Anyone who has visited a busy Chick-fil-A drive-thru knows the experience: a line of cars wrapped around the building, employees moving efficiently between vehicles with tablets in hand, and a process so seamless that customers often receive their food faster than seems possible. Most people leave thinking about lunch. Secretary Jim Hudson ’96 sees a lesson in public service.

As unusual benchmarks go, it is not one most people would expect from Arkansas’ chief financial officer. But Hudson spends a surprising amount of time thinking about customer experience, efficiency and public trust. For him, even something as routine as renewing a license plate shapes how citizens view government. If state government cannot handle simple tasks well, he argues, why should anyone trust it with more complicated ones?

That philosophy has guided Hudson’s leadership of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, where he oversees a $25 billion enterprise and approximately 2,300 employees. It also reflects a mindset that has shaped every chapter of a career that rarely followed a conventional path.

Hudson is the first to acknowledge that his journey does not fit neatly into a box. Ask him how he arrived at one of the highest-ranking positions in Arkansas government, and he is more likely to talk about curiosity, learning and problem-solving than career planning.

“My base wiring is as a developer,” Hudson said. “As a problem solver.”

That mindset would carry Hudson through a career that crossed industries, disciplines and callings before ultimately leading him to the highest levels of Arkansas state government.

The path began at Hendrix College, where Hudson studied political science and imagined a very different future.

His original plan was to pursue a doctorate and teach at the collegiate level. But after graduation, financial realities pushed him into the workforce instead. A fellow Hendrix alumnus helped him land a position at Systematics, the Little Rock technology company that would later become part of Alltel, and Hudson quickly found himself immersed in a world he had not expected.

Working in human resources, he was exposed to labor law, compliance issues and the challenges organizations face when balancing competing priorities. The experience sparked an interest in how institutions function and how effective leaders help people navigate complexity.

It also convinced him that graduate education could help him build on those interests. “I had a two-year gap,” Hudson said. “That was so good. It was clarifying. It let me know, okay, here’s why I’m doing this.” With a full-time job and a clearer sense of purpose, Hudson enrolled in the part-time evening law program at what is now the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.

Law school quickly became a test of endurance. Nearly three decades later, Hudson still laughs when asked what he remembers most about the experience. “I was really tired,” he said.

But the long nights produced something far more enduring than exhaustion.

Among the professors who left a lasting impression was Professor Ranko Oliver, who taught legal research and writing. Hudson credits the course with strengthening skills that would prove valuable throughout his career, regardless of industry or job title.

What stayed with him was not simply legal doctrine. It was a different way of thinking. Law school challenged him to analyze information more critically, communicate more effectively and distinguish between details that mattered and those that did not.

If Hudson’s story followed a more predictable trajectory, the next chapter would have been easy to predict.

It didn’t.

Years after earning his law degree, Hudson experienced what he describes as a call to ministry. Rather than viewing that calling as separate from his professional life, he approached it the same way he had approached other significant responsibilities: by preparing for it.

“If I’m going to be in ministry,” he recalled thinking, “then I need to learn some things.”

That conviction first led him to pursue a master’s degree in leadership studies from John Brown University. By then, Hudson was already serving as a pastor and wanted to deepen his understanding of leadership and what he describes as the “shepherding” responsibilities of ministry. As he puts it, if you’re going to excel at something, you have to be a student of it.

Later, he earned a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, immersing himself in theology, biblical studies and ministry preparation. He studied Greek and Hebrew, explored scripture in its original languages and developed a deeper understanding of the responsibilities that come with leading and serving others. Hudson spent 11 years in pastoral ministry at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.

He later joined the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, where he served in several leadership positions before becoming chief of staff for the Arkansas Department of Commerce. In 2023, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed him secretary of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration and the state’s chief financial officer.

Despite the varied titles, Hudson sees a common thread running through much of his career. “This is my calling,” he said.

That calling no longer takes the form of a pulpit, but Hudson does not view his work in state government as separate from the principles that shaped his years in ministry. He still thinks of leadership in terms of stewardship, service and helping people grow. He describes himself as a shepherd, though he is careful to distinguish personal faith from public service and does not view government as a place to proselytize.

Instead, the mindset shows up in how he leads.

Hudson’s instinct is not simply to solve problems but to develop people. When he sees a path forward, he understands that others may need time to see it as well. Part of leadership, he believes, is helping people understand the mission, embrace a shared vision and move toward it together. That requires patience, consistency and a willingness to repeat the message until it becomes part of an organization’s culture. At DFA, Hudson regularly reinforces the same expectations and priorities, believing that meaningful change happens when people understand not only what they are being asked to do, but why it matters.

His perspective was shaped over decades of experience, reflection and more than a few mistakes. Looking back, Hudson admits he would have approached a role like this very differently earlier in his career. “I’m so glad I’m doing this in this season of my life,” he said.

There was a time when achievement and validation carried more weight. Like many professionals, he chased opportunities, made mistakes and accepted at least one job he now believes he should not have taken. The lessons that followed proved just as valuable as the successes.

Today, Hudson sees the role differently. “This job doesn’t give me anything,” he said.

Rather than looking to a title for identity, he believes leaders are most effective when they operate from a secure sense of who they already are. His goal is not to take from a position but to serve through it.

It is a philosophy shaped by decades of learning, leadership and service, but one rooted in the same habits of analysis, communication and problem-solving that Hudson first sharpened in Bowen’s evening program. The legal education he pursued while working full time became part of a foundation that supported a career spanning business, ministry and public service.

For Hudson, the lesson is simple: careers rarely unfold exactly as planned. The challenge is not to chase a title, but to keep learning, remain open to opportunity and be prepared when purpose calls you in an unexpected direction.

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For Madalyn Dowell, the Veterans Legal Services Clinic has provided a grounded, hands-on view of what legal practice looks like beyond the classroom.

Working directly with veterans navigating lengthy disability claims through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, she has seen firsthand how complex and time-consuming the process can be. Many clients face delays that stretch for months or longer, often becoming discouraged as their cases move slowly through federal systems.

Through regular client interviews and status updates, Madalyn has learned that effective advocacy begins with clear communication and steady support. While the work often involves detailed paperwork and procedural navigation, she says the most meaningful moments come from the relationships built along the way.

“It is easy to get lost in the paperwork,” she said. “But the difference you make is not always on the page. Clients are grateful to have someone walking alongside them through the process.”

The experience has sharpened her professional skills while reinforcing her sense of purpose. By fostering trust and maintaining open dialogue, she has strengthened a core competency that will serve her across every area of practice.

Her time in the clinic has also clarified the kind of lawyer she hopes to become: one committed to creating positive change in the lives of others.

At Bowen Law, clinics, externships and practicums are the capstone of how we prepare practice-ready lawyers. For Madalyn, that preparation has meant stepping into real advocacy, real responsibility and real impact before graduation.

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Fouz Abu-Obeid is a third-year student at the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and a two-year teaching assistant in Research, Writing, and Analysis. Known for her thoughtful communication and steady encouragement, she has supported fellow students through challenging assignments by offering practical feedback and building their confidence one step at a time.

During her 1L year, Fouz Abu-Obeid found herself drawn to the challenge of legal writing. She enjoyed breaking down complex research tasks and developing her skills in structure and clarity. But it wasn’t just the content that resonated — it was the chance to help others succeed. After regularly walking through assignments with her peers, she realized she loved the teaching side too.

As a two-year RWA teaching assistant, Fouz has met regularly with students navigating everything from predictive memos to appellate briefs. One student, facing difficulty with a major writing assignment, asked for help — and Fouz responded with a series of weekly meetings that turned writing into a manageable, confidence-building process. “Meeting once isn’t always enough,” she said. “For some students, consistent and individualized support makes a bigger difference.”

Teaching has also deepened her own skills. “When I help someone work through an argument or organize a brief, I have to explain why something works, and that’s made me more intentional about my own writing.”

After graduation, Fouz plans to continue building her legal writing skills in a career focused on contract drafting, rulemaking, legislative editing, or compliance. She also hopes to mentor law students and, one day, return to the classroom to teach RWA.

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Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Rhonda K. Wood, a 1999 Bowen graduate, delivered the keynote address. She encouraged the new students to act with integrity, serve the public, and help promote trust in the justice system throughout their careers.

Justice Wood then led the students in reciting the Pledge of Professionalism, a shared commitment to ethical conduct and personal responsibility. Afterward, she invited them to wear the Bowen pin as a visible reminder of the values that will guide them through law school and beyond.

Dean Colin Crawford also spoke, reflecting on Bowen’s proud alumni network and the importance of professionalism in legal education and practice. He introduced members of the Bowen faculty and welcomed them as mentors for the journey ahead.

The ceremony marked an important beginning for the newest members of the Bowen community. With hands-on training, close mentorship, and a deep connection to Arkansas’s legal system, Bowen students are preparing to build legal careers that make a difference—in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across the state and beyond. A reception followed, hosted by Dean Crawford, offering students and faculty a chance to connect and celebrate the start of the academic year.

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The law school’s Day of Service is a long-standing Bowen tradition that kicks off orientation with a clear message: public service is not just part of the curriculum, it is a foundational value.

At Dunbar, students painted a basketball court and chalkboard wall, refreshed landscaping, assembled bookshelves, and installed bulletin boards and picnic tables. They also supported school programs through the delivery of more than 100 freezer-sized nutrition bags, 10 bags of donated clothing, and more than 100 hygiene products for Brian’s Closet.

“The legal profession is, at its best, a profession of service,” said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. “At Bowen, we begin cultivating that commitment from day one. Our Day of Service is more than symbolic; it reflects a deeper reality of who we are as a law school. Each year, our students deliver thousands of hours of pro bono legal service to Arkansans, and this early experience reminds them that their legal education is not separate from the needs of the community. We are proud to partner with schools like Dunbar and to contribute, in a small but tangible way, to the city we call home.”

Dunbar Middle School shared a message of thanks following the event: “From sprucing up our spaces to showing genuine care for our students and staff, their efforts have left a lasting mark on our school community. Their generosity and hard work didn’t just improve our physical environment — they reminded us what it means to come together in service and support.”

The project was a collaboration between Bowen Law and Dunbar Middle School, with support from local businesses. The Good Earth Garden Center donated mulch, rock, and potting soil, while Southern Lawn provided transportation for large flowerpots. Bowen contributed new flowers and flowerpots for the entry, new flags and picnic tables, along with other supplies, materials, and labor.

Organizers said the event gave students an immediate connection between their legal ambitions and their role in the broader community.

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