Honors Students and Alumni to Discuss Congressional Black Caucus Internships

Photos Submitted, Graphic compiled by Leigh Prassel

Honors students from colleges and universities across Arkansas have interned with the Congressional Black Caucus, and for many, the internship has propelled them into public service and related graduate studies. They will share their experience in an online panel, "Inside the Congressional Black Caucus," at 5 p.m. on Feb. 9. The panel is sponsored by Honors Arkansas, a consortium of honors colleges throughout the state. All students considering careers in public service are encouraged to attend. Those interested in participating may access the Zoom link here.

Political science professor Henry Brooks IV of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will lead the discussion, which will focus on the panelists' internship experiences and their tips to approaching the application process. 

Sakiya Hearns, a UA Pine Bluff senior and student panelist, aspires to attend law school after college and focus on education as well as criminal justice policy. "While interning with the Congressional Black Caucus, I enriched my knowledge of the policy-making process and different ways to use my law degree to best serve my community," she said. 

Daniel Webster, a University of Arkansas senior and student panelist, felt that the internship helped him further his potential career in shaping criminal justice reform. "My advice for students seeking national internships and fellowships is to first find other students or recent alumni that have gotten where you want to be," he said. 

This program seeks to do just that — give students a chance to meet with other students and recent alumni in order to share experiences, advice, and networking opportunities. 

Three recent alumni of Honors Arkansas schools will be the primary speakers: 

Klaudette Spencer graduated from the Philander Smith College in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in political science.  She worked with the Philander Smith College Social Justice institute as a coach to help peers who were falling behind in courses. She was also active in the Student Government Association as well as the Residence Hall Association. She has interned with the Arkansas Democratic Party, as well as with the office of then Senator Kamala D. Harris. 

Dwight Crawford Jr. is a 2019 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a bachelor's degree in political science. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Crawford is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and has won recognition as a BB&T Bank Emerging Leader and a 2019 Forbes 30 under 30 scholar; he also participated in the General Electric Omega4Life Leadership and Mentorship program. Crawford now works as an Issues Development staffer for Emanuel Chris Welch, the speaker of the Illinois State House of Representatives in Springfield, IL. 

Christ-Shamma Matalbert is a graduate student at American University pursuing a master's degree in justice, law and criminology with a focus on public policy and justice. She is committed to advancing social equity and changing the distribution of power in public policy. She currently works as a staff assistant /press assistant for AL Lawson Jr., the U.S. Representative for Florida's 5th congressional district. Matalbert also works as a graduate research assistant for American University's School of Public Affairs and serves as a criminal justice columnist for the Public Purpose Journal. 

Additional student panelists: 

• Sakiya Hearns, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
• Leon Jones III, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
• Elijah Conley, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• Daniel Webster, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• Jamari Rose, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 

About Honors Arkansas: Honors Arkansas is an alliance of honors educators across Arkansas collectively working to enhance the scholarly, professional, and social experiences of high-achieving students.