News

Diamond Dog Mini-Grants to fund a wide variety of student-centered initiatives

The UA - Pulaski Technical College Foundation is pleased to announce the following Diamond Dog Mini-Grant Awards:

• Bryce Miller/Health Information Technology was awarded $5,860 for students and faculty advisers to attend the state HOSA competition.
• Amanda Howard & Braden Taylor/Student Life & Wellness was awarded $5,000 to provide students with mental health and wellness self-care kits, peer engagement, and hands-on activities.
• Ashley Keathley/Nursing was awarded $2,400 to provide mental health support for Allied Health students.
• Dr. Helen Hu/Academic Affairs received $5,260 to support faculty development activities that increase faculty interaction and engagement with students through teaching, with the ultimate goal of enhancing course and program success, retention, and persistence rates.
• Traci Johnston/Education & Reading received $900 for additional supplies for the Diamond Den grant-funded nature classroom.
• Dr. George Lauster, Cyrus Marbaniang, and Dr. Moluwa Matute/Natural Science were awarded $10,810 to provide research opportunities to students that are typically found at four-year universities. They are expanding last year’s grant-funded project to include students at the LR-S site.
• Dr. Robert Hall/CAHMI received $4,250 to establish Sigma Phi Epsilon t engage culinary and hospitality students in leadership, service, and professional development.
• Samantha Staggs/Student Collaboration Center received $1,038 for additional snacks and drinks for the Collaboration Center to encourage student engagement and retention.
• James Boski/Veteran Services was awarded $3,000 to open a study are/lounge for campus veterans to improve student engagement and retention.
• John Price/Business Information & Technology was awarded $2,500 to reactivate the Future Business Leaders of America collegiate chapter and to send students to compete in the state competition.
• Bobbie Bournes-McNutt/Adult Education was awarded $4,350 to provide funding for tuition expenses for students in the EKG and Phlebotomy training programs.

“The UA-PTC Foundation Board is honored to make these awards which builds on the success of last year’s mini-grant program,” Michele Grainger, Interim Vice Chancellor of Advancement said. “Our committee reviewed 13 proposals totaling $78,266.93; we are able to fund $45,367.95. All of these proposals promote student engagement and persistence.”

The Foundation invested proceeds from Diamond Chef Arkansas on April 3, 2025, in continuing the Diamond Dog Mini-Grant Program.