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A Family Milestone: Mother and Son Graduate Together from UA ��Ƶlogo

Justin Bates — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +0000

For years, Karen Grace Johnson was the one offering guidance.

As a respiratory therapist and later a pulmonary disease navigator, she encouraged others to continue their education and pursue new opportunities. When she decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree herself, it was her son, Jeffrey Andrews, who helped show her the way.

This spring, the pair celebrated a milestone together, as graduates of the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo.

For Andrews, a first-generation college student, sharing the experience with his mother made the moment even more meaningful.

“It means a lot to me to graduate with my mother,” Andrews said. “I admire her strength and commitment to self-improvement. She has instilled in me a passion to achieve big dreams without limitations. Graduating together encompasses the hard work we surpassed to achieve those dreams.”

Andrews graduated with a Master of Public Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management. Johnson completed her Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies after decades working in healthcare.

Their paths to graduation were different, but both were shaped by determination, a commitment to education, and personal growth.

Andrews arrived at UA ��Ƶlogo in 2017 unsure what to expect about college life and a populated, busy campus after he graduated from Maumelle Charter High School.

“My graduating class had 25 students,” he said. “It was daunting to go to such a large institution in my eyes at the time.”

A and New Student Orientation helped ease the transition, but he said the biggest surprise came when classes began.

“The small classroom sizes made the university feel like a second home,” Andrews said. “I built connections with my professors and found new friends quicker than I would have at a larger university.”

He credits supportive faculty, the Ottenheimer Library, Counseling Services, and friendships formed through campus involvement, including Kappa Sigma fraternity, with helping him succeed while working full time.

Those experiences eventually led him to join the Undergraduate Admissions team as a recruiter, where he began helping prospective students navigate the college process.

That knowledge became especially valuable when Johnson called him with an idea.

“She said, ‘I am thinking about going back to school,’” Andrews recalled.

Johnson planned to pay out-of-pocket for tuition. Instead, Andrews helped her navigate scholarships and financial aid opportunities available through UA ��Ƶlogo.

Their first success came when she received the Trojan Transfer Scholarship. Later, she also benefited from the Corporate Partnership Program between Baptist Health and UA ��Ƶlogo, helping make it possible to complete her degree with little financial burden.

“As a first-generation student, I did not understand what the FAFSA was or where to find scholarships,” Andrews said. “When I began working for the university as a recruiter, that knowledge came with the job.”

For his mother, returning to school was both a professional and personal decision.

“Professionally, I felt it was important to enhance and modernize my skills in technology and leadership,” she said. “Personally, I always encourage new therapists to continue their education, so I have to practice what I preach.”

She said UA ��Ƶlogo’s flexible online courses allowed her to balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing her degree. Faculty support also helped ease concerns about returning to the classroom after many years away.

“Their critiques, reviews, and responses encouraged, validated, and inspired me to continue,” she said.

She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and has already begun work in the university’s early-entry Master of Arts in Applied Communication program.

Watching his mother embrace higher education has been one of the most rewarding parts of Andrews’ own academic journey.

“She went from being timid about returning to school to being excited about contributing to academia,” he said. “Now we have long discussions about AI in the classroom and communication in healthcare.”

But their shared graduation day almost did not happen. Undergraduate and graduate ceremonies were originally scheduled separately before a late adjustment placed them in the same commencement ceremony.

“I could see my mom three rows ahead of me,” Andrews said. “It was a great experience to not only graduate but walk across the same stage together. I could not have asked for a better coincidence.”

For Johnson, the moment carried just as much meaning.

“Graduating with my son meant the world to me,” she said. “Our journey was not easy, but it was worth the experience of completing such a big chapter in our lives.”

Together, they hope their story encourages others to pursue educational goals, regardless of age or circumstance.

“I hope our experience and our story inspire others to start their own exciting journey,” she said.

As Andrews looks toward a future that may include law school, he continues to carry a lesson that has guided both his and his mother’s path.

“How big would you dream if you knew you could never fail?” he asked.

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Building Resilience Through Words: Sarah Wolven’s Graduate Journey

Bobbie Handcock — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

For Sarah Wolven, communication is more than an academic subject — it’s a survival skill and a source of strength. That lived experience shaped her graduate research on resilience. This month, Wolven will earn a master’s degree in applied communication from the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo.

The Magnet Cove, Arkansas, resident earned a bachelor’s in studio art with a minor in photography from UA ��Ƶlogo in 2017, but never imagined she would pursue a master’s degree.

“Thanks to the Shelby Breedlove scholarship from UA ��Ƶlogo, the tuition assistance program with my employer at Arkansas Children’s, and a deep value for personal and professional growth, I decided to pursue a communication degree,” Wolven said.

Wolven serves as a strategic initiatives project manager in the Patient Experience Department and as a Family Advisory Board coordinator at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She has also been a photographer for 13 years.

“My desire to improve my communication skills comes from both my role as a professional and my role as a mother to three children, one of whom is a medically complex child who inspires my journey daily,” she said.

Her graduate school journey included personal challenges that tested her resilience.

“When I was first pursuing my M.A., I was pregnant with my oldest, and also spent four months in the NICU with him during that time,” she explained. “I had to give myself grace and take my time with the master’s, especially after finding out I was pregnant at the end of 2024. Though it took me a little longer than most since I was averaging one to three classes a semester, I did not give up.”

Dr. Julien Mirivel, a UA ��Ƶlogo professor of applied communication, was Wolven’s master’s paper advisor.

“In her paper, she explored the nature of resilience of families facing medical hardships, especially when dealing with a child who is medically complex,” he said. “This research echoes her own experience since her child was diagnosed at birth with rare complications. Still, she persevered through her graduate work, delivered a baby in the process, and conducted meaningful research.”

Wolven has shared her research beyond the classroom, including with several staff members and parents she’s met. “I have also had the opportunity to present my research to one of Dr. Mirivel’s positive communication classes, to our Working Mothers ERG (Employee Resource Group) at the hospital, and in the 2026 Research and Creative Works Expo,” she said.

Encouraging words from her father before he passed in 2020 helped guide her through graduate school, Wolven said.

“One of the last things I remember him really telling me, when I was at a rather low point in my life, was how he thought I should pursue school further because he thought that was always something that kept me grounded and motivated,” she said. “On the days I wanted to give up, I kept reminding myself how proud he would be of me. My mom has also always been a huge supporter. . .We all can do it if we set our minds to it – one day at a time.”

Wolven said earning her master’s degree strengthened her confidence as a communicator.

“Positive communication allows us the chance to be not only the light to others, but the light in ourselves,” she said. “The way we talk to ourselves matters. During times of adversity, lean on this. During times of triumph, share this. It makes the difference.”

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UA ��Ƶlogo Graduate Student Helps Identify Cold Case Victim After More Than 30 Years

Molly Coleman — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

What began as a quest to learn more about her family’s heritage has led one University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo graduate student to help identify more than 60 previously unknown victims and perpetrators in cold cases across the United States and Canada.

One of those cases hit especially close to home. Stephanie Wyatt, an investigative genetic genealogist and a graduate student in UA ��Ƶlogo’s Applied Communication program, recently played a key role in identifying the woman long known as the Conway County Jane Doe — a victim whose identity remained a mystery for more than three decades.

In February 2026, the 32-year-old woman was identified as Jamie Ann Moore, bringing long-awaited answers to a case that had remained unsolved since 1994.

Wyatt’s interest in communication is rooted in her professional background. She holds an undergraduate degree in public relations and previously worked in human resources before transitioning into genetic genealogy. She currently works for the Arkansas Department of Transportation while pursuing her graduate degree.

Returning to school was not always something Wyatt saw as attainable. She said her mother is the only person in her family with a college degree, and she will be the first to earn her master’s degree. “There was a lot of self-doubt at first,” Wyatt said. “But the support I found at UA ��Ƶlogo gave me the confidence to believe I could be successful.”

Wyatt’s path into genetic genealogy began as a personal project. Her father’s adoption sparked her interest in the field of genealogy as she searched for answers about her family’s medical history. However, this search quickly expanded beyond her own story.

Wyatt turned her self-taught skills toward helping others who were searching for similar answers about their history. For nearly a decade, she volunteered to assist individuals searching for biological family members, including adoptees and those with unknown parentage. Over time, that work evolved into something more complex: helping identify individuals who could not identify themselves, such as those with amnesia or medical conditions preventing speech, and eventually, victims in cold cases.

In 2019, Wyatt joined a team of investigative genetic genealogists at Parabon NanoLabs, where she began applying her skills to criminal investigations and unidentified remains cases across the country.

Wyatt later volunteered with the Arkansas State Police after the case of Conway County Jane Doe stalled despite earlier DNA testing efforts. Drawing on her experience, she said she believed there were still leads worth pursuing and a path toward identification.

“I reached out because I felt like there was still progress to be made, even if it was slow,” Wyatt said. “When you’ve been in this field long enough, the DNA starts to act like a roadmap. The matches and the amount of shared DNA can tell you where to look, and I had a feeling about where to start.”

Wyatt said the work begins with a DNA profile, which is then compared to distant relatives in public databases. By grouping shared matches and tracing common ancestors, she and other investigators are able to reconstruct fragmented family trees and narrow down an unidentified person’s identity.

“It’s like putting together a puzzle without knowing what the final picture looks like,” she said. “You group pieces together, find patterns, and eventually, something connects.”

Even a single distant match can be enough to move a case forward.

“In this case, there was one match in the DNA database that helped push us forward toward identification,” Wyatt said. “Just one person made that possible, and they probably don’t even know. They’re not closely related, and it’s possible they never even knew Jamie existed.”

This, she said, is why it is so important for people who have had their DNA tested to upload their results to the databases that make this kind of work possible. There are three databases used for this sort of research: GEDmatch, FamilyTreeDNA, and DNA Justice. Anyone who wants to participate can help investigators by uploading their results and opting in to law enforcement matching.

“Especially with unidentified human remains, people don’t realize how many have been separated from their family but aren’t on any list as reported missing,” Wyatt said. “This was the case with Conway County Jane Doe.”

Wyatt said she hopes more people understand both the role the public can play and the realities of the process. Even small contributions, like uploading DNA data to public databases, can make a difference — often without people even realizing it.

“In most cases, if you choose to assist, you probably won’t even realize you’re helping,” she said. “But those small pieces can be what allow us to move a case forward.”

She added that investigative genetic genealogy is a careful, step-by-step process.

“It’s not an instant answer,” she said. “Sometimes we’re narrowing it down from hundreds of people to a much smaller group, and it takes time and additional information to get to one name.”

Beyond science, Wyatt’s work also depends heavily on communication — a skill she continues to develop through her studies at UA ��Ƶlogo.

Her role involves translating complex genetic findings into clear, actionable information for investigators, many of whom are not specialists in DNA analysis. She said her studies in applied communication have helped her navigate relationships with law enforcement while working on sensitive, often emotional cases.

“You’re working with people who may have been on these cases for decades,” she said. “There’s a lot of emotion tied to that, so how you communicate matters.”

For Wyatt, identifying Moore was both a breakthrough and a reminder of the weight of the work.

“It’s very bittersweet,” she said. “There is that celebratory moment that you finally found the connection, but it’s very fleeting because you realize there are painful implications as well. Jamie got her name back, and Jamie’s family is now processing that loss.”

Wyatt said she is grateful for the opportunity to play a role in helping family members find not only answers, but peace.

As investigators continue working the case, Wyatt hopes her efforts highlight the potential of investigative genetic genealogy and the need for more resources to support it in Arkansas.

For Wyatt, the goal remains simple — to help give people their names back and bring a measure of peace to the families still searching for answers.

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UA ��Ƶlogo Announces 2026 Faculty Excellence Award Winners

UA ��Ƶlogo — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:30:00 +0000

UA ��Ƶlogo has announced the recipients of its 2026 Faculty Excellence Awards, recognizing outstanding faculty members for their contributions in teaching, research and creative works, public service, social justice, and rising faculty achievement.

Selected from college-level honorees, this year’s winners represent the highest level of achievement across the university. Winners are recognized for excellence in the classroom, advancing knowledge in their fields, and making meaningful contributions to communities across Arkansas and beyond.

UA ��Ƶlogo annually recognizes faculty who are making a difference through their work across these areas, with the Faculty Excellence Awards representing the highest honor the university bestows on its faculty. Each year, academic colleges and the William H. Bowen School of Law select top faculty members in each category.

“Our faculty continue to demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to teaching, research, and service that strengthens both our university and the communities we serve,” said Provost Ann Bain. “These awards reflect the depth of talent and dedication across our institution.”

Each university-level award recipient receives a $5,000 prize, made possible through private support.

The UA ��Ƶlogo Board of Visitors selects the university-wide winners from the college-level winners in each category.

“I want to thank the Board of Visitors again for their thoughtful continued commitment to recognizing faculty excellence,” Bain said. “We appreciate their dedication and the positive feedback they consistently share about the impact of our faculty.”

Teaching Award

Sponsored by the Bailey Foundation

Dr. Jana McAuliffe, associate professor of philosophy in the School of Human Inquiry in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching.

McAuliffe is recognized for her engaging, student-centered approach that encourages students to develop their own intellectual voice while exploring complex philosophical ideas. She teaches across the philosophy and interdisciplinary studies curriculum, including the University Core and the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program.

In the classroom, McAuliffe emphasizes critical discussion, collaborative exploration, and writing for diverse audiences. Her assignments challenge students to translate complex philosophical concepts into accessible formats, helping them communicate ideas beyond academic settings.

She is also deeply committed to mentoring undergraduate research, supporting independent student projects, helping students secure Signature Experience grants, and guiding them as they present their work at academic conferences. Her impact extends beyond campus through her work as co-director of the Arkansas High School Ethics Bowl and as project director of the UA ��Ƶlogo Ethics and Philosophy Summer Academy.

“Philosophy as a discipline is well-known for not offering one ‘right’ answer,” McAuliffe said. “I work hard to help my students feel comfortable enough with that to craft their right answer, and to share that with each other and with the broader world.”

Research and Creative Works Award

Sponsored by Jafaar Golzar

Dr. Nitin Agarwal, the Jerry L. Maulden-Entergy Endowed Chair and Donaghey Distinguished Professor of Information Science in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Research and Creative Works.

Agarwal is internationally recognized for his research in social computing, artificial intelligence, and cognitive security. Since joining UA ��Ƶlogo in 2009, he has built an interdisciplinary research program that examines how information spreads across online networks and how digital influence campaigns shape public perception.

He founded the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS), an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to understanding evolving social and cyber behaviors on modern information platforms.

“Understanding how digital information ecosystems influence society is one of the defining challenges of our time,” Agarwal said. “I’m fortunate to work alongside talented students and colleagues who are committed to advancing knowledge and developing solutions that strengthen communities and institutions.”

Over the past five years, Agarwal has secured more than $60 million in federal funding, including grants from the National Science Foundation, DARPA, and the U.S. Department of Defense, with nearly $30 million directly supporting UA ��Ƶlogo research initiatives.

His collaborations span more than 200 researchers across 130 academic, government, and industry organizations worldwide. His work includes 12 books and more than 400 articles in top-tier journals and conferences, earning 26 best paper awards.

Agarwal’s research has also produced widely used tools for analyzing digital information ecosystems, including systems designed to identify adversarial influence campaigns and online scams. These tools are used by organizations such as NATO, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the World Health Organization. He has also been nominated to serve on the Arkansas AI task force established by Governor Sarah Sanders.

Public Service Award

Sponsored by Alfred Williams in Honor of Elaine Eubank

Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, professor and chairperson of the Department of Applied Communication in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Public Service.

Chatham-Carpenter is recognized for applying her expertise in communication to strengthen civic dialogue and democratic engagement at the local, state, and national levels. Her work includes co-hosting the public affairs podcast On the Other Hand, which features conversations with leaders and community members about issues shaping Arkansas and the nation.

She also serves in leadership roles with Braver Angels, a national grassroots organization focused on reducing political polarization. In that role, she facilitates workshops, contributes to statewide and national initiatives, and supports community leaders working to bridge political divides and foster more constructive dialogue.

Chatham-Carpenter brings that work back to campus and into the community through courses, trainings, and public programs that help students, faculty, and community partners navigate conflict and engage across differences. Her outreach includes workshops with organizations such as the City of ��Ƶlogo and the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

“Service allows us to translate what we study in the classroom into real-world impact,” Chatham-Carpenter said. “By helping people develop the skills to engage across differences, we can contribute to healthier communities and stronger civic dialogue.”

Sponsored by Scott and Amy Schuh, Katherine Shoulders and an Anonymous Donor

Professor Suzanne Penn, supervising attorney and assistant clinical professor of legal education at the William H. Bowen School of Law, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Social Justice.

Penn is recognized for her decades of work expanding access to justice for underserved Arkansans through clinical legal education and community advocacy. She directs the Delta Divorce Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to individuals seeking divorces in counties across the Arkansas Delta where access to legal services is limited.

The clinic travels to rural communities to assist individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford legal representation or travel long distances to seek help. Through this work, Penn has helped expand access to critical legal services while addressing barriers faced by individuals in underserved regions.

At the same time, the clinic provides law students with hands-on experience working with real clients and navigating complex legal processes. The program has assisted hundreds of Arkansans facing challenging circumstances—including individuals experiencing domestic violence or financial hardship—while preparing students for client-centered legal practice.

“Access to justice is a fundamental principle of our legal system,” Penn said. “The Delta Divorce Clinic provides meaningful opportunities for students to serve their communities while helping individuals navigate difficult legal situations.”

Rising Faculty Award

Sponsored by Scott Bowen

Dr. Kent Kovacs, associate professor in the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance in the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Rising Faculty Award.

Kovacs is recognized for his strong early impact in research, teaching, and service since joining UA ��Ƶlogo in 2024. His work focuses on environmental and resource economics, with particular emphasis on groundwater sustainability, agricultural resilience, and ecosystem services.

He has maintained an active research agenda, publishing in academic journals and securing external funding, including a National Science Foundation award as principal investigator and support from the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. His research examines the economic incentives shaping producer and household decision-making, with issues directly relevant to Arkansas and the broader Mississippi Delta region.

In the classroom, Kovacs teaches courses including Macroeconomic Principles, Quantitative Business Analysis, and Environmental Economics, where he connects theory to real-world policy problems through active learning, data-driven exercises, and applied case studies. He has also supported student research and helped revive Environmental Economics as an upper-level elective.

“Economics offers powerful tools for understanding and addressing complex environmental and policy challenges,” Kovacs said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring that work into the classroom and to build research and teaching connections that strengthen UA ��Ƶlogo’s impact.”

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Leadership Lecture: Dr. Robert C. Mock Jr. to Discuss Impact of UA ��Ƶlogo Education

Samantha Koros — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:18:31 +0000

Dr. Robert C. Mock, Jr., president of Peru State College in Nebraska and a UA ��Ƶlogo alumnus, will return to campus for a leadership lecture hosted by the Applied Communications Program at UA ��Ƶlogo. The lecture will be held Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Mock will share insights from his multifaceted career, drawing on his experience in higher education leadership as well as community and military service. He will reflect on how his UA ��Ƶlogo education shaped his approach to leadership and decision-making, offering practical advice and strategies applicable across a range of career paths. The lecture provides an opportunity to hear directly from a distinguished alumnus and explore how communication skills translate into effective leadership beyond the classroom.

As president of Peru State College, Mock leads institutional initiatives focused on student success, community engagement and academic innovation. His professional background in executive leadership, consulting and service-focused organizations informs his perspective on leadership, shaped by both practice and personal experience.

Central to Mock’s lecture is the role of communication in effective leadership. He will discuss how interpersonal and organizational communication skills support collaboration, adaptability and problem-solving across work environments. He will also highlight how strong communication practices help build trust, navigate challenges and lead with clarity.

The lecture is part of UA ��Ƶlogo’s ongoing commitment to providing students access to accomplished professionals and alumni whose experiences extend learning beyond the classroom. The event offers attendees real-world perspectives on leadership and insight into how a UA ��Ƶlogo education can support long-term professional growth.

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UA ��Ƶlogo Alum Nathan Jeffers Leads Marketing and PR at CARTI

Bobbie Handcock — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Nathan Jeffers has built his career on the belief that clear, compassionate communication can change lives.

The Jacksonville native, who now lives in Cabot, serves as director of marketing and public relations at CARTI, an Arkansas-based cancer care network with 18 locations. He stepped into the role after a personal health experience reshaped his perspective on communication in health care.

That turning point clarified his calling and propelled him toward a new professional path.

“Nurses, mentors, family and friends all visited as I healed, and the unique perspective it afforded, along with the pause to my ‘normal’ daily life, changed everything,” he said. “After leaving the hospital, I immediately focused on moving into a communications role within the health care field and quickly determined the best way I could enact this change would be to further my education with a master’s degree at UA ��Ƶlogo.”

Jeffers earned his bachelor’s degree in speech communication, now applied communication, from University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo. He returned to the university in 2018 to complete a master’s degree in applied communication.

“Before I had even graduated, the prospective degree helped me gain interviews and ultimately my first role in health care,” Jeffers said. “The skills I learned laid a foundation for my daily work — individually, within teams and across the organization.”

Graduate school came with challenges. Jeffers worked two jobs while completing his coursework part time, but he said the demanding schedule helped him stay focused on his goals.

“I firmly believe the greatest forms of strength are born from struggle, and earning my master’s degree was both an incredible experience and an intellectual challenge,” he said.

Jeffers said the demands of work and graduate school often pushed him to his limits.

“There were certainly days when it was hard to focus because I was worn out from work or the hours I could dedicate were limited,” he said. “But keeping an eye on both my short- and long-term goals helped me dig deep to find motivation.”

That perspective, he said, became part of his growth.

“Looking back at who I was before I started my master’s journey and who I would become made those difficult moments worthwhile,” he said. “As an early advisor once told me, life is often not about the end result — it’s about the journey it takes to get there.”

Jeffers recalled collaborating with classmates in the Communication Skills Center, learning communication theory, and developing skills in writing, organizational culture and crisis communication — tools he still uses today. He credited his wife, Jess, for her support throughout the program and said several faculty members shaped his academic experience, particularly Dr. Gerald Driskill and Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter.

“UA ��Ƶlogo helped me become a better version of myself,” Jeffers said, describing the university as authentic, welcoming and empowering.

“UA ��Ƶlogo is a place where working adults can grow without having to pause real life,” he said. “I’m grateful it’s a university that meets people where they are, embraces them and helps them move closer to who they want to become.”

Driskill said Jeffers stood out as a graduate student for his commitment to personal and professional development.

“He’s committed to modeling ethical and effective communication,” Driskill said. “He practices re-vision — returning to projects to strengthen them.”

Driskill still uses Jeffers’ final graduate project, which examined organizational culture and responses to the COVID-19 crisis, as a model for current students.

“He went beyond expectations, not only by integrating credible research but by providing analysis with meaningful applications,” he said.

In his role at CARTI, Jeffers continues to apply those principles.

“His focus on an ethic of care — on patient care and those they serve — captures how he lives out our department’s mission of co-creating better social worlds through positive communication,” Driskill said.

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Alumna Adena J. White Turned a Career Crossroads into a Mission-Driven Future

Bobbie Handcock — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Adena J. White found her way to UA ��Ƶlogo at a pivotal moment in her career. She realized that to grow professionally, she needed more than experience. She needed direction. That decision ultimately helped shape her path as a storyteller, strategist, and community leader.

Originally from Center Ridge and now living in Conway, White is the founder and narrative strategist behind Blackbelt Media. The venture helps social-impact organizations and community leaders tell stories with purpose. Blackbelt Media produces Blackbelt Voices podcast, which White said explores what it means to “belong to a place and shares stories that help us reimagine our relationship to the places we call home. We emphasize the importance of community, belonging, and doing what makes us come alive.”

Before earning her master’s degree in applied communication from UA ��Ƶlogo in 2012, she completed dual bachelor’s degrees in journalism (with a public relations focus) and speech communication at Arkansas Tech University.

White said her choice to pursue graduate school began with a simple but pressing question: What comes next?

“I was working at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain and reached a point where I needed to decide whether to pursue a new job or invest in graduate school,” she said. “UA ��Ƶlogo stood out because the program aligned with the direction I wanted to grow professionally, and the structure made it possible to continue working full-time. The tuition benefit through the UA System was an added advantage.”

A job interview unexpectedly sealed the deal.

“During a job interview with a PR firm, the interviewer, a UA ��Ƶlogo alum, spoke highly of her experience in the Applied Communication Program,” White recalled. “The job would’ve been a solid move, but I left that interview more energized about graduate studies.”

Later that same day, she met with Program Coordinator Dr. Gerald Driskill. Their conversation made her next step feel obvious.

“I withdrew my job application and applied to UA ��Ƶlogo,” she said. “The evening classes fit my schedule, the coursework felt like the right next step, and the central location made the commute from Conway easy.”

Throughout her time in the program, White found herself returning again and again to the heart of the Applied Communication Program’s mission: to foster the co-creation of better social worlds through positive communication.

“I’ve carried that mission into my work as a social-impact storyteller and consultant,” she said. “The degree strengthened my ability to understand how stories build connection with ourselves and with each other, shift narratives, and move communities forward.”

The flexible class schedule made the journey manageable, White said, adding that her graduate school experience was both demanding and deeply rewarding.

“The support of the faculty and the other students in my cohort made a big difference,” she said. “We spent two nights a week together for two years, and those relationships have stayed with me.”

One standout course was Organizational Communication Training with Dr. Kristen McIntyre.

“Each student partnered up to design a training on a specific communication skill, and Dr. McIntyre taught the class as a training itself so we could see the methods in action,” White explained.

The tools she gained continue to influence her work, from storytelling workshops to public speaking. She said the Coordinated Management of Meaning theory was especially impactful.

“I’ve referenced its ideas about ‘stories lived’ and ‘stories told’ in speaking engagements to explain how we create better social worlds through better communication,” she said.

White credits her husband, Matthew, as one of the biggest influences in helping her complete graduate school.

“Even before we had our son, sharing responsibilities at home and having his encouragement made it easier to balance work and school,” she said.

Her professional accomplishments reflect the investment White made in herself. She has been inducted into the Arkansas Tech University Hall of Distinction (2021), earned the UA ��Ƶlogo Applied Communication Alumni Making a Difference Award (2022), and was named one of Arkansas Business’s 40 Under 40 (2023). She also serves on the boards of Create Conway, the Conway Public Schools Foundation, and the City of Conway Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.

Looking back, White said the UA ��Ƶlogo Applied Communication Program fundamentally shaped the way she understands and practices communication.

“It strengthened my ability to think critically about communication, understand how people make meaning, and apply those insights in real-world settings,” she said.

Her work with community-focused organizations, including Excel by Eight, has shown how those strengths translate beyond the classroom. Executive director Angela Duran praises White’s storytelling skills.

“Adena has a passion for storytelling, and she is quite a gifted writer,” she said. “As the communications director at Excel by Eight, she tells our story of improving health and education outcomes for young children by painting vivid pictures of families who are thriving across the state.”

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Future Leader, UA ��Ƶlogo Graduate Demonstrates Resilience

Justin Bates — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000

When Drayson Hill crosses the stage on Dec. 13 at UA ��Ƶlogo, it will be the culmination of years spent overcoming medical challenges, rebuilding confidence, and finding his way back to school to finish his degree. For the marketing director at Chick-fil-A on 7th Street and Broadway in ��Ƶlogo, the moment marks a full-circle return to the community that helped raise him — and a commitment to give back through the kind of leadership that makes people feel seen, supported, and valued.

Hill transferred to UA ��Ƶlogo in Spring 2020, but a year later, significant medical and personal challenges forced him to pause his studies. Instead of letting that setback define him, he focused on healing, rebuilding his confidence, and advancing in his career. He rose through leadership roles at Chick-fil-A while preparing to return to school to finish what he started.

“This degree helped me communicate in a clearer and more concise manner — professionally and personally,” Hill said. “It taught me to stand up for myself and others and to create a safer space where people can be themselves.”

Hill’s belief in the power of communication is shaped by his own early experiences. Born with learning, hearing, and speech disabilities, he once relied on others in everyday life. But his parents refused to let that be his future.

“My parents were told I’d never live independently,” he said. “Thankfully, they didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer and got me the help I needed. Music became a safe environment for me and helped me grow.”

That resilience carried him through his break from school and eventually back to UA ��Ƶlogo. Through the applied communication program, Hill found tools that strengthened not just his leadership style but also his understanding of how to build healthier, more collaborative environments.

One of the most influential concepts for him was Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM), a communication framework that teaches people how their words and interactions shape the “social worlds” they create with others. In practice, it emphasizes listening, shared understanding, and building patterns of communication that make relationships stronger and more respectful.

“CMM theory taught me how to create a better social world in my work and personal life,” he said. “It helped others see who I could be and what I could contribute.”

His growth caught the attention of Chick-fil-A Corporate, in Atlanta, Georgia, which invited him to prepare for the company’s Leadership Development Program, an opportunity that could lead to franchise ownership. Hill hopes to continue his journey by traveling, teaching future leaders, and eventually owning a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Arkansas.

Hill says, as someone who has “navigated school, work, and personal challenges,” he offers straightforward advice to students facing similar obstacles.

“Find people who push you to be your best,” he said. “I needed time away from school for peace and healing, but those people helped me come back. Once I felt stable again, I knew I could complete this.”

Now, as he earns his degree, Hill says he is most proud of completing his goal of simply returning and finishing.

“Getting this degree showcases my strength, determination, and happiness,” he said. “This program set me up in the best possible way to continue growing.”

After commencement, Hill plans to continue pursuing Chick-fil-A’s Leadership Development Program with the goal of becoming an owner-operator in Arkansas. And he already knows the kind of leader he intends to be.

“I want to show that people who’ve been labeled as less-than can make a positive difference,” he said. “I want to create spaces for growth, opportunity, and giving back to the community that helped raise me — ��Ƶlogo.”

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Department of Applied Communication Recognizes Outstanding Students, Alumni, and Community Partners

Justin Bates — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:02:00 +0000

Four UA ��Ƶlogo students in the Department of Applied Communication recently received recognition for their work and significant contributions to the community.

Each spring, the department offers two awards that honor deserving undergraduate and graduate students in the program. The awards — the Distinguished Student Scholar Award and the Students Making a Difference Award — were presented at a ceremony in May to the following students.

Distinguished Scholar Award Winners

Savannah Brinkley and Geneva Galloway each received the Distinguished Student Scholar Award, honoring graduating seniors or graduate students in the department who have reached the level of “distinguished student scholar” in applied communication.

Brinkley was honored for her work in her master’s project titled “The Role of Social Media and Video Games in Online and Offline Relationships.” Galloway was given the award for her master’s project titled “City of ��Ƶlogo’s R.O.C.K. Academy Program Assessment.”

Brinkley and Galloway each communicated the results of their respective projects in multiple ways, including at the university’s Student Research and Creative Works Expo, gaming spaces, and to the city of ��Ƶlogo. Brinkley and Galloway were honored because their work helped enable the fostering of “better social worlds through positive communication, and sharing such scholarship/work with external audiences,” according to the Department of Applied Communication’s criteria for this award.

Students Making a Difference

A second award, the Students Making a Difference Award, was presented to William Scott Graves and Hansa Dinesh Maroo for the positive impact their work had on community improvement. Graves works with those struggling with addiction at multiple recovery centers. Maroo works with international students wanting to pursue higher education.

“It is a privilege to honor students, alumni, and community partners who live out our department’s mission of ‘co-creating better social worlds through positive communication’ in their personal and professional lives,” said Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, chair of the Department of Applied Communication. “This year, we proudly recognize these student scholars and changemakers making a real impact through applied communication in their communities.”

Community Partners and Alumni Making a Difference

The department also recognized a community partner that works with the university to implement positive change in the community.

This year, the department honored the Arkansas Department of Transportation with the Community Partner Award for their work in training over 16 cohorts of staff members in communication skills through faculty-led workshops in emotional intelligence, conflict management, difficult conversations, and coaching.

The Community Partner Award was established to recognize active partnerships between community organizations and the department’s faculty and students.

Additionally, the department presented the annual Alumni Making a Difference Award to two distinguished alumni: Nathan Jeffers and Dr. Robert Mock. Jeffers was recognized for his work in the community, exemplifying the department’s mission in healthcare settings. Mock was honored for his long-term work in both academic and student affairs in higher education.

These awards, both established by the department in 2018, recognize the work of alumni who embody the department’s mission. Nominees are selected who “best represent transformative work within their communities.” Honorees will also provide leadership lectures on campus in the coming year.

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UA ��Ƶlogo Students Explore Interfaith Connections and Cultural History During Study Abroad Journey Through Spain

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:20:00 +0000

A group of University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo students embarked on a transformative summer study abroad program that took them on an interfaith and intercultural journey through Spain, where they explored centuries of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic influence on Spanish history, politics, and identity.

Led by Dr. Rebecca Glazier, professor in the School of Public Affairs, and Dr. Avinash Thombre, professor of applied communication, the course, “,” took students to Spain. From May 20 to June 1, they traveled to Madrid, Toledo, Córdoba, Granada, and the Mediterranean coast city of Almuñécar, where they visited grand cathedrals and mosques to city squares layered with historical memory.

“Getting to meet with local government groups, non-profits, and religious organizations in Spain, visit historical sites, and have meaningful conversations about religion and interfaith connections made for an incredible experience,” Glazier said. “Our night tour of the Mezquita in Córdoba was especially powerful. It is a beautiful site, and hearing about how it was built as a mosque and later converted to a cathedral was important and heartbreaking.”

Through guided tours, academic readings, class discussions, museum visits, and conversations with local leaders and organizations like Casa Árabe and Arco Forum, the group explored themes such as convivencia (coexistence), religious freedom, and the legacy of colonialism and conflict.

“Given the complex history of Spain over the last 2,000 years, there is a wealth of information to explore and learn regarding intercultural and interfaith issues,” Thombre said. “By immersing themselves in the various historical sites of different cities in Spain, our students were exposed to the intricacies and interplay of culture, communication, politics, and faith. The transformative experience is an effort to sensitize our students to the fact that coexistence of our faiths and cultures is possible if we make an effort.”

The students who participated in the study abroad trip included Rory Abbott, Catherine Clevenger, Carlee Felty, Payten Free, Madelyne Hunter, Amirah Jackson, Bex Little, Mercy Macjones, Amaya Mendoza, Jeralyn Mitchell, and Suzy Velez.

UA ��Ƶlogo students visit the Toledo Cathedral in Toledo, Spain.

For students like Amaya Mendoza, a sophomore political science major, the program offered invaluable preparation for a future career in public policy.

“This trip offered a deep dive into the intersections of religion, politics, and cultural identity,” Mendoza said. “It broadened my global perspective and helped me think critically about real-world challenges related to diversity and inclusion. Visiting places like Casa Árabe and leading a discussion on veil bans gave me the opportunity to reflect on the real impacts of policy decisions on people’s lives.”

Madelyne Hunter, a political science senior, said the trip gave her new perspective on the histories and cultures that shape modern society.

“I care a lot about the atmosphere of a place,” she said. “The architecture, the scenery, the cathedrals—it was all unforgettable. Learning that the concept of veiling isn’t actually inherent to Islam was surprising and being able to reflect on that while visiting mosques made the learning experience much deeper.”

For Suzy Velez, a 67-year-old studio art major and full-time student, the journey was as much about personal transformation as academic enrichment.

“Spain has long been my dream destination, and being there inspired me,” Velez said. “From museums to mosques, churches, and cathedrals, each place left its mark. The most powerful moment for me was visiting the Jewish Quarter in Córdoba and learning how entire families were buried in mass graves during the Inquisition. It wasn’t just a history lesson—it was a loss that felt personal.”

Velez described the trip as “soul work” that will continue to inspire her as an artist.

Students also explored Spanish cuisine, engaged in a tile workshop, saw a flamenco performance in Granada, and even swam in the Mediterranean Sea. Their travels were enriched by daily academic discussions and reflection, both in-person and through blog posts shared with the broader community. The course emphasized cultural immersion, empathy, and critical reflection.

“I’m returning home more open-minded, more curious, and more committed to fostering dialogue and understanding across differences,” Mendoza said. “This wasn’t just about studying abroad; it was about becoming a better global citizen.”

The students will host a public event titled, “Interfaith in Action: How Spain’s Religious History Can Impact ��Ƶlogo’s Future,” at 6 p.m. Monday, July 21, at UA ��Ƶlogo Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave. Panelists Rev. Patricia Matthews of the Interfaith Center, Dr. Ali Khan of the Madina Institute, and Hon, Annabelle Imber Tuck of Congregation of B’nai Israel will join students and guests for a community conversation. The event includes a student slideshow of the study abroad trip and light refreshments. For details, contact Glazier at raglazier@ualr.edu.

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