by Alyssa Ghaleb
After completing our second Civic Arkansas summit this past week, I am hopeful and excited about the future of civic health in Arkansas. Throughout our summit, we worked with Civic Arkansas Activators, our key partners, to delve into what the Civic Arkansas initiative really means.
Friday evening was an inspiring time to connect with transparency and vulnerability. Saturday involved collaboration with our Activators and Thought Partners to brainstorm support for the future development of current practices and new ideas.
August is Civic Health Month — a perfect opportunity to raise awareness of civic engagement. Civic Arkansas is the Institute’s initiative to improve the overall civic health of our state. Though I am new to my role at the Institute, my enthusiasm for the future of civic engagement continues to grow.
Before becoming a program officer here, civic engagement was integral to my studies and passions throughout my life. From a young age, my parents instilled in my siblings and me the importance of political participation. Whether it was heading to the polls on election day or attending community events, they always brought us along. One of my earliest memories is of my parents taking us to the Capitol Building in Little Rock, a trip that made a lasting impression on me.
Even with my early experiences, my love for civics started with my love for reading. Back then, I may not have understood that the historical fiction novels I read were shaping my understanding of civic life and my role within it. These novels and my education built my passion for participating in the democratic process. The first influential book I read in fourth grade was Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. This book introduced me to the world of historical fiction and allowed me to explore unique experiences and stories in places beyond my home of Bryant, Arkansas.
The following year, my readings focused on learning more about the American Revolutionary period. I was fascinated by early American history, especially the passion and new ideas that helped shape our democracy. My interest in history grew throughout high school when I enrolled in additional history courses and participated in extracurriculars such as Model United Nations. In college, I pursued studies in Politics and French at Hendrix College, where my thesis focused on social media as a form of online political participation. My research delved into how people utilize social media to engage in the political process and what this means for engaging youth in participation.
Most recently, I graduated from the Clinton School of Public Service, where I combined my knowledge of the political science analytical framework with my passion for helping others. My education was fundamental in guiding my love for the political process and understanding the importance of civic engagement.
This May, I began my role as program officer for Civic Arkansas. Since starting my new role, I have had the privilege of traveling across the state to listen to and learn from different counties’ civic engagement efforts. Each session is a new learning experience with insights into existing opportunities, obstacles, and hopes for the future of each local community. We are seeing commonalities and emerging themes that stress the importance of access to information and news, civic education, and a need for civic spaces in communities. This fall, we plan to hold collegiate listening sessions and continue our community sessions.
Our listening sessions have allowed me to see Arkansans’ passions and hopes for the state’s future civic health. There is excitement and acknowledgment of the importance of involvement, and each participant symbolizes this hope. While education has significantly shaped my love for civics, my work with communities fuels my hope for Arkansas. In today’s world of polarization and divisiveness, it is refreshing to hear and see the collaboration among community members.
Alyssa, You go girl! Many thanks.
Joan Lipsmeyer
Harrison, Arkansas