CONWAY AR. – Chantell Dunbar-Jones, Public Health Educator & Lewisville City Council
Woman, was among the 48 individuals who were awarded graduation certificates during the 38 th
annual Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas on August
2,2024. Chantell Dunbar-Jones completed all three years of the Institute’s program of study.
CDI trains community leaders and economic development professionals on how to
strengthen their local economies and build communities. This ls achieved by developing
the ability of participants to identify community assets, set goals, encourage
collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders, and bring communities, organizations,
and businesses together to respond to a broad range of economic and quality of life
issues.
The complete institute experience is a three-year program, with one week of training per
year. Participants move through the program curriculum in cohorts and are exposed to a
comprehensive, applied approach to the field of community and economic development.
UCA is the birthplace for the Community Development lnstitute, which started in 1987 in
partnership with Entergy, Southwestern Bell, and ARKLA. Since that time, CDl programs have
been established in Texas, Idaho, Alabama, Illinois, and Delaware, and a national
governing and certification body, the Community Development Council, has been
created.
More information about CDI can be found at www.uca.edu/cdi.