Dr. Jessie King (left), assistant professor, and Dr. Eric Gotte (right), assistant professor, both in special education, recently presented their research, “Bridging the Digital Divide,” at the Global Education and Research Conference. Their study highlights the disparities in digital access between developed and developing nations, particularly as revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic. They examined how students with disabilities, those in poverty, and those in remote areas were disproportionately affected by the shift to technology-driven learning.

Dr. Matthew Hill, associate professor of finance and director of graduate programs, was a featured speaker at the Arkansas College Teachers of Economics and Business annual conference in Pine Bluff. He highlighted the positive growth trend in the Neil Griffin College of Business graduate-level enrollment, noting several factors that have contributed to the success. He also provided comments to WalletHub on avoiding credit card interest.

Congratulations to the Creative Digital Media team for winning three Golds and Best of Show in the Northeast Arkansas Ad Federation’s ADDY competition. Andy Geswein, Joshua Pruett, Dario Ponce and Todd Clark produced two Gold winners, "Find Your Person in the Pack" and "A Tale of Two Transfers," and were joined on "Homecoming 2024" by Hannah Rainwater in the Branded Content and Entertainment for Online Film, Video and Sound category. "Find Your Person in the Pack" also won Best of Show.

A grant proposal to the Kays Foundation by Lt. Andrew Thrasher, investigator, University Police Department, was approved. The department will use the $28,879 grant to acquire more new primary handguns with optical sights. Research has shown the new technologically advanced firearms provide more accuracy and safety. Thrasher also wrote a successful $72,000 grant proposal to the state Department of Public Safety for purchasing new tasers.

Dr. W. Gill Giese, assistant professor of plant and soil science, will make a presentation next week to the Winemakers Co-Op, a New Jersey industry collective. At its summit on vineyard floor management, Giese will speak on “Long-Term Vineyard Ground Covers: Lessons from Both Sides of the 100th Meridian.” He is one of several industry experts who will explore essential vineyard floor management topics.