Nick Cartwright, a first-year Clinton School of Public Service student, has been appointed as the Student Representative for the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Arkansas Chapter Council.
A native of Rose Bud, Arkansas, Cartwright brings a robust background in municipal government and county administration to the role. In this position, he will serve a one-year term representing student interests while assisting the council in supervising chapter affairs and aligning local initiatives with national ASPA policies.
Cartwright’s journey in public service began early. He was elected to the Rose Bud City Council at age 22, where he focused on enhancing local transparency through digital initiatives. His professional experience also includes serving as the Voter Registration Supervisor for the Pulaski County Circuit and County Clerk’s office, as well as holding a Master of Public Administration degree from Arkansas State University.
“I am very honored and grateful that they appointed me,” Cartwright said. “The chapter here in Arkansas is in a rebuilding phase. I am excited to join the effort and represent the interests of students, building upon my experience in local government to bring that perspective to the council as well.”
As the Arkansas Chapter works toward expanding its membership, Cartwright plans to utilize concepts from his Clinton School education to help drive growth. He specifically highlighted the influence of Dean Victoria DeFrancesco Soto’s “Foundations of Public Service” course.
“We had a whole module on systems thinking,” Cartwright said. “Whether you think about an issue, an organization, or a problem you want to tackle, you need to map out the system it lies in. As we work to build the chapter in Arkansas, I think it’s important to have a systems thinking mindset so we can have a true reach and understand what it takes to make a strong chapter.”
Cartwright emphasized that ASPA is a great space for anyone engaged in public administration and public service work, regardless of whether they work in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors. One of his primary goals is to boost membership across academic institutions and among young professionals.
The Arkansas Chapter will provide opportunities for members to collaborate on scholarships and participate in ASPA’s national conferences. Looking ahead, the chapter is also set to host the Southeastern Conference for Public Administration in 2028.
Cartwright, who intends to pursue a Ph.D. following his time at the Clinton School, sees this opportunity as a unique bridge between his current studies and his future career.
“Networking with other academics and professionals in the field will be a huge benefit and show me the variety of professions that are out there in public service and public administration careers,” Cartwright said. “Being involved in this council will help build relationships that can lead to future collaborations.”