Clarksville, Ark. -- Six Ozarks students will spend this summer in Washington D.C. participating in various internship programs and taking classes at Georgetown University.
Cory Bridges, a junior English major from Clarksville, Ark.; Chuong Do, a junior Political Science major from Vietnam; and Mark Pearson, a junior Political Science major from Clarksville, Ark. will attend the Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems, one of Washington’s top academic and internship programs. During their eight week internship, they will have the opportunity to attend briefings at various sites around Washington, and to attend lectures featuring leaders and policy makers discussing today’s critical issues. They will also be enrolled in courses at Georgetown University, including “Comparative Economic Systems,” “The Transformation of American Politics,” or “U.S. Foreign Policy and Public Policy Internship Seminar.”
Payton Lambe, a senior Political Science major from Grand Prairie, Tex.; Ashley Teague, a senior Political Science and Strategic Communication major from Lavaca, Ark.; and Emily Towe, a senior Political Science major from Cabot, Ark. will intern at the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Services, an organization committed to teaching students the traditions of philanthropy in the United States and the importance of a free-market economy to the creation of wealth. Their coursework at Georgetown will include “Voluntary Associations and Democracy,” “Ethics and Values of Philanthropy,” and “Non Profit Internship Sessions.”
Bridges and Towe received funding for their summer work through the university’s Academic Enrichment Fund. This fund was established in 2003 by the university’s Board of Trustees. “The purpose of the Academic Enrichment Fund is to offer competitive grants to students in support of their research or creative projects, professional preparation through internships, and study abroad,” said Professor Amy Oatis, member of the Professional Development Committee. When reviewing applications, the Professional Development Committee looks for applicants with educationally sound and clearly defined projects.
Do, Lambe, Pearson and Teague received funding through the Clayton G. Russell Memorial Endowment for Political Science. The Clayton Fund was established in 2000 by the Mary I. Rogers Trust to broaden the scope of the political science program. To date, 35 students have participated in summer courses and internships at Georgetown University using money from the fund.
Gilbert Parks, Ozarks Associate Professor of Political Science, said, “Ozarks has been represented in the summer internship programs in Washington, D.C. every year for the past ten years. Many of our students have gone on to distinguished careers because of the opportunities afforded by these funds.” He added, “Ozarks has a presence in national politics and government, because of this fund.”
“Students and alumni who have had these types of opportunities have found them to be life changing,” said Dr. Taddie. “My hope is that more students will have the opportunity to have these life-changing experiences.”
Topics: Internships