The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service will enroll 41 new students in its Master of Public Service (MPS) degree program this fall. Located in downtown Little Rock on the grounds of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park and in the River Market District, the Clinton School is the nation’s first to offer an MPS degree.
Since opening in 2004, the school has attracted students from more than 40 countries and over 200 universities.
Thirty-five different undergraduate majors and 32 colleges and universities are represented among the students. The incoming students have studied, worked, and served in 21 countries across the world.
Students with armed service experience in the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army join those who have volunteered with The Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Teach for America. Six students in this class will be a part of the concurrent Juris Doctor degree program with the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.
Among the many national colleges and universities represented are the London School of Economics, Fudan University (Shanghai, China), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Kumasi, Ghana), Dillard University, Syracuse University, Florida State University, Michigan State University, and the University of Virginia.
Ten different Arkansas colleges and universities are represented in the class.
“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.”
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.
Orientation for the new class begins August 12 and classes start August 20.
Denisse Alanis (Little Rock, Ark.) – Alanis is a graduate of Agnes Scott College with a degree in religion and social justice. She has worked as an English instructor in South Korea and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo. She spent time as an AmeriCorps member focusing on job placement of international refugee clients. Her public service interests include the correlation between the domestic and international forced displacement of Congolese communities.
Zach Baumgarten (Monticello, Ark.) – 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.
Maggie Benton (Jonesboro, Ark.) – A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, with a degree in communication, Benton was the winner of the Miss Arkansas 2017 Scholarship Pageant and served as the UAF Associated Student Government Vice President. Additionally, she is heavily involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Her public service interests include the education system, philanthropy, and nonprofit efforts.
Christian Canizales (Jonesboro, Ark.) – Canizales is a graduate of Arkansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in world languages and cultures. He served as president of the ASU Multicultural Center Ambassadors and was the social media manager for the Hispanic Outreach Latino Appreciation Club at ASU. His public service interests include public education (minority student protective policy), LGBT, and women’s rights.
Katie Clark (Flint, Mich.) – A graduate of St. Edward’s University with a degree in political science, Clark has served as a volunteer coordinator with Planned Parenthood and was a Campus Ambassador with the Peace Corps. She previously worked as a Donor Liaison VISTA at Our House. Her public service interests include women’s health.
Andrew Counce (Memphis, Tenn.) – A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, with a degree in biology, Counce was the UAF Associated Student Government President as a senior. He volunteered at a local Boys and Girls Club in Fayetteville, and has worked as director of sports and recreation at a summer camp in Bolivar, Tenn. His public service interests include education and health.
Caleb Denton (Booneville, Ark.) – Denton graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in environmental science. He worked as an intern at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces and, as an undergraduate, collaborated with Central Arkansas Water to care for newly reforesting fields. His public service interests include environmental aid, alternative energy, humanitarian aid, and immigrant rights.
Molly Emerson (Astoria, New York) – Emerson graduated from Wright State University with a degree in musical theater. She has worked as a professional actress with Actors Equity Association, performing on national tours, cruise ships, and regional theaters. Additionally, she was a Fellows Leader with Organizing for Action. Her public service interests include environmental protection and education.
Lara Farrar (Hot Springs, Ark.) – A graduate of Boston University with a degree in journalism, Farrar went on to earn master’s degrees in global media from the London School of Economics and Fudan University. She has worked as a reporter in Boston and London and spent time as a foreign correspondent in China. Her public service interests include human rights, women and children, media, and development.
Bailey Fohr (Nashville, Tenn.) – Fohr graduated from Florida State University with a degree in international affairs and political science. She has spent time as a marketing and evaluations intern with Awamaki, a Peruvian nonprofit. Her public service interests include immigrant rights, disaster response and emergency preparedness, urban planning in developing countries, and issues facing the Latin American and Caribbean region.
Allison Gent (Orange, Va.) – A graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in sociology, Gent spent two years with City Year Little Rock as both a corps member and a team leader working alongside students and communities in southwest Little Rock. She previously volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. Her public service interests include youth empowerment, community development, education, and housing.
Savanna George (Searcy, Ark.) – A graduate of Harding University with a degree in social work, George has worked as a client advocate for White County Domestic Violence Prevention, Inc., and case manager with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. She is a charter member of the Harding University Likewise Taskforce. Her public service interests include public safety, rehabilitation, and social justice.
Johnisha Graham (Lake Village, Ark.) – A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in family and consumer sciences, Graham served as the program coordinator for the Little Rock School District, Title I Sheltered Tutoring and Enrichment Program for Success (S.T.E.P.S). She served two years as a City Year AmeriCorps member. Her public service interests include education and poverty.
Megan Grubb (Indianola, Iowa) – Grubb graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in international studies and Spanish. She was an AmeriCorps member with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and was an ESL instructor for the Ministry of Education in Colombia. Her volunteer experience includes the United Nations Association, Iowa City Chapter. Her public service interests include international development.
Logan Hunt (Newport, Ark.) – A graduate of Lyon College as a double major in history and religion and philosophy, Hunt served as a liaison between the school and Our Father’s Table, a local soup kitchen. His work at the kitchen involved delivering food and recruiting and organizing volunteers. His public service interests include conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Nathan Keltch (Little Rock, Ark.) – 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.
Adam Kleinerman (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) – A graduate from the University of Missouri with a degree in history, Kleinerman has worked with the Global Repair Group and spent time in the Dominican Republic as a Peace Corps member. His public service interests include HIV/AIDS prevention and birth control.
Corinne Kwapis (Fairview Heights, Ill.) – 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.
Robert Morris (Jacksonville, Ark.) – A graduate of Arkansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication, Morris has worked as a marketing intern for the United Way of Northeast Arkansas and the Downtown Jonesboro Association. He was an executive board member for St. Jude Up ’til Dawn. His public service interests include fundraising and philanthropic efforts, nonprofit work, and program development.
Shelby Morrow (Dallas, Texas) – A graduate of Hendrix College with a degree in anthropology, Morrow recently finished a year of service as a Development VISTA at Our House. She previously worked as a Youth Program AmeriCorps member at Our Club. Her public service interests include human rights, community and economic development, and climate change.
Reiko Muranaka (Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) – A graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in economics and finance, Muranaka has worked as an internal business IT consultant in Daikin Industries, Ltd. She has experience as a Food Donation Volunteer for Main Street Mission. Her public service interests include international development and human rights.
Justin Murdock (Conway, Ark.) – Murdock is a graduate of Hendrix College with degrees in chemistry and Spanish. His service experience includes time as an AmeriCorps member at City Year Miami and City Year Little Rock. He was a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Uruguay. His public service interests include educational equity both in the U.S. and abroad, youth development, international education, and environmental sustainability.
Shandrea Murphy (Little Rock, Ark.) – 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.
Christopher Ogom (Marsabit, Kenya) – Ogom is a graduate of Catholic University of Eastern Africa with a degree in commerce and finance. He worked as a procurement, logistics, and administration consultant at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries. He volunteered at Kargi Catholic Dispensary as a health educator. His public service interests include poverty eradication, provision of quality education, good governance, and health care.
Richmond Osei-Danquah (Nkawkaw, Ghana) – Osei-Danquah graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with a degree in policy planning. His work experience includes times as an assistant development planning officer with West Akim Municipal Assembly in Asamankese and a child development officer with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection. His public service interests include health and education.
Eric Osei (Sunyani, Ghana) – Osei is a graduate of the University for Development Studies with a bachelor’s degree in Planning and Rural Development and the Institute of Local Government Studies with a master’s degree in local government administration and organization. He has worked for the Ghana Education Service and the Department of Community Development. His public service interests include education policies, poverty reduction, waste management, and emergency services.
Alexis Pinkston (North Little Rock, Ark.) – 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 (Sparta, Mich.) – Powell graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in cultural and global studies. He spent six years as a United States 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.
Brady Ruffin (Clinton, Miss.) – A graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in integrated marketing communications, Ruffin worked for the McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement. He served as coordinator for the McLean Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. His public service interests include youth empowerment, racial reconciliation, civic engagement, and juvenile justice.
Jordan Sanders (Little Rock, Ark.) – A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in communication, Sanders has worked with The Wallace Center at Winrock International on its Community Based Food Systems project. Her public service interests include youth development, food justice, and social equity.
Christian Scott (Mountain View, Ark.) – 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.
Samantha Sheffield (Austin, Texas) – Sheffield graduated from Texas State University with a degree in public relations. She worked with College Forward as an AmeriCorps volunteer. During her final year at Texas State, she served as communications director for her church in Austin. Her public service interests include civic engagement, youth development, education, and environmental sustainability.
Sean Street (Hot Springs, Ark.) – Street is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration. He has held internships with LyondellBasell Industries in Houston and Chicago and Wishfin in Delhi, India. His public service interests include community development, social entrepreneurship, and microlending.
Cody Styers (North Little Rock, Ark.) – A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in family and consumer science, Styers has been involved with the North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council since high school. He volunteers with Canvas Community Church. His public service interests include homeless or low-income people.
Maya Tims (Little Rock, Ark.) – Tims graduated from Dillard University with a degree in English. She has volunteered with City Year as a ninth-grade English tutor and was a literacy teacher with the Peace Corps in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Her public service interests include development of communities of color, civil rights, and education.
Alex Tingquist (Little Rock, Ark.) – Tingquist is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville with a degree in social work. His AmeriCorps experience includes time as a VISTA at Our House and a state member at Trinity Center in Austin, Texas. He has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the University of Texas Poverty Simulation. His public service interests include homelessness and housing stability.
Rachel Villafane (St. Louis, Mo.) – A graduate of Truman State University with a degree in psychology, Villafane taught math in the Little Rock School District through Teach for America. Her public service interests include youth engagement.
Megan Wallace (Malvern, Ark.) – Wallace graduated from the University of the Ozarks with a degree in mathematics. As an AmeriCorps member, she worked at Joseph Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp. Her public service interests include educational systems, environmental protection, and health care.
Ben Washington (Jacksonville, Ark.) – 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. (Portsmouth, Va.) – 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 United States Marine Corps. His public service interests include access to justice, access to education, and access to healthy food choices.
Andrea Zekis (Little Rock, Ark.) – Zekis has graduated of the University of Evansville with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, Syracuse University with a master’s degree in broadcast journalism, and the University of Central Arkansas with a master’s degree in geographic information systems. Her service experience focused on LGBTQ rights. Her interests include applying GIS and spatial thinking to policy, community building, economic justice and sustainability efforts.
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