08/08/2024 – CONWAY, Ark. –
A diverse group of over 200 community leaders from
across Arkansas and eight other states (Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana,
Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee) participated in the 38th annual Community Development
Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). The five-day training session, held
July 29 through August 2, concluded with a special graduation and awards ceremony.
Mayor Gary Baxter of Mulberry, Arkansas received the Bill Miller Award as recognition for his
leadership and support of CDI. The Bill Miller Community Development Award recognizes an
individual who has had a significant, positive impact on UCA’s Community Development
Institute. Mayor Baxter is a 2013 graduate of the Community Development Institute, where he
was selected by his peers for the coveted Ernest Whitelaw award. He has served as Mayor of
the City of Mulberry for the past 13 years. Prior to his public service, he served for more than 27
years on active military duty in the U.S. Air Force, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas was honored with the Friend of the Community Development
Award, offered each year to an individual or organization that demonstrates strong support for
community development and CDI. Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas generates, sells and
delivers reliable and affordable wholesale electric energy and provides education, public
relations, governmental affairs and other support services to its 17 member-owners who are the
electric distribution cooperatives in Arkansas. The organization has been a long-standing
supporter and advocate of the Community Development Institute as well as a critical partner in
community and economic development work across the state.
CDI Director Shelby Fiegel said, “Mayor Baxter and the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas are
among some of our biggest champions at UCA CDI. Mayor Baxter is a tireless advocate for
rural communities across our state, as well as the Community Development Institute, and
serves as a mentor to mayors and community leaders. The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
has served as a long-standing partner of CDI and our team at UCA. We are thankful to be
connected to both Mayor Baxter and the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.”
The CDI 2024 graduating class chose Misty Hawkins of the Arkansas River Valley Library
System as the Ernest Whitelaw Award recipient. The Ernest Whitelaw Award recognizes an
individual for exemplifying the following points: dedication to professional community
development practice; proven involvement in the CDI educational experience, demonstrated by
enthusiastic individual and group class participation, willingness to assume leadership roles and
regular class attendance; a spirit of caring and inclusion shown by a willingness to assist,
enable and involve fellow students in the CDI experience; and strong personal integrity.
Venesha Sasser of Walnut Hill Communications and Malik Barnes of Americans 4 Action were
chosen by their cohort as the CDI Year 1 Champions. Two CDI Year 2 Class Champions were
chosen by their peers: Michelle Viney of Communities Unlimited and Amanda Killingsworth of
Entergy Arkansas.
Forty-eight (48) leaders graduated from the Community Development Institute (list attached).
In addition to the graduation and awards ceremony, the week’s activities featured Janet Harris
of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute as the CDI 2024 Keynote Speaker. Participants also
participated in several simulations, case studies and leadership development activities. A group
of CDI graduates called the CDI Advanced Year also worked directly with Vilonia, Greenbrier,
and Morrilton to explore their communities and engage in discussions about their future
community and economic development efforts.
For more information about CDI, visit uca.edu/cdi, or contact Shelby Fiegel at 501-450-5269 or
sfiegel@uca.edu.
About CDI
The Community Development Institute, established in 1987 at the University of Central
Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas trains community and economic development professionals
from Arkansas and surrounding states. The complete CDI experience is a three-year training
program, with five days of training per year. Participants move through the program curriculum
in cohorts, and are exposed to a comprehensive, applied approach to the field of community
and economic development.
