UA Little Rock School of Public Affairs

Join the 2026 cohort of APAC's Certified Group Facilitator Program. Ideal for professionals who want to:
✔ Lead better meetings
✔ Improve collaboration
✔ Support effective group decision-making

Mission driven professionals from across the country participate.
💰 Program Fee: $2,250 (includes all instruction, materials & mentoring)
🗓 Blended format with only one trip expense: Online + four in-person days
⏰ Registration deadline coming up: January 30, 2026
👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/3fxWH5KfukUryWdNA

APAC is hosting its first public workshop this September: Presenting to Decision Makers. Strengthen the skill that can make or break success in public sector leadership. Don’t miss it!

Ever seen a great idea fall flat in front of leadership while a weaker one got approved—just because of how it was presented? In high-stakes settings, delivery makes the difference.

Join us for Presenting to Decision Makers, a one-day interactive workshop designed to help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

📅 Thursday, September 11, 2025
🕘 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT
💻 Live Online via Zoom
💲 $150 standard | $75 for Certified Public Manager® graduates
⏳ Register by August 27, 2025

What you’ll gain:
-Decode what decision-makers value and how they process information
-Craft persuasive messages that blend data, stories, and emotion
-Use a proven prep framework to design strategic presentations
-Overcome resistance and anticipate objections effectively

Instructor: Tabbi Kinion is a professional leadership trainer and coach with extensive experience helping public sector managers grow their communication and leadership skills.

Don’t let your next big idea get overlooked. Learn how to present with power and move decision-makers to action!

👉 Register now: https://forms.gle/JUh1Rzq9krJjXqLXA

We are excited to welcome Dr. David White as the Director of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Survey Research Center

We are excited to welcome Dr. Nina Alvandipour as our newest faculty member in the UA Little Rock School of Public Affairs

Congrats to University of Arkansas at Little Rock MPA student Meher Syeda on being selected as a 2025 American Society for Public Administration Founders Fellow!

https://www.aspanet.org/ASPA/About-ASPA/In-the-Community/Releases/ASPA-Announces-2025-Founders--Fellows.aspx

“The Class of 2025—27 strong—joins more than 375 talented and committed public service professionals who have benefited from this program since its inception,” ASPA Executive Director and CEO Bill Shields said. “Individually, each brings a set of educational, professional and life experiences that demonstrate so very well the reasons for their selection. Collectively, they represent the very best of what ASPA, our nation and the world have to offer when it comes to serving the public good effectively, efficiently and equitably.”

Founders’ Fellows receive a year-long series of developmental opportunities designed for their professional growth. Their participation will begin at ASPA’s 2025 Annual Conference, taking place March 28-April 1 in Washington, DC. The Fellows will present research, participate in customized programming and meet individually with their mentors who are matched with them based on academic and professional interests. Fellows participate in tailored webinars and continue their personal senior-mentor match throughout the year.

Meher joins UA Little Rock School of Public Affairs faculty, Derek Slagle, PhD, Christopher Tyler Burks, PhD, & Michaela Abbott who were previously selected as ASPA Founder Fellows

ASPA Announces 2025 Founders' Fellows Washington, DC.—The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) is pleased to announce its 2025 class of Founders’ Fellows, ASPA’s flagship program that recognizes the exceptional accomplishments and potential of the next generation of public servants in both academic and practitioner co...