LITTLE ROCK (Thursday, April 30, 2026) — The college experience for seven students from University of Arkansas System campuses became a little easier after it was announced they earned grants from an endowment honoring James L. “Skip” Rutherford III, dean emeritus of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.
The endowment was established in 2021 at the University of Arkansas Foundation to honor Rutherford and provide support to student leaders across the UA System. This is the fifth year for grants to be awarded from the fund.
“I’m always so impressed by the hardworking, resilient nature of the individuals we learn about every year,” Rutherford said. “It’s truly a gift to me to have this program established in my name and to get to be a part of this process each year. It’s my hope that these mini-grants wind up being real difference-makers in the lives and educational journeys of these students. Once again the selection committee in this process did a wonderful job. I’m also grateful to all the donors who have helped make this program possible and hope they see the difference it makes each year in these students’ lives.”
Contributions to the fund are tax deductible and can be made online by selecting “Skip Rutherford Student Leadership Endowment” in the drop-down menu or mailing a check to the Clinton School at 1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201.
UA System Students receiving 2026 grants include (bios below):
- Brandi Denley, University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College
- Arturo Estrada, North Arkansas College of the University of Arkansas
- Brian Hall, University of Arkansas Grantham
- Jaylin Harris, University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana
- Natalie Hernandez, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
- Warren Williams, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- Sofia Wilson, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The grants were awarded by an independent committee appointed by Dr. Michael Moore, UA System vice president for academic affairs, in accordance with the terms of the endowment. Each spring, undergraduate and graduate students from any UA System campus have the chance to apply for the grant. This year, roughly 200 students from UA System campuses from across the state submitted applications, according to Moore.
“This process is one of those predicaments where you can truly see needs that can be met across the board and you just try to identify ones that could potentially make the most impact,” Moore said. “The quality of these applications is always a high bar, and I am proud that we get a chance to help a handful each year thanks to the legacy of Dean Rutherford. Thannk you to everyone who thoughtfully applied, and I continue to encourage those who did not receive an award to consider applying again next year.”
James L. “Skip” Rutherford III was dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service from 2006 to 2021. During his deanship he emphasized the unique project-based learning model in the school’s Master of Public Service degree program and built a nationally renowned public speakers’ program, among other accomplishments. Before becoming dean, Rutherford oversaw the planning, construction and opening of the Clinton Presidential Center. He also has an extensive private sector background in communications and public relations. The Rutherford Student Leadership Endowment was founded in 2021 by friends of Rutherford upon his retirement to honor his life and career in public service.
Learn More About This Year’s Winners:
Brandi Denley – A first-generation, nontraditional student at the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College, Denley is completing her associate’s degree with plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s in social work. A student senator and active participant in the UAPTC TRIO program, Denley’s experience overcoming health challenges and the death of her young son has led her to pursue a professional pathway to serve others who are in need. She will use her grant to purchase a reliable computer for her school work and support her transportation to classes, meetings and TRIO events.
Arturo Estrada – A first-year student in the radiology technician program at the University of Arkansas – North Arkansas College, Estrada is a sergeant in the Army National Guard. A resident of Rogers, Estrada works as a delivery driver for FedEx and travels twice weekly to Harrison to complete his coursework. He will use his grant funds to offset his transportation costs next semester when he will begin traveling five days a week to complete his clinical rotations and classroom instruction. He expects to graduate in May of 2027.
Brian Hall – A U.S. Army veteran and resident of Petal, MS, Hall is completing a master’s in project management at the University of Arkansas – Grantham. As a retired, fully disabled service member who has exhausted his GI benefits, Hall faces a financial burden to complete his final two courses to earn his degree. He will use his grant to fund his degree completion and hopes to continue serving his community in roles that support veterans, public service initiatives and community development projects.
Jaylin Harris – A certified construction welder currently working toward additional welding certifications, including NCCER certification, at the University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana, Harris was honored with the Outstanding Young Man Award through the agriculture fraternity Delta Sigma Theta. Harris plans to graduate this year and use his grant to purchase welding tools and machines to improve his hands-on training and technical precision.
Natalie Hernandez – A first-generation student at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Hernandez is working toward completing her nursing degree and preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Transitioning from prerequisite coursework to the nursing program has increased costs for Hernandez, who had worked part-time until recently at the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County and continues to volunteer with various organizations, including the Volunteer Action Center in Fayetteville . She will use her grant to support her tuition and fees with the goal of graduating in December of 2027.
Warren Williams – A simulation operations specialist at the UA Little Rock School of Nursing and student in the UALR MBA program, Williams is preparing to apply for dual enrollment in the William H. Bowen School of Law to further his education. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management at UALR in 2022 began work overseeing the governance of the clinical simulation infrastructure in the School of Nursing in 2021. He will use his grant to fund his enrollment in a LSAT preparation program and plans to sit for the test next spring.
Sofia Wilson – A Venezuelan immigrant and second-year nursing student at UA Little Rock School of Nursing, Wilson is the first in her family to attend college. After arriving in the U.S. as an exchange student in 2021, she earned her GED, completed prerequisite courses, and applied to the nursing program in 2024. She will use her grant to relieve the financial burden of her educational expenses, including funding software, textbooks, and study guide materials for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).