connecting the approach to the classroom, where faculty could support students through anxiety and hardship while helping them face those experiences and build resilience.

Research presented throughout the symposium spanned topics ranging from maternal health disparities and workforce skills to artificial intelligence (AI), homelessness services, and community volunteerism.

Assistant professor Judy Staley of the School of Nursing and associate professor Stacy Pendergraft of the School of Literary and Performing Arts examined how culturally responsive simulation could prepare nursing students to address maternal health disparities.

鈥淲e cannot teach students only how to recognize a hemorrhage, manage preeclampsia, or respond to an obstetric emergency,鈥� Staley said. 鈥淲e also have to teach them to recognize the patient in front of them, listen to what that patient is telling them, identify potential bias, and have the confidence to advocate.鈥�

At the School of Business, associate professor Connie Barber examined how skills acquired through online gaming could apply to the digital workforce. Her research focused on how gamers used communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and project management skills in online environments and how employers could better recognize them.

Graduate researcher Meher Mujtehdi Syeda of the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology examined public perceptions of AI therapy, safeguards, and legal accountability. Her study found that safeguards were a primary factor in how participants assigned liability when something went wrong with an AI system.

鈥淲hat really interested me was seeing how much people are starting to rely on AI, not just for everyday tasks, but also for emotional and mental health support,” Syeda said. “AI can respond in a very human-like way and can even sound empathetic, but at the end of the day, it is a chatbot, not a licensed therapist. That made me interested in what happens when someone, especially a young or vulnerable person, starts depending on AI for that kind of support.鈥�

Assistant professor in the School of Social Work, Dr. Esaa Samarah, and graduate students Joanna S谩nchez, Morgan Craven, Myranda James, and Phillip Hill assessed how the use of corporal punishment changed across Arkansas public schools over 15 years. The project was prompted by the continued use of corporal punishment in some Arkansas schools and the broader shift toward trauma-informed approaches and positive school climates.

Katie Helms, an associate professor in the School of Counseling, Human Performance and Rehabilitation, examined another community-based question through her research on volunteers at road races in Arkansas. Using a mixed-methods approach, her study examined why people volunteered, the benefits they gained from the experience, and the factors that might have prompted them to continue volunteering.

Other faculty and graduate student presentations explored employment after incarceration, police reporting and AI, sentencing trends, leadership in law enforcement, telehealth, legal decision-making, and other matters impacting communities and organizations.

The projects presented at the symposium covered a wide range of topics, but each offered a closer look at an issue affecting people, organizations, or communities. The symposium gave researchers an opportunity to share their work with colleagues, hear different perspectives, and learn from research happening across the college.

鈥淭his year’s Research Symposium showcased the depth and range of scholarship happening across the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, which ranged from criminal justice and nursing, to social work and sports management,鈥� said Tusty ten Bensel, associate dean and professor of criminal justice.

鈥淭he interdisciplinary conversations that unfolded between faculty, students, staff, and community members reminded us why this event matters,” she added. McIngvale’s “keynote left a lasting impression on everyone in the room with her message about building resilience in young adults. Altogether, we are proud of the work happening across CBHHS, and grateful to everyone who made these two days a success.鈥�

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Four UA Little Rock undergraduate programs earned spots in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings:

• Business 鈥� No. 262 (tie)
• Computer Science 鈥� No. 257 (tie)
• Nursing 鈥� No. 336 (tie)
• Psychology 鈥� No. 276 (tie)

鈥淗aving four undergraduate programs recognized nationally reflects the breadth and strength of the academic opportunities available to students at UA Little Rock,鈥� said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the dedication of our faculty and their commitment to preparing students with the knowledge and experiences they need to thrive after graduation.鈥�

The annual U.S. News Best Colleges rankings are designed to help prospective students and their families compare colleges and universities across the country. In addition to institutional rankings, U.S. News evaluates undergraduate programs in several academic disciplines, including business, computer science, nursing, and psychology.

Business

UA Little Rock鈥檚 School of Business was ranked No. 262 nationally. The school combines classroom instruction with opportunities for students to gain practical experience and build connections with employers and business leaders throughout the region.

Mark Funk, director of the School of Business, credited the school鈥檚 faculty and the relationships they build with students for the recognition.

鈥淥ur faculty are the reason for this,鈥� Funk said. 鈥淭hey teach from experience, they know their students personally, and they invest in them well beyond the syllabus. That’s a rare thing, and we’re fortunate to have built it here.鈥�

Computer Science

UA Little Rock鈥檚 computer science program earned a No. 257 national ranking as the university continues to expand education and research opportunities in emerging areas of technology.

鈥淏eing ranked among the top 257 computer science programs nationally is a significant recognition of our faculty’s excellence, the quality of our programs, and our students鈥� success,鈥� said Dr. Ahmed Abu Halimeh, interim director of the School of Computer and Information Sciences. 鈥淚t reflects our continued commitment to academic excellence and preparing our graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.鈥�

Students in computer science have opportunities to build experience through coursework, research, and hands-on projects in areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and other emerging technologies.

Nursing

UA Little Rock鈥檚 School of Nursing was ranked No. 336 nationally. The university鈥檚 largest undergraduate program offers multiple pathways for students pursuing nursing careers, including the traditional RN, RN-to-BSN, and LPN/Paramedic-to-RN programs.

鈥淣ational recognition among top nursing programs reflects the excellence of our faculty, the commitment of our students, and our dedication to preparing nurses who make a positive impact in healthcare,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing. 鈥淭he immersive simulation experiences at the Center for Simulation Innovation further strengthen our students鈥� workforce readiness by providing practical skills and confidence to excel from the start.鈥�

The Center for Simulation Innovation provides nursing students with opportunities to practice clinical skills and decision-making in realistic healthcare scenarios before entering professional practice.

Psychology

UA Little Rock鈥檚 psychology program was ranked No. 276 nationally, up from No. 297 in the 2026 rankings.

鈥淲e are excited to be recognized for the second year in a row 鈥� and especially pleased to have risen from No. 297 to No. 276,鈥� said Dr. Elisabeth Sherwin, chair of the Department of Psychological Science. 鈥淲e believe this recognition reflects the continued work of our faculty to provide students with a strong undergraduate education in psychological science and to ensure that our curriculum continues to evolve to meet the needs of our students.鈥�

In recent years, faculty have strengthened the program鈥檚 curriculum through a revamped virtual statistics lab using Excel and Python alongside writing-intensive Research Methods and Capstone courses. The program has also placed a greater emphasis on career readiness, while four new research labs have expanded opportunities for students to gain hands-on research experience alongside faculty.

Through nationally recognized academic programs, hands-on learning opportunities, and connections with employers and community partners, UA Little Rock continues to prepare students with the knowledge and experience they need to succeed after graduation.

Learn more about academic programs at UA Little Rock at ualr.edu/academics.

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