Past Programs

The Institute continues the legacy of Governor Rockefeller through programming rooted in the Rockefeller Ethic. The Ethic represents Rockfeller’s, and our, belief that diversity of opinion, engaging in respectful dialogue, and practicing collaborative problem solving combine to create transformational change.

Using both dialogue and facilitation, our programs staff led various groups through specialized forums addressing issues of importance to Arkansas and beyond. Read about how we did that on these Past Programs pages.

Rural Health Summit

The 2020 Rural Health Summit represented both the culmination of years of work and an exciting chance to ensure collaboration across rural health in Arkansas could continue well into the future. This program resulted in the creation of the Rural Health Association of Arkansas.

Rural Workforce Development Summit

The Rural Workforce Development Southern Region Summit is a convening for stakeholders across sectors to share solutions to complex issues, identify available resources, and increase access to workforce opportunities.

Securing Water & Food in a Changing World

The Institute and the Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lectures Advisory Committee welcomed Peter G. McCornick, Ph.D., to Petit Jean Mountain for a special event focused on our state’s water resources. This event was streamed live by Arkansas PBS.

Uncommon Communities

Uncommon Communities is a leadership, community, and economic development program. This program equipped community leaders in Cohort 2018 and Cohort 2020 to work together in the areas of leadership, economic development, education, workforce development, and quality of life and place.​

Under 40 Forum

The Under 40 Forum brought young leaders from across Arkansas together with the purpose of advancing ideas, solving problems, and dreaming big dreams for a brighter future. 

University Research Collaborative

This program was designed to build a strong and collaborative research partnership between the two largest research universities in Arkansas: the University of Arkansas — Fayetteville (UAF) and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).