“Every citizen has the duty to be informed, to be thoughtfully concerned, and to participate in the search for solutions.”
Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller
Piloting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy is set to cultivate a network of student leaders from higher education institutions across Arkansas. This program is specifically designed for students in their junior and senior years, aiming to empower them with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to become effective community leaders.
The pilot will kick off in September 2025 with a two-day convening at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and will continue throughout the academic year. Participants will engage in education on dialogue, values-based action, the role and structure of government, journalism, elections, and service. In addition to being part of a pilot network of students dedicated to public service and professionalism, Academy graduates will also receive the Civic Arkansas Credential.
Program Structure
This program represents a collaboration between those engaged with the Institute’s Civic Arkansas program and our ongoing workshops. Through a unique blend of academic learning, civil discussions, practical training, and service-learning, the Academy prepares students to tackle societal challenges, promote civic responsibility, and contribute to the public good.
Advisory Committee
- Dr. John C. Davis: Political Science Professor & Executive Director of Pryor Center, University of Arkansas
- Dr. Amber Overholser: Associate Professor / MPA Program Director, Southern Arkansas University
- Dr. Cameron Wimpy: Political Science Professor, Arkansas State University
- Dr. Bret Schulte: Dean of UA 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 of the 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
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy, please feel free to contact Aaron Keith Kennard for more information. We are excited to embark on this journey to develop young Arkansans and look forward to this program’s positive impact on our communities.
