Two UA Little Rock Students Selected for Inaugural Arkansas Civic Leadership Academy
Two University of Arkansas at Little Rock students, Axton Tackett and Braden Carr, have been selected for the inaugural Arkansas Civic Leadership Academy, a statewide program backed by the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute that prepares the next generation of civic leaders.
The program brings together students from colleges and universities across the state for a yearlong course combining academic learning, civil discussions, practical training, and service-learning experiences. Participants work toward earning the Civic Arkansan Credential, which recognizes a student’s commitment to tackling societal challenges, promoting civic responsibility, and contributing to the public good.
The academy was developed with input from a statewide advisory committee that includes Dr. Derek Slagle, director of the UA Little Rock School of Public Affairs and associate professor of public administration.
With UA Little Rock helping to shape the program’s creation, two of its students are now among the first to experience it firsthand.
Tackett, a junior political science major from North Little Rock, said he is particularly excited about the academy’s election component.
“I have always been incredibly interested in campaigns, elections, and how the administration of elections shapes voter participation,” Tackett said. “Understanding the electoral process, from ballot initiatives to polling place accessibility, will help give me a clear picture of what strengthens or limits electoral participation among Arkansans.”
Through the program, Tackett hopes to deepen his understanding of civic engagement strategies and public policy while preparing for a career in public administration.
“My coursework at UA Little Rock has given me a solid foundation in how our institutions shape public policy and citizen representation,” he said. “The Civic Leadership Academy will help me connect government processes with civic needs and gain the professional experience and networking opportunities to bring together academic learning with practical public service.”
Carr, a junior from Paragould double majoring in political science and criminal justice, said he’s most looking forward to the program’s service-learning component.
“Applying the knowledge I’ve gained from my coursework and this program to make a positive impact in the community is exciting to me,” he said.
Carr said the academy’s emphasis on dialogue and empathy resonates deeply with him.
“I hope to improve at communicating with and understanding people who disagree with me,” he said. “I believe America can benefit from more empathy and open dialogue, and that change begins with each individual.”
Carr credits his experience in the School of Public Affairs and the Donaghey Scholars Program with preparing him to think critically and communicate effectively about the issues shaping society. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in public policy or political campaigns.
Dr. Derek Slagle, director of the UA Little Rock School of Public Affairs and associate professor of public administration, praised Tackett and Carr for representing the university in the program’s first cohort.
“(They) exemplify the very spirit of the program — motivated, thoughtful, and deeply engaged in public service,” Slagle said. “As early-entry MPA students and political science majors in the School of Public Affairs, they are already bridging the gap between academic study and applied leadership, translating classroom knowledge into tangible civic impact. Their participation demonstrates the strength of UA Little Rock’s commitment to cultivating future public servants who think critically, communicate effectively, and act with purpose. Watching these students represent our university in this statewide network affirms the value of experiential civic education and underscores the promise of Arkansas’s next generation of leaders.”
The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute launched the Arkansas Civic Leadership Academy to build civic capacity and develop student leaders who can strengthen communities through dialogue, collaboration, and public service.