• W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship Recipient •

Student Finds Focus, Purpose Through Online Degree in Human Resource Management

 

For Samantha Cooper, returning to college meant more than earning a degree. After years of working in retail management, she decided to develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a stronger leader and prepare for the next stage of her career.

"I wanted to make sure that when I went back [to college], I knew what I was going for so I wouldn't just be in and out of school all the time," Cooper said.

Cooper, 40, spends her days balancing her studies in the online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Human Resources Management program at the University of Arkansas with working full-time and raising her two children, ages 8 and 10. She expects to complete her degree in 2027.

Originally from Long Beach, California, Cooper moved to Little Rock in 2020 after a work transfer by her employer, a global fashion and design company. Her experience in a leadership position helped her recognize the value of formal education in preparing for a future career in human resources, she said.

"I knew that I needed more skills, more lessons, to learn how to be in a leadership position—working with people, understanding people, understanding myself; how do I get people to understand business?" Cooper said. "A big part of my job is people development, helping them understand the needs of a business, what drives the sales and promotes customer engagement."

 

Finding the Right Fit

Along the way, Cooper earned an associate degree from the University of Arkansas at Pulaski Technical College. She attended in person during her first year but completed her second year online after transferring previous college credits from California and Arizona.

Given her work schedule, an online bachelor's degree became her best option, she said. As a retail department manager, Cooper needed an open schedule that included evenings and weekends. A traditional class schedule would require taking time away from work, something her life currently would not allow, she said.

"So, online it was," Cooper said.

Upon advice from her college counselor, Cooper took advantage of the 2+2 agreement between the University of Arkansas and Pulaski Tech, which helped her identify the U of A as the next step in her education. A 2+2 pathway lets students complete their first two years at a partner community college and their final two years at the U of A. The program outlines which classes they should take at the community college so the credits transfer smoothly when they shift to the U of A to complete their bachelor's degree.

Other colleges at the U of A may have 2+2 agreements that support their degrees. Students can check their specific degree website to see which community colleges may have a 2+2 program or they can contact their college's advising office for assistance.

Cooper considered other universities but chose the U of A because the Sam M. Walton College of Business offered the human resource management degree online.

"So it really was because of Pulaski Tech and the advisers there that were willing to give me that information," Cooper said.

 

Balancing Work, School and Family

For Cooper, flexibility is essential. As a single parent working full-time, she has learned to make the most of the time available to her. Understanding that some sacrifices must be made, Cooper stayed focused on her goals yet never forgot the most important thing in her life—her family. Sometimes that meant bringing her laptop to her children's activities or completing assignments during her lunch break. For Cooper, finding time to do the things she wants to do is her greatest challenge, she admitted.

Support from people around her has helped Cooper continue moving forward. She credits the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund with providing financial assistance and resources for single parents, while friends have also helped her manage the demands of parenting and school.

"My friend Miles has been very supportive," she said. "If I need him to pick up my kids from school, he can do that. If I need him to take them to practice or doctor's appointments, he really helps me out."

 

An Online Education that Keeps Her on Track

Cooper said communication from her instructors has been one of the most helpful parts of being an online student.

"There's strong communication from the instructors, especially via text," she said. "Reminders like, 'Hey, this quiz is due tonight.' Those reminders can make a difference when I'm balancing coursework with work and parenting. And then I get the text and I'm like, 'Oh, OK, yes. I still have time. It's not too late for me to take this quiz.'"

She also appreciates the variety of resources available to online students through Blackboard Learn, the learning management system used at the U of A, and other university technology and websites, she said.

 

Preparing for the Next Career Chapter

Cooper's professional experience has shaped her post-graduation goals. Following several years in management, she wants to transition into human resources, either with her current employer or another organization.

"So I want to be in a human resource management role," Cooper said. "If not here, there will be other opportunities, other companies, where I could go once I complete my degree."

For Cooper, the degree represents an opportunity to combine what she has learned through her career with the knowledge gained through her education.

She can already envision continuing her education beyond her bachelor's degree. Although her transition to the University of Arkansas was more demanding than her earlier college experience, she said the challenges have helped her see what could come next.

"I have the tenacity," Cooper admitted. "I'm very ambitious, so I can definitely go ahead and pursue my master's for sure."

 

Making the Most of Scholarship Opportunities

Cooper is also a recipient of an online student scholarship, which she discovered while applying for financial aid.

She is one of 39 students receiving the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship for online U of A students for the 2026-27 academic year. The scholarship was created in 2018 to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate online degree programs. Recipients receive $1,000 for each upcoming fall and spring semester in which they are enrolled, for a possible total of $2,000.

She said she applied for multiple scholarships, including a Walton College of Business scholarship, because financial assistance can help cover the many expenses associated with pursuing a degree.

"Whatever scholarship that I feel like I'm eligible for, why not apply for it?" she asked herself. "It doesn't hurt to apply. If you're not awarded for it, you might be eligible for something else."

Cooper found the Manning Scholarship application process straightforward and encourages other students to approach the application honestly.

"The advice I would give is just to be authentic and genuine when answering any of the questions," Cooper said. "Just speak truth and say what this scholarship would mean to you."

 

Seeing the Finish Line

After balancing work, parenting and school, Cooper has developed a mindset that keeps her moving forward.

Her advice to other students considering an educational opportunity at the University of Arkansas is to envision the accomplishment before beginning the journey.

"I would say look at the finish line," she said. "See yourself walking across the stage before you take your first class."

For Cooper, picturing that moment provides motivation when the demands of school become difficult.

As she approaches the final stretch of her bachelor's degree, Cooper is already looking beyond graduation — toward a career in human resources, continued education and the next chapter of her career.