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Advice from Alumni: Nato Silue

With the start of fall semester, our College of Business (COB) alumni are sending their best advice. Recent alumna Tchetahan Natogoma (Nato) Silue, COB class of 2020, believes that the supportive environment fostered by the faculty and advisors is something students should embrace.

“Don’t be scared to approach your professors. They are there for you and want you to succeed,” said Silue. “Everyone was supportive which boosted my learning experience.”

Silue graduated from the UCA College of Business in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and a minor in Computer Science. Why students should take note of her prudent advice? One might say Silue was successful student with her accomplishments and awards including: [Read more…]

Posted in: COB News on August 19, 2021 Tagged: , , , ,

COB Advisory Board Member Karen Shaw Named a 2021 CFO of the Year Finalist by Arkansas Business

Karen ShawArkansas Business has announced the 2021 CFO of the Year finalists, and College of Business Advisory Board member Karen Shaw was named a Bank CFO Finalist.

Shaw serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Citizens Bank and is responsible for the financial management of the bank. She has over 25 years of banking experience and oversees the Bank’s Investment and Asset Liability Committee, Policy Committee, and development of financial planning and budgets to guide the Bank’s future business growth.

Among other public service activities, Shaw is a member of the board of directors of the University of Central Arkansas College of Business Advisory Board. She is also a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with the Highest Honors in Accounting.

Presented by Hogan Taylor, the 2021 CFO of the Year Awards will be broadcast live from the DoubleTree Little Rock on November 3. Finalists and winners in each category will be honored at the event, and their profiles will be published in a special supplement of Arkansas Business on Oct. 18. Nomination forms were submitted to an independent panel of judges who met in July to determine finalists and winners.

Posted in: COB News on August 18, 2021

UCA Expands Computer Information Systems & Analytics Degree Options to Address Changing Business Environment

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is offering new degree and certificate options through its Computer Information Systems and Analytics (CISA) department, expanding opportunities for CISA students and current business professionals to gain top in-demand business and technical skills.

Beginning this fall three new Applied Data Analytics programs will be available: a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science, and a technical certificate. These new programs follow the successful addition of both an undergraduate minor and a graduate-level technical certificate in data analytics two years ago.

“I chose to get this graduate certificate because I believe data analytics is the future. As technology is evolving, businesses are using analytics to make informed decisions, solve problems, help reduce risks, and increase return on their investments,” said Joyti Lal who is working to earn a Master of Business Administration concurrent with a Data Analytics graduate certificate.

The Department of Computer Information Systems and Analytics (CISA), located within the UCA College of Business, combines highly desired technical skills with sound business principles. The department’s name was changed in July 2021 from “Management Information Systems” to better reflect what the department now offers. [Read more…]

Posted in: COB News on August 18, 2021 Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Tom J. Smith Memorial Scholarship Established for UCA College of Business Students

The family of Tom J. Smith has established a memorial scholarship in his honor at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), his alma mater, to support students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the College of Business. The inaugural award will be given to support a student for the fall 2021 semester.

Tom J. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UCA in 1971 through hard work and diligence, working multiple jobs to fund his education, and was the first in his family to earn a college degree. Higher education made a significant difference in his life, opening doors to many opportunities and eventually propelling him to the position of Administrator of Accounting for the State of Arkansas through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). [Read more…]

Posted in: Accounting, COB News, _Scholarships on August 6, 2021 Tagged: , , ,

UCA Beta Alpha Psi Joins Other State Chapters for Annual Conference

UCA Beta Alpha Psi joined 3 other state chapters this week to attend a virtual conference together and make some valuable connections.

While students might usually attend the conference in person, pandemic restrictions pushed the conference to a virtual setting. Instead the Arkansas chapters gathered as a smaller group, so they wouldn’t miss out on the annual learning opportunity and important industry connections.

Many thanks to Dr. Connie McKnight, Dr. Stephanie Watson, and Professor Ashley Phillips for their hard work to give our students learning experiences like this.

UCA’s Theta Lambda chapter traveled to the event hosted in Northwest Arkansas for a full schedule of events:

THURSDAY
– Lunch with Landmark CPAs
– Virtual BAP Conference and snacks with Arkansas Society of CPAs
– Dinner with BKD, LLP
FRIDAY
– Breakfast with Bell and Company PA
– Community service (bookmarks and backpacks) with Frost PLLC/Facta and Walmart
– Lunch with EY
– Virtual BAP Conference and snacks with ASCPA

See more photos from the Arkansas BAP conference.

Posted in: COB News on August 6, 2021

Insurance & Risk Management Instructor Cynthia Burleson Explains Pet Insurance in AICP Podcast

Cynthia Burleson

Cynthia Burleson, UCA Instructor and Director for the Center for Insurance & Risk Management, joined host Katie Grunett and industry peer Bill Horan on an Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals (AICP) podcast discussing pet insurance, one of the fastest growing segments of the insurance industry.

Pop Quiz: Which was the first beloved Hollywood canine to get pet insurance? If you guessed Lassie, you are correct!

Listeners may be surprised to learn that pet insurance is considered property and casualty insurance rather than health insurance. Listen to the podcast to learn why this insurance gets the property classification along with many more surprising facts to help you consider pet insurance for your own pets.

Posted in: COB News on August 5, 2021

UCA Center for Insurance & Risk Management Director Cynthia Burleson Contributes Expert Answers for CarInsurance.com

Cynthia L. Burleson

Cynthia Burleson, UCA Instructor and Director for the Center for Insurance & Risk Management, recently contributed her expertise for CarInsurance.com to answer the popular question, “Why is car insurance so expensive?” The article examines other auto insurance issues and references a study showing that the average auto insurance rate is up 22 percent from 2017. Author and industry expert Michelle Megna consulted with Burleson to explain why the trend of rising car insurance rates won’t end any time soon.

“There are two causes of upward trends in auto insurance rates: rising frequency and severity,” said Burleson. “It is my opinion that severity numbers may have dropped some during the pandemic but probably not significantly. However now severity numbers are increasing.”

Burleson goes on to explain both trends and how they impact the average citizen.

To see more of Burleson’s explanation, read the full article on CarInsurance.com.

Posted in: COB News on August 5, 2021

COB Student Intern Earns AR BCBS Scholarship

UCA College of Business student, Daisy Martinez Carranza, is this year’s $5,000 academic scholarship winner for the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) 2021 Summer Internship Program. Carranza served as a Group Marketing and Member Engagement intern, and over the course of ten weeks, she gained real-world experience by working closely with their managers and teams, attending department meetings, participating in special projects, and sharing her questions and ideas.

Crediting knowledge gained in classes and valuable experience during her internship, Carranza said, “this is as much a win for me as it is for my advisors and mentors here at UCA.”

To earn the award, Carranza not only did exceptional work during her internship but also presented a final project to top BCBS executives. She was chosen as a finalist and then the winner of the $5000 scholarship for her senior year at UCA. Please join us in congratulating Daisy Martinez Carranza on this significant achievement.

Posted in: COB News on August 4, 2021 Tagged: , , , , ,

Acxiom & UCA Present IT Careers Camp for High School Students

(Conway, AR) – The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) College of Business and Acxiom partnered last week for a four-day Information Technology (IT) Careers Camp to introduce high school students from all over Arkansas to technology-related careers. Nearly 30 students stayed on UCA’s campus, were mentored by industry experts, and participated in exercises in programming, cybersecurity, robotics, 3D modeling, and 3D laser printing.

“Students make connections with other students, instructors, and industry professionals that they can carry from high school to college and through to their professional careers,” said Susan Shaw, Camp Director and Lecturer for the UCA Department of Computer Information Systems and Analytics (CISA).

Shaw added that while on campus, the students experience campus life, learn about college programs that lead to careers in Information Technology, and complete hands-on activities.

Acxiom sponsored the UCA IT Careers Camp and offered mentorship opportunities throughout the camp to students. The Acxiom mentors helped students with activities and shared about how their education in business and technology led to the IT careers they have today.

“One of Acxiom’s core values is innovation,” said Jhade McConnell, Acxiom Solutions Architect and 2017 graduate from the UCA College of Business. “We come to this camp at UCA to show high school students the tools needed to navigate technology and pique their interest to be creative with these tools.” [Read more…]

Posted in: COB News on July 28, 2021 Tagged: , , , , ,

Dr. Yao Featured in WalletHub “Ask the Expert” Series

Dr. Yao

Dr. Haibo (Stephen) Yao

Dr. Haibo (Stephen) Yao was recently featured as an expert contributor in articles by WalletHub. While the articles are geared toward college students, these are questions many people may have.

In his first article about the best credit cards for college students, he addresses what college students should look for when choosing a credit card, the biggest mistakes college students can make with credit cards, and best practices for students who use credit cards.

In this second article, he answers questions about zero percent (0%) credit cards, including why and how they are used.

Dr. Yao is an Assistant Professor of Insurance & Risk Management in the Department of Economics, Finance, Insurance & Risk Management for the UCA College of Business.

Posted in: COB News on July 26, 2021 Tagged: , , , , , , ,