COVID-19 Provides Lessons for Arkansas' Universities 
by Mark Friedman – 6 days ago
Arkansas universities scramble to move their academic courses online so students can finish the current semester.
Education
COVID-19 Provides Lessons for Arkansas' Universities
Ensono's Mainframe Academy Lures Talent
6 days ago
As topics with national buzz — cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, etc. — find their way into college curriculums, there's still a need for old-school knowledge, a need felt by companies like Ensono, which is partnering with the University of Central Arkansas to meet its talent requirements.
Lawsuit Challenges Arkansas Takeover of Little Rock Schools
4 days ago
A second lawsuit was filed Tuesday challenging Arkansas' ongoing control of the Little Rock school district and the limits the state has placed on the incoming local school board.
Resource Guide: Financial Tools, Aid for Businesses Hurt by COVID-19
Arkansas Business is regularly updating this page with links and contact information for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. read more >
Razorback Foundation Names New Strategic Communications, Stewardship Director
The Razorback Foundation has appointed Meredith Pettigrew of Prairie Grove (Washington County) as its director of Strategic Communications and Stewardship. read more >
Governor's Cup Virtual Awards Program Set For April 9
Fifty students representing 18 teams from eight Arkansas universities still competed, albeit virtually due to COVID-19 concerns, in the 20th annual Arkansas Governor's Cup competition for a $154,000 cash prize pool. read more >
UAMS Department Chair Named President of National Association
Dr. C. Lowry Barnes, chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, took office as the 30th president of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons during its board of directors video conference on March 25. read more >
John Brown University Adds Criminal Justice Degree Program
John Brown University has added an undergraduate criminal justice degree to its offerings, effective fall 2020. read more >
Arkansas Businesses Should Prepare Now to Apply for Federal Aid
Businesses can begin preparing now to apply for assistance under the federal rescue package signed last week by President Trump, but it will be about two weeks before they can turn in their paperwork. read more >
Skyline Report: Office Vacancy Rate Dipped to Near Historic Low in 2019
The vacancy rate for office space in Benton and Washington counties was 8.5% in the second half of 2019, the second lowest vacancy rate since 2004, according to the latest Arvest Bank Skyline Report. read more >
Fed Projects Decade's Fastest-Growing Occupations
Employment in the United States is forecast to grow by 8.4 million jobs to 169.4 million jobs during the decade of 2018-28, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Or it was; the report was released months before the coronavirus pandemic caused widespread job losses. read more >
Preston: Arkansas Ready to Serve Employers, Workers
Arkansas Commerce Secretary Mike Preston says the COVID-19 pandemic is an “unprecedented” challenge to the state's economy, but the state is in a good position to cushion the blow to businesses and employees. read more >
Springdale Warehouse Sells for $3M (NWA Real Deals)
Home to Gates Corp., the property on Laura Lane was bought for $2.95 million by Mathias Shopping Center Inc. The seller was Elder-Conway LLC, led by Chris Elder of Springdale. read more >
Josh McGee Maintains State's Data Plan
Josh McGee, the state's new chief data officer, describes what his role means for the state, and reveals how he keeps track of his passwords. read more >
Chris Thomason Named UA System VP (Movers & Shakers)
Chris Thomason, chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana, will join the University of Arkansas System as vice president for planning and development. read more >
Lawsuit Challenges State Limits on Little Rock School Board
A lawsuit was filed Friday challenging the limits Arkansas placed on the Little Rock School District when it returns to local control, including a prohibition on restoring teachers' collective bargaining rights. read more >
A-State Names Melody Lo Inaugural Neil Griffin Endowed Dean
Melody Lo, a professor of economics at the University of Texas at San Antonio, has been named the inaugural Neil Griffin endowed dean of the Griffin College of Business at Arkansas State University. read more >
UA, UAMS Professors Work to Predict COVID-19 Spread
Data science professor Justin Zhan is collaborating with UAMS professors David Ussery and Xuming Zhang to develop accurate predictions of genomic variation trends of coronavirus. read more >
Arkansas' Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 3.5% in February
Arkansas' unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.5% last month, according to a report Friday by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services. read more >
A-State Names Mickey Latour Dean of Agriculture College
Veteran agriculture researcher Mickey Latour has been named dean of the College of Agriculture at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, effective July 1. read more >
Ann Bordelon Named Vice Chancellor at UA
Ann Bordelon has been named vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Arkansas, effective July 1. read more >
Arkansas PBS to Air Lessons For Pre-K Through 8th Grade
The newly rebranded Arkansas PBS, the state's public television network, is taking a new role in teaching pre-kindergarten through 8th-grade pupils remotely while schools are ordered closed in the coronavirus pandemic. read more >
COVID-19 Cases in Arkansas Up by Nearly 50
The state Department of Health reported Sunday that 165 people have tested positive for the illness caused by the coronavirus, up from 118 on Saturday. read more >
Arkansas Business Presents 2020 40 Under 40 Honorees
Arkansas Business announces the 40 honorees in this year's 40 Under 40 class, which honors people in business, nonprofits and government making a significant impact. read more >
Pulaski County's Most Expensive Home Sales of 2019
Last year, 32 luxury homes in Pulaski County sold for $1 million or more, up from 30 in 2018. read more >
Northwest Arkansas' Most Expensive Home Sales of 2019
The same Fayetteville house was the most expensive home sold in northwest Arkansas in 2019 and in 2018. read more >
Rockefeller Institute Hires Osburn, Hopper (Movers & Shakers)
The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute in Morrilton has added two new members to its executive team. Mandy Osburn is the new chief financial officer and James Hopper is the new director of programs. read more >
UA Picks Grafton Architects for Anthony Timberlands Center
The University of Arkansas selects Grafton Architects of Ireland, in partnership with Modus Studio of Fayetteville, to design the Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation. read more >
Update: Arkansas Community Foundation Creates COVID-19 Relief Fund
The Arkansas Community Foundation creates the COVID-19 Relief Fund to direct resources to Arkansas nonprofits disproportionately affected by the coronavirus and its economic fallout. read more >
Arkansas' Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 3.5% in January
Arkansas' unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.5% between December and January, the state Division of Workforce Services said Monday. read more >
Dees Named Manager at Milestone (Movers & Shakers)
Erik Dees has been appointed to program manager for Milestone Leadership in Siloam Springs. read more >
All Arkansas Schools to Close for 2 Weeks Due to COVID-19
Schools throughout Arkansas will be closed for onsite instruction for the next two weeks due to concerns over the new coronavirus, officials announced Sunday. read more >
Governor Names Woods to SAU Board; Bearden Elected Chair
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has appointed Erica (Jackson) Woods of Little Rock to Southern Arkansas University of Magnolia's board of trustees. read more >
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