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Dr. John Talburt, a pioneer in computer science and information quality, has been named the inaugural recipient of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Vision for the Future Endowed Professorship in recognition of his decades of leadership, innovation, and student mentorship.

Talburt, Acxiom chair of information quality, has been a key figure in the university’s nationally recognized Information Quality Program. With more than 200 research publications, numerous grants, patents, and collaborations across national and global platforms, he has made a lasting impact on both the academic community and the careers of countless students.

“Because of Dr. Talburt’s leadership, our programs continue to gain recognition and remain among the strongest in the state,” Provost Ann Bain said. “But what makes Dr. Talburt truly exceptional is his deep commitment to students—including them in research, mentoring them through complex ideas, and helping them build careers that matter.”

The announcement was made during a campus celebration hosted by the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) on April 30, with university leadership and colleagues honoring Talburt’s distinguished career.

“This honor was made possible through the Vision for the Future Fund, which supports innovation in the sciences and helps us continue creating opportunities for faculty and students to do transformative work,” said Lloyd Webre, director of development for the Donaghey College of STEM. “It’s no surprise that this professorship is being named for someone who has dedicated his career to advancing a field, mentoring students, and bringing national recognition to UA Little Rock.”

The professorship is part of the university’s Centennial Campaign, a historic fundraising effort that has already raised more than $215 million toward its $250 million goal celebrating the university’s 100-year anniversary in 2027. The endowed professorship provides additional funding for Talburt’s research areas. It represents a strategic investment in faculty excellence, student opportunity, and long-term innovation.

Dr. Jeff Connelly, interim dean of the Donaghey College of STEM, praised Talburt for his dual role as a researcher and mentor.

“When you talk to students who’ve worked with Dr. Talburt, you hear a few words come up again and again—mentor, innovator, champion,” Connelly said. “Thanks to his guidance, students have co-authored papers, presented at national conferences, and gone on to build meaningful careers in the field.”

Talburt expressed gratitude for the recognition and reflected on the journey that brought him to this moment.

“When I started teaching, I never imagined where this path would take me—or the incredible students, colleagues, and partners I’d have the opportunity to work with along the way,” Talburt said. “This professorship is meaningful not just because of the title, but because of what it represents—the students who challenge us to keep learning, the colleagues who make the work better, and the kind of academic environment that makes long-term, impactful work possible. I’m grateful to UA Little Rock for its continued commitment to information quality and for giving me a place to grow, contribute, and hopefully make a difference.”

Talburt is a nationally recognized leader in data and information quality, whose work has elevated UA Little Rock to the forefront of graduate education in the field. He currently serves as professor of information science, executive director of the Center for Advanced Research in Entity Resolution and Information Quality, and coordinator of the Ph.D. program in computer and information sciences. He is also a member of the U.S. Advisory Group to the International Organization for Standardization for data quality standards, and a senior advisor to the Chief Data Officer and Information Quality Society.

In 2021, 2022, and 2023, CDO Magazine named Talburt to its Leading Academic Data Leaders List, an honor recognizing top scholars advancing the field of data on a global scale. Talburt played a foundational role in developing UA Little Rock’s Information Quality Graduate Program, which includes a graduate certificate, an M.S. in information quality, and a Ph.D. emphasis in integrated computing. Under his leadership, these programs have seen dramatic growth, with U.S. News & World Report ranking UA Little Rock among the top Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs for many years.