Left to Right: Abigail Hustead, Victoria Hudson, Cody Harbour, and Julien Mrad
Four first-year students from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service are partnering with Arkansas Advanced Energy (AAE) during the 2026-2027 academic year to conduct research on energy awareness across the state. The group, nicknamed the “Grid Guardians,” consists of Cody Harbour, Victoria Hudson, Abigail Hustead, and Julien Mrad.
The Grid Guardians will conduct community focus groups and individual interviews across five target regions: Harrison, West Memphis, Camden, Mena/De Queen, and Lonoke. Their research focuses on understanding Arkansans' perceptions, awareness, and baseline knowledge regarding energy concepts, emerging projects, energy programs, and career opportunities within the sector.
By analyzing how changing energy prices and new regional energy initiatives impact rural communities, the Grid Guardians aim to provide AAE with actionable insights to inform future community outreach and educational efforts.
As part of the Clinton School’s Master of Public Service curriculum, the Practicum is a team-based, field-service project that spans the first year of study. Working closely with Arkansas-based community organizations, student teams apply classroom concepts to address real-world challenges, build organizational capacity, and deliver actionable data and strategic recommendations to support their partners' public service missions. Arkansas Advanced Energy was one of nine Arkansas organizations chosen for the 2026-2027 program year.
“Our Practicum partnerships offer students an unparalleled opportunity to bridge theory and practice,” said Rachel Norris, Director of Domestic Programs in the Office of Field Service. “From Northwest and Northeast Arkansas to the Arkansas Delta, our student teams are delivering meaningful support to communities across the entire state. Through these nine collaborative projects, our student teams are addressing vital issues in healthcare, education, energy, and economic development. We are thrilled to see the positive impact these projects will generate over the coming academic year.”