There are moments in education transformation when you stop talking about the vision and start seeing the results.
Last week in Central Arkansas was one of those moments.
More than 300 educators, business leaders, elected officials, community partners, students, and advocates gathered for the inaugural Academies of Central Arkansas Foundation Annual Awards Luncheon to celebrate a milestone nearly a decade in the making. The event recognized the students, educators, employers, and community champions who have helped transform education across Pulaski County through the Academies model.
For Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL), the celebration was especially meaningful.
Ford NGL’s Cheryl Carrier and Lisa Oleski had the opportunity to join community leaders in recognizing the progress taking place across Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, North Little Rock School District, and Pulaski County Special School District. Together, these districts have embraced a shared commitment to creating more relevant, authentic, and future-focused learning experiences for students.
What made the day particularly significant was the recognition of the first graduating class to spend all four years fully immersed in the Academies model.
For many in attendance, that milestone represented years of vision, leadership, collaboration, and perseverance.
As Academies of Central Arkansas Foundation Founding Board Chairman Bobby Gosser shared during the event:
“Students are gaining the confidence, skills, and direction they need for life after high school, and our community has chosen collaboration over competition, and partnership over silos. This work reminds us of a simple truth: no single organization can prepare students for the future alone, but together we can accomplish extraordinary things.”
That spirit of collaboration was evident throughout the day.
From Vision to Results
When Ford NGL first began partnering with Central Arkansas nearly eight years ago, community leaders shared an ambitious vision for transforming how students experienced education.
The goal was straightforward but powerful: create learning environments where students could connect classroom instruction to real-world opportunities, explore career pathways, build professional skills, and graduate with a clearer understanding of their futures.
Today, that vision has become reality.
The impact of the work is visible not only in student stories but also in the measurable outcomes being achieved across the region.
Students participating in the Academies model have completed:
- 2,472 AP Exams
- 5,246 College Credits Earned
- 5,803 Industry Certifications
- 7,585 Career Expo Experiences
These numbers reflect more than academic achievement. They represent students gaining exposure to opportunities, earning credentials, and building confidence before they ever walk across the graduation stage.
The experiences available to students have expanded dramatically as well.
Across the Academies of Central Arkansas network, students have participated in:
- 3,442 Industry Tours
- 7,511 College Visits
- 1,637 Internships
- 736 Job Shadow Experiences
Each of these experiences helps students connect their interests to future possibilities while developing the workplace and professional skills employers consistently identify as essential.
The Power of Partnership
Perhaps the most impressive story emerging from Central Arkansas is the level of community engagement supporting students.
The Academies model is built on the belief that preparing students for success requires more than schools working alone. It takes employers, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, and community stakeholders working together toward a common goal.
That commitment was reflected throughout the awards luncheon.
Business leaders, industry partners, school leaders, elected officials, and community advocates filled the room, demonstrating that the work of preparing students for the future belongs to the entire community.
The results of that commitment are substantial.
To date, the Academies of Central Arkansas network has built:
- 151 Signed Partnerships
- More than 30,000 Partner Engagements
- $2.12 Million in Partner Contributions
- More than $4.1 Million in Total In-Kind Contributions
These partnerships have helped create authentic learning opportunities that connect students directly with professionals and industries across the region.
Throughout the luncheon, organizations representing healthcare, construction, manufacturing, technology, finance, higher education, and economic development were recognized for their contributions to student success.
The message was clear: when communities align around a shared vision for students, transformational outcomes become possible.
Celebrating Student and Community Leadership
A highlight of the event was the recognition of student ambassadors and community partners who have played an important role in advancing the Academies movement.
Students from Jacksonville High School, Maumelle High School, Mills University Studies High School, North Little Rock High School, Joe T. Robinson High School, and Sylvan Hills High School were recognized for their leadership and commitment to serving as ambassadors for their schools and academy pathways.
These students represent exactly what the Academies model seeks to develop—young people who are engaged, informed, confident, and prepared to navigate their futures.
Community partners were also recognized for their dedication to supporting students through mentorship, internships, industry experiences, advisory participation, and career-connected learning opportunities.
Together, they have helped create a learning ecosystem that extends far beyond the walls of the classroom.
Reflecting on the Journey
For Cheryl Carrier, the visit provided an opportunity to reflect on how far Central Arkansas has come.
Having witnessed the early stages of implementation years ago, seeing the first four-year Academies graduates recognized was both inspiring and affirming.
During the luncheon, Carrier moderated a panel discussion featuring district superintendents who shared insights about their commitment to transforming educational experiences for students.
The conversation highlighted a common theme among district leaders: meaningful transformation requires sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a willingness to think differently about how schools prepare students for life after graduation.
The panel also reinforced the importance of keeping students at the center of every decision.
When education becomes more relevant, more connected, and more aligned with student aspirations, engagement increases and opportunities expand.
Looking Forward
The day’s celebration did not feel like a conclusion.
It felt like the beginning of a new chapter.
The first graduating class to experience all four years of the Academies model provides tangible evidence of what is possible when schools and communities commit to long-term transformation. The data demonstrates impact. The student stories provide inspiration. The partnerships create sustainability.
Following the luncheon, Ford NGL’s Lisa Oleski facilitated a session with educators focused on the Ford NGL Indicators of Success. The discussion centered on reflection, continuous improvement, and identifying opportunities to build on the momentum already underway.
That mindset—celebrating progress while continuing to strive for growth—has become a hallmark of successful Ford NGL communities.
Central Arkansas exemplifies that approach.
What began as an ambitious vision has evolved into a regional movement that is changing the educational experience for thousands of students.
As community leaders, educators, employers, and students gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, one sentiment was shared throughout the room:
The work is making a difference.
And perhaps most importantly, the work is just getting started.
Special thanks to Markous Jewett, the Academies of Central Arkansas Foundation, district leadership teams, employer partners, educators, and community stakeholders whose collective commitment continues to create powerful opportunities for students across Central Arkansas. Ford Next Generation Learning is honored to be part of this journey and looks forward to celebrating many more milestones in the years ahead.
