JONESBORO — Five Arkansas State University students have been selected to join the 2027 cohort of the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy (ACCLA), an initiative of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute.
The A-State students chosen for the program are Logan Cathey, a master’s degree student in political science from Jonesboro; Ryan Griffin, a junior majoring in political science from Maumelle; Emma Hernandez, a senior political science major from Cabot; Janarie Prince, a senior studying pre-law and psychology from New Orleans; and Jada Sumpter, a senior political science major from Barton, Arkansas.
They are among 41 students from 12 colleges and universities across the state selected for the program, which offers participants a comprehensive civic education curriculum aimed at equipping emerging leaders to drive positive change in their communities.
The curriculum, co-created by Dr. Cameron Wimpy, chair of Arkansas State's Department of Government, Law, and Policy, combines academic learning, service projects, and immersive experiences to help participants develop practical skills and civic networks. A-State’s Department of Government, Law, and Policy covers the program costs for its students, according to Dr. Wimpy.
“The ACCLA helps lay the foundation for the next generation of civic leaders by building relationships, confidence, and a sense of responsibility,” said Janet Harris, director and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. “There are challenges and opportunities ahead, and we encourage these leaders to shape the world they want to see.”
Throughout the program year, students will engage in academic sessions, experiential learning, and service-learning projects designed to address real-world community needs. Dr. Liz Lundeen, director of programs at the institute, emphasized the importance of collaboration in civic leadership, noting, “The cohort model is intentional. Leadership grows through trust, collaboration, and a willingness to understand different perspectives.”
The Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy is a program of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, a nonprofit organization. Its founding sponsors include the McKuin Fund, the Engaged Learning Network, and AT&T Arkansas.