Trinity Foster's Experience in Entrepreneurship, Extension, and Embracing the Unexpected

by Trinity Foster, Experiential Scholars Program (ESP) intern - June 9, 2026

I entered the Experiential Scholars Program (ESP) expecting to learn more about extension work across Arkansas. What I did not expect was how quickly this experience would challenge me personally and professionally.

I'm a political science major and mass media minor at Southern Arkansas University, originally from Crossett, Arkansas. Public service has always been my north star, and this internship felt like the natural step toward that calling.  

Orientation was held at the 4-H Center, a place that carries many memories for me. I was a 4-H member for nine years, so returning in a professional capacity was a full-circle moment. Over three days, we dug into the history and mission of land-grant institutions, explored the incredible reach of extension beyond agriculture, and took a humbling look at where we fit in this massive, meaningful machine.  

Another highlight of orientation was learning about our work styles through the Colors assessment. To no surprise, my primary color is gold. Golds are known for their preparation, organization, and always having a backup plan for their backup plan. That self-knowledge was put to the test faster than I expected. When an unforeseen circumstance on the way to a field assignment threw every plan I had out of the window, I found myself in an unfamiliar place with no roadmap. What I found instead were extension staff and family, some complete strangers, who showed up without hesitation to help. That kind of community is not something I take lightly, and I hope to exhibit that level of support in every room I enter this summer. 

My special project continues the theme of pushing myself into unfamiliar territory, this time intentionally. Rather than leaning into politics, I am focusing on entrepreneurship and small business development. After a conversation with Drew Smith of 75strong, I learned that authenticity in branding and marketing is a consistent struggle for small businesses across Arkansas. Knowing that nearly half of Arkansas employees work for small businesses, this felt like a meaningful way to keep serving, just from a different angle. Using my background in civic engagement and mass media, I plan to create a deliverable that helps entrepreneurs leverage their strengths to meet the real needs of rural communities. I'll be gathering insight in Helena-West Helena and focusing on entrepreneurs in the Pine Bluff area. 

As the summer continues, I'm reminded that growth rarely looks the way we expect; sometimes it's a zip line that gets the better of you (yes, this is based on a true story), and sometimes it's the problems you must solve on the spot. I look forward to facing more of both. I can’t wait to learn more about entrepreneurship, branding, asset-based community development, and most importantly, I look forward to growing alongside my fellow interns as we each find unique ways to serve Arkansas communities. I am confident that the lessons we’ll learn in resilience and community-building will guide us for a lifetime.