Marcus Orf, Ozarka College vice president of advancement and workforce development, recently completed the Year 1 Class of the 39th annual Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas on August 1, 2025.
"The Community Development Institute is a vital resource for Arkansas' community and economic development professionals. Understanding how communities can work together to grow and thrive is critical for our rural service area," said Dr. Josh Wilson, Ozarka president. "We're proud Marcus is leveraging this opportunity as we support economic growth through workforce development in our local communities."
CDI trains community leaders and economic development professionals on how to strengthen their local economies and build communities. This is achieved by developing the ability of participants to identify community assets, set goals, encourage collaboration and partnerships with stake holders, 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 comprehensive, applied approach to the field of community and economic development.
UCA is the birthplace for the Community Development Institute, which started in 1987 in partnership with Entergy, Southwestern Bell, and ARKLA. Since that time, CDIs have been established in Texas, Idaho, Alabama, Illinois, and Delaware, and a national governing and certification body, the Community Development Council, has been created.
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