In April 2026, we celebrated our first graduating class of the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy! 30 students from nine Arkansas universities and colleges gathered at the Institute for one final session together, complete with diplomas, keynotes, and project presentations. The full list of graduates is available below.
“Even though the journey that we have taken together in this specific program is ending, your career as a civic leader and your time and journey as a civic leader are just beginning.”
Janet Harris
Class of 2026
- Cian Devers
- Natalie Dunman
- Ayden George
- Emily Hill
- Taylor McIntyre
- Joseline Munoz
- Levi Seward
- George Vaughn
- Jasper Millsaps
- Johanna Pena Vasquez
- Gabriel Strickland
- Cole Mandrell
- Lynn Enzor
- Trinity Foster
- Paige Gross
- John Grady Harper
- Phoebe Harris
- Mia Hastings
- Luis Maya
- Abby Shoemaker
- Kathryn Tandy
- Braden Carr
- Axton Tackett
- Brianna Butler
- Aareyon Wallace
- Kylie McGraw
- Kaleb Jacobs
- Vanessa Martinez
- Isabel Shelton
- Taylor Yates
About ACCLA
The Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy (ACCLA) is a yearlong program that blends academic instruction, civil discourse, practical training, and service-learning. Participants explore how government works, how communities solve problems, and how leaders can engage responsibly in civic life.
Graduates of the Academy earn the Civic Arkansas Credential, recognizing their commitment to ethical leadership and public service.
The Academy is designed for:
- Undergraduate juniors and seniors
- Students interested in public service, government, journalism, nonprofit work, or community leadership
- Emerging young leaders seeking practical civic knowledge and statewide connections
Participants will engage in interactive sessions covering:
- Dialogue and civil discourse
- Values-based leadership and action
- Government structure and civic institutions
- Campaigns, elections, and democratic processes
- Journalism, media literacy, and the role of the press
- Service-learning and community impact
The Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy is a collaborative initiative involving the Institute’s Civic Arkansas program and its established civic education workshops. This integrated approach ensures students gain both theoretical understanding and hands-on experience in civic leadership.
ACCLA was founded through the generous support of the McKuin Fund, the Engaged Learning Network, and AT&T Arkansas.
Program Schedule (2026-2027)
- September 25-26, 2026
- Orientation & Kick-off
- 📍 Winthrop Rockefeller Institute
- October 2026
- Campaigns & Elections in Arkansas
- November 2026
- U.S. Judiciary & Arkansas Constitution
- January 2027
- Journalism, Media Literacy & Public Trust
- February 2027
- State & Local Government
- March 2027
- Service-Learning Project Presentations
- April 9-10, 2026
- Graduation Ceremony
- 📍 Winthrop Rockefeller Institute
Advisory Committee
- Dr. John C. Davis – Political Science Professor & Executive Director, Pryor Center, University of Arkansas
- Dr. Amber Overholser – Associate Professor & MPA Program Director, Southern Arkansas University
- Dr. Cameron Wimpy – Associate Professor & Department Chair, Government, Law & Policy, Arkansas State University
- Dr. Bret Schulte – Dean, School of Journalism, University of Arkansas
- Dr. Michael Rogers – Professor of Political Science, Arkansas Tech University
- Dr. Henry Brooks – Political Science Professor, University of Arkansas–Pine Bluff
- Dr. Derek Slagle – Director, School of Public Affairs, University of Arkansas–Little Rock
- Dr. Jay Barth – Director, William J. Clinton Presidential Library
- Dr. Daniel Fudge – Political Science Professor, University of the Ozarks
- Dr. Delphia Shanks – Director, Center for Civic Leadership in Arkansas & Associate Professor of Politics, Hendrix College
Contact Us
For questions or additional information about the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy, please contact Kimberly Bolin. We are excited to launch this civic leadership academy and look forward to empowering young Arkansans to make a lasting, positive impact in their communities.
