The first-year Practicum is a closely mentored, team-based project in Arkansas – a state with a unique blend of urban and rural populations, a thriving business community, and a growing nonprofit sector.
Each year, teams of first-year Clinton School students partner with public agencies, community initiatives, academic ventures, and nonprofit organizations across Arkansas to create immediate and long-term impact.
Practicum teams work with their partner organization for two semesters, beginning in early September and continuing through late April. All Practicum projects are located within the state of Arkansas. Students complete projects that meet organizational needs and address significant social issues.
Potential Practicum projects include:
- Designing and conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups
- Facilitating public discussions and/or building stakeholder coalitions
- Conducting best practice research for program design
- Conducting needs assessments to identify problems and recommend appropriate solutions
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of possible projects, and you should contact the Office of Field Service if you have questions about fit and project scope.
If you would like to submit a project for consideration, please click below to complete the application form.
For additional information on Practicum or one of the other two field work experiences, please contact Rachel Norris, Director of Domestic Programs, at rnorris@clintonschool.uasys.edu.
Gabe Holmstrom
Executive Director | Downtown Little Rock Partnership“We had a blast working with and learning from the Clinton School students this past year. They surpassed our expectations, and delivered a work product that we will be able to use as we begin the master plan process for Downtown Little Rock. These projects are true examples of students’ public service efforts making a real difference in our downtown.”
Nancy Leonhardt
Executive Director | Adult Learning Alliance“Our Practicum team helped us take an idea and turn it into an initiative. They surveyed and researched the idea to see if it would be viable, and with positive results, created a roadmap for the program. The team was very knowledgeable, creative, and professional, and so easy to work with. We have worked with multiple Clinton School teams and we look forward to working with more in the future.”
Alison Caballero
Director | UAMS Center for Health Literacy“Faculty from the Clinton School provided students with a foundation in research methodology and ensured that they used organizational skills to manage their workloads. This allowed me ample time to share my topic-specific expertise and enrich the students’ learning further. This thoughtful approach, the intelligence and enthusiasm of the students, and the two-semester project length made this a highly successful service-learning experience for all. The project outcomes are meaningful in the short term and have set our program up for several future initiatives with potential for substantial impact.”
Yang Luo-Branch
Founder and President | Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses“Working with the Clinton School’s students and staff was a pure pleasure and learning experience for me. The team impressed me with their dedication to the cause of public service, their standard for scholarly approaches as well as their professionalism in working with a grassroots community member like our organization. They are an invaluable community partner!”
James Owen
Policy Advisor & Special Projects Manager | City of Little Rock“Clinton School students are among Little Rock’s greatest assets for positive change. Their passion for getting it right inspires the type of pragmatic policy development that helps us balance responsive government and proactive planning. It’s truly a pleasure to unravel wicked problems alongside the students, and even more rewarding to see their recommendations turn into real action.”