The ACCLA Class of 2027 brings together 41 students from colleges and universities across Arkansas to explore leadership, public service and civic engagement. Over seven months, participants will build relationships, engage across differences and strengthen the skills needed to serve their communities and help shape Arkansas’s civic future together.
Read MoreSo You’ve Been Asked to Plan a Meeting
Maybe it happened in a staff meeting. Someone said, “We should get everybody together for a day,” and then everyone looked at you. Now you are an event planner, on top of your actual job, and you have no idea what a meeting room costs or what questions you are supposed to ask.
Read More2026 Democracy Reading Challenge
We’re back for another civic season with a fresh round of recommended reads — and this year, every title was handpicked by Arkansas librarians. As in years past, the books are nonpartisan, chosen to deepen our understanding of American democracy and the many ways we can engage as citizens. Each comes with a quick summary,…
Read More29 Farmers, One Question: A WATER Report
When the Institute set out in 2023 to better understand the future of groundwater in Arkansas agriculture, we did not begin with a plan. We began with a question: how can Arkansas remain a leading agricultural producer and still have plenty of water for generations to come? That question shaped the WATER program (short for…
Read MoreWhy Agricultural Trade Matters: Lessons from WRDLS
The event opened with remarks underscoring the importance of convening diverse voices to address shared challenges. Agriculture is Arkansas’s largest industry, yet it faces mounting pressure from high input costs, low commodity prices, and market uncertainty.
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