Nine leaders from the Arkansas Tech University student body participated in 2026 Student Government Day at the State Capitol in Little Rock on Friday, March 6.
The visit included a tour of the State Capitol and meetings with Secretary of State Cole Jester and Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Nicholas Bronni as well as representatives from the Office of U.S. Senator John Boozman, the Office of the Arkansas Attorney General and the Office of the Arkansas Governor.
“I think the most impactful thing was meeting the elected representatives,” said Carson Smith, a senior from Russellville and ATU SGA president. “Getting to hear their stories and the path they took to get where they are now helped me see how I could implement those things into my education and my professional career so I can get where they are. They explained that anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter your background or where you come from. Anyone can do it. Seeing the passion they have for their jobs was really reassuring as an Arkansan.”
Additional highlights included learning about the State of Arkansas intern program for emerging leaders, a visit to the floor of the Arkansas Senate, a conversation with a representative from Gilmore Davis Strategy Group, an inside look at the Office of the Arkansas Treasurer and an opportunity to walk through the historic bronze doors of the capitol.
“Our time there was about learning about the opportunities that Arkansas government holds,” said Fernando Flores, a junior from Clarksville and ATU SGA secretary of finance and administration. “Secretary of State Cole Jester put it really well. He said that our great-grandparents poured money, blood, sweat and tears into that building so we can enjoy it and we can walk through those bronze doors. It was a great opportunity.”
Smith and Flores were joined for the visit to the State Capitol by fellow ATU student leaders Rose Gunther of Bigelow, Cain Harmon of Magazine, Timothy Hufford of Corning, Lucy LaDuke of Hot Springs, Courtney Mayberry of East End, Drake Riggs of Dover and Bethani Walter of Dardanelle.
The ATU student leaders were accompanied by Jaime Land, ATU director of government relations, and Kevin Solomon, ATU assistant vice president for campus life and advisor for ATU SGA.
Learn more about ATU Student Government Association at www.atu.edu/sga.
