Arkansas Governor’s School will continue to be conducted on the Arkansas Tech University campus in Russellville through 2027.
The decision to award AGS to Arkansas Tech from 2025-27 was made by the Arkansas Board of Education. ATU has hosted AGS since 2019.
“Since convening its inaugural class in 1980, Arkansas Governor’s School has challenged rising high school seniors to closely examine the world in which they live and how they might change it for the better,” said Dr. Russell Jones, ATU president. “Arkansas Tech University is pleased to serve as caretaker for this important tradition as we move forward into the future.”
Founded by Gov. Bill Clinton, Arkansas Governor’s School serves up to 400 selected students from around the state during the summer before their senior year in high school. The Arkansas Department of Education Gifted and Talented Programs administrator supervises Arkansas Governor’s School with assistance from an advisory council appointed by the governor.
Dr. Jacob Grosskopf and Dr. Peter Dykema, ATU faculty members and AGS co-directors in 2023 and 2024, wrote the proposal for the renewal of the AGS grant.
Grosskopf will serve as AGS director for the 2025-27 cycle.
“In addition to offering an exceptional academic experience to 380 Arkansas high school students, Arkansas Governor’s School also provides summer employment to ATU faculty, staff and students,” said Dykema. “Due to the presence of 380 students on campus for a month, the cafeteria runs at full capacity, the library is open extra hours and the janitorial staff keeps busy. AGS provides jobs in the summer.”
Dykema reported that AGS employed 43 faculty and staff members in 2024, and he said that approximately half of them were ATU employees. He also reported that AGS employed 21 college students in 2024, most of whom worked as resident assistants in the residence halls.
“While Arkansas Governor’s School serves the entire state, a solid percentage of the students who attend call the Arkansas River Valley home,” said Grosskopf. “This past summer, 50 of the 380 students were enrolled in schools ranging from Fort Smith to Conway, while no less than 18 hailed from two local schools: Pottsville and Russellville.”
The 46th Arkansas Governor’s School is scheduled for July 6-Aug. 2, 2025, on the ATU campus in Russellville.
More information about AGS at Arkansas Tech is available at www.atu.edu/ags.
