LITTLE ROCK, Ark. ā The Pulaski County Special School District joined the Academies of Central Arkansas and the Arkansas National Guard Monday in announcing a landmark partnership designed to expand college, career and military opportunities for nearly 7,400 Central Arkansas high school students.
PCSSD Superintendent Jeff Senn joined other regional superintendents, Academies of Central Arkansas Foundation President and CEO Markous Jewett, and Arkansas National Guard Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges to sign a memorandum of understanding formalizing the partnership and supporting the Academies' focus on empowering students to Enroll, Enlist and Employ.
The partnership will connect students across all career pathways with career-connected learning experiences, professional mentorship and opportunities to explore more than 90 career and technical education pathways.
North Little Rock School District Superintendent Dr. Greg Pilewski, Pulaski County Special School District Superintendent Jeff Senn, Arkansas National Guard Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Jacksonville North Pulaski School District Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Owoh and Academies of Central Arkansas Foundation President and CEO Markous Jewett, from left.
The partnership represents a significant expansion of the Academies' industry partnerships. Jewett noted during Monday's event that while other partners have supported individual academies or multiple campuses, the Arkansas National Guard is the first partner to commit to supporting students across all academies and pathways.
āThis partnership brings together education, industry, military and community leaders to ensure every student graduates with purpose and opportunity,ā said Markous Jewett. āThe Arkansas National Guard is investing their expertise across every career pathway, helping young people see how the classroom connects to real careers. This initiative shows that when employers and educators become authentic partners, every student benefits.ā
As part of the partnership, the Arkansas National Guard will:
Provide a Military Career Coach at each campus in the Academies of Central Arkansas network.
Offer Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) testing and preparation to all juniors and seniors.
Provide military pathway awareness programming that highlights educational benefits, leadership development, and career opportunities.
Participate in the Academies Annual Career Expo, host tours of Camp Robinson and other partners, and coordinate Veterans Day and Military Recognition Day activities at each campus.
āGovernor Sanders set a clear standard ā every Arkansas graduate ready to enroll, be employed, or enlist ā and the Academies of Central Arkansas have built the model that makes all three real for students,ā said Bridges. āThe Arkansas National Guard is an organization that can make all three happen at the same time ā in Arkansas. We are proud to join as an innovative partner: helping every student see every door, and helping those who choose to serve build their futures.ā
The Academies of Central Arkansas serves nearly 7,400 students across Jacksonville North Pulaski, North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special School Districts. Through partnerships with businesses and industry, students progress from learning about careers to learning within industries, ultimately applying those skills through real-world experiences.
Student and staff representatives of PCSSD
āThis partnership between Academies of Central Arkansas and the Arkansas National Guard will go a long way toward ensuring Arkansasā students are aware of and equipped for a variety of opportunities post-graduation, whether they choose to enlist in the military, enroll in college, or be employed in a job,ā said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. āIām incredibly grateful to Markous Jewett at the Academies of Arkansas Foundation, Adjutant General Bridges, and Attorney General Griffin for their work in making this happen. Arkansasā students are better off because of their collective effort.ā
Mills University Studies High School senior Cadet Lt. Col. Christian Mason represented PCSSD's five high schools as the student speaker, sharing how his JROTC experience has helped prepare him for his future and what the new partnership could mean for students. Mason serves as a senior ambassador for the Academy of Leadership and Social Service and as a battalion commander in his JROTC pathway.
āThis partnership represents much more than an opportunity for our students to learn more about military service. It opens the door to limitless possibilities: leadership development, mentorship, career exploration, professional connections, and opportunities that can help students envision and pursue successful futures,ā Mason said.
Since 2023-24, the Academies have established 171 business partnerships and generated more than 30,000 volunteer engagement hours valued at more than $4.1 million. Students have participated in 3,442 industry tours, 736 job-shadow experiences and 1,637 internships, while earning 5,803 industry-recognized certifications and more than 5,200 college credits.
About the Academies of Central Arkansas
The Academies of Central Arkansas is a Ford Next Generation Learning community serving students in Jacksonville North Pulaski, North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special School Districts. Through career academies and business partnerships, the Academies provide students with career-connected learning experiences that prepare them for college, careers and military service. For more information, visit academiesofcentralarkansas.org.
About the Arkansas National Guard
The Arkansas National Guard serves Arkansas and the nation while providing educational benefits, career training, leadership development and service opportunities for its Soldiers and Airmen. Through this partnership, the Guard is expanding its role as an industry partner committed to preparing Arkansas' future workforce. For more information, visit arkansas.nationalguard.mil.