Three Arkansas Tech University students are members of the pilot cohort for the Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy (ACCLA).
Jasper Millsaps of Dover, Isis Pena of Conway and Gabriel Strickland of Twin Groves are representing ATU in ACCLA during the 2025-26 academic year.
Dr. Michael Rogers, ATU professor of political science, is a member of the ACCLA Advisory Committee.
Created and executed by the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, ACCLA provides upper-level university and college students with opportunities to gain the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to evolve into the next generation of leadership for Arkansas and beyond.
The program began in September with an orientation and kickoff session that included remarks from Asa Hutchinson, the 46th governor of Arkansas and a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In the subsequent months, the ACCLA participants have studied dialogue, values-based action, the role and structure of government, journalism, elections and service.
“These sessions have taught me you have to have confidence, patience and decorum to help someone be more civically engaged,” said Strickland, who is a senior majoring in sociology and criminology at Arkansas Tech. “The program teaches you how to be involved locally and that we are more alike then what we all think. Seeing other students at universities gives me hope for the future and shows that the future is bright for my fellow peers. It also puts in perspective that we all think differently, and we can come up with a greater solution to discussing and debating. The qualities that leaders of my generation should possess to move forward is to be more open to a difference of opinion and to be more patient with people. Patience brings about change which can help us reach a common goal.”
Pena, a senior political science major at ATU, was drawn to the program by the opportunity to learn how students can actively contribute to their communities and develop skills that translate into real public service.
“I wanted to understand better how leadership and civic engagement work in practice, not just in the classroom,” said Pena. “The sessions have helped me see leadership as something grounded in collaboration, listening and accountability rather than authority alone. ACCLA has shown me that public service starts at the local level, and meaningful change often comes from small, consistent actions rather than grand positions of power. Engaging with peers from other universities has broadened my perspective by exposing me to diverse experiences, backgrounds and leadership approaches. It has helped me better understand the diverse challenges facing communities across Arkansas and reinforced the importance of inclusive statewide collaboration.”
The ACCLA pilot cohort will graduate from the program on April 10 during a ceremony at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on top of Petit Jean Mountain.
“Leaders of my generation need empathy, adaptability and a strong sense of ethical responsibility,” said Pena. “They must be willing to listen to marginalized voices, work across differences and remain committed to serving the public good rather than personal or political gain. ACCLA has been a meaningful experience that has helped me grow both personally and academically. It has strengthened my interest in public service and connected me with a supportive network of peers who are committed to improving their communities and the future of Arkansas.”
Learn more about ACCLA at https://rockefellerinstitute.org/programs/arkansas-collegiate-civic-leadership-academy.
