The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service has welcomed 42 new students in the Master of Public Service degree program this fall. Among these students are graduates of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and new students at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.

The new Clinton students include four individuals who are a part of the concurrent Juris Doctor degree program with Bowen School of Law. The scholars are J. Dillion Pitts of Pearl, Mississippi, who graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in marketing and corporate relations; Connor Thompson of Little Rock, who earned his degree in liberal studies from Antioch University; Jacey Winn of Wynne, who graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville with a degree in political science; and Cody McKinney of Nags Head, North Carolina, who graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in health promotion.

UA Little Rock graduates who are members of the Clinton School Class of 2021 include Mackenzie Bolt of North Little Rock, who graduated with degrees in anthropology and philosophy; Jennifer Browne of Little Rock, who graduated from Hendrix College with a degree in business and economics and from Bowen with her law degree; and Liz Hall of North Little Rock, who earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies from UA Little Rock.

“We’re very proud to welcome the new Clinton School class. As the nation’s first to offer a Master of Public Service degree, we continue to attract individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and interests, but with a common purpose to uplift others,” said Clinton School Dean James L. “Skip” Rutherford III. “Over the next two years, the public service projects these students will complete in Arkansas and throughout the world will have a significant positive impact.”

First-year Clinton School students will begin team-based projects with partner organizations in communities across Arkansas starting this fall. In the classroom, the students will complete core courses in field research, social change, and global development. 

Throughout their time at the Clinton School, students will work on three public service projects within their particular public service interests: the team-based practicum project, the International Public Service Project, and the final individual project known as the capstone that culminates their degree.

This story was written by Alexandria Brown.