The University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED) is pleased to announce the certification of 15 community leaders as Professional Community and Economic Developers (PCEDs). These leaders are graduates of UCA’s Community Development Institute (CDI) program who applied for and passed the PCED exam to become credentialed.
The PCED certification is governed by the Community Development Council, Inc. (CDC), the national organizing body of Community Development Institutes. Graduates of CDI must obtain points based on their education, experience, and achievements in their communities/organizations, as well as pass a rigorous exam, in order to receive the PCED designation. Individuals credentialed with their PCED are recognized as industry experts in the field of community and economic development.
“Each of these 15 outstanding leaders are actively contributing to the economic vitality and uplifting the quality of life in their communities and organizations,” said Director of the Center for Community and Economic Development Shelby Fiegel. “The PCED designation is earned through education, experience, and commitment. We are excited to add them to the network of PCEDs across Arkansas and the nation.”
Fourteen of the leaders hail from Arkansas and one from Missouri. The following community leaders are designated as new PCED holders:
- Kristen Dane, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism
- Dr. Chett Daniel, Crowder College
- Russ Garner, Communities Unlimited
- Ginger Harper, Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce
- Bethany Hildebrand, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce
- Danielle Housenick, Main Street Russellville
- Brittany Lutz, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
- Amanda McBride, Choctaw County Partnership
- Julia Dossett Morgan, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute
- Anna Powell, Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation
- Danielle Pugsley, Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce
- Kaitlyn Rigdon, El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce
- Cody Schindler, City of Alma
- Isaac Sims, Crafton Tull
- Chris Treat, City of Bryant
For more information about CDI, the PCED and how to become certified, please visit https://uca.edu/cdi/pced/.
Anna Powell
Brittany Lutz
Ginger Harper
Dani Pugsley
Chris Treat
Bethany Hildebrand
Danielle Housenick
Isaac Sims
Kristen Dane
Russ Garner
Kaitlyn Rigdon
Amanda McBride
Julia Dossett Morgan
Chett Daniel
Cody Schindler
About UCA CCED
The University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development’s mission is to have a positive impact on communities by equipping leaders with economic tools and resources, building consensus to achieve community goals, and bringing UCA resources and communities together. CCED envisions communities across Arkansas and the country with robust economies, a flourishing quality of life, and diverse and engaged citizen leaders. CCED provides customized training and technical assistance to communities and their leaders and is part of UCA’s Division of Outreach and Community Engagement. CCED has been providing Community Development Institute training to leaders across Arkansas and the Mid-South for 38 years. Learn more at uca.edu/cced.
About Community Development Council
The CDC was organized in 1995 to increase the professional credentials and recognition of individuals working in the field of community development. The Council has established professional standards through certification and training that are recognized as valuable to both community development practitioners and those who employ their services. A 501 (c) (6) corporation, the Council is not a membership organization, and is supported by private and public sector sponsors and from fees generated by certification and accreditation services. The Council maintains a registry of Professional Community and Economic Developers in good standing.
