Creative Class of 2015: Nikolai DiPippa

ND_PhotoRecently, the Clinton School Speaker Series hosted its 1,000th speaker. Nikolai DiPippa has been involved with the program since its early days, joining the Clinton School in 2006.

His official title is Director of Public Programs. But what it means is that he is in charge of identifying, booking, and squiring the participants in the Clinton School Speaker Series.  This is a task that takes diplomacy, patience, organization, creativity, and charm.  It also takes long hours day-in and day-out.

In addition, DiPippa is executive producer and host of “Clinton School Presents” radio program on KUAR. In these programs, he conducts one-on-one interviews with some of the distinguished speakers at the Clinton School.

A Little Rock native, he studied at Catholic High and Hendrix College.  Humble and self-effacing, his varied interests have served him well in identifying and pursuing a wide-range of speakers for the Clinton School.

Past speakers from the Clinton School are available for viewing at the Speakers Series website, which also features information on upcoming events.

Clinton School Speakers Series Continues in December

Though things may be winding down for the year in most arenas, the Clinton School speaker series continues to be strong throughout December (thanks to the efforts of Dean Skip Rutherford and Director of Public Programs Nikolai DiPippa).  Here is the roster for the remainder of the month.

“Cameras in the Courtroom: The West Memphis Three Case,” a panel discussion
Thursday, December 13 at 6:00 p.m. (Clinton Center Great Hall) *In partnership with the Arkansas Times
– Join us for a panel discussion on “Cameras in the Courtroom” with Jason Baldwin of the West Memphis Three; Joe Berlinger, director of the documentary film series “Paradise Lost” about the West Memphis Three case and Mara Leveritt, author of “Devil’s Knot,” which also chronicles the case.

“The Little Rock Accord,” Aled Jones, director of the Global Sustainability Institute at Anglia Ruskin University
Friday, December 14 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
– As part of the meeting of General Assembly of the Club de Madrid, a non-profit organization composed of more than 90 democratic former heads of state from over 60 countries, Jones will give a presentation about the “Little Rock Accord,” an action plan to mobilize political will to increase the role of private sector finance, particularly that of pension and sovereign wealth funds in driving low carbon, climate resilient, sustainable growth, especially in developing countries.

“Vital Voices: The Power of Women Leading Change Around the World,” Alyse Nelson, president and CEO of Vital Voices
Monday, December 17 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall) *Book signing to follow
– Nelson will discuss the work of Vital Voices, a nonprofit that has worked for more than a decade to bring together women who want to enable others to become change agents in their governments, advocates for social justice and supporters of democracy.

Muna AbuSulayman, director of Directions Consultancy
Wednesday, December 19 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
– AbuSulayman is director of Directions Consultancy, a boutique firm for innovative impactful philanthropy. She has successfully launched, managed and scaled multiple businesses and foundations throughout her career and is continuously placed in lists naming her one of the most influential Arabs in the world.


Renowned Saudi Arabian artist Manal Al Dowayan

Wednesday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
– Manal is one of Saudi Arabia’s foremost artists – her photography has been exhibited across the world and her artworks are part of the permanent collections of the British Museum and the Jordan National Museum of Fine Art. Her series, “I Am” (2007-09) is a series of black and white photographic portraits of women and addresses issues which pertain to the position of the Arab woman in Islamic Society.
*Reserve your seats by emailing publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu, or calling 501-683-5239.