Students in an Arkansas Tech University senior-level tourism class visited Mount Magazine State Park and the Fort Smith National Historic Site on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, to gain hands-on experience with public lands.
“This type of trip is a testament to Arkansas Tech University’s commitment to providing students with meaningful professional experiences beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Michael Bradley, dean of the ATU Graduate College and associate professor of tourism. “By engaging directly with parks, professionals and resources, students gain a deeper understanding of how interpretation can shape visitor experiences and promote stewardship.”
Bradley is teaching the Field Seminar in Natural Resource Interpretation course at ATU during the spring 2026 semester. Dr. Jay Post, ATU associate professor of tourism, joined the field trip as an additional facilitator.
“Throughout the course, students are developing their own interpretive skills by creating educational materials tied to real-world settings,” said Bradley. “For each site visited, students select a specific resource and design an interpretive poster suitable for use in a park setting. As a culminating project, each student will produce a five-episode podcast series focused on a resource found within the Arkansas State Park system, interpreting that resource across five different parks.”
During the Mount Magazine State Park visit, ATU students learned about the management and operations of the park, how to enhance the visitor experience and the variety of career opportunities available through Arkansas’ state parks.
“Students also completed a service-learning litter cleanup project, reinforcing the importance of stewardship and responsible recreation,” said Bradley. “The group participated in guided interpretive hikes, experiencing the park’s natural beauty and scenic overlooks. For many students, the visit marked their first time standing atop the highest point in Arkansas. The evening concluded with structured reflection, discussion and team-building activities, allowing students to process their experiences and connect them to course concepts.”
Bradley said the Sunday visit to the Fort Smith National Historic Site shifted the ATU students’ emphasis to historical interpretation.
“One program explored a real historical murder case, walking students through the legal and investigative processes following the apprehension of the suspect,” said Bradley. “This experience provided a compelling example of how storytelling and interpretation can bring history to life for visitors.”
Learn more about the ATU tourism program at www.atu.edu/business/tourism.
