Don Ernst was born in Pomona, California, in 1956, and grew up in Greene County, Arkansas. After graduating from Arkansas State University, Ernst began teaching social studies at various public schools in Arkansas. From 1983-1986, Ernst served on Governor Cinton’s staff as Staff Liaison for Education, advising the governor on issues related to public education standards and funding. After leaving the governor’s office, Ernst undertook a graduate degree at the University of Washington in Education, graduating in 1990. He later served as Director of Education Policy on the staff of Indiana governor Evan Bayh, and worked international education and philanthropy before returning to Arkansas to work as Director, Children and Youth Initiative, at the Central Arkansas Library System.
#1: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Don Ernst; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#2: Governor Bill Clinton, Don Ernst, and Bob Couper; Arkansas, June 1986
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#3: Don Ernst and Governor Bill Clinton in the Governor's Office, Little Rock, Arkansas; August 1986
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#4: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Don Ernst; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#5: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Don Ernst; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#6: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Don Ernst; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#7: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Don Ernst; Little Rock, Arkansas, 2012
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
