Eric Flowers, EdD, MS. Congratulations to Dr. Eric Flowers, UAMS COPH Director of Student Affairs, who earned his doctorate in Education with the successful defense of his dissertation on Nov. 10.
The title of Dr. Flowers’ dissertation was “Perceptions of the Influence of Black Greek Affiliation on Involvement, Engagement, and Persistence on Black Male Student Success: Differences between a Historically Black Institution and a Predominantly White Institution.”
His degree is from the Higher Education Administration Program in the School of Education in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in the Biological Sciences from Southern Arkansas University and a master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Arkansas Tech University.
Dr. Flowers’ choice of dissertation topic came from his own experiences as a member of a college fraternity and recently as an advisor to a chapter of his fraternity.
“I have been an active member of a historically black fraternity for nearly 18 years,” Dr. Flowers said. “A little over four years ago, and maybe a year before I began this dissertation process, I was charged with the task of advising an undergraduate chapter of my fraternity on a predominantly white institution campus. It was my experiences and hearing their stories and experiences that inspired me to select this topic.”
Brooke EE Montgomery, Ph.D., MPH. Dr. Montgomery is the lead author on a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The article, titled “Violence against Women in Selected Areas of the United States,” summarized findings of a study about the prevalence of HIV among 2,099 women living in US areas of high poverty and HIV burden who had experienced emotional, physical, and sexual violence and factors associated with the violence.
The study focused on a population who has been under-studied in current HIV prevention research. The purpose of the study was to better understand the prevalence of various types of violence experienced among women who are living in these areas, their risk for HIV, and the factors associated with the violence they experienced.
Jordan O’Roark, EdD, MS. Congratulations to Dr. O’Roark, UAMS COPH Director of Admissions and Alumni Affairs, who earned his doctorate in Education with the successful defense of his dissertation on Nov. 10.
The title of Dr. O’Roark’s dissertation was “Women Community College Presidents: A Qualitative Approach to Exploring Leadership and Overcoming Potential Barriers.”
His degree is from the Department of Educational Leadership program in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Sociology with an emphasis in Law and a master’s degree in Education, both from the University of Central Arkansas.
Dr. O’Roark’s choice of dissertation topic stemmed from a personal interest in leadership and an aspiration to serve as the president of an academic institution. The fact that he has two daughters helped him to further define his topic.
“I decided to narrow the scope to women presidents because I felt it was my duty, as a father of two girls, to help them understand they should not be bound by their gender,” Dr. O’Roark said. “In my opinion, women are the stronger species, and I will continue to inculcate that belief in my daughters as they embark on womanhood.”
Now that his doctoral program is behind him, Dr. O’Roark is looking forward to more time with family.
“My wife and daughters deserve all the credit for their sacrifice in allowing me to pursue this doctorate degree,” Dr. O’Roark said. “They have sacrificed evenings and weekends without “Daddy” at home. As this chapter in my life comes to an end, I am ready to make up for time lost with my family!”