Ten teams of first-year students from the Clinton School of Public Service are set to embark on Arkansas-focused public service projects for the 2024-25 academic year. These projects will be conducted in partnership with a diverse array of organizations, including nonprofits, foundations, private businesses, and community initiatives across the state.
The first-year Practicum, a cornerstone of the Clinton School experience, challenges students to engage in closely mentored, team-based projects throughout Arkansas. As the first of three major field service projects, it provides students with the opportunity to create meaningful impact while becoming integral parts of the communities they serve.
This year’s projects span a wide range of critical issues facing Arkansas. From conducting a comprehensive needs assessment for hunger relief organizations to developing a youth program focused on inciting agriculture interest in the Arkansas Delta, students will tackle diverse challenges. Other projects include researching civic education awareness in public schools, expanding workforce training programs, and addressing barriers to higher education for Hispanic immigrants.
“Public service knows no geographic or sector boundaries, and that is reflected in our student’s field work,” said Dr. Nichola Driver, Executive Director of the Office of Field Service at the Clinton School. “I am particularly excited about this year’s Practicum projects because our students are impacting new organizations, new regions of the state, and new sectors. We are working with small businesses, like Delta Dirt in Helena-West Helena, nonprofits, like Wolfe Street Foundation here in Little Rock, and small grassroots organizations, like Visionairi in Fayetteville.”
Rachel Norris, Director of Domestic Programs at the Clinton School, said, “This year, Clinton School students have the incredible opportunity to impact so many important social issues in our state. We are so honored and thankful our fantastic partner organizations are dedicated to mentoring this cohort on their journey to become public service leaders.”
Arkansas Hunger and Relief Alliance
Team: Clarence Kilcrease (Atlanta, Ga.), Coleen Ndedi Ntepe Kuhel (Pittsburg, Kan.), Hannah Stone (Clarksville, Ark.), Jack Stokes (Spartanburg, S.C.)
Under the supervision of Jennifer Owens Buie, the Clinton School team will conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for a statewide membership network of 500+ hunger relief organizations, including food pantries, soup kitchens, youth centers, and other organizations.
Each agency faces unique challenges, whether it is access to food and funding or a shortage of volunteers. AHRA aims to understand these challenges to provide evidence-based targeted support and enhance its network’s effectiveness across the state.
“I am excited and honored to have this talented group of students combining their efforts to help the Alliance better serve our membership. We can’t wait to get started.” – Sylvia Blain, CEO of Arkansas Hunger and Relief Alliance
Clinton Foundation
Team: Amanda Rodrigues Smith (Baltimore, Md.), Davis Bunn (Homewood, Ala.), Jamese Lambert (Little Rock, Ark.), Lauren Sermersheim (Greenville, S.C.), Ray Little (Little Rock, Ark.)
In this project, the Clinton School team will be delving into applied research to assess the perceptions and awareness of civic education programming offered by the Clinton Presidential Center among Arkansas public school leadership.
Under the supervision of Karen Strachan, this research will aim to delve into how schools are actively participating in the library’s educational programs, uncover any obstacles encountered when accessing these programs, and evaluate whether the civic engagement initiatives effectively broaden students’ access to impactful civics education, thus serving as an extension of the classroom.
Delta Dental Smiles
Team: Emma Grace McDaniel (Jonesboro, Ark.), Hannah Butler (El Paso, Texas), J’Mya Smith (Sherwood, Ark.), Mattie Thacker (Little Rock, Ark.), Stephen Booth (Little Rock, Ark.)
For this project, the Clinton School team will develop a new program to promote oral health among pregnant women in the state of Arkansas. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can worsen any periodontal disease that is present, and according to the CDC, periodontal disease during pregnancy is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes.
Under the supervision of Derica Mack, the program would work with women’s health clinicians to encourage outreach, increase provider education on the topic, and create a playbook of best practices for clinical implementation so that, ultimately, the program can be expanded to more clinics.
“I’m excited about this project because it is an opportunity to reach out to pregnant women and educate them about the importance of oral health. I believe every effort can contribute to improving oral health outcomes for this population in Arkansas.” – Derica Mack, Delta Dental Smiles Manager
Delta Dirt
Team: Josie Tilley (Fort Smith, Ark.), Kendal Bonsall (El Dorado, Ark.), Montae’l Williams (Holly Grove, Ark.), Rakiyan Moss (Atlanta, Ga.), Sierra Coulter (Raleigh, N.C.)
Under the supervision of Thomas Williams, the Clinton School team will develop a youth program focused on inciting interest in agriculture and teaching agricultural skills in the Delta region of the state.
The program will specifically focus on native crops grown in the region, such as sweet potatoes and watermelons. Students will speak with stakeholders about the needs for this type of program, conduct best practice research to inform its design, and create a logic model and theory of change. Additionally, the students will conduct a stakeholder analysis to determine what organizations, schools, after-school programs, etc., could be partnered with to provide this educational experience.
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
Team: Larissa Agbor-Nkongho (Columbus, Ohio), Logan Hubberd (Little Rock, Ark.), Somer Shannon (Ward, Ark.), Trenten Wills (Kankakee, Ill.)
For this project, the Clinton School team will administer a needs assessment to inform the expansion of skilled training programs across the state of Arkansas. Goodwill currently offers a portfolio of mission services, including the only adult high school in Arkansas; skilled training programs for welders, medical assistants, and pharmacy technicians; reentry programs for individuals exiting incarceration; and career services.
Goodwill would like to expand its offerings geographically, partner with new community organizations in new locations, and find the best areas to provide new options for education, training, and employment in underserved areas of the state. The project will be supervised by Edie Stewart.
“We are thrilled to launch this groundbreaking partnership with the Clinton School of Public Service. By collaborating with some of the best and brightest minds in public service, we’re opening doors that will help us identify and serve new communities across Arkansas. This partnership isn’t just about expanding our reach – it’s about amplifying our impact and creating lasting positive change for Arkansans through education, training, and employment.” – Edie Stewart, SVP and Chief Mission Officer of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
Mamás Unidas
Team: Chelsea Fuston (Yukon, Okla.), Enrique Carbone (Cabot, Ark.), Eric Brown (Tucson, Ariz.), OIadotun Awosusi (Owo, Nigeria), Terri Thomas (Fayetteville, Ark.)
In this project, the Clinton School team will identify barriers for immigrant students within the Hispanic community in Central Arkansas with a focus on access to higher education.
Under the supervision of Steve Colley, the students will also identify best practices across the nation for advising and supporting this demographic in accessing higher education and resources available locally or nationally that the organization can offer to this community. Ultimately, the team will create a resource guide for schools, students, and families that can be distributed.
Rogue Water Lab
Team: Ali Dunbar (Omaha, Neb.), Demitri Garcia (San Antonio, Texas), Tanisha Joshi (Nainital, Uttarakhand, India), Tarryn Harris (Nashville, Tenn.)
Under the supervision of Chelsea Boozer, the Clinton School team will design and conduct a baseline assessment to determine what college students know and understand about water issues and water insecurity.
Rogue Water Lab is designing an immersive and interactive education experience to take place on college campuses to make young people aware of their connection to and reliance on water. Data collected in this baseline assessment, along with best practice research, will be used to inform the program design of the interactive experience and assist in ultimately measuring its impact.
“This partnership with the Clinton School allows Rogue Water to increase our capacity by the student practicum team providing research expertise so that we can reach more people on our mission to increase public trust in tap water in support of thriving communities and trusted, resilient water providers. It also allows us to strengthen ties with our local community. We are so excited to see the fruit of this partnership.” – Chelsea Boozer, Executive Director of the Rogue Water Lab
Shepherd’s Hope Clinic
Team: Ashley Delgado (El Paso, Texas), Daisy Vasquez Guevara (Benton, Ark.), Katie Kornreich (Tucson, Ariz.), Nicholas Dawson (Little Rock, Ark.), Sierra Ross (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
For this project, the Clinton School team will conduct a needs assessment focusing on services offered by the Shepherd’s Hope Clinic and develop a strategic plan for expansion that could include the necessary metrics for expansion. The Shepherd’s Hope Clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive, free healthcare services to uninsured individuals, with a focus on serving the Hispanic community with mixed immigration statuses.
Due to the high demand for their services, the clinic is currently maintaining a waiting list and is actively seeking opportunities to expand its facilities. Under the supervision of Dr. Laura Hutchins, the students will find the right ways to support this expansion.
Visionairi
Team: Chloe Stringer (Austin, Texas, Dailyn Davis (Chicago, Ill.), Jalen Humphreys (Memphis, Tenn.), Lauryn Durby (Fayetteville, Ark.), Trinity Lisk (North Little Rock, Ark.)
In this project, the Clinton School team will conduct a needs assessment to identify challenges faced by Arkansas creatives of color. Visionairi focuses on preserving Black culture through media and social justice.
Under the supervision of its founder, Dr. Airic Hughes, students will explore best practices and recommend appropriate solutions to build the framework for a statewide infrastructure that will sustain a productive ecosystem for creatives of color across the state of Arkansas.
“The Visionairi Foundation is an Arkansas organization founded with a mission of Black cultural preservation. We strive to make space for and with our communities through film, media, education, and social justice. The Micheaux Award & Film Labs (MAFL) is a Visionairi initiative to reshape narratives, inspire hope, and develop supportive ecosystems for creatives of color in Arkansas. Arkansas possesses enormous untapped creative potential. Largely, the elements of inspiration and infrastructure to sustain success have prohibited more creatives of color from accessing our state’s growing opportunities in film and media. Visionairi strives to help creatives of color in Arkansas believe they can sustain successful careers and gain the skills and community to achieve their dreams. We are honored to work with the Clinton School of Public Service practicum students to build new connections, opportunities, and spaces for our communities.” – Dr. Airic Hughes, Co-Founder of the Visionairi Foundation
Wolfe Street Foundation
Team: Gabriel Orakwelu (Agulu, Nigeria), Gem Frueauff (Little Rock, Ark.), Ky’Lik Rich (East Saint Louis, Ill.), Pipa Pipa (Fairfax, Va.), Shaleah Dumas (Omaha, Neb.)
Under the supervision of Justin Buck, the Clinton School team will use qualitative methods to evaluate a new Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), designed to offer a recovery and substance use disorder peer support model for youth in Little Rock.
For this project, students will engage program staff, volunteers, juvenile justice professionals, behavioral health professionals, and participants in the Youth Empowerment Project to determine perceptions of the program, including strengths and areas of improvement.
“We have such a community asset practically next door at the Clinton School of Public Service. The Wolfe Street Foundation is proud to partner with these bright minds to create a scalable, sustainable impact in our backyard and across our home state! Together, we will help Arkansas youth access positive mental health, prevention, and recovery resources for happy, healthy futures.” – Justin Buck, Executive Director of Wolfe Street Foundation
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