by Lucas Potts
In celebration of the Institute’s 20th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the work we’ve accomplished over the years. A key part of that story is the changemakers who helped make it all possible. Much of the Institute’s impact has been driven by strong partnerships with individuals who share our commitment to transformational change.
Today, we highlight one of those changemakers: Dr. Robert Richards, associate professor and co-director of the Open Governance Lab at the Clinton School of Public Service. His steady involvement and thoughtful collaboration have helped shape multiple Institute programs and supported civic efforts across Arkansas.
This story begins in 2019 when Dr. Richards joined the Partnership for Democratic Practices in Arkansas, a collaborative initiative between the Clinton School of Public Service, the Central Arkansas Library System, and the Institute. Originally launched through the Kettering Foundation, the program focused on hosting community dialogues about issues that matter to Arkansans, including political polarization, economic recovery post-COVID, and water access. For Dr. Richards, the partnership became a powerful platform for students to grow as facilitators, researchers, and public servants.
“We could train our students on facilitating group discussions,” he explained. “Then, they could get an opportunity to practice those skills. We could evaluate the skills and incorporate those results into our research during these dialogues.”
Over the years, Dr. Richards has spoken openly about the lasting impact of his work with the Institute, particularly the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with our staff.
“It’s been a wonderful experience for me, and I’m very grateful for it,” Dr. Richards shared. “The chance to work with Janet, Shana, Carder, James, and Payton over the years — and the entire Institute team — has been extremely rewarding. Janet is an exemplary public servant, and I admire her tremendously. I’ve learned a lot from her example and from all of the Institute personnel. They’re incredibly talented and deeply dedicated. They’ve made me a better teacher, a better practitioner, and a better evaluator. We’re constantly learning from each other.”
Dr. Richards’ reflections highlight the kind of working relationship that grows over time, one that’s not limited to a single program but built on trust and mutual respect. Collaborations like these continue to strengthen the Institute’s work today and often lead to long-term impact. The dialogue sessions, for example, helped shape key efforts such as the Arkansas Civic Health Index report, which laid the groundwork for Civic Arkansas, one of the Institute’s newest programs aimed at boosting civic engagement across the state. Another program, WATER, emerged directly from conversations about water access and usage in Arkansas.
With training from the Kettering Foundation, national issue guides were adapted into locally relevant, multilingual resources, including Spanish-language materials. These resources were later shared through the Southern Deliberative Democracy Network, where Dr. Richards and Institute staff presented on strategies to expand access and participation in public dialogue.
Beyond individual programs, the partnership has deepened the connection between the Institute and the Clinton School. Two of the Institute’s program officers, Aaron Keith Kennard and Alyssa Ghaleb, are Clinton School alumni. Several contributors to the Arkansas Civic Health Index also work at the School, helping to ensure that research and practice remain closely aligned. These shared values and cross-institutional ties have helped sustain momentum long after the initial partnership began.
Dr. Richards’ story illustrates how relationships drive the Institute’s mission forward. It’s not just about program design or strategy — it’s about showing up, staying engaged, and building something meaningful together. As we look back on the past two decades, partnerships like this remind us of what’s possible when shared goals are rooted in a commitment to transformational change.
