The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service will enroll 42 new students in its Master of Public Service (MPS) degree program this fall. Located in downtown Little Rock on the grounds of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park and in the River Market District, the Clinton School is the nation’s first to offer an MPS degree, both in a classic campus setting and online.

Since opening in 2004, the school has attracted students from more than 40 countries and over 200 universities. Individual members of the Class of 2021 come from 11 different states and five different countries.

Thirty-four different undergraduate majors and 29 colleges and universities are included among the incoming students. Nine different Arkansas colleges and universities are represented in the class, while other schools include Morehouse College, Arizona State University, London School of Economics, and St. Augustine University of Tanzania.

“We’re very proud to welcome the new Clinton School class. As the nation’s first to offer a Master of Public Service degree, we continue to attract individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and interests, but with a common purpose to uplift others,” said Clinton School Dean James L. “Skip” Rutherford III. “Over the next two years, the public service projects these students will complete in Arkansas and throughout the world will have a significant positive impact.”

Among the incoming group of students are four Peace Corps alums who have served in Gambia, Togo, Ecuador, and Indonesia. One enrolling student from Syria has worked with skill development and empowerment for children impacted by war.

One student is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and another worked as a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician for a decade. Another worked on the emergency response teams for Hurricanes Harvey and Maria. Several students have completed or are in ongoing government internships, including work with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Lt. Governor Tim Griffin, U.S. Senator John Boozman, and U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (TN).

This fall, first-year Clinton School students will begin team-based Practicum projects with partner organizations in communities across Arkansas. In the classroom, the students will complete core courses in field research, social change, and global development.

Throughout their time at the Clinton School, students will work on three public service projects within their particular public service interests: the team-based Practicum project, the International Public Service Project, and the final individual project known as the Capstone that culminates their degree.