MISSION
To define targeted ways, to teach students how to address societal challenges and to find solutions through public service, executive, legislative, and legal pathways. To encourage and promote civic education, leadership, and participation focused on state and local government. To assist and advise students as well as interested public servants and the public in creating solutions to several state and local challenges. All participants will serve as ambassadors of the communities they serve as well as states they represent.
WHO WE ARE
• We are a 509(a)(2) public charity type of a 501c3 non-profit
• We are a public service leadership program that will teach students about foundations of public service, legal and ethical issues of public service, and professionalism of public service.
• We will teach students servant leadership by modeling roles of elected office, aides to student officials, and media
• We also uphold high educational and civic standards.
• The program will be almost entirely led by students.
* We are officially recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. In good standing with the Charities Department of the Arkansas Secretary of State's Office. In good standing with the Texas Comptroller's Office.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
DEMOCRACY AND PUBLIC SERVICE MUST BE TAUGHT AND LEARNED WITH EACH GENERATION
Mottos
- To Learn; To Lead; To Serve.
- Duty, Honor, Justice
GET INVOLVED
Student Leadership
• Join Collegiate Model Government and make several new friends from all over your state! Learn about state government and public service in an exciting environment filled with fun moments, networking, and a rewarding yet challenging experience of hands-on learning.
• Learn about treasures, issues, and challenges facing your state!
• Collegiate Model Government is an extraordinary experience!
• There will be no political parties
* Students may go to this link to sign up:
ACTIVITIES
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
PUBLIC SPEAKING AND CRITICAL THINKING
COMMUNITY AWARENESS, LEARNING ABOUT KEY ISSUES
LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL, AND EXECUTIVE MENTORSHIP
POLICY ANALYSIS, COALITION BUILDING, COLLABORATION
ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT THROUGH POLICY RESEARCH.
Registration Deadline
Legislative Priority- March 1, 2023. Late Registration- May 20, 2023
Court Priority- March 31, 2023
Late Registration- May 26, 2023
DELEGATION
• Students will meet before the student government session to train with mentors, see their state government in action, and train to be student government officials. Students will obtain hands-on experience in how state government works. Student officials will write bills, prepare judicial briefs, and select student governmental positions.
• Students will meet for a week where they will debate and present their bills to the Student General Assembly. Students arguing court cases will meet the following week.
•Students will also participate in sessions to learn about foundations and ethics in public service, issues facing our state, research methods, and social exchange.
COLLEGIATE MODEL GOVERNMENT DETAILS
WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD EXPECT
•Deeply understand local and state issues
•Research, study, debate public issues
•Collaborate with college leaders around the state
•Obtain experience of the political process and forums of peaceful resolution of issues
•Actively participate in the policy-making process
•Appreciate diversity of viewpoints to foster respect for ideas and beliefs of others.
Encourage active participation in public affairs
a positive impact. Contact us to learn more about our commitment to this cause.
ROLES FOR PARTICIPANTS
MODEL GOVERNMENTAL ROLES
•Legislative Branch: Any one can be a member of the House. However; Juniors, Seniors, graduate students can be Senators. Students research topics important to them, write and propose bills for consideration by the House & Senate, and argue them in front of their peers.
•Executive Branch: Will consist of a Student Governor and Cabinet. Cabinet members write position papers on topics of interest that fits with the Governor’s agenda, testify at committee meetings, lobby for the Governor’s top bills. Executive branch will include the Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Lieutenant Governor.
•Judicial Branch: Students will participate as attorneys and argue cases to the model Supreme Court. Students examine court cases and defend a position.
ADDITIONAL ROLES
•Page: Volunteers will have opportunity to be exposed to all areas of the program. Pages serve as aides to the governor, runners between the House & Senate, assist the Supreme Court, and lend assistance to reporters.
•News Media: Student journalists research and write articles, post to a blog, use various social media to inform people about the program, and updates on legislation. Student journalist will also keep other participants up-to-date at each event and throughout the program year.
•Page: Volunteers will have opportunity to be exposed to all areas of the program. Pages serve as aides to the governor, runners between the House & Senate, assist the Supreme Court, and lend assistance to reporters.
•News Media: Student journalists research and write articles, post to a blog, use various social media to inform people about the program, and updates on legislation. Student journalist will also keep other participants up-to-date at each event and throughout the program year.
OUR GOALS
Students will create solutions to answer their state’s challenges by modeling top state government institutions to solve challenges through executive, legislative, and judicial avenues
Develop college students who will shape their state’s future by being knowledgeable and active in our democracy by being civically active and socially active through the executive, legislative, judicial process, and also at the community level.
STUDENT ELECTED LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Students may be elected to the following roles:
Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Speaker of the House, Solicitor General, President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Speaker Pro-Tempore, Floor Leader, Clerk of the House, Secretary of the Senate, Sergeant at Arms, Chaplin.
FAQ
Get Informed
WHAT WILL PARTICIPANTS GAIN?
Valuable, transferable skills in conflict resolution, collaboration, critical thinking, public policy formation, public affairs, media affairs, public speaking, leadership, communication, and professionalism.
COULD I GET COLLEGE CREDIT FOR MY PARTICIPATION?
Please ask your academic advisor if you can obtain college credit for participation. It is suggested that students get credit with their home institution by way of independent study or advanced topics in state government or public policy.
COULD THIS PROGRAM IMPROVE MY RESUME FOR INTERNSHIPS AND EMPLOYMENT?
We cannot guarantee internships, fellowships, nor other forms of employment (paid or volunteer); however, by using and listing skills obtained while being a participant in the program, you could become a strong candidate for employment in several career fields.
UPDATES
Get Informed
Recruiting.
Recruiting of participants will be from November 1, 2022 to May 1, 2023 in Arkansas and in Texas
Housing is not provided by the Academy for Public Service. However, we do have contacts for housing options.
Arkansas Session
Arkansas Model Government Leadership:
- Student Governor of Arkansas: Owen Kathcart (Hot Springs)
- Student Lt. Governor of Arkansas: Amanda McMahan (Little Rock)
- Student Attorney General
- Student Secretary of State
- Student Speaker of the House: Jackson McAfee (Hot Springs)
- Student President Pro-Tempore of the Senate: Kwami Abdul-Bey (North Little Rock)
Arkansas House of Representatives Leadership Arkansas Senate Leadership
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Speaker Pro-Tempore- Blake Covert (Dist. 28- Benton) Deputy President Pro-Tempore:
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Assist. Speaker Pro-Tempore- Bear Moore (Dist. 6- Camden) Assist. Pres. Pro-Tempore:
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Assist. Speaker Pro-Tempore- Kendall Cloar (Dist. 32- Little Rock) Assist. Pres. Pro-Tempore:
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Assist. Speaker Pro-Tempore- Sabrina Lang (Dist. 41- Sherwood) Assist. Pres. Pro-Tempore
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Assist. Speaker Pro-Tempore- Naomi Polanski (Dist. 84- Farmington) Assist. Pres. Pro-Tempore
The student government of Arkansas passed approximately 60 laws and two constitutional questions in their five day session.
KATV Channel 7 News link about the Academy for Public Service:
https://katv.com/community/community-connections/community-connections-academy-for-public-service
Bill book of passed laws and constitutional amendments for Arkansas is coming soon.
Introduction page of members is coming soon.
Texas Session
Texas Model Government Leadership
- Student Governor of Texas: TBA
- Student Lt. Governor of Texas: TBA
- Student Attorney General: TBA
- Student Secretary of State: TBA
- Student Speaker of the House: Charlotte Bordegaray (Dist. 41-Lubbock)
- Student President Pro-Tempore of the Senate: TBA
Texas House of Representatives Leadership Texas Senate Leadership
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Speaker Pro-Tempore- Deputy President Pro-Tempore:
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Assist. Speaker Pro-Tempore- Assist. Pres. Pro-Tempore-
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Assist. Speaker Pro-Tempore- Assist. Pres. Pro-Tempore-
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Assist. Speaker Pro-Tempore- Assist. Pres. Pro-Tempore-
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Assist. Speaker Pro-Tempore- Assist. Pres. Pro-Tempore-
ARKANSAS AND TEXAS 2023
Arkansas model legislative session: June 13-16 in the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock.
Arkansas model supreme court: June 19-22 in the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the Arkansas Capitol Building.
Texas model legislative session: June 19-23 in Austin.
Texas model supreme court: June 26-29 in Austin.
Student Accomplishments & News
- Students are currently serving as legislative pages in their state capitols are shadowing legislators to learn how the legislature works and how to be a legislator.
CONTACT THE ACADEMY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
721 Howard St.
Magnolia, AR 71753
870-571-9202