Article originally published in the Arkansas Municipal League Association-听December听2022 edition.
LeadAR: Strengthing Arkansas communities since 1984听
By guest writer, Dr. Julie Robinson
For nearly 40 years, Arkansans from all walks of听life have participated in the two-year LeadAR听program to sharpen their skills, expand their听worldview and put their hopes into action to
aid their communities. LeadAR can be traced to a听1980 fact-finding trip by two University of Arkansas听Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service听agents, J.B. Williams鈥攕tate leader, community development鈥攁nd Thomas Vaughns, horticulture specialist听for the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. Along with听representatives from 41 other states, they learned about听a leadership training program听initiated by the W.K. Kellogg听Foundation. Impressed by what听they heard, the two submitted听a proposal, and the Foundation听provided the original funding听that would establish LeadAR.听The program took root and听Class 1 began its journey in听March 1984.
LeadAR graduates are听everywhere serving their听communities in every conceivable way. They are educators,听farmers, advocates, bankers,听state legislators, lawyers,听mayors, as well as quorum court, city council and school听board members. Their influence spans industry, education,听government, nonprofits, and听small businesses. In almost 40听years of training, the program
has developed a tremendous legacy with more than 500 alumni who will influence the state鈥檚 future for decades to come.
To address the gaps between rural and urban communities within the state, LeadAR recruits talented听and passionate people eager to usher in positive change.听Designed to broaden Arkansans鈥� understanding of听critical issues and opportunities facing our state,听LeadAR strengthens participants鈥� knowledge, skills, and听network by empowering them to impact communities
and advocate for long-term economic development.
The LeadAR model employs an interdisciplinary听approach to leadership development by championing the听intersection of theory, practice, and application. While听exploring the major issues facing Arkansas communities听is key to achieving lasting change, LeadAR recognizes听this is not enough. Experts in subject matter, leadership听theory, communication techniques, experiential learning, and critical thinking are involved in LeadAR training.听This knowledge equips participants with the tools
necessary to catalyze change using strategies that are听equitable, empowering, and sustainable.
LeadAR is for Arkansans from rural and urban听parts of our state who want to assume greater leadership听responsibilities to better understand complex cultural,听social, and economic issues impacting us today and in听the future. The results are legion: Participants improve听their ability to interact and work with others; deepen听their understanding of social, economic, and political
systems; and develop critical thinking and decision-making skills to become better citizens and leaders. One of the greatest values of the LeadAR experience is the听opportunity to connect to people and resources that can听help them make a difference. 鈥淟eadAR for me was not听a beginning nor was it a destination,鈥� said Rep. David听Hillman, who represents District 13 in the Arkansas听House of Representatives and is a LeadAR Class 1听alumnus. 鈥淚t was, however, an experience that opened a听whole new world of possibilities.鈥�
LeadAR is an intensive 18-month, hands-on听program. Class members participate in seven multi-day听seminars around the state that include tours, guest听speakers, and interactive activities.听 Video-conference听sessions are hosted during alternating months when听the class does not meet in person. Part of what makes听LeadAR unique from other leadership development听programs are the National Study Tour, International听Study Tour and Leadership Service Project completion.听Class members participate in the National Study Tour听in the first year of the program, where they travel to听Washington, D.C., to learn about issues and policymaking from a national perspective. At the end of the听LeadAR program, participants travel outside the United
States for the International Study Tour to learn how international issues and policy impact Arkansas and听the U.S. Finally, participants are required to complete听a Leadership Service Project over the course of the听18-month program. The Leadership Service Project听makes a positive difference in each community involved听while providing an opportunity for participants to apply
their newly acquired skills and newly made connections.
Applications for LeadAR Class 20 are now open.听Applicants are required to apply online no later than听February 24, 2023. All applicants will be required to听participate in an interview. Applicants will be notified of听Class 20 selection status by March 31, 2023.
Tuition for participating in LeadAR is $3,500. Costs听for tuition remain affordable through the support of the听Arkansas Association of LeadAR Alumni, alumni contributions, and our Eagle Sponsors: Electric Cooperatives of听Arkansas, Farm Credit, and Arkansas Farm Bureau.听All program information and the application can be found at .