Timothy Riley completes Year One of Community Development Institute Training at UCA
- Central Arkansas Planning & Development
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Timothy Riley, Director of Community Services at the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (CAPDD), recently completed Year 1 of the 39th Annual Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas on August 1, 2025.
The Community Development Institute is a nationally recognized, three-year training program that equips community leaders and economic development professionals with the tools and strategies needed to strengthen local economies and improve quality of life. Each year, participants spend a week at UCA learning from experienced practitioners and exploring best practices in community and economic development.
“Learning from your peers always has an impact and helps you grow in the job you are doing,” Riley shared.
Riley began the program this year and is set to complete it in July 2027. As CAPDD’s Director of Community Services, he works directly with cities and counties to identify needs, develop project ideas, and transform them into successful grant applications. Once awarded, his team also manages the administration of those grants—ensuring that every project fulfills its community’s vision and goals.
“This is a great opportunity and something the leadership at CAPDD truly believes in,” Riley said. “I’m not the only one to take this journey; in fact, everyone on our grants team has completed the three-year program. I want to take what I learn from CDI and make sure it has an impact on the communities I work with in the future.”
As of 2027, all members of CAPDD’s Community Services Team will have completed the CDI program.
Leigh Pool completed the program in 1999.
Tanya Childers completed the program in 2013.
Conya Spencer completed the program in 2014.
Timothy Riley is on track to complete the program in 2027.
Through a curriculum focused on community asset identification, goal setting, stakeholder collaboration, and strategic partnerships, CDI provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to bring people, businesses, and organizations together to achieve lasting community progress.
Founded in 1987, the Community Development Institute at UCA is the birthplace of CDI training, established through partnerships with Entergy, Southwestern Bell, and ARKLA. Since then, the model has expanded nationwide, with programs in Texas, Idaho, Alabama, Illinois, and Delaware, along with a national certification body—the Community Development Council.
For more information about the Community Development Institute, visit www.uca.edu/cdi.
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