FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 27, 2010
Contact: Nikonie Brown
(662) 329-7119
nnb1@muw.edu

MUW political science students intern at various agencies this summer

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Students in the political science program at Mississippi University for Women interned locally, regionally and nationally this summer.

Dr. Brian Anderson, professor of political science, described this as the largest and most widely active group of political science interns ever.

 “Internships in political science are essential because there's only so much a professor can tell/show students in a classroom about the use of power in politics, the importance of administrative process, etc. They have to get out in the environment of government/politics and experience it firsthand,” Anderson said.

Callie Golden, who is from Vaughn, traveled to Washington, D.C., and interned with Senator Roger F. Wicker.

“While there I was able to work with his staff on different issues, attend hearings, hear top political figures speak and even give Capitol tours,” she said.

Kevin “Hitch” Henry interned in his hometown of Odenville, Ala., at the fire department. He assisted the crews on emergency calls and with day-to-day activities.

Laura Corley of Columbus also traveled to Washington, D.C., and interned at Women’s Action For New Directions (WAND), which is a non-profit organization. Corley focused on
furthering women politically through supporting them in their campaigns for congress and reducing the threat of nuclear weapons.

“I lobbied Mississippi Senators Cochran and Wicker. I made phone calls to state legislators. I organized databases,” Corley stated.

The students’ internship experiences have enhanced their educational experiences.

Golden said, “I now know how things work behind the scenes that the general public does not normally see. It has allowed me to see all sides of politics and was an once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Henry added, “It helped me gain a very informative insight into the daily operations and activities of a public service. This internship was wonderful for me. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot about how public budgeting and the morale of the employees are key ingredients to maintaining an effective public service.”

Corley explained, “I can write more concisely and articulate my thoughts in a clearer way now. I also built a great network in the non-proliferation sector as well as the women's rights sector. Both of these items will help me be able to complete scholarly assignments in a favorable manner and have the knowledge to conquer certain areas in my major.

“If you are a political science major or minor, or just interested in the subject, you should really try to intern/volunteer in D.C. It is a different world there and seeing how that world and this world coexist is a beautiful thing.”

Other students also interned this summer.

Eve Certhoux, who is from France, worked with World Service Authority, a human rights organization in Washington, D.C., placed by The Washington Center. As part of her experience, Certhoux attended a seminar through TWC called “International Organizations and Humanitarian Law.”

Savanna Johnson of Lebanon, Tenn., interned with Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, which is a pro-Israel organization in Franklin, Tenn.

Elizabeth “Bess” Toyama, who is originally from Sacramento, Calif., interned with the office of alumna Linda Ross Aldy ‘73 in Madison. She worked on the Children’s Vision Bill through the Mississippi Optometric Association.

Dr. Anderson said, “I am proud of the interns' hard work. Not only did they work long hours, but they kept good internship journals and completed the two analysis papers for POL 490 credit with careful consideration of how their work experiences illustrated key concepts they have learned in the classroom.”

For more information about the political science program, email Dr. Anderson at banderson@as.muw.edu.

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