These are just a few of the success stories from fall 2025. To hear more good news, follow us on social media or on our��website.��If you have any good news, please send it to us. We enjoy sharing the success of our alumni, students, faculty/staff, and community partners.

• Lucas Hayes, Rebecca Gaither, and Izzy Saettele won first prize in the Deloitte Best Practices competition for their creative presentation at the Beta Alpha Psi annual conference; also, the chapter was recognized as ”Gold” status.
• Gamma Iota Sigma officers Amecia Ellis, Madelyn Neel, Mason Smith, & William Van Asche and Insurance faculty member, Ivan Hudson, travelled to the 2025 conference, where our COB chapter was recognized as “Excellent.”
• Many thanks to the Conway Chamber for allowing some of our Student Ambassadors and Girls Who Code Officers to attend the Women in Business ceremony this fall.
• The Girls Who Code��chapter has officially impacted��over��10,000 Arkansans through its outreach programming, thanks to its participation in the Launch Conway Career Expo! At this high-impact community event, student mentors from UCA introduced hundreds of K–12 students and families to coding, robotics, and technology career pathways.
• The Arkansas Trucking Association’s��“” (p. 38) magazine recently ran a feature on the 10th anniversary of the Arkansas Commercial Truck Safety and Education Program (ACTSEP).��UCA’s College of Business was significantly involved in��creating��ACTSEP, which��subsequently��provided funding for the Scott E. Bennett Arkansas Highway Commission Endowed Chair in Motor Carrier Management.
• Six FBLA Colliegiate students in our COB competed against over 2,000 from across the nation in business-related events at the FBLA Collegiate National Conference in Dallas, TX the following placed in competition:��Kaddie Bailey,�� also elected as National Vice President of Development;��Laney Bounds; and Melany Valesquez.
• Dr. Leah Boustan, Economic History Program��Director at Yale University, was invited by COB’s Arkansas Center for Research in Economics to deliver a public talk entitled “America’s Untold Story of Immigrant Success.” She also spoke to classes and networked with students.
• Many thanks to the for setting aside a day to spend time with our students and share their expertise with us!
• Faculty and Staff were honored with 2025 Excellence Awards (pictured L to R): Engaged Teaching – Benjamin Garner, Associate Prof. of Marketing; Research – Bob Fang, Associate Prof. of Accounting; Innovative Teaching – Anthony McMullen, Associate Prof. of Business Law; Service – Joe Thomas, Associate Prof. of CISA; Boundary Spanner – Mike Casey, Prof. of Finance; Societal Impact – Connie McKnight, Prof. of Accounting; COB Impact – Jacob Bundrick, Lecturer II of Economics; COB Impact – Harrison Downs, Administrative Assistant.

ACCOUNTING

• Our Beta Alpha Psi chapter received a��commendation from the IRS for UCA’s commitment to VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), led each year by tax professor Ashley Phillips.
• held the 11th annual Fear the Strike. Eight firms bowled with UCA accounting students: , , Hudson Cisne, , , , , and Rasco Winter Thomas. Team Frost had the highest team score and won the bowling pin trophy. On top of the fun and networking, $1000 will also be donated to Haven Conway.
• UCA’s Theta Lambda Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi was recognized as a Bear CLAWS recipient at the October 51��¥ Board of Trustees meeting. Representing the chapter were Izzy Saettele, vice president of membership, and Lucas Hayes, chapter president.
• Dr. Stephanie Watson on the subject of budgeting.
• Dr. Stephanie Watson has performed Continuing Professional Education Opportunities for schools across Arkansas this semester.

COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS & ANALYTICS (CISA)

• Susan Shaw of Conway, Arkansas, was recently awarded a Love of Learning Award from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.��Shaw, a doctoral candidate at Marymount University and lecturer, will use the funds from the award to travel to the Academy of Management Annual Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Instructor Susan Shaw presented at the DSI Conference in Orlando and participated in the Best Student Paper Award Showcase.
• Dr. Saif Bhuiyan had three papers published, authored with his COB colleagues.
  • Bhuiyan, S., & McKinzie, K. (2025). Engagement and satisfaction in OS software development: The impact of job characteristics.��The Journal of Applied Business and Economics,��27(3), 64-90.
  • Bhuiyan, S., Lyons, L., & Thomas, J. (2025). The role of fairness in retaining open source software contributors: An organizational justice framework for platform engagement.��The Journal of Applied Business and Economics,��27(5), 100-123.
  • Julies, M., Bhuiyan, S., & McMurtrey, M. (In Press). Hotel Supply Chain: Enhancing Operational Efficiency, Sustainability, and Resilience.��The Journal of Strategic Innovation��and Sustainability,��20(4).

ECONOMICS, FINANCE, and INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT (EFIRM)

• The EFIRM Department launched a new minor program, Economics and Insurance of Healthcare Administration, to help students understand the business of wellness.
• The Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame held its annual induction banquet on campus on October 16. Six Arkansans were inducted, and five scholarships were awarded to UCA insurance students.
• The UCA Finance Club was established this semester under the leadership of Sarah Campbell. Its first meetings invited speakers including Chris McClanahan, Head of IB Recruiting; Anna Grace Mills, Associate in the Financial Institutions Group and Head of IB analyst program; and Evelyn Griffith, UCA grad and Associate in Private Wealth Management.
• Internships are an important way to get experience before graduation. Just ask junior insurance major Madelyn Neel! Check out this video where Madelyn shares about her internship at and the ways she’s gaining experience.
• Insurance major Connor Black received a $1,000 scholarship from PIA. PIA is the Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) of Arkansas. PIA is on campus a couple of times each academic year hosting The��Forum, in partnership with UCA’s Gamma Iota Sigma (the insurance student club). The goal of the forum is to maximize networking opportunities and career readiness for students, especially students that have chosen Insurance & Risk Management as major or minor.��This is a campus-facing event, and industry professionals will also be in attendance.
• Encore Banks’s Erin Simpson shared expertise with Dr. Huiqiong Duan’s Money and Banking class.
• Dr. Mavuto Kalulu . The paper is titled, “Ethics Committees��and Corruption: Do Ethics Committees Reduce Corruption Cases within State Legislatures?” When faculty coauthor with students, the faculty give these students valuable experience and increase the students’ chances of getting into graduate school.
• Ivan Hudson, Director of the UCA Center for Insurance, was recently��sworn in as the Treasurer for the Arkansas Association of Realtist, the local Board of . Ivan has been a member of NAREB for about 8 years.
• Students in our insurance program had the opportunity to hear guest speakers from one of the fastest-growing independent agencies and companies in the Inc 5000. ��guest speakers,�� and Luke Koenigseder, shared some incredible insights on the industry, gave an account of a day in the life of an independent insurance agent, and explained why their organization is poised for growth. It wasn’t just the classroom presentations that impressed, but the conversations that continued afterwards. They are committed to investing in the next generation of insurance and risk management talent.
• Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl is busy as always making everyday economics more accessible for scholars and citizens. Here are a few of his publications in the , on blogs, and on social media.
• Dr. Stephen Yao also .
• , CFO of Restaurants at FoxDen Capital, spoke to Sarah Campbell’s Student Managed Investment Fund class on October 27. With a 14-year career as a Research Analyst at Stephens before he joined the private equity firm , Justin brought a wealth of insight into evaluating investment ideas and opportunities.
• Granger Davis from Edward Jones put his whiteboard skills to the test for Sarah Campbell’s Student Managed Investment Fund class. Bringing decades of experience advising clients on investing for their futures, Granger provided a terrific perspective on how to bring finance skills to bear on behalf of clients.
• Representative David Ray had a discussion with Thomas Snyder’s Law/Econ class.�� He talked about the job of a legislator, the role of government, lawmaking, and economic policy.
• Justice Rhonda Wood from the Arkansas Supreme Court talked to Dr. Snyder’s Law and Economics class, sharing about recent relevant cases.
• Dr. Snyder��Thomas invited David Friedman to talk (via zoom) to his Law and Economics Class. David Friedman has had a distinguished career, including authoring the textbook used in Dr. Snyder’s class (“Law’s Order”). ��During class, David Friedman talked about “Legal Systems Very Different from Ours,” which is the title of another book he wrote.
• Sarah Campbell invited Jay Strickland from Legacy Capital talk to her Student Managed Investment Fund class. Jay gave a wide-ranging talk that touched on how to build a portfolio and how to manage clients’ biases. Jay is a UCA alum, and we were thrilled to have him back.
• Dr. Horpedahl spoke to students at Samford University in Alabama on September 18th, discussing trends in the wealth of recent generations and previewing some of the results that will appear in his book on that topic. He was hosted by Samford professors Art Carden and Joy Buchanan.
• , “Prescription opioid spillovers: Retail pharmacy level analysis,” in the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment.
• ��Alumni Ryder Pierce is an investment manager for the Bank of the Ozarks and was recently included on Arkansas’s prestigious 40 under 40 list.

MARKETING & MANAGEMENT (M&M)

• As this fall’s Allison Entrepreneurship Series Speaker, Jakob Michaelis, a partner at Dave Creek Media, shared lunch and his extensive experience identifying timely solutions, including a new app, with students and faculty.
• Dr. Benjamin Garner led a new “Speed Selling” event this semester involving��10 companies and 24 marketing and sales students. Each student completed 3-4 interviews and received feedback on their performance from potential employers. Huge success – connections were made; internships and jobs discussed.
• The Introduction to Business (BUAD 1300) students gave presentations this semester, and the top 7 groups presented in front of a full auditorium. Professor Ben Britton got a shout-out by the group presenting on Best Buy. Professor Tracy Suter got shout out by the group presenting on Amazon. Joe Cangelosi advised the group that reasearched Fedex.
• Undergraduate students, Oluwadamilola Osundolire (Economics) and Robert Walker (Finance), mentored by Dr. Alex Chen presented their artificial intelligence research at the DSI conference in Orlando, FL. Dr. Ming Li also presented her research.
• Dr. McKenzie’s Project Management class completes service-learning projects each semester. One of those projects included a group of students who��organized a clean-up of the Stone Dam Creek to assist in preserving the natural beauty of the UCA campus.
• Drs. Jamila Maxie, Ben Britton, David McCalman, and Tracy Suter had their case study about Rhea Lana’s Children’s Consignment conditionally accepted for academic journal publication.�� This was part of a strategic effort to tie the John W. Allison Entrepreneurial Speaker Series to clearer, longer-term teaching and research outcomes by showcasing and highlighting local firms in global��outlets.
• Our Conway-area 75Strong��group met with our local coalition at the Conway��Chamber to build out an even stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem locally and statewide.
• Conductor hosted a widely attended series of workshops throughout the semester, including a student pitch competition.��Local CPAs Zee Barfoote and Austin Malone discussed handling a startup’s early finances in their Conductor session called “Your Startup’s First CFO: YOU!” as part of the Conductor��series.
• Dr. Steve Schlachter’s��class, MGMT 3346 Strategic Human Resource Management, hosted guest speaker Moriah Bruner, Manager of Health and Well-Being at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
• Kaddie Bailey was honored with the Postsecondary ACTE Region IV Outstanding Business Student Award, issued by Association of Career and Technical Education.��The Postsecondary ACTE Outstanding Business Student Award recognizes outstanding business students at the postsecondary level. To be eligible, students must be nominated by a member of the Business Education Division of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and must demonstrate leadership potential through business courses and involvement in career and technical student organizations. The award is designed to honor five postsecondary students from each region, including Region IV, who have made significant contributions to their field.
• A few years ago, Dr. Garner��created a Content Marketing course at UCA to help students blend creativity, storytelling, and strategy in today’s digital landscape. As part of the class, students completed service-learning projects with and other Central Arkansas organizations — gaining real-world experience while giving back. in Industry and Higher Education (2025).
• The Bears Advancing Supply Chain and Operations Management (BASCOM) club invited several guest speakers this semester, including J.B. Hunt’s��Jasmine John��— Early Career Recruiter, Corporate;��Bryan Epperson��— Capacity Procurement Representative; and student��Brody Patterson��— Integrated Capacity Solutions Intern.
• Dr. Tracy Suter was invited to join the Editorial Review Board of the Business Case Journal. It is one of three journals affiliated with the Society for Case Research.

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

• Dr. Mark McMurtrey was honored this evening as an MVP, most valuable professor, for his impact on UCA’s student-athletes. He was nominated by Sugar Bear Samantha Cousins, who attends Dr. McMurtrey’s MBA Operations & Supply Chain Management course this semester.

It’s nearly impossible to highlight all the wonderful accomplishments of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff. If we missed yours,��please let us know!

COLLEGE NEWS

• Our new Dean,��Dr. Tim Bisping��(pictured at right), was selected. He will begin on July 1, 2025, and has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, including as a professor and department Chair at our College of Business years ago; Dr. Bisping comes to us from the Nelson Rusche College of Business at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he has led initiatives to enhance academic excellence, foster faculty and staff development, and support student achievement. We are thrilled to welcome him as our Dean.
• The UCA College of Business owes a debt of gratitude to Dr. Mike Casey, Professor of Finance, for his service as our Interim Dean during the past year. Serving as Interim Dean for the second time, he took on duties as Dean and continued teaching a full load of finance courses and authoring articles for Pearson. Dr. Casey is ready to return to EFIRM department faculty as Dr. Bisping joins us.
• UCA’s Beta Alpha Psi competition team (Rebecca Gaither, Carson Griffin, Jane Nim, Helen Sokha) presented at the Beta Alpha Psi Dallas Mid-Year Conference. Their project won the Deloitte Best Practices competition in the Impacting Your Profession category, and they will compete again at the annual meeting in August in San Antonio. The group is supported by faculty sponsors Dr. Connie McKnight and Dr. Ashley Phillips.
• Our College of Business was rankings.
• Dr. Louisa Moseley was recognized for in Introduction to Business, and she was named UCA Learning Communities Faculty Associate of the Year for her work at BUILD@Carmichael.
• experts to share their experience with students. They spoke about the jobs they do, the many opportunities available to students, and the skills those opportunities require. The BCBS representatives also spent their lunch networking with COB faculty and students. (Pictured from BCBS – from L to R: Ben McVay, Emily Shadell, David Martin, Trey Hankins, and Logynn Gambles; not pictured: Jason Carter)
• At its annual Outstanding Student Awards Banquet, the UCA College of Business announced and celebrated the Outstanding Students selected for the 2024-2025 academic year.

ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT

• Accounting majors participated in the Volunteer Income Tax (VITA) program at United Way of Central Arkansas under the leadership of Dr. Ashley Phillips. They prepared 414 returns, saving the community over $75,000 in tax preparation fees and returning over $440,000 to community members through federal and state tax refunds.
• Dr. Bob Fang‘s paper, “” was accepted for publication at the Journal of Corporate Finance.
• Dr. Bob Fang��won the Best Paper Award, 2024 for a paper he co-authored in the��Journal of International Accounting Research��and won Oustanding Paper in the 2024 Emerald Literati Awards for a paper he co-authored in the��China Accounting and Finance Review.
• Dr. Anthony McMullen, Associate Professor of Business Law, guided student Rebecca Myers in an independent study on vehicular title washing. This spring, Rebecca presented her research to an official from U.S. Representative French Hill’s office.
• Professor Anthony McMullen��was also awarded a Golden Gavel Award by the��Arkansas Bar Association in recognition of his longstanding service and continued dedication to the Mock Trial Committee.
• Dr. Ashley Phillips and Dr. Karen Oxner have a paper entitled��“Climate-Related Disclosures: Final SEC Rules” forthcoming in the Spring issue��of Oil, Gas, and Energy Quarterly.
• Three Master of Accountancy students – Sidney Mack, Carson Griffin, and Bradley Bulice – presented��research papers in March at the American Accounting Researchers and Educators annual Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sidney Mack presented two papers and won the Best Student Paper Award. These students were mentored by��Dr. Karen Oxner,��Dr. Ashley Phillips, and Luke Ferguson, J.D.

COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS & ANALYTICS (CISA) DEPARTMENT

• Jason Brown (student), Dr. K. Michael Casey, and Dr. Mark McMurtrey worked together on “” for publication in the Journal of Accounting and Finance.
• Abby Bounds, Senior Information Systems major and Girls Who Code President, along with Susan Shaw, College of Business CISA faculty and club co-sponsor, were invited to attend the WECode (Women Engineers Code) Conference at Harvard University.
• CISA celebrated with its graduates this semester. Here are pictured the most recent graduates receiving their Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics degrees (pictured:��Dr. Ellis, Dr. Nichols, students Jack Griffin (fully online), Kathryn Webb, Parvinder Singh, Brittany Miller, and��Dr. McKinzie).
• Dr. Joe Thomas was nominated as a Most Valuable Professor (MVP) for his work with student athletes.

ECONOMICS, FINANCE, AND INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT (EFIRM) DEPARTMENT

• The EFIRM Department added to the curriculum with a new minor,��The Economics and Insurance of Healthcare Administration, and a Transportation Economics class, two Student Managed Investment Fund classes, and a Financial Modeling class.
• Department Chair, Dr. Joe McGarrity, .
• Pat and Marshall Moon from Meridian Investment Advisors visited the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) course taught by Dr. Mike Casey.��Pat runs a wealth management company that manages $800 million in assets.

• Economics major Perla Zapata and Dr. Tom Snyder presented their research paper about Economic Development Incentives at the Arkansas College Teachers of Economics and Business (ACTEB) Conference.��Economics Student Veronica Bertolusso and Dr. Mavuto Kalulu also presented their paper about Campaign Financing and Economic Freedom at the ACTEB Conference.
• UCA’s Center for Insurance Director, Ivan Hudson, accompanied three UCA insurance majors to the Gamma Iota Sigma 2025 Regional Conference Series in Ft. Worth, Texas.
• Alumni Update: Sam Brown (BA Economics, 2025) will attend law school in the fall, and John Crocker (BA Economics, 2013) is now��overseeing 1,200 employees at the biggest pizza manufacturing plant in the world.
• Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl and�� like THV11, ,��, New York Times, and the .
• For all of his extensive work, the Dr. Horpedahl an Adjunct Scholar.
• Dr. Stephen Haibo Yao shared his expertise with WalletHub about and , while his educated opinions about Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) issues. Professor Ivan Hudson also shared his expertise with WalletHub about .
• Dr. Mike Casey also invited Drew Gainor to speak to his SMIF students. Drew was one of Arkansas Business’s top 40 under 40 and is a very successful wealth manager.
• The , Lloyd’s Head of US Claims, to share his extensive experience with our students, faculty and staff, and community insurance professionals. This event was made possible by a grant.
• Mr. Clint O’Neal,��Executive Director of the Arkansas��Economic Development Commission, spoke to Dr. Tom Snyder’s Economics Senior Seminar class. Dr. Snyder also invited��two economists from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to speak about careers and different types of data that students can use.
• Dr. Ling He retired after 26 years of service at UCA.
• Arkansas Center for Research in Economics Undergraduate Research Fellows–Veronica Bertolusso, David Tooley, and Perla Zapata–presented their faculty-mentored papers at the 2025 Society of Business, Industry and Economics (SOBIE) Conference in San Destin, Florida.��Perla Zapata earned a student research award (for the second year in a row) and also won the Wesco Student Research award at the conference.
• Four students, Nathan Cannon, Anna Turgaeva, Jordan Scoggins, and Hunter Brown, wrote op-eds in Dr. Joe McGarrity‘s Modern Political Economy course that were published in newspapers around the state.
• After receiving encouragement from Dr. Rania Al-Bawwab, student Tyler Lister submitted an essay that earned first prize and from the Money Metals Exchange and Sound Money Defense League.
• Dr. Collin Hodges and Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl led discussions for a 10-week reading group that explored economic freedom, while Dr. Jacob Held, UCA Professor of Philosophy, led the Watchmen reading group from January to April. The reading groups were sponsored by the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics.
• Dr. Collin Hodges‘��paper “Prescription opioid spillovers: Retail pharmacy level analysis” was accepted at the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment.

MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

• Dr. Tracy Suter, Associate Professor of Marketing, was selected among the first group of , a new statewide program designed to train economic developers and community leaders on entrepreneurship and small business development and to provide direct technical support for small businesses throughout Arkansas.
• Dr. Ron Duggins,��Associate Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, led two student teams to the semifinals of the : Ally Loter and Zoe McMillion & Clover Quill and Jacob Sanders.
• Seven COB students competed in business-related events at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate State Conference and earned top awards in their events: Kaddie Bailey, Laney Bounds, Abby Bounds, Grayson Gardner, Mason Smith, Johnny Vasquez, and Melany Valesquez. Five of these students competed at the national conference in May.��Dr. Marsha Carson sponsors the FBLA chapter at UCA.
• COB’s experiential education opportunities continued to win students great jobs. After visit to the Bears Advancing Supply Chain Management (BASCOM) club, supply chain student Julia Cockrell earned one of three positions in their��Intermodal Manager Trainee program.
• with Dr. Benjamin Garner‘s Content Marketing students to create 13 published blogs. Dr. Garner’s students also .
• Dr. Steven Schlachter had an article accepted at��The International Journal of Organizational Diversity titled “Out of the Shadows: LGBT Employee Resource Group Leaders Embracing Their Identity.”
• Dr. JiHoon Jhang��presented a paper titled “The Unintended Consequences of Stakeholder Resource Integration on Collective Consumer Engagement” at the��2025 AMA (American Marketing Association) Winter Academic Conference��in Phoenix, AZ.
• Dr. JiHoon Jhang had a manuscript entitled, “More variety-seeking in sorted versus non-sorted option displays in hospitality: The moderating effect of optimal stimulation level” accepted for publication in the��International Journal of Hospitality Management.
• Dr. JiHoon Jhang had a manuscript entitled, “AI-Generated News Content: The Impact of AI Writer Identity and Perceived AI Human-Likeness” accepted for publication in the��International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction.
• Dr. JiHoon Jhang was nominated as��Most Valuable Professor (MVP)��by 51��¥ Baseball and was honored at Bear Stadium.
• Dr. JiHoon Jhang had��two manuscripts, “When Humans Face Limits: How Perceptions of God Affect Purchase Decision Avoidance” and “The Unintended Consequences of Stakeholder Resource Integration on Collective Consumer Engagement,” accepted for presentation and will present both papers at the��2025 AMA (American Marketing Association) Summer Academic Conference��in Chicago, IL, this August.
• Dr. JiHoon Jhang‘s international research team, for which he serves as co-PI, has been selected as the recipient of��the 2025��International Collaborative Research Promotion Grant��by Ritsumeikan University,��Kyoto, Japan.
• Students��Robert Walker, Oluwandamilola “Dami” Osundolire, and Madison Wills conducted a survey under the mentorship of Dr. Alex Chen to understand students’ attitudes and behavior toward Artificial Intelligence (AI). They completed a preliminary report including a college comparison, class comparison, types of AI usage, AI software comparison, and purposes of AI usage.

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

• Master’s graduates Philipp Haessner and Julian Haessner joined Dr. Mark McMurtrey to publish “Trends & Challenges in the Food Supply Chain” in the Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability.

The wonderful accomplishments of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff are too many to count. If we missed yours, please let us know!

The awards given celebrate students who stood out this year in our academic programs and student organizations. The following students were selected because they have optimized their education by combining exemplary academic performance with internships, volunteerism, professional development, experiential education, and participation in clubs and other important experiences.

Outstanding Students of the Year

ACADEMIC AWARDS

College of Business Outstanding Student of the Year
Also: Outstanding Information Systems Student
Jane Nim

Jane Nim pictured with Dean, Dr. Mike Casey

Outstanding General Business Student
Caitlin Hambuchen

Caitlin Hambuchen pictured with Dr. Ashley Phillips, Associate Professor of Accounting

Outstanding Fully Online Undergraduate Student
Crystal Calhoun

Crystal Calhoun pictured with Associate Dean, Dr. Laci Lyons

Outstanding Accounting Student
Matthew Warren

Matthew Warren pictured with Accounting Department Chair, Dr. Stephanie Watson

Outstanding Computer Information Systems Student
Olivia Balentine

Olivia Balentine pictured with Dr. Jim Downey, Professor of CISA

Outstanding Cybersecurity Management Student
Caleb Goines

Caleb Goines with Dr. Jim Downey, Professor of CISA

Outstanding Data Analytics Student
Elizabeth Yancey

Elizabeth Yancy pictured with Dr. Mike Ellis, Associate Professor of CISA

Outstanding Economics Student
Perla Zapata

(not pictured)

Outstanding Finance Student
Cooper McClellan

Cooper McClellan pictured with Dr. Joe McGarrity, Chair of the EFIRM Department

Outstanding Insurance & Risk Management Student
Emma Daughtrey

Emma Daughtrey pictured with Ivan Hudson, Director of the UCA Center for Insurance and Risk Management

Outstanding Management Student
Joshua Baros

(not pictured)

Outstanding Marketing Student
John Brady Littler

John Brady Littler pictured with Dr. Benjamin Britton, Assistant Professor of Marketing

Outstanding Innovation & Entrepreneurship Student
Ally Loter

Ally Loter pictured with Dr. Ron Duggins, Associate Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Outstanding Logistics & Supply Chain Management Student
Matthew Moix

Matt Moix pictured with Dr. Michael Cross, Lecturer of Management

Outstanding Human Resources Student
Brandon Miller

(not pictured)

Outstanding Master of Accountancy Student
Sidney Mack

Sidney Mack pictured with Dr. Stephanie Watson, Chair of the Accounting Department

Outstanding Master of Applied Data Analytics Student
Brittany Miller

Brittany Miller pictured with Dr. Samira Nichols, Assistant Professor of CISA

Outstanding Master of Business Administration Students
Caitlyn Bellamy & Jason Brown

Jason Brown pictured with Dr. Mark McMurtrey, MBA Program Director

Caitlyn Bellamy pictured with Dr. Laci Lyons, Associate Dean

SERVICE AWARDS

Outstanding College of Business Ambassadors
Izzy Saettele & Michael Isaac

Izzy Saettele and Michael Isaac pictured with Lainey Morrow, COB Student Ambassador Program Coordinator

Outstanding Beta Alpha Psi Student
Carson Griffin

Carson Griffin pictured with Dr. Ashley Phillips, co-sponsor of Beta Alpha Psi

Outstanding Accounting Club Student
Lucas Hayes

Lucas Hayes pictured with Accounting Professor Dr. Ashley Phillips

Outstanding Gamma Iota Sigma Student
Gabriella Adkins

Gabriella Adkins pictured with Ivan Hudson, Director of the UCA Center for Insurance and Risk Management

Outstanding BASCOM Student (Bears for Advancing Supply Chain and Operations Management)
Matthew Moix

Matt Moix (not pictured – BASCOM Sponsor, Dr. Michael Cross)

Outstanding BIT Club Member
Jane Nim

Jane Nim pictured with Dr. Mike Casey, Sponsor of the BIT Club

Outstanding Girls Who Code Member
Abby Bounds

Abby Bounds pictured with CISA Lecturer Susan Shaw, co-sponsor of Girls Who Code

Outstanding Marketing & Sales Club Member
Emily Greer

Emily Greer (not pictured, Dr. Ben Britton, sponsor of the Marketing & Sales Club)

Outstanding BUILD Student
Nick Self

Nick Self pictured with Dr. Louisa Moseley, Director of Student Experiences and BUILD@Carmichael Academic Coordinator

The funds were given to support the 2025 Risk Manager on Campus. For this event, a Risk Management and Insurance Professional is brought to the UCA College of Business for class visits, campus-wide lectures, panel discussions, meetings with student organizations such as Gamma Iota Sigma, and meals with faculty and other IRM community professionals. This is a valuable opportunity to allow students to network and learn from the visiting Risk Manager.

Since 1997, has offered this rewarding educational experience for students and a chance to give back to the profession. Spencer’s Risk Manager on Campus program offers grants to universities and colleges in the United States and Canada to host a practicing Risk Manager on its campus for a 1–3-day residency.

The Spencer Foundation has supported the Risk Manager on Campus program for years, most recently bringing��Robin Roeder in 2024,�� in 2023, and��Lance Ewing in 2022.

Robin S. Roeder

Each year, an Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) professional is brought to the UCA College of Business for visits with students, faculty, and other industry and community professionals. Early this week, we were thrilled to welcome Robin S. Roeder,��senior vice president of risk management for Sedgwick, to share her experience with us. The program is supported by the Spencer Educational Foundation.

Roeder visited campus for two days. At the luncheon on Monday, April 15, we were joined by many students, faculty, and insurance professionals, including Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain, who spoke a few words to highlight the significance of the IRM industry in Arkansas.

(Pictured from L to R: UCA Insurance Center Director Mr. Ivan Hudson, Ms. Robin Roeder, Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Mr. Alan McClain, and Mr. Kelley Erstine, 51��¥ Board of Trustees Member and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas.)

During her presentation, Roeder shared a compelling presentation called “Katrina: The Catastrophe, the Cost, the Claim.” She shared photos of the impact Hurricane Katrina had on Louisiana, but shifted to focus on the experience from the purview of Memorial Medical, a local hospital that had been known to weather many storms in the past. After the hurricane hit and levees broke, thousands of medically fragile patients and visitors were left stranded in the hospital; as the disaster unfolded over the course of days, hospital officials were forced to make heartbreaking decisions about who to evacuate, when, and how.

Many Memorial Medical patients died in this unprecedented catastrophe, and decisions made by Memorial Medical officials during that time were later analyzed as incorrect decisions. Roeder asked those in attendance what decisions they would have made if they were in charge at Memorial Medical during Katrina; still so many years later, the audience struggled with how to correctly respond, now knowing the devastation, limited communications, and scarce resources officials, individuals, and families faced during and after Katrina.

Despite the difficult question, Roeder stressed the need to make a plan for catastrophes such as Katrina and how risk and loss are addressed. In closing, Roeder shared lessons learned, and impacts that survivors — and the risk management profession itself — faced in the years since the disaster, including laws passed because of Hurricane Katrina.

.

Later in the evening several students and faculty were invited to dinner with Ms. Roeder and her fiancé. This is a valuable time for students to network and ask questions with the Risk Manager on Campus.

On Tuesday, April 16, Ms. Roeder visited the student risk management organization Gamma Iota Sigma to speak about how soft skills can enhance their careers. With this group of students and faculty, Roeder held an interactive forum for groups to answer practical questions and complete exercises that occur as part of job interviews.

Ms. Roeder brought a wealth of experience to UCA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Memphis and later earned a master’s degree in risk management and insurance from Florida State University. She is a RIMS Fellow and holds the Certified Risk Manager, Associate in Risk Management – ERM, Certified Environmental Strategist and Associate in Captive Insurance designations. She served as the senior manager for risk management and treasury at Wright Medical Technology for nearly 11 years before joining Sedgwick in 2011. There Roeder developed the strategic risk management vision and framework for the company’s program. Today, she leads operational risk management activities and oversees the management of claims, safety and loss control, physical security and travel risk management. Roeder is also responsible for risk management planning and response related to business interruption, crisis management, and business resiliency. Aside from her busy career, Roeder is highly involved in service to the IRM industry and education sector. Read more about Ms. Roeder.

The 2024 Risk Manager on Campus gave students, faculty, and community members a valuable opportunity to network with Ms. Roeder, an experienced Risk Manager who they may not have otherwise met. Her presentations were enlightening and thought-provoking. Many thanks to Ms. Roeder for traveling to UCA’s campus and to the Spencer Educational Foundation for the grant funds that brought Ms. Roeder to UCA.

To bring the Risk Manager to campus this year, the 51��¥ Insurance and Risk Management program was awarded a grant from the Spencer Educational Foundation, supporting a key experiential learning opportunity for students.��The Spencer Foundation has supported the Risk Manager on Campus program for years,����and��Lance Ewing in 2022.

Outstanding Students of the Year

ACADEMIC AWARDS

General Business
Miranda Ivy

“I feel like business fits me because I have lots of interest in many different areas that this major helps to fulfill. After graduation, I intend to explore options in the career field and gain experience for future endeavors.”

Miranda pictured with Dr. Watson who presented the award

Fully Online Undergraduate
Samantha Ashley

“As a non-traditional student, I have experience in a few different fields of business. At any given profession I have had, I always excelled in my computer skills. When I decided to go back to college to pursue my Bachelor’s degree, I chose a major in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Business Analysis to hone my existing skills and become an expert in a field that entails tasks that I enjoy. After graduation, I am hoping to be able to secure a remote position as a Data Analyst.”

Sam pictured with Dr. Casey who presented the award

Accounting
Carson Griffin

Carson chose to major in accounting with a minor in financial services. He says, “I chose accounting because of the career opportunities available and the flexibility that it provides. I love working with numbers and the world of business, so accounting is where I fit it. After graduation, I will pursuing a MAcc here at UCA. After that, I plan to work in public accounting at FORVIS.”

Carson pictured with Dr. Watson who presented the award

Computer Information Systems
Grant McKnight

“I have always loved working with computers, starting first with playing video games, then creating documents, and now writing codes in languages such as SQL. I chose to major in Computer Information Systems because of this interest, the opportunity to get a great job, and to have a career that I know I will enjoy. I am looking for an internship or full-time position in Arkansas.”

Grant pictured with Dr. Downey who presented the award

Computer Information Systems – Business Analysis
Aiden Mendolia

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Information Systems
Hayden Weaver

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Economics
Natalie Quisenberry

“I chose economics because of its omnipresence in the business world. I found myself applying economic principles in almost all of my lower division business core classes, which was very intriguing to me. This ultimately led to the changing of my major and I have enjoyed it ever since. After graduating, I hope to obtain a position in business strategy while simultaneously pursuing a masters degree. After some time in the corporate world, I would like to pursue my PhD and return to higher education as a professor.”

Natalie pictured with Dr. Hodges who presented the award

Finance
Linda Galeano Midence

Linda chose to major in finance and minor in data analytics. She says she chose it because there is more math involved in this subject. She also hopes to get a job in the United States after graduation, but if not, she envisions herself back in Honduras working at a bank.

Linda pictured with Dr. Snyder who presented the award

Insurance & Risk Management
Sophia Fulgham

“I am a third generation insurance agent so I’ve grown up around the industry. I feel like I’ve gotten a front row seat to seeing the good insurance can do. My dad always says with insurance you’re selling people a piece of paper and a promise that you’ll be there for them when they need you most. I feel really excited to go into an industry where I can help people in this way. After graduation, I have been accepted into the MBA program here at UCA and will start taking classes toward my MBA this summer as I study abroad in Amsterdam! I am open to pursuing any job within the industry after I graduate this May. I hope that I will eventually be able to come back and help my dad run his independent agency, Integrity Insurance.”

Sophia pictured with Dr. Yao who presented the award

Marketing
Abbie Flake

“I am very math-brained but also love to be creative. Marketing was the perfect choice where I could do both! I am fascinated by the world of business and can express my creativity while also being analytical as a marketing major. I hope to attend graduate school at the University of Arkansas in the full-time Walton MBA Program.”

Abbie pictured with Dr. Garner who presented the award

Management
Bresner Austin

“I run a small business on the side, and I’ve always had some interest in the way that these businesses run that I work for. It’s also a great backup plan for the firefighting career I’m going to pursue; especially because with that schedule I could continue to run my business among other things. Knowledge of the economy and how many things operate in a country like America is valuable to me. After graduation, I plan to enter the Little Rock Firefighting Rookie School program.”

Bresner pictured with Dr. Chen who presented the award

Human Resource Management
Abby McMillin

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Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Connor Tuttle

“I believed this major would give me the best overall learning experience for what it takes to run a business. I saw that it included courses from all departments in the College of Business and that is what stood out most. I wanted to leave college feeling as though I had experience in multiple different areas of business. In addition, I felt as though this major would encourage me to take a leap of faith and start my own venture. After I graduate, I intend to pursue a full-time job at my current workplace, The Studio Downtown. I also am looking at other employment options within the marketing department of companies like Howler Brothers, Turtlebox Audio, Yeti, or other outdoor lifestyle brands.”

Connor pictured with Dr. Suter who presented the award

Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Elizabeth “Liz” Ennis

“Inventory analysis is something that just makes sense to me. I worked at a local grocery store in high school and the idea of supply and demand at a larger scale piqued my interest. After studying abroad in Austria this past summer, my drive for international inventory and shipping has only been solidified. After I graduate, I plan to work on my Master’s in Supply Chain Management while working in a company within my degree path.”

Liz pictured with Dr. Voss who presented the award

Master of Accountancy
Jacqueline Berntsen

“I knew I wanted to be a business major because many of my family members had their own businesses. When I took principles of accounting, I really liked the class. I interviewed a family member that was a CPA at about the same time and found the interview really interesting. So I picked it and stuck with it. After graduation, I intend to start working at HCJ CPA’s & Advisors and start studying for the CPA exam.”

Jacqueline pictured with Dr. Oxner who presented the award

Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics
Julian Haessner

Julian says he chose applied data analytics because of research opportunities, to develop of analytical skills, and to prepare for doctoral studies.

Julian pictured with Dr. Ellis who presented the award

Master of Business Administration
Joao Rodrigues

“I pursued a major in Applied Data Analytics because it complements my MBA, equipping me with advanced analytical skills to leverage data in strategic decision-making and enhance my expertise in the business field. After I graduate, I will be working as a Financial Analyst in a commercial real estate firm in Central Arkansas.”

Joao pictured with Dr. McMurtrey who presented the award

College of Business Overall Outstanding Student
Carson Griffin

Carson pictured with Dean Hargis who presented the award

SERVICE AWARDS

Biz@Bear
Mahayla Edwards

Mahayla says, “I would love to own my own business and run it from the ground up! I may move to NWA open a store front for my boutique then move to Dallas a few years later and open another store and a coffee shop!”

Mahayla pictured with Dr. Moseley who presented the award

Accounting Club
Izzy Saettele

Izzy is very active at UCA and was convinced to choose her major in accounting because her supplemental instructor inspired her to choose it. She says after graduation, “I plan to stay at UCA for my MAcc and sit for the CPA exam. I want to go into public accounting, specifically in tax and stay somewhere in the central Arkansas area.”

Izzy pictured with Dr. Phillips who presented the award

Beta Alpha Psi
Carson Griffin

Carson pictured with Dr. Phillips who presented the award

Bears for Advancing Supply Chain & Operations Management (BASCOM)
Claire Coon

“My initial attraction to the business world was and still is the direct, real world applications of the field. From my first two classes in business, microeconomics and the global environment of business, I was able to take things out of class and straight away use them to better understand everyday events in my life. Starting in January 2024 after my graduation in December, I began working full time as a real estate agent for Homeward Realty here in Conway. This new year I look forward to serving Conway and the greater Central Arkansas region as a real estate agent by applying skills and knowledge I’ve acquired during my time at the UCA College of Business (COB).”

Claire pictured with Dr. Voss who presented the award

Gamma Iota Sigma
Cole Vangsnes

Cole says he chose Insurance and Risk Management because it is a “very interesting career field with people that make it ten times better.”

Cole pictured with Prof. Hudson who presented the award

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate
Kaddie Bailey & Malie Phimmachack

Malie: “I choose this major because I wanted to be able to help people. My interest in business-related activities began in High School, so I wanted to be able to pursue it in the future. Additionally, I enjoyed being able to assist others when they needed it, so I decided to major in management so that I could learn all the ins and outs of a business. After graduation I intend to go for my masters and start working.”

Kaddie chose to focus on Accounting and Religious Studies. She says, “I chose both of them because I love helping people. Accounting can be used in so many ways for the betterment of others like being a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant to helping corporations run their everyday operations. I get to work with those around me for the betterment of others. Religious studies helps me get to know the world more and allows me to help others across the street, across the states, and across the world. I get to be a light in communities full of darkness. After graduation, I intend to do a two year Journeymen program through the North American Missions Board and possibly short-term missionary work before coming back to earn my Master’s Degree in Accounting and possibly sit for the CPA exam. Life is an open book so I may end up doing something completely different, but this is what I think I am going to do.”

Kaddie and Malie pictured with Dr. Suter who presented the award

COB Student Ambassador
Abbie Flake

Abbie pictured with Dean Hargis who presented the award

Give us some highlights of your experience in the business environment from before you joined the UCA College of Business Faculty.

I got my career start with the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.��In November of 2008 I went to work for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation as Program Associate. At this time in 2008, two-thirds of Arkansas voted to pass the Lottery legislation. Fast Forward to October of 2009 when I joined the start-up management team at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. Over the three and a half year period that I was there, I served in a number of capacities, including Procurement Director and Internal Operations Director. I’ll completed my MBA while there, and when I finished my MBA program at UALR December 2012, I launched the Ivan Hudson Agency as my entry into the insurance industry. In March 2014, I secured my Series 6 and Series 63 designations to help set me apart in the industry.

Networking has always been important to me. My personal and professional mantra is “You can network or not work, but you can’t do both.” That really speaks to my core value of building relationships. Solid meaningful relationships, will take you places that even education and other resources can’t.

Career Facts about Director Hudson:

• December 2012- Received MBA from UALR
• December 2012 – Launched the Ivan Hudson Agency
• 2017-2018 – President of Rotary Club of West Little Rock
• President, National African-American Insurance Association – Arkansas Chapter
• Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas, Education Foundation, Board of Directors
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, National Diversity Council
• NAREB National Insurance Committee (NNIC) Member

How did you hear about this position at UCA and what led you to focus your time in the classroom?
Although the insurance industry is robust and dynamic, it also is relatively small. When networking and getting involved in industry associations, I made meaningful connections that landed me at events on UCA’s campus. After learning more about the Insurance & Risk Management program, I connected with UCA’s EFIRM department and maintained ongoing communication. Once I learned that my predecessor had re-entered the industry and the Director role was vacant, I actually put on my thinking cap to see if I could help identify a strong candidate for the search committee to consider. The more I looked at the qualifications, I realized that I had the skillset and experiences that would provide unique perspective in the classroom. I was at a cross-section in my career where I decided the best use of my time was to leverage my experiences to invest in students.

Why did you choose the Insurance field as your subject of work?
The subject actually chose me. After working in economic development, private philanthropy government administration, I made a career transition December of 2012. I was fascinated by insurance and financial services after identifying there were huge gaps with consumer access and education around very basic principles. I launched an insurance agency and became an active professional in the industry by getting involved with various industry organizations. Insurance is a lot more technical than people realize, so I would spend a lot of time educating my clients. It’s the same energy and commitment to education that I bring when teaching in the classroom.

What about your job now teaching brings you the most joy?
I am thrilled about engaging with my fellow faculty members to bring real-time experiences to students that they would not get from lectures or just reading a text book. Part of my role requires me to serve as the Faculty Advisor for the the student organization dedicated to students pursing insurance and risk management, actuarial science and related degrees – Gamma Iota Sigma. Pouring into students and seeing their level of interest and understanding evolve is very rewarding.

Fall was your first semester here. What was your favorite part or memory from the semester?
My favorite part of the fall semester was hearing and seeing the students perspective evolve regarding various insurance topics and applications. Having a front row seat to students have “light bulb” moments and witnessing their level of understanding and interest grow was absolutely fascinating. There were even a few students that changed their major to Insurance & Risk Management.

What tips or advice would you give to new, current, or prospective business students?
I would encourage students to keep an open mind to the myriad of careers that await them by obtaining a degree from UCA COB. The business climate can be very fast-paced and dynamic and simultaneously, very rewarding!

I’m a huge advocate for our Insurance & Risk Management program, because it is the only one of its kind in the state of Arkansas. If a student decides not to pursue Insurance & Risk Management as a major, it is still available as a consideration for a minor. Our institution and the College of Business specifically, is a primary source for local, regional and even national employers looking for top talent, no matter the major/minor. Business students have access to internship and real-time experiences that could lead to fascinating job and career paths.

After moving to the classroom, how do you envision 2024 being different for you ? What new goals and perspectives do you have going into this new year?
For 2024 and beyond, I believe it is important to continue highlighting the value of UCA’s Insurance program as the only one of its kind in Arkansas. There are lots of real-time changes in the insurance and financial services marketplaces that dictate future job and career opportunities that await our students. To that end, I would like to facilitate additional opportunities for industry leaders and professionals to engage with and inspire students in our program, and especially students that actively participate in Gamma Iota Sigma. The Alpha Psi Chapter housed here at 51��¥ is the campus RSO geared towards networking and leadership development opportunities for students in insurance and risk-related fields. Personally, I plan to learn more about the UCA campus community and the at-large Conway community.

Aside from his duties as the Director��of Center for Insurance & Risk Management at UCA, Hudson can be found this semester teaching in the classroom: one “Introduction to Insurance” course, one “Risk and Insurance” course, and two Insurance Practicum courses as well as an online “Risk and Insurance” course. He also is the sponsor for the Gamma Iota Sigma registered��student organization on campus.

The funds were given to support the 2024 Risk Manager on Campus. For this event, a Risk Management and Insurance Professional is brought to the UCA College of Business for class visits, campus-wide lectures, panel discussions, meetings with student organizations such as Gamma Iota Sigma, and meals with faculty and other IRM community professionals. This is a valuable opportunity to allow students to network and learn from the visiting Risk Manager.

For 24 years, has offered this rewarding educational experience for students and a chance to give back to the profession. Spencer’s Risk Manager on Campus program offers grants to universities and colleges in the United States and Canada to host a practicing Risk Manager on its campus for a 1–3-day residency.

The Spencer Foundation has supported the Risk Manager on Campus program for years, most recently and Mr. Lance Ewing in 2022.