Hillary Rodham Clinton is returning to Arkansas on Monday with a campaign stop at Philander Smith College in Little Rock.
Roderick Smothers, the new president of the college, said students watched the Republican debate on Wednesday and are keen to hear what a Democrat has to say.
"Our emphasis on Philander's campus is centered around social justice. And so we view social justice through a lens of not just racial justice, but health justice, economic justice, environmental justice," he said.
"To be able to really reach out and touch one of the candidates and really engage them in a conversation around the critical issues -- I just think it's a wonderful thing for our students."
According to a news release from the Clinton campaign, the candidate will "speak about her campaign to fight for an America where everyone can get ahead."
Described as a "grass-roots organizing event," people who wish to attend are told they can sign up at hillaryclinton.com/littlerock.
Smothers said the college's gym holds 1,000, and the college has about 580 students.
"We hope the community will come out and fill those other seats," he said.
Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the event starts at 4:45 p.m.
Smothers said he'll be in the audience and, if given the opportunity, would ask Clinton about what she would do to make college more affordable. More than 80 percent of his students are on financial aid, he said.
This is the second campaign appearance the former Arkansas first lady and U.S. secretary of state has made in Arkansas this year.
"I can tell you the Democratic Party of Arkansas is thrilled that Hillary Clinton will be here," party spokesman H.L. Moody said. "We always like it when she comes home."
Clinton addressed a crowd of about 2,000 people at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock in July. The speech at the state Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner attracted more people and helped raise more money than any of its predecessors, party officials said.
However, Isaac Foley, political director for the state Republican Party, said he doesn't believe Clinton has a chance of winning a general election in Arkansas.
"We still believe that Arkansas is going to be solidly red in 2016, especially coming off strong wins by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Sen. Tom Cotton and the new stronger majority in both houses of the state Legislature," he said.
Metro on 09/18/2015