Will Watson of Fayetteville is the newest member of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts Board of Visitors.
Watson, a 2005 ASMSA graduate, said he is very proud to have the opportunity to bring the perspective of an alumnus to the Board of Visitors, allowing him to share graduates’ expectations as well as his experience as a student.
ASMSA’s academic opportunities drew Watson to the school. Coming from a small school district in Saline County, Watson said his class options were limited. He decided quickly ASMSA was a place he wanted to attend because what the school had to offer was “head and shoulders above everything in the state — advanced math and science classes and literature and art courses that weren’t offered at my other school,” he said.
As an example, Watson said at the time many schools offered only one foreign language, but ASMSA offered German, French, Spanish and Russian. He studied German while at ASMSA and later studied German and Arabic in college. He studied abroad to learn Arabic as well.
“It really shaped the way I view the world. … [ASMSA] was really the first step in realizing there was a much bigger world. It completely changed my life and the direction it was going,” Watson said.
Watson said in addition to new, challenging material he was presented in the classroom, he was also challenged to ask questions, “to dig deeper than just what was presented in class. It completely changed my outlook on school in that for the first time I had to work very hard to have success in class. We were also given the opportunity to expand what our limits were. If a class you wanted to take wasn’t offered, you could help design it and take a new class. There were just so many diverse course options that we were able to develop a curriculum that fit what we were interested in.”
Living in a residential setting where he was responsible not only for his classwork but also all the other aspects of living away from home for the first time were instrumental in preparing him for college, Watson said.
“It’s a huge advantage over people who have never been in a university environment before, not just in the number of credits you enter college with but also just being more acclimated to living away from home and getting to know others with diverse backgrounds. It just sets you up for success in college,” Watson said.
Watson is the director of digital media and data analysis for the Southern Progress Fund, a nonprofit group that works on voter engagement issues across the South. His first opportunity to volunteer in politics came while attending ASMSA. His American Studies class as well as the opportunity to participate in Model UN stoked his interest in politics, he said.
After graduating from ASMSA, Watson attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he earned bachelor’s degrees in international relations and Middle East studies and a master’s in public administration.
Watson said he believes his experience working with public policy and legislators will be a benefit to work to ensure ASMSA has the resources it needs to continue to provide excellent educational opportunities for students across Arkansas.
He said he is also looking forward to the opportunity to work toward connecting more alumni with current students, to “be that bridge to what’s next for current students.”
Watson said his two younger brothers also attended the school — Nick graduating in 2007 and Josh in 2008. He said the opportunity to serve on the board is a way “repay some of the debt” he and his family owe the school and the state for their education.
Gov. Mike Beebe appointed Watson to the board in October, and Watson attended his first board meeting on Dec. 1. Watson is filling the remainder of the term for Leigh Merry. His term will end Jan. 14, 2017.