Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Academy's MOU Advances Career Pathways in Education

The Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) meeting on August 13, 2025, focused on the partnership with the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Academy and the progress of the Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL) initiative. Key speakers included Bobby Gothard, president and CEO of Baldwin and Shell, and Marcus Stewart, vice president of academies from the Little Rock Chamber.

The meeting highlighted the importance of education and workforce development in attracting businesses to Central Arkansas. Gothard explained that the Ford NGL program aims to prepare students for careers by providing them with relevant skills and experiences. Since its adoption in 2017, all four local school districts, including PCSSD, have participated in this initiative, which has shown promising results in student engagement and performance.

Kristen Herring provided an update on the program's goals and achievements over the past year. Notably, 90% of freshmen participated in a seminar preparing them for career pathways, and there was a significant increase in students attending industry tours and job shadowing experiences. The program also reported a 670% increase in internships, showcasing the growing engagement between students and local businesses.

The meeting underscored the importance of community partnerships, with contributions from local businesses totaling nearly $753,000 in resources and support for students. The district aims to enhance its marketing efforts to raise awareness about the program and attract more business partners.

In conclusion, the meeting emphasized the positive impact of the Ford NGL initiative on student outcomes and the importance of continued collaboration between schools and the business community to ensure the program's sustainability and success. The board expressed a commitment to further promoting the program and its benefits to the community.