by Brittany Reese
Strengthening civic engagement in Arkansas requires passionate educators who believe in the power of informed participation. One of those voices is Dr. Daniel Fudge, assistant professor of political science at the University of the Ozarks.
In a recent conversation, Dr. Fudge shared his journey into academia, his commitment to civic education, and why programs like the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy (ACCLA) and Civic Arkansas are more critical now than ever.
From Political Interest to Professor
Dr. Fudge didn’t start out planning to be a teacher. “I thought I wanted to go to law school,” he recalled. “But I think there’s so much value in teaching politics and civics education to the next generation of voters and citizens.”
His interest in politics began during his undergraduate years at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, where he interned for Senator John Boozman. That experience sparked a passion that led him to pursue a graduate degree and ultimately to a career in higher education.
He teaches courses on American government, Congress, the presidency, state and local government, and a unique class that explores politics through film.
Why Civic Engagement Matters and The Power of Collaboration
For Dr. Fudge, civic engagement isn’t just a topic — it’s a mission. “Every time I step in the classroom, I have an opportunity to aid in the development of civic engagement,” he said. “It’s not about what political party a student belongs to. It’s about being involved and participatory in government and understanding the foundational pieces so they can make informed decisions.”
He emphasized that democracy depends on participation. “The lifeblood of the American Republic is for people to participate,” he explained. “When we don’t have that, it defeats what the founders envisioned.”
Dr. Fudge’s involvement with ACCLA stems from a belief in the power of bringing people together. “It allows multiple campuses and students from different places across the state to come together to learn about government in a collaborative space,” he said.
“Perceptions in eastern Arkansas may differ from northwest Arkansas, and this program creates a pipeline for students to become advanced citizens who inspire their peers.”
Collaboration extends beyond students. Faculty members share ideas and best practices, which Dr. Fudge finds invaluable. “It’s like musicians hearing a new melody,” he said. “I’ve learned exercises from colleagues that I now use in my classes, and I share my legislative simulations with them. It’s iron sharpening iron.”
Value of Civic Arkansas
Dr. Fudge serves as an activator for Civic Arkansas, a role he has embraced to promote healthy civic discourse. “We need to rise above the noise and have meaningful conversations,” he said. “It’s about building civic character — engaging in ways that are healthy and not divisive.”
Serving as an activator has enriched him personally and professionally. “I’ve built a network of people who care deeply about civic health,” he said. “It’s helped me develop curriculum and ask meaningful questions in class. And from a leadership perspective, it’s about collaboration and mutual respect.”
Initiatives like Civic Arkansas provide platforms for communities to come together and engage. “So many people feel they don’t have a voice,” he noted. “This gives them one. It increases social capital because people are talking face-to-face, not just behind a computer screen.”
Dr. Fudge hopes efforts such as Civic Arkansas will boost voter turnout and civic awareness. “Politics and civic engagement are bottom-up, not top-down,” he said. “Local leaders make decisions that affect our daily lives. If we start at the bottom, we have a bigger say.”
His ultimate goal for civic engagement in the state is that it becomes a lifelong habit.
“It’s not just something you do during an election,” he stressed. “It’s something you do every day in a meaningful way.”
Dr. Fudge joined Civic Arkansas to foster healthy, meaningful conversations that go beyond surface-level debate, strengthen voter participation, and deepen community understanding. For him, the role is personally rewarding, offering growth while empowering others to engage constructively.
This is a well written article. You have done a great job highlighting a man committed to improving Arkansas. Mr. Fudge has a dedicated outlook to improve everyone’s idea of government.