Political Science Students Take Part in Leadership Academy

Four University of the Ozarks political science majors and their professor are helping pilot a new statewide program designed to shape the next generation of civic leaders in Arkansas.

Students Kaleb D. Jacobs, Vanessa Martinez, Isabel Shelton and Taylor Yates, as well as Dr. Daniel Fudge, assistant professor of political science, are all participating in the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy (ACCLA), a first-year program that will span the 2025-26 academic year. Presented by the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, the academy is specifically designed for college students in their junior and senior years and is aimed "to empower them with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to become effective community leaders."

Participants will engage in education on dialogue, values-based action, the role and structure of government, journalism, elections, and service. In addition to being part of a pilot network of students dedicated to public service and professionalism, academy graduates will also receive the Civic Arkansas Credential. The program's graduation ceremony is scheduled for April 10, 2026, at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on atop Petit Jean Mountain.

Fudge, who is on the academy's advisory committee, said having Ozarks students involved in a civic leadership program will "only strengthen the impact Ozarks students can have on the civic health of their communities and the state of Arkansas."

"With the excellent work the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute does in fostering meaningful conversations and creating a culture of collaboration, our students will engage with their peers from other Arkansas colleges and through networking, engagement, and learning-these students will be well prepared to go on to not just be better citizens, but will advance the true ideals of civic responsibility in their future," Fudge said. "As an advisory member of the ACCLA, I knew that our students will greatly benefit from this program, and I look forward to seeing more of our students participate in the future."

Yates, a junior political science and finance major from Ozark, Ark., said he hopes the experience will lead to him making connections and contacts throughout the state.

"So far it's been great meeting the other participants and hearing their perspectives throughout our discussions," Yates said. "I hope to gain many new connections, expand my ideas, and, as a future leader, learn from the experiences of others while developing my own approach to leadership and collaboration. My career goal is to attend law school and pursue a career in public policy or foreign affairs, where I can apply legal knowledge and diplomatic understanding to address issues that affect both Arkansas and the broader global community. I believe the leadership academy will benefit me by refining my communication and leadership skills, connecting me with mentors and peers across the state, and helping me develop the perspective needed to navigate complex civic and international challenges."

Martinz, a senior political science and psychology major from Clarksville, said she learned about the academy from Fudge and decided to apply when she learned more about it.

"Dr. Fudge encouraged me to look into the program that he had helped coordinate and to consider being a part of the first cohort for this pilot program," Martinez said. "The ability to influence change in society is one of the main reasons I chose to study politics, and this program aligns perfectly with that goal. It emphasizes the importance of developing the skills needed to find solutions to problems that affect not only us but our community as well."

Martinez, who hopes to pursue a career in public policy, said she is particularly excited about the service-learning project that is part of the program.

"The academy requires us to develop a service-learning project throughout the duration of the program, which gives us the opportunity to develop a project centered around finding a solution to a problem that continuously affects our community," Martinez said. "The positive change to my community that could result from a project like this is something I am looking forward to seeing. The skills and experience gained from a project like this is something I hope to bring to other future projects of my professional career since it allows me to understand how to begin to plan and execute real and impactful societal change. In addition, I am hoping that this experience will allow me to better connect with my community. Even though I am from Clarksville, I have always felt a form of disconnect related to the problems that many of the people within my community face. Through the leadership academy, I hope that I will be able to acquire the skills to more efficiently recognize and create solutions to these problems."

Jacobs, a senior political science major from Clarksville, said the academy aligns with his interests in American politics and civic engagement.

"When this opportunity came up, Dr. Fudge and I both agreed that it would be an excellent fit for me, not just academically, but also in strengthening leadership skills that can aid me in the future," Jacobs said. "I see the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy as a chance to build on that passion and prepare for the responsibilities that I am prepared to take on later in life."

Jacobs, who plans to pursue a Ph.D. In political science, said the academy "has given me an excellent opportunity to connect with other students across the state who all share the same passion, and it inspires me to keep growing as a leader."

"I hope to deepen my understanding of the media's impact on politics while also becoming more fluent in local, state, and national issues," he added. "Most importantly, I value the chance to engage in meaningful conversations across differences, which is something that's increasingly rare but vital in today's world."

Shelton, a junior political science major from Scranton, Ark., said she became interested in applying to the academy as soon as Fudge told her about it.

"I am grateful to Dr. Fudge for telling me about the leadership academy because I have truly enjoyed it so far," Shelton said. "I have already started to make the connections I was hoping for, and it has also been pretty inspiring. The faculty has done a wonderful job balancing learning and fun activities that correlate to that learning. One of the main things I'm hoping to gain is connections that I can utilize after graduation. I am also hoping to learn more about how I can be more civically engaged, and how I can inspire others to be as well."

Shelton said she plans to attend law school after graduating from Ozarks.

"I will hopefully work for a non-profit that focuses on helping underprivileged people," she said. "A large part of the work I would do involves civic engagement and leadership. I want to improve in those areas as much as I can so that I can do the best job possible when helping others."

Topics: Political Science