OUR VISION
For Arkansas to become a global leader in the transformation of existing industries through the application of data analytics and related computing capabilities involving the integration of technical and business skills, advancement of talent pipelines and ongoing upgrades to relevant workforce skills.
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A group of dedicated professionals with a proven track record of success, we’re here to help build partnerships that will sustain the future success of the state of Arkansas’s talent, companies and universities.
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From facilitating apprenticeships to hosting progressive events for talent and corporate partners, our services span a wide range of opportunities for partners to engage in the success of data sciences and computer sciences in Arkansas.
Our Events Calendar includes activities hosted or sponsored by the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences as well as events hosted by our partners and organizations that provide additional value and impact to data sciences and computer sciences in Arkansas.
Our Partners, which include statewide corporate, government and academic stakeholders, provide immense value to the strategic growth and strength of the data sciences and computer sciences in Arkansas.
The Arkansas Center for Data Sciences (ACDS) Apprenticeship is an accelerated program that provides advanced training that can be applied to corporate careers in computer & data science with ACDS Partners. ACDS apprenticeships provide the curriculum to teach the required general skills, with a customized portion of the curriculum allowing individual corporations to teach its own specific culture and processes and tools.
Interested in our Apprenticeships?
Charge from the Governor
In forming this Governor’s Blue-Ribbon Commission to Report on the Economic Competitiveness of Computing and Data Analytics, my expectation is to set a guide for the State to respond to the needs of our business community and, in doing so, create career opportunities for our best and brightest young workers to remain in Arkansas and raise our overall state capabilities across industry, higher education and government to advance and apply the tools of data analytics and computing.
Arkansas is not new to the world of data analytics and computing. We have a history of both successful innovative companies and established industry leaders breaking new ground in the use of advanced computing and data analytics. But we know that the competition around the transformation of Big Data and its applications is stiff and the stakes are high for our state’s leading industries and future economic prosperity.
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Arkansas can be a national leader in data analytics and computing. Our coding initiative is now nationally recognized for its accomplishments, with more than 5,500 high school students participating and a growing cadre of trained teachers certified to sustain the effort far into the future. This success now needs to be carried across industry, government and higher education.
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For Arkansas to succeed we must work together to raise our capabilities and have a common game-plan with a clear vision, mission and strategic actions to be a national leader. It is this important task that the Blue-Ribbon Commission is being asked to address.
CONTACT
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Join our mailing list today to learn more about upcoming events and recent news for Data Sciences in Arkansas.
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Interested in becoming an engaged partner? Contact us!
Join ACDS
To apply for a job with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences, please send a cover letter together with your C.V. to:
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To see our current openings, go here.
Head Office
124 W. Capitol Ave, Suite 950
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
*Valet Parking off Louisiana Street
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Tel: 501-500-0811
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“The future of Arkansas’ economic development is tied to our ability to succeed in data analytics and computing. It is a technology that cuts across our leading industries.”
CHARLES MORGAN / CEO / FIRST ORION
MISSION
Critical for the success of Arkansas’ leading industries and companies being able to compete in data analytics and computing is our ability to sustain a public-private partnership able to accomplish strategic and focused near-term actions that address industry needs, while focusing longer-term on emerging needs and opportunities.
Over the next five years, the public-private partnership’s strategic priorities involve:
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Addressing the challenge of recruiting top talent actively involved in data analytics and computing
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Raising industry awareness and understanding
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Developing, engaging and retaining homegrown top talent in data analytics and computing. The longer-term mission of the public-private partnership would be to advance the following broad objectives:
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Advance a thriving ecosystem and high-value business environment in data analytics and computing in Arkansas focused on existing industries and business functions, such as supply chain management, consumer and retail services, energy, telecommunications, and health care
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Create a critical mass of technology capabilities and workforce skills in data analytics and computing to drive economic growth in the state and to improve the quality and efficiency in delivering public services to Arkansans
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Foster high-skilled, high-paying career pathways for Arkansans in data analytics and computing
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Board of Directors
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Charles Morgan, CEO, First Orion Corporation
Mike Preston, Executive Director, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Clay Johnson, EVP, Enterprise Chief Information Officer, Walmart Stores, Inc.
Scott Spradley, EVP & Chief Technology Officer, Tyson Foods, Inc.
Warren Stephens, Chairman, President & CEO, Stephens Inc.