For More Information

Mike Gerfen, Coordinator
Workforce Group
UALR Institute for Economic Advancement
2801 South University
Little Rock, AR 72204-1099
501-569-8483
FAX: 501-569-8538
Email: mlgerfen@ualr.edu

Workforce Group Staff

Michael L. Gerfen Coordinator, Workforce Group BS, Southern Illinois University MA, Adult Education, UALR 501-569-8978 Email: mlgerfen@ualr.edu	Tracey Spencer Workforce Specialist BS, University of Central Arkansas MBA, University of Phoenix 501-569-3299 Email: trspencer@ualr.edu
Denise Leeson-Provost Workforce Specialist BA, University of Louisiana at Monroe MBA, University of Louisiana at Lafayette 501-569-8480 Email: daleesonpro@ualr.edu	Diane Thomas-Holladay Director, Labor Education Program BA, MLIR, Michigan State University 501-569-8477 Email: dlthomashol@ualr.edu
Mike Gerfen, Coordinator, Workforce Group, has over twelve years experience in developing and implementing training programs. His educational background is in Industrial Technology. He served over twenty years with the United States Air Force. He is responsible for all aspects of course development and curriculum planning. He is knowledgeable of OSHA regulations and fluent in Spanish. He is an associate member of the United Steelworkers. He has a BS in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University, and a Masters in Adult Education from UALR. Tracey Spencer is a Workforce Specialist. His educational background is in Sociology with a strong history in computer applications. He develops and provides trainings in job development and workplace readiness programs, Web-design and other computer software applications. He is a certified WorkKeys Job Profiler. Tracey has a BS in Sociology from the University of Central Arkansas, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Denise Leeson-Provost is a Workforce Specialist. Denise came to UALR with six years of experience in public education, more than two years of adult education, and an otherwise mixed bag of financial management, program coordination, and training experience in English and Spanish. She is responsible for course design and delivery as well as grant development and implementation. Denise received an MBA from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1992 and a BA in Foreign Languages from University of Louisiana at Monroe in 1983. Diane Thomas-Holladay is the Director of the Labor Education Program. In addition to planning and overseeing LEP activities in union education and workplace skills enhancement, Diane teaches in a wide variety of areas, including labor and employment law, collective bargaining, arbitration, union leadership, new work systems, economics, and political action. She also teaches a senior level Industrial Relations class for the College of Business. She began her career as a labor educator in 1981 at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois. She is a member of the Service Employees International Union, Local 100-A, an associate member of the United Steelworkers, and a past member of the American Federation of Teachers. She has a BA in Humanities-Pre Law and an MA in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University.