LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Boys State has named Jackson Conner as Assistant Director of Engagement for the program, which has transformed the lives of young men throughout the state and beyond since 1940.
In his volunteer-based role, Conner will help lead Arkansas Boys State’s constituent relations, strategic partnerships, and media and communication efforts.
Conner first attended Arkansas Boys State during his delegate year in 2018, in which he represented North Little Rock High School and was elected as Arkansas Boys State Senator. He has served the program since as a junior counselor and state counselor in various media and communications roles. In 2021, Conner was the recipient of the Loyd McDermott Spirit Award, which is given to the junior counselor who best demonstrates outstanding service to Arkansas Boys State.
“Arkansas Boys State has been an integral part of my life since 2018,” Conner said. “Having the opportunity to work and learn alongside Kaleb Turner in the early years of developing a communications and media strategy for Arkansas Boys State, I quickly learned how I can best support this program. Moving to this Assistant Director role will allow me to continue supporting a program that I love in a field of work that I love, too.”
Conner is currently the Director of Scheduling for an Arkansas member of the United States House of Representatives in Washington D.C. He earned a B.A. in Public Relations and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2023.
“Arkansas Boys State strives to provide delegates with meaningful content and programming for one week — ultimately a week that ends up shaping a lifetime,” Conner said. “The impact that Arkansas Boys State leaves on its alumni is truly life-changing, and I’m grateful to play a role with this incredible organization.”
Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State, said he looks forward to seeing Conner grow in his new leadership role and continue to build the program’s reputation as the 100-year program anniversary nears.
“Jackson has demonstrated, from day one of his delegate year, that he’s an irreplaceable member of the Arkansas Boys State family,” Jackson said. “His ideas and his commitment to this program and to its students and staff make him a leader that we’re lucky to have on our team. I’m excited for him in this new role.”
Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors. Since 1940, the week-long summer program has transformed the next generation of leaders throughout the state and beyond. These men have become state, national, and international leaders, including Pres. Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former White House Chiefs of Staff Mack McLarty and Jack Watson Jr., Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. John Boozman and Arkansas Chief Justice John Dan Kemp.
During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week’s end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends — all with the guiding principle that “Democracy Depends on Me.” Learn more at arboysstate.org.