Sarah Huckabee Sanders

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Governor Sanders, ADE Launch Arkansas ACCESS Portal

New platform streamlines admissions, creating one universal application for high school seniors LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders alongside the Arkansas Department of Education today announced the statewide launch of the Arkansas ACCESS Portal, creating a streamlined univers…

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders alongside the Arkansas Department of Education today announced the statewide launch of the Arkansas ACCESS Portal, creating a streamlined universal college application system for Arkansas high school seniors to apply to higher education institutions with one form, one login, and no application fees for up to five colleges.“I signed Arkansas ACCESS last year to rebuild our higher education system so that every Arkansas high school student is prepared for the in-demand careers of the future – whether by enrolling, enlisting, or becoming employed,” said Governor Sanders. “I’m proud to see the Arkansas Department of Education taking massive steps forward to make quality education more accessible and prioritizing a system geared towards students.” “The Arkansas ACCESS Portal takes what used to be a confusing, repetitive college application process that would overwhelm students and families and streamlines it into a simple process,” said Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva. “With one application and one login, students can reach nearly every campus in Arkansas without fees or barriers. Now, every student in Arkansas can learn about different pathways and directly connect with the institution to help them reach their goals.”The Portal builds on one of Arkansas ACCESS’ key pillars, eligibility, establishing more uniform and efficient admissions policies. Rather than duplicative applications and processes for college admissions, Arkansas ACCESS directed the state to replace that system with one, uniform application through the ACCESS Portal. Students that meet participating institutions’ baseline admissions requirements will then be granted provisional admission. Students may apply up to five participating institutions at no cost and will subsequently receive details outlining future directives and provisional admission, if applicable, from each institution. Additionally, the Arkansas Department of Education’s Electronic Transcript System will automatically populate students’ transcripts, including their coursework, grade point average, and test data. With data immediately uploaded in the system, families will only have to enter information once, rather than for each application.The Arkansas Department of Education developed the ACCESS Portal in-house within 12 months of being signed into law, securing full participation from Arkansas’ four-year and two-year colleges and 50 percent of the state’s private institutions. Rollout of the Portal will be led by school counselors and career coaches through various introductory programs to ensure every senior submits at least one application before priority deadlines, including senior advisories, FAFSA nights, and application days. Governor Sanders signed Arkansas LEARNS into law in 2023 to bring a transformative overhaul to the state’s K-12 educational system. Following its progress, the Governor signed Arkansas ACCESS into law in 2025 to continue improving education and student outcomes into higher education so that every Arkansas high school student is ready to enroll in post-secondary programs, enlist in the military, or be employed upon graduation. The ACCESS Portal is live and seniors, parents, counselors, and career coaches can get started at this link.More information about the Portal’s guides, FAQs, participating institutions, and key dates is available in the INFO Center here.

“I signed Arkansas ACCESS last year to rebuild our higher education system so that every Arkansas high school student is prepared for the in-demand careers of the future – whether by enrolling, enlisting, or becoming employed,” said Governor Sanders. “I’m proud to see the Arkansas Department of Education taking massive steps forward to make quality education more accessible and prioritizing a system geared towards students.”

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Sanders Announces 10:33 Initiative is Awarded $1 Million from Nonprofit For Others

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced the 10:33 Initiative was awarded a $1 million matching grant from the philanthropic nonprofit For Others to help expand the statewide effort that brings together government agencies, faith-based communities, and business partners to …

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced the 10:33 Initiative was awarded a $1 million matching grant from the philanthropic nonprofit For Others to help expand the statewide effort that brings together government agencies, faith-based communities, and business partners to help Arkansans in times of crisis.“We launched the 10:33 Initiative as a project unlike anything government agencies have done before, carefully curated to give Arkansans a hand up, not a handout,” said Governor Sanders. “For Others’ mission is closely aligned with the initiative’s goal, and I’m grateful they’re investing in not only making access to individualized support even easier but also strengthening families and transforming lives across our state.”As one of the largest investments supporting the implementation of the Governor’s 10:33 Initiative, For Others’ grant will expand CarePortal in Arkansas, a technology platform that enables churches to respond to real-time needs to provide practical, individualized support to children and families in need. Additionally, their grant will help grow the No Wrong Door model across the state, making access to coordinated support for families and individuals easier, regardless of where they seek help first.“For Others is deeply committed to Arkansas and proud to provide $1 million in matching funds to help advance Governor Sanders’ 10:33 Initiative to our partner, Restore Hope,” said For Others Executive Director Deb Wyatt. “The Governor’s vision recognizes something we believe wholeheartedly: lasting change happens when government, nonprofits, churches, and local communities work together on behalf of children and families. This investment will help connect families with the right support before a crisis becomes even greater. We are honored to stand alongside Governor Sanders and our partners as Arkansas continues to lead the way in buiding stronger families and brighter futures for children.”Governor Sanders launched the 10:33 Initiative in October 2025, organized by her Faith-Based Initiatives office, alongside the White House Faith Office, the Arkansas Department of Human Services, the Arkansas Department of Commerce, and other partners to lift Arkansans out of poverty and improve their self-sufficiency. Restore Hope serves as the implementation partner – strengthening coordination between government agencies, nonprofits, faith organizations, and other local partners.As independence and stability are achieved, individuals are led to Arkansas LAUNCH, a skills-based platform connecting jobseekers with opportunities and assisting employers find the skilled workers they need – streamlined and for free.For Others is a nonprofit with a mission to end the child welfare crisis in America by raising awareness and connecting resources to solutions through three strategies: preventing children from entering foster care, recruiting and retaining great foster families, and empowering communities to create state-level solutions.Restore Hope is a nonprofit organization that equips communities with the technology, training, and support needed to solve complex social challenges through collaboration. It combines local leadership with the HopeHub technology platform, which helps organizations develop personalized plans for people in need, coordinate support across agencies, and measure progress over time. By addressing barriers such as housing, employment, transportation, food insecurity, and healthcare, Restore Hope builds stronger support systems to move Arkansans from crisis to stability, and ultimately, to careers that support long-term independence.A one-page document outlining opportunities for businesses, nonprofits, and community or faith partners to get involved in the 10:33 Initiative is available here.

“We launched the 10:33 Initiative as a project unlike anything government agencies have done before, carefully curated to give Arkansans a hand up, not a handout,” said Governor Sanders. “For Others’ mission is closely aligned with the initiative’s goal, and I’m grateful they’re investing in not only making access to individualized support even easier but also strengthening families and transforming lives across our state.”

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Governor Sanders Announces Appointment

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. —Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced the following appointment: Howard, Little River, Pike, and Sevier Counties Prosecutor Mickey Buchanan, Ashdown, to Prosecuting Attorney for the 9W Judicial District, effective September 2, 2026. Term to expire …

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. —Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced the following appointment:

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Sanders Announces Jonesboro as Arkansas’ Capital for a Day on August 11

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS: WHEREAS: Jonesboro, the largest community in Northeast Arkansas and the seat of Craighead County, was established in 1859 and officially incorporated in 1883, taking its name from State Senator William Jones — author of the legislation th…

WHEREAS: Governor Sanders’ “Capital for a Day” program highlights great cities around Arkansas like Jonesboro and brings senior state government officials into town to meet with their local counterparts; and

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Sanders Announces Paragould as Arkansas’ Capital for a Day on August 12

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS: WHEREAS: Paragould, named after two competing railmen, James Paramore and Jay Gould, is nestled atop Crowley’s Ridge and serves as the seat of Greene County; WHEREAS: In 1882, two railroads – the St. Louis and Iron Mountain …

WHEREAS: Governor Sanders’ “Capital for a Day” program highlights great cities around Arkansas like Paragould and brings senior state government officials into town to meet with their local counterparts; and

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Sanders Orders Flags to Half-Staff on August 7, 2026

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS: WHEREAS: William P. Keele was born on December 5th, 1917, and faithfully answered the call to serve his nation during World War II on September 30th, 1940; WHEREAS: Technician, Fifth Grade (Tec 5) Kee…

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim August 7th, 2026, as a day of remembrance for Technician Fifth Grade, William P. Keele, inviting all Arkansans to honor his legacy and reflect upon the cost of freedom he so bravely bore. I further order that the United States flag and the state flag of Arkansas be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on August 7th, 2026, as a mark of respect for Technician Fifth Grade, William P. Keele service, sacrifice, and devotion.

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Governor Sanders Announces Personnel Changes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced changes to her Governor’s Office personnel. Josh Stewart, a policy advisor, will serve as the Governor’s Director of Legislative Affairs; Zach Jacobs, the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Arkansas Department of Education, will serve as …

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced changes to her Governor’s Office personnel. Josh Stewart, a policy advisor, will serve as the Governor’s Director of Legislative Affairs; Zach Jacobs, the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Arkansas Department of Education, will serve as the Governor’s Policy Director; and Heather Patterson has joined the Governor’s office as the Director of Advance & Coalitions. “As we head into the 2027 legislative session, I want to add new talent to my team of smart, driven leaders who can help advance our conservative agenda and continue Arkansas’ record as a blueprint for reform for the entire country,” said Governor Sanders. “Josh, Zach, and Heather have proven themselves through their service to our state, and I’m excited to have them take on these roles.”

“As we head into the 2027 legislative session, I want to add new talent to my team of smart, driven leaders who can help advance our conservative agenda and continue Arkansas’ record as a blueprint for reform for the entire country,” said Governor Sanders. “Josh, Zach, and Heather have proven themselves through their service to our state, and I’m excited to have them take on these roles.”

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Sanders Appoints Gary Stark to the Arkansas State Board of Education

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that she has appointed Gary Stark to serve on the Arkansas State Board of Education. Stark, whose term will expire on June 30, 2033, is replacing Adrienne Woods. “Few people understand what it ta…

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that she has appointed Gary Stark to serve on the Arkansas State Board of Education. Stark, whose term will expire on June 30, 2033, is replacing Adrienne Woods.

“Few people understand what it takes to build great schools better than Gary Stark,” said Governor Sanders. “Spending more than three decades serving students and teachers at every level of education, from the classroom to national leadership, Gary knows that student success starts with great teachers equipped with the tools they need to help every kid reach their full potential. His work has strengthened thousands of schools, supporting hundreds of thousands of educators and millions of students across the country, bringing the same focus on teacher effectiveness and student achievement that’s at the heart of Arkansas LEARNS. I know Gary will bring that same leadership and vision to the State Board of Education as we continue to shape the next chapter of education in Arkansas.”