Department News

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

Department students complete 2025 summer internships

Emmet Brick, dual degree in Public Administration and Logistics/Supply Chain Management
“This summer, I interned at the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office. I first began working in the Election Division, working on a petition project that gave me valuable insight into how the division collects and stores information related to petitions. I then worked under an Inventory Specialist in the Business Office, which gave me the opportunity to see all the duties performed by the Secretary of State as we had to account for the equipment used by various departments. Overall, it was a transformative experience that gave me valuable insight into how our state government operates.”

Georgia Miller, Public Administration major and Political Science minor
“I had the opportunity to intern for The CALL, a local nonprofit that equips, educates, and trains current and future foster parents. I had the privilege of managing events, running social media accounts, and spreading awareness to the community that every child deserves a loving home. This organization has opened my eyes by shedding light on how much we take everything for granted. Working with this organization for over a year has allowed me to grow and develop my future career in the nonprofit sector.”

Mary Lyle, Political Science Major and Journalism Minor
“Over the summer, I had the opportunity to intern at STOPDV, a nonprofit in Conway. While I was there, my main tasks included going to weekly court meetings and taking notes on cases related to domestic violence, organizing files, and working on longstanding projects related to outreach and reducing recidivism. Through my time at STOPDV, I learned how nonprofits function and the amount of dedication it takes to continuously fight for victims in the legal system. ”

Posted in: Student News on December 10, 2025

Department student selected for Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy

Kylie McGraw, public administration major in the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies (GPI), was selected for the inaugural Arkansas Collegiate Civic Leadership Academy at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. The Academy prepares the next generation of public leaders by bringing together students from colleges and universities in Arkansas to engage in academic discussions, practical training, and service-learning. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to become effective community leaders. The program culminates in the awarding of a Civic Arkansas Credential.

Kylie is a senior public administration major from Little Rock. Kylie is serving as the President of the UCA Student Government Association (SGA) and the Secretary of the Public Administration (PA) Club in 2025-2026. After graduation from UCA, Kylie will be pursuing a law degree and hopes one day to become an elected official and policymaker in her community.

Dr. Kim Hoffman, Director of the undergraduate public administration program and Director of the NextGen Service Corps program in the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies (GPI), commends McGraw’s leadership as SGA president and for representing UCA in the first cohort of the civic leadership academy. According to Dr. Hoffman, “Kylie embodies the kind of student we have in the GPI Department who strives to make her community better, seeks opportunities to become more civically engaged, and aspires to be a future change agent and problem-solver.”

Posted in: Student News on December 5, 2025

Department hosts 60th Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN) Conference at UCA

The Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies (GPI) hosted the 60th Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN) Conference at UCA on November 21-22, 2025. A total of 565 high school students from the states of Arkansas and Louisiana participated in the conference. Attending the opening session on Friday, November 21st were several former AMUN secretaries-general, including Brett Newcomb (AMUN S-G 1968), Larry Lanes (AMUN S-G 1976), and Bill Waddell (AMUN S-G 1977). David Gruber (AMUN S-G 1967) observed committee and plenary sessions on Saturday, November 22nd. Kyle Urban served as AMUN S-G in 2025. Dr. Don Baker, former UCA instructor and AMUN coordinator, gave the keynote address during the opening session. Dr. Baker has been a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) with the U.S. Department of State since 2005. The AMUN was established by Professor Simms McClintock during the fall of 1966. The first AMUN conference was held in January 1967. The second and third AMUN conferences were held in January and December 1968.

Posted in: AMUN on December 1, 2025