Annual dance workshop scheduled

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The Let’s Dance Summer Workshop is back for its seventh year to offer the youth of Pine Bluff an exciting, creative learning experience full of fun. The workshop will be held June 24-28 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) in the Kenneth L. Johnson HPER Complex.

Coordinated and taught by Nia Lancelin, owner of Let’s Dance with Nia, several styles of dance will be offered for boys and girls 4-18 years of age via classes held each day from 1-6 pm. Adult classes will also be offered from 6-7 pm. A new component, Best Foot Forward, has been added to the workshop that will consist of a shoe drive that will allow Let’s Dance to give back to the Pine Bluff community.

A Pine Bluff native with more than 20 years of dance experience, Nia was first introduced to the dance at the Belmont School of Dance where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, acrobatics, and later added modern, contemporary, hip hop, and African to her repertoire. Her dance teacher asked her to become a part of the competition team at 10 years old and this is truly when her passion for dance began. Her passion for teaching began not long after when she became a teacher’s assistant at the age of 14. After her high school graduation she joined the National Dance Alliance as an instructor where she was able to travel the country teaching young dancers. She was promoted to the head instructor position after 3 years of working with the company. To this date Nia continues to teach at numerous schools and studios in the Atlanta Area.

Nia attended the UAPB where she danced as a Golden Girl for 2 years and held the head captain position her sophomore year. Going into her junior year of school Nia transferred to Spelman College. Presently in her professional career, Nia has performed on the BET Hip Hop Awards, AIDA with the Atlanta Opera, nationally televised Georgia Lottery Flashmob, CiCi Kelley”s Phazes of Love, the world premiere musical I Dream directed by Jasmine Guy in which she was a principal dancer and international tour Drumline Live as a soloist dancer and singer. She has also performed as a ballet pointe soloist with the internationally acclaimed Universoul Circus.

Registration for the workshop is $50/person and can be obtained by contacting Bonita Corbin at (870)575-8317 or corbinb@uapb.edu. You can also visit www.letsdancewithnia.com for more information about the company and to register early.

UAPB Merchandising, Textiles and Design Program to offer June 10 teacher workshop

Bobbie Handcock | School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The Merchandising, Textiles and Design Program (MTD) at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will offer a Summer Teacher Workshop June 10 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Adair-Greenhouse Building. Led by MTD instructor Kalari Turner, the workshop will feature an overview of the university’s Department of Human Sciences, a presentation of the accomplishments of MTD students and faculty, tours and demonstrations. Lunch will be provided as part of a nutrition demonstration.

Teachers will also have a chance to engage in open discussion during the “What Students Need to Succeed in College” session.

The free workshop is open to high school teachers and others who have a master’s degree in any field and work experience or significant interest in the merchandising, textiles and design field. Continuing education units (CEUs) will be available.

The deadline to register is June 5. For more information, contact Kalari Turner at 870-575-8813 or email turnerk@uapb.edu or contact Dr. Kaye Crippen at 870-575-8367 or email crippenk@uapb.edu . Click here to download the registration form.

UAPB students attend IOBSE conference

COLUMBUS, OH – Four University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students along with Mrs. Tracy Knowlton, Assistant Director for Cooperative Education and Internships recently attended the annual International Organization of Black Security Executives (IOBSE) conference.

Each student received a one year paid membership to the Loss Prevention Foundation. Dexter Lyles and Damarrius Thompson received scholarships for the complete Loss Prevention Qualified (LPQ) certification and Quinton Pugh received a $1500 tuition scholarship. Since partnering with IOBSE, four recent UAPB graduates are currently working in the security industry according to Shirley Cherry, Assistant Director of Career Services: Isaac Brown (Sears Holdings – Atlanta, GA); Janson Graves and Chelsa Savage (Walmart – Dallas, TX); and Ashley Simmons (Target – ST. Louis, MO).

IOBSE is a non-profit organization that was established in 1982 to provide a culture of education, mentorship and international networking among minority security professionals. In 2007, the vision of the organization was broadened to include training and mentorship for college students who are interested in the security industry.

The four day event provided opportunities for the students to network with security professionals from Gap, Inc., Limited Brands (the conference host), Ross Dress for Less, Sears Holdings and Walmart just to name a few. Students also participated in career development workshops, lectures by executives in the profession, and interviews for summer internships and permanent careers. The 2014 conference will be hosted by Ross Stores, Incorporated in Pleasanton, CA.

The Office of Career Services prepares students to make the transitions from college to the real world of work. Students are encouraged to register with the office in their freshman year to take full advantage of the services offered. For more information, visit them in Caldwell Hall, Suite 202 or by calling (870)575-8461.

Cutline for photo: (l-r) Criminal Justice majors Damarrius Thompson (sophomore); Quinton Pugh (junior); Bria Hudson (junior); and Dexter Lyles (senior) attended the annual International Organization of Black Security Executives (IOBSE) conference in Columbus, OH.

UAPB to offer nanoscience, robotics training for science teachers

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) will offer a professional training institute in Nanoscience and Robotics for Pine Bluff/Jefferson County area 6th -9th grade teachers. The institute proposes to reenergize science teaching at the district level by: 1) updating the relevancy of science and technology applications described in outdated textbooks with nanoscience and nanotechnology; 2) solving the problem of student engagement by offering exciting hands-on nanoscience and robotics activities; and 3) strengthen students critical thinking skills through the use of constructivist methodology.

Open to 20 teachers, the Institute will be held June 10-14 in the Walker Research Building conference room from 9:00 am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-3:00pm daily. Each participant will receive a stipend for attending and earn 20 professional development units. The institute is free, however, registration is required. Forms can be obtained at www.uapb.edu or by calling Dr. Shelton Fitzpatrick at (870)718-1528. Completed forms can be mailed to: UAPB Math and Science Center, 1200 N. University Drive Mail Slot 4978, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.

Alumna receives Wings of Excellence Award

Dr. Ruth Jones, pictured with Alan Phillips, Director of the NASA Safety Center was awarded the Cleveland Federal Executive Board’s Wings of Excellence Award at the 27th Annual Awards Program.

CLEVELAND, OH – Dr. Ruth Jones, a 1994 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) graduate received the Cleveland Federal Executive Board’s Wings of Excellence Award at the 27th Annual Awards Program for serving as an inspiration to others and bringing credit to the Federal service.

Employed by NASA Safety Center’s Mishap Investigation Support Office, Jones was honored for significant contributions to three agency investigations that required rapid intervention and assistance as well as an extended temporary duty at Glenn Research Center to complete one of the investigations within the 75-day requirement.  Jones is also a mentor for the Youth Motivation Task Force at UAPB, which offers students assistance transitioning to a professional environment.

A native of West Helena, Arkansas, Dr. Jones received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from UAPB in 1994 and is the daughter of William and Essie Jones and a 1989 honor graduate of Central High School in West Helena. Dr. Jones is also an alumna of Alabama A & M University where she received her Doctorate of Philosophy and Masters of Science degrees in Physics/Materials Science in December 2000 and July 1997, respectively.

Dr. Jones is the second African American woman to receive a Ph. D. in Physics in the state of Alabama, and the first woman to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from UAPB. The author of numerous articles on optical physics, Dr. Jones is also a member of the System Safety Society, American Physical Society, Optical Society of America, SPIE, National Society of Black Physicists, National Society of Black Engineers and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Her ultimate goal is to teach Physics at a Junior College or University because she has never had a female professor or a black professor throughout her educational career. She feels that if she gives back by teaching she can show other young girls that women can excel in science and math. In addition, Dr. Jones is frequently invited to high schools and colleges to deliver commencement speeches as well as workshops, which encourages students to pursue college degrees and advanced degrees. One of her goals is to help young people, particularly minorities in small towns, understand the excitement, opportunities and enjoyment in pursuing a technical career.

Alumnus receives distinguished service award

MISSISSIPPI – The Honorable Jimmy Hammock, International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated was given the President’s Honorarii Alcornite Societatis during Alcorn State University’s commencement in recognition of an individual’s “distinguished service within their profession, discipline or other human endeavor”.

“The Alcorn family is pleased to honor and recognize the distinguished service of these individuals”, said Alcorn State University President Christopher Brown. “As our graduates envision their future footpaths, they will be enthused by the ways these men and women have demonstrated the knowledge and character emblematic of Alcornites with a spirit of excellence”.

A native of Fordyce, Arkansas, Hammock recently retired from ArvinMeritor, formerly Rockwell International as Materials Manager after 29 years of service. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) in 1972 with a degree in Business Administration. Prior to attending UAPB, he attended J. E. Wallace High School in Fordyce, and received a full four year academic scholarship to UAPB.

His awards and recognitions include the Global Excellence Award from ArvinMeritor, Good Citizenship Award from Rockwell International, 2005 Healing Hearts Award from Morristown-Hamblen Health Care Systems, Boys and Girls Club Appreciation Award, Outstanding Community Service Award from United Way and the Phi Beta Sigma Service to the Region Award from Southeastern Region.

UAPB to host AMHC Camp iRock

Little Rock, AR  – The Arkansas Minority Health Commission (AMHC) will host the third annual Camp iRock, an all-girl fitness and nutrition camp, Sunday, June 16 through Saturday, June 22 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).  Designed exclusively for girls in sixth, seventh and eighth grade, Camp iRock offers educational activities, workshops and exercises aimed at promoting physical activity, healthy lifestyles and self-confidence.

According to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, one in three Arkansas public school students are overweight or at risk for overweight. These children have a higher risk of developing diabetes orthopedic problems, sleep disturbances and kidney problems. In addition, behavioral and psychological problems have been related to childhood obesity, and obese students are twice as likely to be in special education as non-obese students.

“The Arkansas Minority Health Commission is proud of the success of last the two year’s camps and our campers, and we hope to generate that same positivity and impact in 2013,” says Dr. Idonia Trotter, executive director of the AMHC. “Providing this experience to girls in minority communities is an important part of making an impact on the health disparities that the AMHC was created to address.”

Camp iRock 2013 is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the AMHC, UAPB, Cossatot Community College University of Arkansas and Girl Scout-Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

About Arkansas Minority Health Commission

The mission of The Arkansas Minority Health Commission is to ensure all minority Arkansans access to health care that is equal to the care provided to other citizens of the state and to seek ways to provide education, address issues and prevent diseases and conditions that are prevalent among minority populations. To learn more about the Arkansas Minority Health Commission visit arminorityhealth.com. To get more details about Camp iRock visit campirock.com.