UA Little Rock names Elizabeth Small as new business industry liaison

Elizabeth Small, primary instructor for the Real Estate program in UA Little Rock’s School of Business, will take on an additional role with the university as director of business networks.

Small will help drive industry engagement and will be based at UA Little Rock Downtown beginning this fall, the school announced Thursday (Aug. 26).

In this expanded role, she will work with central Arkansas businesses to explore ways to partner and engage with UA Little Rock. This comes as the university is expanding continuing education programs and doing more to promote the work of university faculty, students, and graduates.

As Arkansas’ only metropolitan university, UA Little Rock is committed to partnering with industry to better understand its needs and expand the workforce in central Arkansas.

“Elizabeth’s reputation as an industry leader is well-established,” according to Dr. Ann Bain, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost. “Her ability to understand the needs of the workforce and help coordinate a university response will better support our outreach efforts.”

Small earned a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College and a Master of Business Administration from UA Little Rock. Prior to joining UA Little Rock, she served as chair of PDC Construction and president and CEO of PDC Companies.

In addition to being a college instructor, Small is also an Arkansas real estate licensee broker as well as a member of several boards, including the Affordable Housing Association of Arkansas, Rotary Club of Little Rock, Fifty for the Future, and Arvest Bank.