Tomkins to serve as Clinton School distinguished fellow

Alan Tomkins, director of the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, will serve as one of two William Jefferson Clinton distinguished fellows at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service during the 2005-06 school year.

"The Clinton School is committed to providing an excellent educational opportunity for students to learn about public service. We also want our students to make a difference in the state and region at the same time," said Clinton School Dean David Pryor. "We are delighted that Dr. Tomkins will spend the next year working with us in Arkansas while he continues his responsibilities at the University of Nebraska."

Tomkins will help the Clinton School faculty and 16 students working toward a master of public service degree identify and develop projects in Arkansas and throughout the Delta region. The projects will address issues that President Clinton has defined as cornerstones in his Presidential Foundation: health security; economic empowerment; leadership development and citizen service; and racial, ethnic and religious reconciliation.

"This is a wonderful professional and personal opportunity, and I feel honored that I have been invited to collaborate with the Clinton School as it begins its important work of engaging people and communities in need -- those who can be helped both by faculty expertise and by student passion and energy," Tomkins said.

A former faculty member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Law/Psychology Program, Tomkins in 1998 became the founding director of the Public Policy Center, a universitywide unit that works with all four NU campuses. Since its inception, the center has worked on projects that have benefited communities across Nebraska. Examples include how communities can afford to comply with new Environmental Protection Agency water quality standards, and integrating faith and community resources into the mental health service system.

The Clinton School of Public Service is a component of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

CONTACT:Alan Tomkins, Director, University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, (402) 472-5688