ARKADELPHIA, AR, Dec. 10, 2025: The Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize April Shepherd, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator at Dawson Education Service Cooperative, as the latest FutureMaker honoree.
The FutureMakers series is dedicated to celebrating the educators, mentors, and community partners who are preparing students for the careers of tomorrow. We aim to share their stories, highlight their impact, and inspire others to join in the work of preparing today’s learners for success in the years ahead. Because the future doesn’t just happen, it’s made.
Mrs. Shepherd serves as a critical link between regional schools and workforce demands. She is recognized for her tireless commitment to closing the skills gap by alleviating the administrative workload, allowing districts to focus squarely on student learning. A standout achievement includes her role as the driving force behind the effort to bring the ACT Work Ready Communities designation to Clark County, a metric that verifies the preparedness of the local workforce.
Dawson Education Service Cooperative’s mission is to assist and support member school districts in their ability to deliver high-quality education to students by providing a range of essential services and resources. Dawson serves over 20 schools across five counties: Clark, Hot Spring, Garland, and Saline, acting as an intermediate service unit between the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) and local districts.
“I can attest that over 21 years, she has been responsible for securing funding for equipment, technology, and training for CTE programs in the 22 schools we serve,” said Candiss Bennet, Assistant Director and Teacher Center Coordinator at Dawson. “She is recognized in the CTE community as a ‘kids-first’ leader who will courageously go to bat to complete projects that improve the lives of students in our schools.”
Mrs. Shepherd’s approachable demeanor and collaborative spirit ensure an open line of communication with district administrators, allowing her to efficiently identify and secure the resources required to meet individual school needs. Through her dedication, she is playing a major part in ensuring all of our students graduate with the skills needed to enter a successful career path.
For more information about the Arkadelphia Alliance’s workforce development efforts, visit https://arkadelphiaalliance.com/workforce/.
