- University News Archive - UA ��Ƶlogo

- University News Archive - UA ��Ƶlogo /news-archive/tag/little-rock-regional-chamber-of-commerce/ UA ��Ƶlogo Thu, 02 Jun 2022 14:48:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Smith Serves as Commencement Speaker for Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo Class XXXVI /news-archive/2022/06/02/smith-leadership-greater-little-rock-class-xxxvi/ Thu, 02 Jun 2022 14:48:35 +0000 /news/?p=81635 ...]]> Established in 1985 by the ��Ƶlogo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo seeks to develop community leaders by training and informing participants on a wide array of local public policy issues and concerns. In-depth training sessions focus on these issues, exploring their background, origin, and present-day status. The program covers a full slate of topics, including government, the area’s economy, education, social service, and much more. “It’s a wonderfully immersive program that presented us with challenges, successes, threats, and opportunities for growth,” Smith said. “As a lifelong Arkansas resident, going to school at UA ��Ƶlogo, and living and working here ever since, it’s fair to say that I have spent the majority of my life here and thought that I knew all there was to know. Thanks to Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo, I now know so much more about ��Ƶlogo and about myself.” UA ��Ƶlogo would also like to congratulate our alumni who also graduated from Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo Class XXXVI. They include Sean Bass, Alecia Castleberry, Meagan Davis (Bowen), Adam Effrein, David Jung (Bowen), Summer Khairi, Maradyth McKenzie, Jennifer Ruhlman, and Matthew Runge (Bowen). The 34 members of Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo Class XXXVI celebrated their graduation during a May 6 ceremony at the DoubleTree Hotel in ��Ƶlogo. As the class speaker, Smith spoke about all the things she learned from participating in the program and received a standing ovation for her efforts. “I now know that we’re better for going into and learning about different neighborhoods,” Smith said. “Giving back to those with the biggest need is the biggest reward. Unassuming areas like the river port and airport offices are major players along with the Chamber of Commerce for bringing in big business. Hard decisions are made every day to keep this city safe.” After completing a two-day retreat in October, LGLR participants met every month at a different central Arkansas location to explore topics through expert speakers, panelists, tours, and group presentations. LGLR is designed to develop effective leaders by enhancing their civic, social, and professional awareness to positively impact our community. This included trips to the ��Ƶlogo Port Authority, Our House, the Pulaski County Jail, and more. Smith recalls her favorite meeting as the military session in which participants got to ride in a Blackhawk C130 from ��Ƶlogo Air Force Base to Camp Robinson and listen to members of the military talk about their missions in life. “That was a pretty exciting day,” Smith said. “Riding from one base to another aboard a C130 was icing on the cake. I don’t think I stopped grinning the entire time I was in the air. Listening to soldiers refer to what they do as ‘missions,’ I wondered how different our city would be if we took the care that they seem to have in every aspect of their work. I like to think that what I do at UA ��Ƶlogo in terms of fundraising and reaching alumni is very much true to the mission of the university.” Smith also thanked Chancellor Christina Drale and Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement, for supporting her nomination and participation in Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo Class XXXVI. “I should say I’m thankful to the UA ��Ƶlogo administration for selecting me to participate and to understand the importance of having someone from UA ��Ƶlogo participate,” she said. “We are a vital part of the city, and it’s important for us to be a part of the conversation.”]]> Phillips Joins Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo XXXVII /news-archive/2021/11/02/phillips-greater-little-rock-xxxvi/ Tue, 02 Nov 2021 13:32:33 +0000 /news/?p=80101 ...]]> Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo (LGLR) is a nine-month community leadership program created by the ��Ƶlogo Regional Chamber of Commerce. It is designed to develop effective leaders by enhancing their civic, social, and professional awareness to positively impact our community. “I am truly honored to be selected for this program,” Phillips said. “It has a long history of providing intensive and effective leadership development. I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate.” LGLR kicked off with a two-day retreat in October. Participants then meet every month at a different central Arkansas location to explore topics through expert speakers, panelists, tours, and group presentations. This unique program provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the region’s challenges and opportunities, empowering them to become better leaders in the community. “Completing this program will help me develop in all areas so that I’m able to better lead on campus and in the community,” Phillips said. “Most importantly, it will help me make connections that will benefit our students in terms of networking and opportunities for them.” A native of El Dorado, Arkansas, Phillips earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Arts in professional and technical writing and a Ed.D. in higher education from UA ��Ƶlogo. While working toward her master’s degree, Phillips was offered a position as a writing assistant for the chancellor’s office, which kick-started her career in higher education. In 2018, Phillips was selected as the director of the university’s new Multicultural Center. Last year, she was also promoted to assistant vice chancellor of student affairs. In this role, she oversees fraternity and sorority life, student organizations, and activities as well as student success programs like Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, Charles W. Donaldson Scholars, and Student Affairs Diversity Initiatives. “Dr. Phillips is a leader in the community and an advocate for all students,” said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer at UA ��Ƶlogo. “I’m pleased to see her selection for LGLR. She will add a valuable perspective to Class XXXVII while also utilizing the information and connections from LGLR to advance her leadership in the community and on campus.” Phillips is also active in professional and community organizations. She is a mentor with NASPA and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund. She also serves on the board of the Vera Lloyd Foundation.]]> Smith Selected for Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo XXXVI /news-archive/2021/10/26/smith-leadership-greater-little-rock-xxxvi/ Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:23:48 +0000 /news/?p=80103 ...]]> An initiative of the ��Ƶlogo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo (LGLR) is a nine-month community leadership program committed to enhancing and connecting leaders from businesses, nonprofits, and government. This unique program has empowered participants with a comprehensive understanding of central Arkansas’s challenges and opportunities. A native of Marche, Arkansas, Smith said that it’s an incredible honor to join the Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo program. “I have attended graduation programs in the past and always had ambitions to be selected over the years,” Smith said. “I’m thankful that I was chosen to be a part of Class XXXVI, and that they waited until we could meet in person to get the true Leadership experience. I think it will help me by understanding the needs of the city in order to incorporate how UA ��Ƶlogo can meet that need.” After completing a two-day retreat in October, LGLR participants meet every month at a different central Arkansas location to explore topics through expert speakers, panelists, tours, and group presentations. LGLR is designed to develop effective leaders by enhancing their civic, social and professional awareness to positively impact our community. Smith graduated from UA ��Ƶlogo with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a Master of Public Administration. Before joining the Office of Alumni and Development in 2016, Smith also worked at UA ��Ƶlogo as assistant to the dean of the Graduate School from 1998 to 2002. “Kristi will be an asset to the class as she has been at UA ��Ƶlogo,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “In her role as senior director of development and director of the Alumni Association, she has been a great leader and ambassador for the university. Her perspectives will enrich the class as much as she does ours.” In the community, Smith is a member of the Council for Support and Advancement of Education; Beta Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a social organization that does a variety of community service activities including the American Heart Association and Alzheimer’s Association; and a board member for the ��Ƶlogo Diamond Foundation, the charitable arm of the ��Ƶlogo Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.]]> Donaghey Scholars leader selected for Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo program /news-archive/2019/10/29/donaghey-leader-selected-for-leadership-greater-lr/ Tue, 29 Oct 2019 13:49:42 +0000 /news/?p=75461 ...]]> A University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo employee with a love of helping the community has been selected for the 35th class of Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo. As the associate director of the Donaghey Scholars Program at UA ��Ƶlogo, Dr. Jessica Scott sees the Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo program as an opportunity to find out how she can better help the ��Ƶlogo community and as a way to make connections to provide more opportunities for the students she mentors at UA ��Ƶlogo.�� Established in 1985 by the ��Ƶlogo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo brings together about 50 community leaders from businesses, nonprofits, and governments for a nine-month community leadership program. This program has empowered participants with a comprehensive understanding of the region’s challenges and opportunities.�� “Working with the Donaghey Scholars program, I have made it a priority to help our Scholars engage with the city more broadly and to give them more experience in the community through volunteer, internship, and job opportunities,” Scott said. “Those are the kinds of experiences that can help invest our students in the city of ��Ƶlogo, hopefully encourage them to stay here after they graduate and continue contributing to the community.”�� The 2019-20 Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo program kicked off with a two-day retreat Oct. 6-7. Each month, the class of 54 people meets at a different central Arkansas location to explore topics through expert speakers, panelists, tours, and group presentations. The program covers a full slate of topics, including government, economy, education, social services, and more.�� Scott, a Benton native, left Central Arkansas to attend college, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in anthropology and a Ph.D. in environmental dynamics from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. After returning to ��Ƶlogo in 2011 to begin her career at UA ��Ƶlogo, Scott became invested in helping the city.�� “Since I’ve been back in ��Ƶlogo, I have really tried to make sure I am an engaged member of the community,” she said. “After graduate school, I realized the importance of giving back to the community, and I decided I needed to be more civically engaged. We have a responsibility to the communities that we are a part of to help make them better.”�� It’s a lesson that she passes on.�� “We have a responsibility to be actively engaged in our communities, and that is something I try to teach my students,” Scott said. “One of the nice things about this leadership program is that the other members of the class represent different organizations in the area. This gives me so many opportunities to make connections that can eventually turn into opportunities for my students and potential collaborations for the university. I think that is priceless.”�� Scott’s colleague, Dr. Simon Hawkins, director of the Donaghey Scholars program, said that Scott’s work in ��Ƶlogo serves as an inspiration to UA ��Ƶlogo students.�� “Jessica works tirelessly not only to improve the safety of the city and to ensure equitable growth, but to build connections between the university and the larger community,” Hawkins said. “She is always looking for opportunities to make connections between the university and community groups, drawing on her impressive network of contacts to introduce interested figures in the city and the university to each other, whether that be finding mentors or potential internships to students, guest lecturers for colleagues courses, or partnerships for programs. The city and the university are stronger because of her work.”�� Scott currently serves as a board member for the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and Just Communities of Arkansas. Most recently, she has enjoyed volunteering on ��Ƶlogo Mayor Scott Frank’s subcommittee on public safety and accountability, which has given her a great opportunity to learn about how the city of ��Ƶlogo runs.�� “I want to figure out where my skills and talents can best be used in the city,” Scott said. “I think ��Ƶlogo has so much potential to grow and to really be a model Southern city. Right now, we have a lot of challenges, but I am excited about the work the mayor is doing in the community, and I want to support that.”]]> Chamber of Commerce invites UA ��Ƶlogo community to co-create vision for Pulaski County schools /news-archive/2019/10/17/chamber-invites-community-to-create-vision-for-schools/ Thu, 17 Oct 2019 12:53:54 +0000 /news/?p=75438 ...]]> The ��Ƶlogo Regional Chamber of Commerce will host an informational meeting with University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo students, faculty, and staff Tuesday, Oct. 22, to discuss educational opportunities that could be achieved in Pulaski County Schools through the initiative. The meeting will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the UA ��Ƶlogo Student Services Center auditorium. It is an opportunity to hear directly from the Chamber of Commerce on what Ford Next Generation Learning can help facilitate for Pulaski County communities, businesses, and schools, including UA ��Ƶlogo, as well as to learn how to become involved in upcoming visioning and planning efforts. In partnership with the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, ��Ƶlogo School District, North ��Ƶlogo School District, and Pulaski County Special School District, the of how the Ford Next Generation Learning initiative could transform local high school experiences by leveraging strong community and business partnerships. The initiative would provide a collaborative framework for educators, employers, and community leaders that ultimately would improve regional workforce development. “This initiative has proven successful in more than 40 other cities across the United States and Great Britain,” said Dr. Erin Finzer, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Ford Next Generation Learning communities report dramatically improved test scores and high school graduation rates, as well as better prepared students for the workforce and higher education.” Some characteristics of the initiative include professional development for teachers with an emphasis on experiential and project-based learning; themed career academies that reflect local business and industry; and community engagement in support of high schools, workforce development, and community and economic development. Superintendents from the four Pulaski County school districts signed a memorandum of understanding Aug. 2 solidifying their agreement to strengthen all programs for student success across the four districts. The school districts share a common vision and sense of opportunity for high school transformation through a career-themed academy model. In May 2019, a report was completed. The goal of the study was to assess opportunities and feasibility across the four districts, highlight existing pockets of excellence, and provide a recommended path forward. Costs associated with the Phase I study were underwritten by Entergy Arkansas. The study results indicated the four public school districts are well positioned for transformation.�� The Phase I report outlines an inclusive community planning process that includes community visioning sessions as well as a master planning committee comprised of business and community members, teachers, and school district officials who would be tasked with preparing a master plan to guide transformation efforts of the individual districts.]]> College of Business to honor Jay Heflin, Rajesh Chokhani as Distinguished Alumni /news-archive/2019/08/28/cob-honorees/ Wed, 28 Aug 2019 18:12:41 +0000 /news/?p=74968 ...]]> The University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo College of Business will honor two ��Ƶlogo businessmen at its Distinguished Alumni Luncheon on Oct. 23. Jay Heflin with Legacy Termite and Pest Control has been named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, and Welspun Chief Operating Officer Rajesh Chokhani will receive the Dean’s Award for Excellence. The award luncheon, sponsored by Legacy Termite and Pest Control, will be held at the ��Ƶlogo Marriott, 3 Statehouse Plaza. Registration opens at 10:45 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. The Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor granted by the UA ��Ƶlogo College of Business, is given to a graduate who has made a significant impact in business or a nonprofit organization and has served the ��Ƶlogo community and UA ��Ƶlogo. Heflin is vice president of administration for , a company he and his brother, Marc Heflin, and friend, Chris Maloch, founded in 2009. The Heflin brothers are third-generation pest control business owners who have followed in the footsteps of their grandfather, John Heflin Sr., and father, Johnny Heflin Jr. The company, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has five offices throughout central Arkansas and employs 30 people. Heflin earned a bachelor’s degree in general business from Ouachita Baptist University and an MBA from UA ��Ƶlogo in 1994.�� “It helped tremendously,” Heflin said of his graduate work. “UA ��Ƶlogo is big, but there was a tight-knit community of professionals within the College of Business.” Heflin is a graduate of Leadership Greater ��Ƶlogo Class XII. He is a member of the UA ��Ƶlogo Business Advisory Council, PARK Foundation, Arkansas Pest Management Association Board, chair of Easterseals Arkansas board, chair of the Arkansas Junior Competitive Tennis Council board, and a member of Second Baptist Church. ��“Jay Heflin has been a member of the College of Business Advisory Council since 2012 and has been a true advocate for the college and university,” said Jane Wayland, dean of the College of Business. “As an entrepreneur, Jay understands business risk and has been very successful. We are pleased to honor Jay and celebrate his many successes.” Dean’s Award for Excellence Rajesh Chokhani, chief operating officer of (USA), is this year’s recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence. The award is granted to a graduate of the past 10 years who has shown promise as a leader in business or nonprofit work and who is actively involved in serving ��Ƶlogo and the university. Chokhani has worked 25 years for Welspun, an India-based global company that employs more than 27,000 people at its pipe manufacturing, steel, and textile plants around the world. The company has produced enough pipe to stretch 8656 miles, the distance between Houston and Dubai. The company also holds records for manufacturing the heaviest pipe, the highest altitude pipe, and the longest pipeline in the world. Welspun’s textile division has plants in India and offices in New York and Manchester, U.K. The textile division manufactures soft furnishings like towels, bedsheets, linens, and rugs and currently holds exclusive contracts to provide towels for Buckingham Palace, Wimbledon, the Australia Open and World Championship Rugby. Chokhani first came to the U.S. in 2007 in search of a site to expand Welpun’s pipe manufacturing. He chose ��Ƶlogo for the plant, investing more than $300 million into the site which employs 1,100 people. Chokhani had planned to attend graduate school in India but discovered UA ��Ƶlogo’s MBA program. At the time, he was working about 80 hours a week during the two-year construction phase of Welspun’s ��Ƶlogo plant, but as soon as the project was complete, he enrolled in the graduate program. He was still traveling significantly for business and still carved out time to attend classes and study. “It was like a dream come true,” he said. “It was very interesting, and it was very intense.”�� Since then, Chokhani has stayed active in the UA ��Ƶlogo community. He is involved with the College of Engineering and Information Technology since engineering is the base for manufacturing. “I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to meet with students,” he said. “Students seem so much more prepared now. They seem to know what they want, and they seem more involved with the community at large. I think the College of Business does a good job of getting students to serve beyond school.” Chokhani serves on boards for the ��Ƶlogo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Museum of Discovery, UA-Pulaski Technical College, India Fest, and Harmony Clinic, which provides free healthcare to underserved families. “Rajesh Chokhani typifies a successful MBA,” Wayland said. “He understands the success of a business depends on the economic development in the region and, therefore, is a strong advocate for ��Ƶlogo. He is active in the community and is the perfect role model for our students.” Tickets to the College of Business Distinguished Alumni Luncheon are $125 each and are available at . For more information, contact Dr. Wayland at 501-569-3356 or jpwayland@ualr.edu. Photo above right: Jay Heflin (left), owner of , and Welspun Chief Operating Officer Rajesh Chokhani (right) will be honored at the College of Business Distinguished Alumni Luncheon on Oct. 23, 2019.]]>