The Clinton School of Public Service welcomed incoming and prospective students for Admitted Student Day this spring. The event was an immersive day of collaborative learning, field service simulations, and community building for the newest members of the Class of 2027
A central highlight of the day was an alumni panel featuring three graduates representing different eras and modalities of the school: Robert Morris (’20), Gabriela Wells (’24), and Jacob Arnold (’24).
Together, they shared how the unique Clinton School toolkit shaped their careers, instilled professional confidence, and connected them to a profound network of change-makers.
Real-World Skills and Lifelong Memories
For Morris, Associate Director of Donor Experience at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), the Clinton School’s emphasis on community engagement laid the groundwork for his success in healthcare philanthropy.
“UAMS is the largest healthcare system in the state, and you can’t help but work in a team to make our work possible,” Morris said, noting how his time as a graduate assistant for the Center for Community Philanthropy trained him well for work in donor relations.
After graduating during the unprecedented spring of 2020, Morris also exemplified the adaptability taught at the Clinton School. Originally scheduled to complete his international Capstone project in Peru, the pandemic forced a sudden pivot to remote work and a new plan. From home, he and his partner organization successfully designed and deployed a vital, real-time COVID-19 safety communications plan.
Reflecting on his favorite campus memories, Morris recalled attending a public program featuring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“That was one of the most surreal experiences of my life,” he shared. “Being that close to her before her passing is something I will always cherish. Ultimately, public service means something specific to everybody. Your experience here translates directly into what you want it to become.”
From Data Analysis to Downtown Master Plans
Wells, Director of Admissions at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, arrived at the Clinton School with a background in policy. Despite lacking a STEM background, the rigorous data analysis curriculum provided her with sharp analytical skills she uses daily to evaluate law school applicant metrics.
Wells shared how the program pushed her out of her comfort zone, specifically regarding collaborative team work.
“The Clinton School is incredibly team-based,” Wells said. “I wasn’t initially a big fan of team environments, but my professors pushed me to develop those skills. It helped me soften up, figure out what roles I thrive in, and I absolutely came out of school for the better.”
Those refined collaboration skills paid dividends during her international Capstone project with Girls Gearing Up in Berlin, Germany, where she supported program development for a global youth summer leadership camp. However, it was her first-year Practicum project with the Downtown Little Rock Partnership that stands as her proudest Clinton School achievement.
“We worked to map commercial buildings, parking lots, and infrastructure to help revitalize downtown,” Wells said “Every Saturday, we walked all of downtown analyzing every single building. It was exhausting, but they have already implemented our study into their city master plan. I’ve never worked so hard on a project and seeing that impact was incredibly cool.”
The Power of the Online Cohort and Immediate Career ROI
Representing the Clinton School Online program, Arnold proved that the school’s impact extends far beyond physical classroom walls. Earlier in the spring semester, Arnold accepted a position with the Arkansas Community Foundation. This is a milestone career move he credits directly to his graduate education.
“I knew I wanted to be in public service, and I’ve been in nonprofit work a long time,” Arnold said. “At the Clinton School, there was a parallel to what we were learning and what I was doing on the job in real time. I actually received two promotions while still in the program.”
Arnold emphasized how the program’s intensive research and writing requirements built a deep sense of self-confidence and pride in his career. He encouraged the incoming students to fully embrace the opportunities they will have at the Clinton School.
“You are stepping into an incredible, illustrious institution and a profound community,” Arnold said. “The speakers who come to campus and the organizations you will partner with are top tier. Suddenly, you are only one degree of separation away from these leaders. My online cohort was feisty, and we challenged each other constantly. It builds the exact network you need to succeed.”