Dr. Daniel Fudge believes that civic engagement is a cornerstone of society and wants to ensure his students grasp this.
Fudge, who lives in Fort Smith, has served in higher education as a professor since 2020, working at institutions across the region. As an assistant professor of political science at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Fudge specializes in cultivating education in American government, civic engagement and state politics with undergraduate students.
He first became interested in teaching political science and being engaged with government as an undergraduate at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. During his studies, he interned with Sen. John Boozman, R-Rogers. He then jumped to the other side of the aisle as part of the student scholars program at the Democratic National Convention through the Washington Center.
“I thought to myself, this is fascinating,” Fudge said. “After I graduated, I wanted to do more in terms of government. I have always believed in public service and sharing that with others and helping guide them towards civic engagement.”
He earned his doctorate in political science from the University of Mississippi in 2019.
He has published research in the past five years in “Social Science Quarterly,” “American Politics Research” and “American Review of Politics.” He is part of the Civic Arkansas program with the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and active with the Arkansas Political Science Association.
“My personal approach and the way I talk to people is that government, it’s not a top-down process. It’s bottom up,” Fudge said. “Yes, we should pay attention to the federal government, but at the end of the day, it’s what’s right in front of you, the city council and representatives [that needs your attention].”