Twenty-four Arkansas Tech University public relations and sociology students have collaborated throughout the spring 2026 semester to develop a comprehensive public education campaign to increase understanding of recycling in the City of Russellville.
âWe found that most people in Russellville are interested in recycling and care about recycling, but they donât really know how to do it, where to put their recycling or what theyâre supposed to recycle,â said ATU student Madelyn Atkins of Beebe. âThere is a care about it, but there wasnât much education on how to do it.â
Atkins and her classmates are enrolled in an interdisciplinary project-based learning (IPBL) course that blends the senior-level Sociology Capstone class with the senior-level Public Relations Project class at Arkansas Tech. The class is led by Dr. Julie Mikles-Schluterman, ATU professor of sociology and director of the ATU Center for Community Engagement and Academic Outreach, and Megan Toland, ATU associate professor of journalism.