One of the goals of Arkansas Governor’s School is to bring bright young minds from across the Natural State together so they can compare notes and learn more about the varied and distinct regions that comprise their home state.
Eli Hillman of Stuttgart lived out that goal during his four-week stay at Arkansas Tech University for the 47th Arkansas Governor’s School July 5-Aug. 1.
“I bring my views from the delta, and other people have their own views and their own problems,” said Hillman. “I got to see all their problems and the solutions people have brought up across Arkansas. I think it was really helpful for me to see Arkansas as a whole and not just the delta region.”
Approximately 390 rising high school seniors from Arkansas completed AGS 2026, which concluded with a closing ceremony at John E. Tucker Coliseum on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Hillman focused his AGS Area I studies on the economy, natural resources and people of Arkansas. That topic afforded him the ability to consider ways in which rural communities can attract and retain residents.
“I think small towns need to work on bigger attractions,” said Hillman. “In Stuttgart, we have the Wings Over the Prairie Festival. More small towns need to do things like that to bring people in and have big events that people remember so they want to bring their kids back and maybe even settle down there.”
One of Hillman’s favorite aspects of Arkansas Governor’s School was the absence of grades.
“I think it’s really helpful because I’m not as much stressed about it,” said Hillman. “I can just work on it and do my best without being scared. I want to make all As, but here I wasn’t constantly under the pressure of that. I could just do my work and have fun with it without worrying about that as much.”
Some of Hillman’s favorite times at Arkansas Governor’s School were the Saturday night social events such as silent disco.
“I really didn’t know what college was like, so coming to this has me pumped up for college,” said Hillman. “I think it’s a great way to experience college life with a smaller number of people so you can make a lot of friends and learn a lot, too. All the events they have here are a great way to meet people and bond.
“I am a lot more outgoing,” continued Hillman. “Before this, I was a little shy meeting new friends, but being here has helped me open up. Also, especially in our Area II classes, I learned how to communicate my beliefs better. Everyone has their beliefs, everyone wants to share them and they promote that, so I think that has helped me the most.”
This year marked the eighth consecutive year Arkansas Governor’s School has been conducted at Arkansas Tech in Russellville.
“I think it’s a really great campus…probably the best I’ve been to,” said Hillman when asked about ATU. “I’ve been to several different campuses for different events and camps, but this is by far the best. I love the new Ferguson Student Union…all the things it has to offer…and then just coming to (Baswell Techionery) to play cards with my friends. I think the facilities are really nice.”
Kacen James of Russellville High School studied visual arts during AGS 2026.
“It’s a really great place to meet all kinds of new and very interesting people, and just explore whatever you’re passionate about,” said James. “Meeting everyone and being social is absolutely the best part (of AGS). Everyone is unique and different. There are so many different viewpoints, beliefs and backgrounds. Hearing people from really small towns and really big towns is really interesting because they have so many different viewpoints I wouldn’t have thought about.
“I feel more confident in my art and I’m much more confident to go to senior year,” continued James. “I’m more confident about college and how I will do there because this is a mini version of that. It’s made me more confident all around.”
Another Russellville High School student, Kerrington Black, focused her AGS studies on social science.
“It was very busy, but very fun,” said Black. “It was unlike anything I have experienced before. I learned so much, and I met a lot of people. It’s brought me a lot of new perspectives. Studying with the same people you’ve known all your life…you kind of think the same way, but getting that outside perspective has been eye opening.
“Living on campus gave me an idea of what college is like,” continued Black. “I feel like I’ve been more open to try new things. Usually, I’m not that social, but here I’ve been more willing to meet new people.”
Landen Layman of Valley View High School in Jonesboro experienced a similar emergence from his shell during AGS 2026.
“When I showed up here on July 5, I was very nervous,” said Layman, who focused his AGS studies in mathematics. “I, honestly, was kind of antisocial and pretty quiet. Now, I feel much more outgoing, more social and I feel like I have tried to make a lot of new friends. That’s something about me that has really changed, and I’ll try to keep that going forward…to be more extroverted and try to make more friends in the future.
“These four weeks were a lot of fun,” continued Layman. “A lot of the fun came from making friends. As much as you think it’s about academics, a lot of it was focused on meeting people. To get here, meet people from all across the state, people from different backgrounds, people with different ideas and different futures ahead of them, it was interesting to hear their experiences, what they’ve been through and what they’re working toward.”
Arkansas Governor’s School is supervised by the Arkansas Department of Education Gifted and Talented Programs administrator with assistance from an advisory council appointed by the governor.
Dr. Jacob Grosskopf, ATU associate professor of geology, serves as director for AGS.
Arkansas Tech will host the 48th Arkansas Governor’s School during summer 2027.
Learn more about Arkansas Governor’s School at www.atu.edu/ags.
