Jonathan Gray
B.B.A. in Management Information Systems, 2011
Senior Cloud Engineer, Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Board Chair, Heart of Arkansas United Way
When I look back on my time at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, I feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude. I did not begin my undergraduate journey at UA Little Rock, but I am proud that I finished it here. The School of Business offered the strong, well-rounded education I was looking for – one that combined a solid foundation in business with the flexibility to build a career in technology.
I chose UA Little Rock because it provided a quality education close to home and at an affordable cost. It was important to me to attend a respected institution that emphasized real-world application and prepared graduates for success beyond the classroom. The Management Information Systems program did just that, giving me the technical understanding and business perspective that have served me throughout my 14-year IT career.
Several professors at UA Little Rock made a lasting impact on me. They not only taught valuable skills, but also inspired my curiosity and love of learning. It was here that I developed an appreciation for continuous personal and professional growth – something that has stayed with me as I have gone on to earn a master’s degree and continue to pursue further learning opportunities in leadership and technology.
UA Little Rock laid the foundation for my career in technology and gave me the skills and confidence to serve and lead in my community. Today, as a Senior Cloud Engineer at Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield and Board Chair for Heart of Arkansas United Way, I continue to see how that education shaped my ability to think critically, collaborate effectively, and lead with purpose.
I still enjoy visiting campus, catching a Trojan basketball game, and seeing how the university continues to evolve. My son, now a senior studying finance at UA Little Rock, is carrying on that legacy – something that makes me incredibly proud.
UA Little Rock is not just where I earned a degree; it is where I built the foundation for a lifelong journey of learning, leadership, and service.
