Arkansas Press Women has named Kristin Netterstrom Higgins as the recipient of the 2025 Communicator of Achievement (COA) Award, the organization’s highest honor. The award recognizes members who have distinguished themselves professionally and through service to the community.
“Being president of APW has already been such an honor, so I’m floored by this additional recognition from my friends in APW,” Netterstrom Higgins said. “Looking at the long list of incredible women who served before me—Jamie Jones, Charlotte Schexnayder, Dorothy Stuck, Brenda Blagg, Maudine Sanders, and so many others—it’s truly humbling. Then, seeing the much shorter list of COAs—wow. I am deeply honored that APW members see something in me worthy of this recognition. Their continued belief in me propels me forward. It’s both flattering and humbling, and this is a major milestone.”
Netterstrom Higgins, a program associate and leader of the Extension Public Policy Center at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture from Bryant, plays a vital role in providing fact-based, nonpartisan voter education. She oversees the Arkansas Ballot Issue Education Program, which helps voters navigate complex election issues through neutral, accessible resources.
“Kristin serves as a program associate and leads the Extension Public Policy Center, one of the most lauded and trusted programs in Arkansas,” said Emily Lane Smith, community engagement specialist with the Arkansas Research Center. “The center provides fact-based, nonpartisan information about ballot issues and local elections, empowering Arkansans to make informed decisions in the voting booth. In a time when misinformation runs rampant and public trust in media is fragile, Kristin’s ability to distill complex issues into understandable, objective materials has become an invaluable service to our state. Her work is regularly referenced by journalists, civic organizations, county agents, and everyday voters alike.”
Netterstrom Higgins has dedicated more than two decades to journalism and public service. Before joining the Public Policy Center in 2012, she spent 10 years as a journalist covering local government and crime. She holds a journalism degree and a master’s degree in agricultural education and extension from the University of Arkansas and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in public policy.
A longtime member of Arkansas Press Women and the National Federation of Press Women, Netterstrom Higgins has held numerous leadership roles within both organizations. She served as APW president for seven years and currently holds the role of immediate past president, in addition to serving as the organization’s state contest co-director.
“Kristin has been an incredible asset to Arkansas Press Women, serving in nearly every leadership capacity possible,” said Angie Faller, APW president. “Her dedication to the organization and to the field of communications is unmatched, and we are honored to recognize her with this award.”
At the national level, she is the NFPW secretary and previously co-chaired the organization’s national conference. Her contributions have significantly shaped both APW and NFPW, strengthening their mission to support and uplift journalists and communicators.
“I’ve known Kristin since she became part of Arkansas Press Women,” said Mary Hightower, chief communications officer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Since joining, she’s poured her very heart into the organization. APW and NFPW are much elevated because of her energy, enthusiasm and effort, and I can think of no better Communicator of Achievement than Kristin Netterstrom Higgins.”
Netterstrom Higgins will be recognized by the National Federation of Press Women during its Communicator of Achievement reception on Sept. 13 in Golden, Colorado, where she will compete for the national COA award against honorees from other states.