University of Arkansasat Pine Bluff

Jennifer Stewart, Haley Walker & Marie Walker

Historical Review▪ Founded in 1873▪ Formerly known as The

Branch Normal College; Agriculture, Mechanical & Normal College (AM&N)

▪ Started with seven students enrolled in classes

Historical Review▪ Expanded under the 1890 Amendments to the Morrill- Land Grant

Colleges Act▪ Primary focus at inception: Educate African-Americans to become

teachers for the state’s African-American Schools▪ Two types of students allowed to enroll:▪ Beneficiaries▪ Pay Students

▪ Location was chosen for two reasons:▪ The large African-American population in the city▪ The area was considered the major economic center in south-central

Arkansas

Historical Review▪ 1921 – Curriculum and Enrollment strengthened under leadership of

Robert Malone▪ 1927 – Became known as AM&N and became independent of the

University of Arkansas▪ 1929 – Became a standard 4-year college ▪ 1943 –Academic programs were expanded and organizational

structure changed under the new president, Lawrence A. Davis▪ 1971 – State Legislature ordered that the University of Arkansas &

AM&N should be merged into one system▪ 1972 – Became the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

UAPB Today▪ Current Chancellor is Dr. Laurence B. Alexander▪ Operates four off campus sites in Lake Village, Marianna, North Little

Rock & Lonoke▪ Offers bachelor degrees in the following areas:▪ Agriculture▪ Fisheries & Human Sciences▪ Arts & Sciences▪ Business & Management▪ Education▪ Rehabilitation Services

UAPB Today▪ Offers graduate degrees in the following areas:▪ Master of Arts in Education▪ Master of Arts in Science – including aquaculture and fisheries & addiction

services

▪ 2011 – The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the first doctoral program at UAPB▪ Doctorate in Aquaculture & Fisheries

UAPB Interesting Facts▪ Oldest Historically Black College in Arkansas▪ Second Oldest Public University in the State after the University of

Arkansas▪ Under the tutelage of Dr. Herman B. Smith, the school was sued on

the grounds of sexual discrimination – the school was found guilty of “practices of sexual discrimination too blatant to overlook” by Judge Henry Woods

▪ UAPB is governed by its Chancellor in partnership with the Board of Visitors and the Faculty/Staff Senate

Known Graduates of UAPB▪ Dr. Samuel Kountz

-an African-American kidney transplant surgeon who performed the first kidney transplant on humans who were not identical twins

(1930 – 1981)

▪ Wiley Branton, Sr. – noted Civil Rights attorney and later, Dean of Howard University School of Law (1923 – 1988)

▪ John W. Walker – Civil Rights Attorney. He is serving his first term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He represents District 34, which encompasses part of Pulaski County.

Known Graduates of UAPB▪ L.C. Greenwood -

professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers

(1946 – 2013)

▪ Cleo Miller – professional football player for the Cleveland Browns

▪ Dr. John Kuykendall – Professor of Higher Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock

UAPB Organizational Structure of Student Affairs

UAPB Organizational Structure of Student Affairs

▪ Primary Mission: ▪ To Develop, organize, administer, coordinate and

monitor a variety of programs, activities, services and experiences that will contribute positively to the academic, environmental, social and developmental growth for its diverse student body.

UAPB Organizational Structure of Student Affairs

▪ The Division of Student Affairs is composed of the following departments:▪ Career Services▪ Admissions▪ Health Services▪ Student Life▪ Enrollment Management▪ University Police Department▪ Student Counseling▪ Assessment and Development▪ Residential Life▪ Student Involvement and Leadership▪ Recruitment

UAPB Organizational Structure of Student Affairs

▪ Governed by Mr. Elbert Bennett, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

UAPB Organizational Structure of Student Affairs

▪ Mr. Bennett’s Background▪ Received his undergraduate degree from UAPB; his M.A. from Lincoln

University in Jefferson City, Mo▪ He began his doctoral degree in educational administration and student

personnel at the University of Missouri, but left to return to UAPB before he completed his thesis

▪ Has worked for UAPB for 35 years▪ Has held several positions at UAPB including

▪ Baseball Coach▪ Assistant Athletic Director▪ Director of Career Services▪ Director of Development▪ Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (current role)

UAPB Organizational Structure of Student Affairs

▪ Role of Student Affairs personnel at UAPB ▪ Student advocates▪ Provide a safe campus▪ Provide activities to help hone leadership skills▪ Charged with helping build competent students and future employees▪ Create an environment that is conducive to student growth and

supplements the classroom experience

UAPB Organizational Structure of Student Affairs

▪ Role of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at UAPB▪ Responsible for entire student population▪ Formal appeal process vs. Open door policy▪ No such thing as a typical day

▪ Police reports▪ Staff meetings▪ Return phone calls/emails▪ Visits with students and colleagues around campus

What Makes Student Affairs Unique at UAPB?

▪ Because UAPB is a historically black university, it creates some challenges that may not exist at predominately white universities. Vice Chancellor Bennett found that because of the smaller population at UAPB, this creates a sense of intimacy where

“everyone knows everyone and anyone can pick up the phone. I don’t think that Chancellor [David] Gearhart [from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville] is getting calls because so-and-so’s granddaughter didn’t win Little Miss UAPB. That is the kind of stuff I have on my plate right now. People think they can just pick up the phone and make a few calls and it will be taken care of because they go to church with me. It’s an interesting situation. Why is Student Affairs Office dealing with this anyway?”{laughing}- Quote from Mr. Elbert Bennett interview

Student & Staff Interviews ~ Final Thoughts

“At the end of the day, you have to do what is right for the institution.”

- Mr. Elbert Bennett