1. Welcome to the Diversity Matters newsletter.
Dr. Charles F. Robinson, vice chancellor for diversity and community at the University
of Arkansas welcomes you to the enjoy the latest news from the units that report to
Diversity Affairs.
“Quote about the newsletter”, said Dr. Robinson.
Diversity Affairs works to enhance educational and professional diversity by seeking to
integrate individuals from varied backgrounds and characteristics such as those defined
by race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, veteran, religion, disability, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic background and intellectual perspective.
Diversity Matters
SPRING 2015
University of Arkansas hosts Alley Conference
Over 250 undergraduate students from Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas from
underrepresented groups will competed on Saturday, Feb. 28, in the Alley Scholars Shark
Tank Business Plan Challenge at the University of Arkansas.
“It is an honor to host the summit and to recognize students for their business acumen
and creative problem solving,” said Barbara Lofton, director of diversity and inclusion, at
the Walton College and chair of the Alley Scholars Summit committee.
The summit is sponsored by Alley Scholars, a non-profit initiative for underrepresented
students established by Troy and Unnice Alley with support from the Gerald and
Candace Alley Foundation.
Welcome to the Diversity Affairs Newsletter.
The units that comprise the arm of this administration, support initiatives and
facilitate programs that seek to enhance the university’s ability to recruit and retain
underrepresented students, faculty and staff. Diversity Affairs strives to protect the
rights of the underrepresented while nurturing a welcoming campus environment.
We look forward to sharing the successes of our department with our campus
colleauges, student body and wider community. Please get in touch if you have any
comments or suggestions for our newsletter.
News from the Department of Diversity Affairs
Leslie Yingling named Director of Center for Multicultural and
Diversity Education
Leslie Yingling, who has eight years of experience working with students from
underserved backgrounds, is the new director of the Center for Multicultural and
Diversity Education, effective January 5. She previously worked as director of the College
Access Initiative, also a part of the Division of Diversity and Community Relations.
“I am very excited about this new challenge,” said Yingling. “Improving retention and
graduation rates serves diversity and it serves the university. At the same time I plan to
increase the presence of the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education on campus
– to bring events and speakers to campus that are timely and relevant to the entire
community.”
Do you have a story idea, a question or comments you would like to share? Please conact us!
Submit information to Diversity Affairs to Erin Hensley at eshensle@uark.edu or 479-575-8405.
or to Diversity Affairs Newsletter c/o AKRU 404, Univeristy of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
Dr. Charles Robinson, Vice Chancellor of
Diversity Affairs
Troy Alley Jr. (far left) and Dean Eli Jones (far
right) with the students who made up a 2014
Alley Scholar business competition team from
the University of Arkansas, (left to right) Rachel
Dukes, Brittney Brown and Allison Kinsey.
Leslie Yingling, Director of Center for
Multicultural and Diversity Education