Forty Under 40: Rick Barry

Rick Barry recently took on a new role at NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC), giving him a chance to put his education and work experience to use making NWACC run at its highest level.

Barry grew up in central Illinois, completing bachelor’s degrees in political science and philosophy from Illinois State University in 2010. He earned his master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit studies from the University of Arkansas in 2017.

But his quest for achievement started with becoming an Eagle Scout at age 14.

“I’ve always seen myself as a jack of all trades, master of none,” Barry said. “I’ve always been interested in how things work, and I’ve always been interested in just a little bit of everything.”

Barry also works with a new startup company, BreakGround, to bring Al chatbots to municipalities in Northwest Arkansas and the region and help 

planners and other municipal employees decrease research time, increase efficiency, and expand government transparency.

Barry is branching out to help other institutes of higher learning. He’s building a fall semester 2024 introduction to public administration course for Connors State College, where he has taught American national government since fall 2021. Also, he identified the need for and initiated the development of a master in community planning program by working with the dean of the University of Arkansas School of Architecture and a major in the same area. The program is awaiting funding to launch.

In another move to strengthen his community, Barry and the Natural State Council of the Boy Scouts of America are preparing for an adult pinewood derby fundraiser in downtown Springdale in September.