#86, OTOH, Joni Lee, Vice Chancellor for University Affairs & Chief Government Relations Officer, at UA Little Rock, Part 1, Dec 5, 2024

In the first part of our conversation with Joni Lee, Vice Chancellor for University Affairs & Chief Government Relations Officer for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, April and Glen hear from Joni how she came to work in advocacy for UA-Little Rock with local, state and federal government for so many years.  Joni discusses some highlights in her work, including the university’s Nanotechnology Center's success in securing a key role in development of creating bone for medical uses. As Joni traces changes she has seen over the years in her advocacy work, she notes the apparent change in how many in government have come to  devalue the importance of higher education. She notices with disappointment how much more distrustful many in government have come to view those in higher education, with funding suffering as a result. She also observes how in today’s climate, “diverse viewpoints have become divisive views.” In one example Joni cites, she describes  works to explain the reality and benefits of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives (DEI) to those in government and politics, despite DEI having recently been met with much skepticism or hostility.