Department News

Department alumnus retires after 46 years of military and civilian service

James “Lionell” Owens, a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, retired after 46 years of active-duty military and civilian service for the United States Air Force (USAF) on September 30, 2026. While a student at UCA, Lionell served as Secretary-General of the Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN) in 1975 and was selected as the Outstanding Student in the College of Science and Humanities in 1976. After graduating from UCA in August 1976, Lionell attended law school at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and earned a Juris Doctorate degree in 1980. Lionell entered active-duty military service in the USAF as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate and Area Defense Counsel at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB) in Mississippi from 1980 to 1982. He served as Chief of Military Justice and Chief of International Law at Clark Air Base (AB) in the Philippines from 1982 to 1985. Lionell served as a special agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), including as commander of five different AFOSI detachments in the U.S. (Lackland AFB and Brooks AFB) and Saudi Arabia (Riyadh AB) during Operations Desert Storm and Southern Watch. Lionell subsequently was assigned to CENTCOM Forward and returned to Saudi Arabia in 1998-99 as CENTCOM’s Theater Counterintelligence Coordinator.

Upon his return to Texas, Lionell commanded Det 252, AFOSI’s 60-member Antiterrorism Specialty Deployment Team (AST), through 9/11, the deployment of three AST teams to support Operation Enduring Freedom, and AST’s preparations for Operation Iraqi Freedom until his retirement from active-duty military service as a Lt. Colonel on January 1, 2003. Lionell immediately began working as a civilian special agent with AFOSI, including serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom as Deputy Director of Counterintelligence for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, Iraq from June to December 2003. Lionell served as an Instructor at AFOSI’s Special Investigations Academy, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, in Glynco, Georgia from 2004 to 2006; Force Protection Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen in 2006; Chief of Counterintelligence and Warfighting, AFOSI, 4th Field Investigations Region, Randolph AFB, Texas from 2006 to 2010; Chief of Criminal/Fraud Investigations and Death Case Reviewer, 5th Field Investigations Region, Ramstein AB, Germany from 2010 to 2012; AFOSI’s Criminal Investigations and Operations Consultant, 3rd Field Investigations Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, Texas from 2013 to 2016; AFOSI’s Sex Assault Investigations and Operations Consultant, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, Texas from 2016 to 2023; and Command Inspector, Inspector General Inspection Team, Headquarters AFOSI, Quantico, VA, with duty at JBSA Lackland, Texas from 2023 to 2026.

Posted in: Alumni News on October 30, 2026

Department presents 2026 Distinguished Alumnus Awards

Two alumni of the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies (GPI) were presented distinguished alumnus awards by department chair Dr. Mark Mullenbach during a reception hosted by the GPI Department in Buffalo Alumni Hall on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Several alumni, faculty, students, and other guests attending the reception were welcomed by UCA President Houston Davis. UCA Provost Michael Hargis and Dr. Tom Williams, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, also attended the event.

A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Joe (Randy) Thurman earned Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville in 1977. After serving for two years on the Heber Springs City Council and serving as Director of the Cleburne County Industrial Development Commission in Heber Springs, Randy served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1989 to 1994, representing parts of Cleburne, White, and Van Buren counties. In 1993, Randy was named as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Environmental Federation, and he served in that capacity for two decades. In 1998, Randy was a founding partner of Government Solutions, LLC, a professional lobbying firm that provides full-service government relations for some of Arkansas’ largest companies and professional associations.

A graduate of UCA in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in political science, Shelley (Pope) Short earned a Master of Arts (MA) degree in political management from Regents University in 2001. Shelly served as Vice President of the United Way of Pulaski County from 2001 to 2003 and Director of Development for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance from 2006 to 2006, when she began her economic development career with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). Shelley served as Director of Marketing for the AEDC from 2015 to 2022. During that period, she also served as Vice President of Programs for the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce / Associated Industries of Arkansas and as Executive Director of Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives. In 2022, Shelley was named as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County.

Posted in: Distinguished Alumnus Award on October 8, 2026

UCA student selected as 2026-2027 Newman Civic Fellow

Taylor Brewer

Taylor Brewer, Newman Civic Fellow

Taylor Brewer, a UCA history major and Legal Studies minor, was recently selected for the 2026-2027 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows. A native of Jonesboro, Taylor is also a student in the UCA Schedler Honors College at UCA. Taylor is currently serving as the Secretary-General of the Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN) Conference, which will be hosted by UCA on November 20-21, 2026.

The Newman Civic Fellowship program recognizes students who stand out for their leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in communities. Through the Newman Civic Fellowship program, students are provided with learning and networking opportunities that help to nurture their development as civic leaders. Programming emphasizes personal, professional, and civic growth that can empower them to collaborate effectively across disciplines and create large-scale positive change.

Taylor will join other Newman Civic Fellows at the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows on November 5-7, 2026. This event offers fellows intensive in-person skill-building and networking. Click here for more information.

Posted in: General on September 29, 2026

UCA students participate in NextGen Service Corps Summer Policy Academy

Two students pursuing BPA degrees in Public Administration at UCA – Kylie McGraw and Abigail Wells – participated in the Next Generation Service Corps Summer Policy Academy in June 2026. The Summer Policy Academy is a fully funded professional development program designed to empower undergraduate students to explore careers in public service, network with public service professionals, and learn more about specific policy issues. The Summer Policy Academy is funded by the Volcker Alliance. The students spent one week in Washington DC, including meetings with public service professionals and visits to federal government agencies. Subsequently, Kylie spent two weeks at the University of California-Berkeley in the Democracy & Law Policy Program, and Abigail spent two weeks at the University of Washington-Seattle in the Social Policy Program. Both students received a $1,000 stipend upon program completion and had access to career readiness resources and career mentorship. UCA is launching its NextGen Service Corps program in 2026-2027.

Posted in: NextGen Service Corps on August 27, 2026

Remembering Dr. Mark Elrod

Dr. Mark Elrod

It is with heavy hearts and profound sorrow that our department’s faculty and staff share the news of the passing of our cherished friend and esteemed colleague, Dr. Mark Elrod, earlier this week after a short illness. In 2014, Mark came to our department after teaching political science courses at Harding University for 27 years. Over the past 12 years, Mark was an active and invaluable member of the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies (GPI), including coordinating the annual Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN) conference at UCA and the department’s commemoration of Constitution Day each September. Mark was a remarkably dedicated classroom instructor and key faculty advisor for the UCA Model United Nations student organization, including accompanying students to Model UN conferences each academic year. His impact on student experiential learning through the UCA MUN, the Washington Center, and his work at Harding University with study abroad set the high standard our department strives to meet each year for students across Arkansas. Mark’s influence reached far beyond our department; through his passionate teaching of US Government & Politics, he became an unforgettable part of many of our students’ academic journeys at UCA. His impact on students went above and beyond that of just a “college professor”, reaching the halls of Arkansas high schools with his 25-year service to Arkansas Governor’s School and his commitment to organizing the Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN) conference every November at UCA for hundreds of high school students across the region.

Mark will always be fondly remembered for his ability to bring a smile to our faces with his sense of humor and, particularly, his “dad jokes.” He was particularly admired for his trivia knowledge, which ranged from knowing the pet of every President in the White House (even Rebecca, the raccoon pet of President Coolidge) to sports, history, and pop culture. For every department celebration, Mark was in peak form for the theme, from his 1970’s Halloween costume as Richard Nixon to his winning “Ugly Holiday Sweater” featuring great white sharks wearing Christmas bells. You could always track Mark’s presence in the department office simply by following the laughs and smiles that he left in his wake. Mark was a proud father to his son, Alan, and he was ecstatic about the recent birth of his granddaughter, Maisie. Mark embodied the importance of citizenship and public service, serving in many capacities on and off UCA campus. In 2014, he was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe to the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission, on which he served until 2020. As a proud U.S. Navy veteran, Mark also served on UCA’s veterans’ affairs committee, which led campus efforts to commemorate Veterans Day each November and helped create the Veterans Resource Center on campus. We will greatly miss Mark’s presence in the department, but the department will honor his life and legacy going forward.

Mark’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock. Visitation starts at noon, and the service starts at 2:00 pm.

Posted in: General on August 27, 2026

UCA students participate in Inside Washington Seminar

Fifteen UCA students had the opportunity to participate in The Washington Center (TWC) Inside Washington Seminar in Washington DC on January 6-14, 2026. The UCA students, who were instructed by Dr. Bailey Fairbanks from the UCA Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies (GPI), joined a group of 300 participants from across the country who gathered in person for a unique insider’s view into the state of politics, policy, and diplomacy in the national capital. The UCA students – Mary Kate Cain, Maritsa Rosas, Richard Ware, Katelyn Nees, Madelyn White, Alec Williams, Lillian Ward, Caroline Fortenberry, Mitchell Gray, Sydney Poe, Taylor Brewer, Corbin Williams, Connor Farmer, Catherine Brewer, and Taylor Aldana – benefited from financial support from the State of Arkansas and the TWC, as well as Student Experiential Learning Fund (SELF) grants funded by GPI Department alumni, faculty, and other contributors.

Throughout the week, keynote speakers and panel participants included representatives from the Brookings Institution, the American Enterprise Institute, NBC News, the Washington Post, the Cook Political Report, and the Cato Institute. In addition, the UCA students gained access to influential organizations and institutions across D.C., including meetings at the Pentagon, the European Union Delegation, and the American Securities Project. Students were also given a private tour of the U.S. Capitol Building by Senator John Boozman’s staff and a one-on-one meeting with Senator Boozman to discuss issues impacting Arkansans each day.

“The Washington Center is committed to building access, equity, and opportunity for all learners as they chart their path from college to career,” said Kim Churches, TWC President. “By inviting learners to D.C., we hope they can experience the power they have to shape policy and tackle the many challenges we face as a nation and in our own communities. Thanks to funding from Arkansas, our goal is to help even more students find their own role in protecting and preserving our democracy.” TWC’s Inside Washington Seminar 2026 emphasized the pivotal moment in history by delving into the issues that matter most. Speakers and discussions examined topics such as the elections, healthcare, gun safety, and more. Hearing first-hand from the individuals who have shaped these critical issues gave students an unparalleled perspective on leadership and civic engagement.

Posted in: General on May 15, 2026

Department graduate accepted into Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

Nick Tollison, who graduated from UCA in May 2020 with a BA degree in International Studies, was recently accepted into the Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) Program at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington DC starting in Fall 2026. Since May 2021, Nick has worked as a Software Tester for Acxiom Corporation in Conway, Arkansas. Nick is the lead software tester for all of Acxiom’s projects in Canada and Mexico, ensuring the “successful delivery of applications across thousands of retail locations.” While an undergraduate student at UCA, Nick was an Information & Personnel Security Intern with the Peace Corps in Washington DC from January to March 2020. He also participated in the Spanish Language Immersion Program at the Costa Rican Language Academy in the summer of 2019.

Posted in: Alumni News on May 12, 2026

GPI Department students participate in May 2026 commencement ceremony

Several students and faculty members from the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies (GPI) participated in UCA’s commencement ceremony at the Farris Center on Friday morning, May 1, 2026. More than 20 GPI students earned bachelor’s degrees in political science, public administration, and international studies following the 2026 spring semester.

Beginning in the summer and fall of 2026, some of the graduating students plan to continue their education in graduate school or law school, and many of them are pursuing internships and employment opportunities in government and public service. Micah Castleberry (BS in Political Science & BPA in Public Administration) and Summer Charles (BA in Political Science) plan to attend law school. Caleb Fergeson (BPA in Public Administration) plans to complete an internship with the Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services. Caroline Fortenberry (BS in Political Science), Arely Pioquinto (BS in Political Science & BA in English), and Alec Williams (BS in Political Science & BPA in Public Administration) are planning to pursue JD degrees at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Bowen School of Law. Mitchell Gray (BPA in Public Administration & BBA in Business Administration) and Ryan Webb (BS in Political Science) plan to pursue MBA degrees at UCA.

Also graduating in May 2026, Michael Phifer (BPA in Public Administration) plans to continue working as Executive Director of the non-profit organization Mission Machine, Inc. in Searcy. Sydney Poe (BS in Political Science) plans to complete an internship with Senator Tom Cotton in Washington DC. Evan Thomas (BS in Political Science & Philosophy) and Lillian Ward (BS in Political Science & BA in International Studies) plan to pursue JD degrees at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. Richard Ware (BS in Political Science & Philosophy) plans to begin a position as a State Personnel Specialist with the Arkansas Office of Personnel Management. Madelyn White (BS in Political Science & Economics) has been accepted into the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program at Georgetown University. Jefferson Wilson (BS in Political Science & Criminology) plans to work as an Elections Library Assistant & Legal Assistant for the State of Arkansas Secretary of State. Other GPI students graduating from UCA in May 2026 were Jaden Elmore, Amie Fall, Benjamin Henry, Katelyn Nees, Maritsa Rosas, and Alexis Cantu Saavedra.

Posted in: Student News on May 5, 2026

Department holds 2026 Pi Sigma Alpha induction ceremony

The Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies held its annual induction ceremony for the Alpha Beta Theta Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, in the Fireplace Room of McCastlain Hall on Tuesday, April 16, 2026. Dr. Mark Mullenbach, department chair, announced the 2025-2026 inductees, including Taylor Brewer, Micah Castleberry, Summer Charles, Connor Farmer, Caleb Ferguson, Caroline Fortenberry, Kyla Hinton, Yasmine Kouadio, Max Long, Mary Lyle, Kylie McGraw, Stephany Morales, Kamarion Pickett, Sydney Poe, Ava Walker, Lillian Ward, Kayla Wyatt, and Taya Young. The department also honored its 2025-2026 Outstanding Students: Political Science – Caroline Fortenberry, Katelyn Nees, and Richard Ware; Public Administration – Micah Castleberry and Mitchell Gray; and International Studies – Lillian Ward. Dr. Joseph Howard and Dr. Aaron Sparks served as Faculty Advisors for UCA’s Pi Sigma Alpha chapter in 2025-2026.

Posted in: Pi Sigma Alpha on April 17, 2026

UCA Model UN students participate in 2026 spring conferences

Several members of the UCA Model United Nations (MUN) student organization participated in three conferences during the 2026 spring semester. The 2025-2026 officers for the UCA MUN student organization included Corbin Williams (president), Hlib Shevchenko (vice-president), Adrian Chavez (secretary), and Gracelynn King (treasurer). Dr. Mark Elrod and Dr. Mark Mullenbach of the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies served as co-faculty advisors for the UCA MUN.

On February 18-21, 2026, twelve UCA MUN students and Dr. Mark Elrod travelled to St. Louis, Missouri to participate in the 66th Midwest Model United Nations (MMUN) conference. The UCA MUN students participated as delegates representing the countries of Burkina Faso and Ukraine. Julien Mrad, a 2025 UCA graduate who majored in international studies and linguistics and a former secretary-general of the Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN), was presented a best position paper award for his representation of Burkina Faso in the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA).

Julien Mrad and four current UCA students (Hlib Shevchenko, Corbin Williams, Kyle Urban, and Omar Jarkas) served on the staff of a high school Model United Nations conference held at Conway High School on March 13-14, 2026. Participating in the conference as delegates were more than 50 students from Conway High School, Little Central High School, Little Rock Catholic High School, and Maumelle Charter High School.

Nine UCA MUN members participated in the Ozark Regional Model Arab League (OZMAL) Conference at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri on April 10-11, 2026. Delegations from Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK), Oral Roberts University (Tulsa, OK), Drury University (Springfield, MO), and Missouri State University (Springfield, MO) also participated in the conference. The UCA students represented the countries of Bahrain (Taylor Brewer, Lillian Ward, and Maritsa Rosas); Egypt (Waylon Matthews, Hlib Shevchenko, and Kyle Urban); and Saudi Arabia (Elizabeth Velasco-Moya, Cobin Williams, and Jasmine Strickland) in the Joint Defense Council, Political Affairs Council, and Environmental Affairs Council. During the closing ceremony on April 11th, several of the students were recognized with awards, including Corbin Williams (Outstanding Delegate), Waylon Matthews (Distinguished Delegate), Elizabeth Velasco-Moya (Honorable Mention), Kyle Urban (Outstanding Delegate), and Maritsa Rosas (Distinguished Delegate).

Posted in: UCA Model UN on March 17, 2026