ACLU of Arkansas Welcomes Two to Growing Team

LITTLE ROCK — The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas is proud to welcome Mel Alvarez (she/they) and Sarah Campbell-Miller (she/her) to the affiliate’s staff, strengthening the organization’s operational capacity and supporter engagement as it continues its work to defend and advance civil rights and civil liberties across the state.

Alvarez joins the ACLU of Arkansas as Operations Specialist, working across departments to support staff, leadership, and volunteers; strengthen internal systems; and help ensure the affiliate operates efficiently and effectively in service of its mission.

Originally from Inglewood, California, Alvarez moved to Little Rock in 2021 and quickly became engaged in community advocacy. A Mexican American and first-generation college graduate, Alvarez will graduate this spring from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a double major in English and Sociology. Their background includes community organizing, education, and LGBTQ advocacy. While at UALR, Alvarez founded the Rainbow Alliance and helped open the Rainbow Center — the first LGBTQ center of its kind in Arkansas — expanding access to affirming resources and safe spaces statewide.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the ACLU of Arkansas and contribute to work that so clearly aligns with my values and lived experience,” said Alvarez. “Operations is about making sure people have what they need to do their best work, and I’m proud to support a team that’s fighting every day for dignity, equity, and human rights in Arkansas.”

Campbell-Miller joins the affiliate as Supporter Engagement Specialist, a role focused on strengthening relationships with donors and supporters, expanding storytelling efforts, and building sustainable systems that connect people across the state to the ACLU of Arkansas’s work.

Campbell-Miller brings more than a decade of journalism experience to the role. Most recently, she served as senior online editor at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, where she also spent time as deputy online editor. Prior to that, she worked for six years at Arkansas Business as a reporter and assistant online editor, and for five years as a reporter at The Leader in Jacksonville. She has earned more than 19 Arkansas Press Association awards, a Green Eyeshades Award, and was named 2025 Outstanding Online/Print Editor at the Diamond Journalism Awards. Campbell-Miller is a board member of the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

“I’ve spent my career telling stories that matter, and I’m thrilled to bring those skills to the ACLU of Arkansas,” said Campbell-Miller. “This role is about helping people see the impact of this work and feel connected to it — and I can’t think of a better place to put my energy, creativity, and commitment to being a net positive in the world.”

Holly Dickson, Executive Director of the ACLU of Arkansas, said the new hires reflect the affiliate’s continued investment in building a strong, sustainable organization.

“Mel and Sarah each bring an incredible combination of skill, heart, and lived experience to our team,” Dickson said. “As our work continues to grow in scope and urgency, investing in operations and supporter engagement is essential. Their additions strengthen our ability to show up for Arkansans, support our staff, and build lasting power for civil rights and civil liberties across the state.”

The ACLU of Arkansas is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and advancing civil liberties and civil rights through advocacy in the courts, the legislature, and communities statewide.