Seven 2017 graduates from area high schools are among more than 200 freshmen at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock selected for the 2017-18 class of the Chancellor's Leadership Corps scholarship program.
The competitive scholarship awards up to $8,000 per year for up to $32,000 for four years. It is awarded to entering freshmen who are Arkansas residents with at least a 3.0 cumulative high school grade-point average.
According to the university, the comprehensive program is designed to develop and enhance the skills necessary to prepare each participant for assuming leadership positions on campus and after they graduate. Scholars are meant to develop leadership skills by facilitating campus wide celebrations and participating in campus organizations. The program is meant to provide a family atmosphere and opportunities for guidance, success, campus involvement, and community involvement.
Local members of the 2017-18 class include Shirniya Carter, of Malvern; Molly Edwards, a graduate of Magnet Cove High School; Joseph Filipek, a graduate of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts from Bismarck; Haleah Gray, of Magnet Cove; Jordan Levingston, a graduate of Hot Springs World Class High School; and Chris Stillian, a graduate of Fountain Lake Charter High School.
Dorothy Truex began the program in the fall of 1976 with 17 scholarships. It was developed to help give high school student leaders a chance to continue their leadership roles throughout college. Enrollment grew to include 183 freshmen in the 2014-15 class and 225 a year ago.
The program includes a four-year curriculum guide with specific courses, coursework, service learning, internships and career aid. Scholars must complete 15 hours of service learning during each fall and spring semester.
Freshman scholars are assigned to peer mentors. Upperclassmen scholars and graduate assistants are meant to provide guidance, experience and leadership to ensure the younger scholars succeed.
Local members of the 2016-17 class included Elizabeth Altamirano, of Glenwood; Ashlyn Johnson, of Hot Springs; Caddo Lowery, of Jessieville; Kayla Miles, of Hot Springs; Tajjon McDaniel, of Lakeside; Uniqueika Nauden, an ASMSA graduate from Augusta; Cole Otwell, of Malvern; Samantha Poe, of Hot Springs; and Gunnar Vincent, of Malvern.
Shara Robbins, a 2013 honor graduate of Lakeside High School and a member of the 2013-14 CLC class, was voted in 2015 as UALR's homecoming queen as the nominee of the CLC program. She was also a member of the UALR Trojan soccer team and was voted in 2015 as the school's Best Female Athlete by the student newspaper, "The Forum." Robbins graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences/Disorders and is now enrolled in graduate school at the University of Mississippi.
Several local students participated when the program added a signing day event in 2013. Members of the class attend an event in the spring to officially accept their CLC scholarships.
Local on 10/12/2017