Women's Giving Circle Awards More Than $123,000 to Advance Research, Student Support and Community Impact

The U of A Women's Giving Circle awarded more than $123,000 to nine projects during its annual Voting Day in September, supporting research, student wellbeing, health care, education and initiatives with impact on campus and across Arkansas.

Members considered 12 proposals before selecting this year's recipients. The funded projects span areas including women's health, breast cancer and autoimmune research, suicide prevention, early childhood education and housing stability. The circle's grantmaking priorities include advancing scholarship, research and service; enhancing the wellbeing of women and children; and fostering outreach and engagement across Arkansas. 

Including the 2026 awards, the Women's Giving Circle has now directed more than $2.1 million to more than 180 initiatives and programs through its collective philanthropy.

Current WGC President Charlotte Downs and incoming WGC President Carol Adams. (Photo by Brandon Ngo)

"The 24th Annual WGC Meeting was as exhilarating and celebratory as ever," said Charlotte Downs, president of the Women's Giving Circle. "More than 80 members gathered at the Alumni House for an inspiring day of connection, discovery and philanthropy. We had the honor of hearing 12 finalists present their projects, and, once again, I was incredibly impressed by the remarkable research and innovative programs taking place on our campus." 

2026 Awarded Projects

From Bench to Classroom to Community: Advancing Women's Gut Health Through Nutrition Research, Education and Outreach — $20,000.00

Sabrina Trudo of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences will advance research, education and outreach focused on women's gut health and nutrition. The project will also lay a foundation for free community nutrition education for women in Arkansas.

Replacement of Trophon Sterilizer System for Transvaginal Ultrasound Services — $18,250.00

The Pat Walker Health Center will receive funding for a new sterilizer to ensure safe, uninterrupted, equitable access to high-quality reproductive health services on campus. Their proposal was presented by Lisa Davis on behalf of Student Affairs.

Investigating Breast Cancer Biomarkers in the Operating Room Using Physics-Based High-Frequency Data Analysis — $18,044.00

Magda El-Shenawee of the College of Engineering will investigate breast cancer biomarkers, or molecular "fingerprints," that direct personalized treatment. El-Shenawee proposes a technology to identify biomarkers instantly on breast cancer surgical specimens in the operating room.

Determining the Appropriate Iron Levels to Support Collagen Synthesis and Structural Integrity in Tendons — $17,000.00

Joanna Fiddler from the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, along with postdoctoral research fellow Jazmine Eccles-Miller, will work to define the appropriate iron intake levels to support collagen synthesis, particularly during adolescence, to minimize injury and compromised tendon integrity.

Reversing the Inflammaging Microenvironment to Preserve Muscle Regeneration in Aging Women — $12,420.00

Rebekah Margaret Samsonraj of the College of Engineering aims to identify new strategies to preserve muscle function and promote healthy aging in women, as age-related muscle loss profoundly impacts postmenopausal women and results in an increase in frailty, fall risk and loss of independence.

Barcoding mRNA: A Next-Generation Approach for Targeted Autoimmune Therapy — $12,250.00

Christopher Nelson from the College of Engineering, along with graduate research assistant Abbey Stokes, will focus on cell-specific targeting to improve the safety and efficacy of mRNA therapies.

Unified Suicide Prevention Framework for High-Risk Students — $10,475.00

Led by Jennifer Morris and Kharla Houston of Student Affairs, this project will establish a standardized, research-based method for suicide assessment and treatment, enhancing continuity of care, safety and campuswide response. 

Music and Creative Learning in Arkansas Early Childhood Education — $9,970.00

Presented by Sarah Hernandez from the College of Engineering and Bree McMahon from the School of Art, this pilot project will provide a low-cost professional development model for childcare teachers and U of A students focused on early childhood music education.

Housing Options for Gaining Stability (HOGS) — $5,000.00

Led by Kristen McAllister of Student Affairs, Housing Options for Gaining Stability will provide a coordinated, student-centered and trauma-informed response to students experiencing urgent or unexpected housing disruptions.

"At the end of the day, WGC proudly awarded more than $123,000 to nine deserving applicants," Downs said. "What a wonderful reminder of the impact we can make together!"  

The Women's Giving Circle was established in 2002 to connect U of A alumnae and supporters as philanthropic leaders, pooling their resources to invest in innovative programs, research, scholarships and outreach. The group was inducted into the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame in 2023.

The circle will mark its 25th anniversary in 2027, a special milestone celebrating a quarter-century of women unified through philanthropy to support the U of A and communities across the state.

To learn more about the Women's Giving Circle and membership opportunities, visit womens-giving-circle.uark.edu.