UAPB interns train to support community regional financial Institution

JACKSON, MS – Two University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) students, John James, Jr. and Tina Daniels were among twelve new staff members of Hope Enterprise Corporation and HOPE Federal Credit Union. The placement of UAPB students is part of a comprehensive partnership between the Economic Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the Office of Career Services at UAPB with Hope Enterprise Corporation. This partnership is aimed at supporting small businesses via the UAPB Business Support Incubator.

HOPE was created to serve as a financial institution for individuals and communities that otherwise may not be able to access the services they need from traditional financial institutions. National and local trends have resulted in many economically distressed communities that are left without mainstream banking resources, leaving local residents vulnerable to predatory and sub-prime companies. These individuals often find their assets being stripped away by pawn shops, check cashing outlets, payday lenders, and cash for title operations.

Since 1994, HOPE has generated over $1.7 billion in financing for entrepreneurs, homebuyers and community development projects, and assisted more than 130,000 individuals in low-income communities throughout the Mid-South. The corporation will be poised to offer financial services to residents, and also assist ERDC in carrying out its economic and community development agenda in Pine Bluff and Southeastern Arkansas.

For more information, contact: Mr. Henry Golatt, Director, UAPB Economic Research and Development Center at 870-575-8030 or golatth@uapb.edu; Ms. Mary Jones, Director of Career Services and Admissions at 870-575-8461/575-8492 or jonesm@uapb.edu; or Ms. Pearl Wicks, Senior Vice President- Retail Administration, Hope Enterprise Corporation at 601-944-1100 or pwicks@HOPECU.org.

(Photo Courtesy of Hope Enterprise Corporation) Left to Right: Evelyn Sims, Crystal Landfair, Priscille Jackson, Genevieve Legacy, John James, Tina Daniels, Michele Jack (Human Resources), Gashion Cotton, John Kalahar, Tracy Bland, Paula Courtney Reeves, Betty Brown, and Courtney Reeves.

Antonio Webster named Hercules Scholar by Tom Joyner Foundation

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Antonio Webster, a freshman criminal justice major at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) has been named a Hercules Scholar by the Tom Joyner Foundation. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Webster will receive a $1,500 scholarship grant from the foundation as part of its School of the Month Initiative. 

According to the Foundation, each month the Foundation designates a Historically Black College/University to receive its support. As the school of the month for June, UAPB will use its fundraising efforts to support the Tom Joyner Scholarship at UAPB.

A graduate of Overton High School in Memphis, Webster who describes himself as “a young man with great integrity, strong work ethics, creativity and a demonstrated natural curiosity about the world.”

Antonio has a 4.0 GPA desires to work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where he can offer his “creative and critical thinking skill to help generate innovative ideas to improve our justice system.”

Webster also plans to further his education by earning his Master’s and PhD degrees.

The Hercules Scholarship is named after Joyner’s father, the late Hercules Joyner, who was a strong supporter of higher education. To be a candidate for the scholarship, students must be male, attend a Foundation “School of the Month”, have a grade point average of at least 3.5, and be a campus leader involved in the community with a career goal toward making a difference in the quality of life for his race.

To give online to during the School of the month initiative, visit http://tomjoynerfoundation.org/donate/. Checks are also accepted and should be made payable to Tom Joyner SOM – UAPB and mailed to Tom Joyner Foundation, 13760 Noel Road, Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75240

For more information about the initiative, contact the University Development Office at (870) 575-8701.

 

Marquise Ealy named Hercules Scholar by Tom Joyner Foundation

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Marquise Ealy, an Industrial Technology major at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) has been named a Hercules Scholar by the Tom Joyner Foundation. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Marquise will receive a scholarship grant for $1,500 from the foundation as part of the Tom Joyner School of the Month Initiative.

According to the Foundation, each month the Foundation designates a Historically Black College/University to receive its support. As the school of the month for June, UAPB will use its fundraising efforts to support the Tom Joyner Scholarship at UAPB.

A freshman who has earned a 4.0 GPA, Marquise is actively involved with the National Society of Black Engineers and is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) scholar.  He also volunteers with the UAPB STEM Saturday Academy, teaching students in grade 10-12 how to draw diagrams utilizing AutoCAD software.

Mr. Ealy plans on landing a management position with General Electric (GE) Aviation and earning a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering while employed by GE.

The Hercules Scholarship is named after Joyner’s father, the late Hercules Joyner, who was a strong supporter of higher education. To be a candidate for the scholarship, students must be male, attend a Foundation “School of the Month”, have a grade point average of at least 3.5, and be a campus leader involved in the community with a career goal toward making a difference in the quality of life for his race.

To give online to during the School of the month initiative, visit http://tomjoynerfoundation.org/donate/. Checks are also accepted and should be made payable to Tom Joyner SOM – UAPB and mailed to Tom Joyner Foundation, 13760 Noel Road, Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75240

For more information about the initiative, contact the Office of University Relations and Development at (870) 575-8701.

UAPB Students place in National Case Study Competition

A team of University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) students participated in the Black Voices Foundation 2013 National Case Study Competition. For the second year, UAPB topped a list of national minority institutions chosen as finalists. This year, UAPB placed second in the finals against California State University-San Bernardino. Melvin Clayton, a junior majoring in English from Pine Bluff, AR; Eric Williamson, a sophomore majoring in English Education from Memphis, TN and Payton Parker, a sophomore majoring in Business Management from Merrillville, IN; participated in the case study.

The teams were given the task of exploring what graduates look for in employers and to develop a creative and diverse strategy on how employers can attract and retain graduates. This competition allowed the students to test their critical thinking skills, creativity, resourcefulness and teamwork capabilities. The Office of Career Services works one-on-one with students to develop these and other soft skills needed to be well rounded in the workplace upon graduation.

The Case Study Advisor, Yulanda Riley, is Project Specialist/Career Coach in the Office of Career Services. Riley is coordinating a project to “Increase Retention through Career Preparation” which is funded in part by a grant from the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Post-Secondary Education, Institutional Services Program (Title III, Part B, Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program).

Students that are interested in learning more about the services that are offered should visit the Office of Career Services located in Caldwell Hall, Suite 202 or call (870) 575-8461.

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.