Graduates of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and new students at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law are among the 41 new students entering the Master of Public Service degree program this fall at the Clinton School of Public Service. 

The new Clinton students include six students who are a part of the concurrent Juris Doctor degree program with Bowen School of Law. They include Zach Baumgarten of Monticello; Corinne Kwapis of Fairview Heights, Illinois; Alexis Pinkston of North Little Rock; Damien Powell of Sparta, Michigan; Christian Scott of Mountain View; and Jerome Wilson Jr. of Portsmouth, Virginia, who graduated from UA Little Rock with a degree in political science.

UA Little Rock graduates who are members of Clinton School Class of 2020 include Nathan Keltch of Little Rock, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration; Shandrea Murphy of Little Rock, who graduated with a degree in anthropology; and Ben Washington of Jacksonville, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology.

“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.”

Orientation for the new class began Aug. 12, and classes start Aug. 20. This fall, first-year Clinton School students will begin team-based public service projects with partner organizations in communities across Arkansas. In the classroom, the students will complete core courses in professionalism, social change, and conflict resolution.

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.

More information about the new Clinton School students:

Zach Baumgarten – A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a degree in politics, Baumgarten was an infantryman with the United States Army. He was the director of constituent services and campaign field director for congressman Mike Ross. He is pursuing a concurrent Juris Doctor at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. His public service interests include veteran issues and poverty law.

Nathan Keltch – Keltch earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration at UA Little Rock. He was the director of Recycle Bikes for Kids, a member of the Bicycle Friendly Community Committee, and a board member at Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas. His public service interests include mass incarceration, transportation, climate change, and the future of jobs.

Corinne Kwapis – Kwapis is a graduate of Marquette University with a degree in women and gender studies. She is pursuing a concurrent Juris Doctor at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Her work experience includes time with the League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis. Her public service interests include government and legal aid.

Shandrea Murphy – A graduate of UA Little Rock with a degree in anthropology, Murphy has worked in multiple roles within the City of Little Rock Department of Community Programs. Most recently, she was a Family Engagement VISTA with Our House. Her public service interests include social and economic equity, education reform, social justice, and policy reform.

Alexis Pinkston – A graduate of Lyon College with a degree in English and Spanish, Pinkston is pursuing a concurrent Juris Doctor at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. She previously served at City Year Little Rock through AmeriCorps. Her public service interests include international relations, education, and criminal justice system reform.

Damien Powell – Powell graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in cultural and global studies. He spent six years as a U.S. Air Force Intelligence analyst and is pursuing a concurrent Juris Doctor at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. His recent work experience includes time with Vets for American Ideals and Human Rights First as a national security outreach intern. His public service interests include international development law, human rights, and civil rights.

Christian Scott – A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in history, Scott is pursuing a concurrent Juris Doctor at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. She has worked as a law clerk at the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and a licensure analyst for the Arkansas Department of Education. Her public service interests include civil rights, human rights, and women’s rights.

Ben Washington – Washington graduated from UA Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. His work experience includes time with Our House and AmeriCorps, and he has volunteered with Literacy Action of Arkansas and Harmony Health Clinic. His public service interests include prison and education, refugee/migrant rights, and human rights and welfare.

Jerome Wilson, Jr. – Wilson graduated from UA Little Rock with a degree in political science and is pursuing a concurrent Juris Doctor at the William H. Bowen School of Law. He became a staff sergeant following nine years of active duty service in the U.S. Marine Corps. His public service interests include access to justice, access to education, and access to healthy food choices.