JONESBORO — Five Arkansas State University students have been selected for the 2027 class of the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy (ACCLA), the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute announced this week.
The A-State students include Logan Cathey, a master’s student in political science from Jonesboro; Ryan Griffin, a junior political science major from Maumelle; Emma Hernandez, a senior political science major from Cabot; Janarie Prince, a senior pre-law and psychology major from New Orleans; and Jada Sumpter, a senior political science major from Barton.
These students are part of a cohort of 41 participants representing 12 colleges and universities across Arkansas. The ACCLA program offers a year-long, immersive civic education curriculum aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and connections to effect positive change in their communities.
Dr. Cameron Wimpy, chair of Arkansas State University’s Department of Government, Law, and Policy, played a key role in developing the ACCLA curriculum. He also confirmed that the department provides funding for A-State students to participate in the program.
The academy focuses on preparing the next generation of civic leaders by fostering relationships, confidence, and a sense of responsibility to serve and strengthen their communities. Janet Harris, who serves as director and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, emphasized the importance of the program, stating, “There are a lot of problems, there are a lot of challenges, and there are a lot of opportunities for you, as upcoming leaders, to shape the world that you want to see.”
Throughout the program, participants will engage in academic and experiential learning sessions while completing service-learning projects that address real-world community issues. These projects are designed to build practical leadership skills and a deeper understanding of civic engagement.
Dr. Liz Lundeen, the institute’s director of programs, highlighted the importance of the cohort model, explaining that effective civic leadership “grows through trust, collaboration, and a willingness to understand perspectives different from our own.” The program aims to foster not only skills but also a network of peers for students to draw on long after their participation concludes.
The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operates ACCLA with the support of organizations such as the McKuin Fund, the Engaged Learning Network, and AT&T Arkansas. The program underscores the institute’s mission of inspiring and promoting transformative civic and community leadership across the state.