The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service invites non-profits, government agencies, businesses, foundations, communities, other colleges and universities, or other organizations working on community-based issues to submit ideas for field projects to be accomplished during the 2014-2015 academic year.
Clinton School students are working towards their Master of Public Service degrees. In their field projects, they apply what they are learning in the classroom to real public service projects. The Clinton School is currently accepting proposals for Practicum (team-based) and Capstone (individual) field projects. Practicum projects are selected by the Clinton School and accomplished by small teams of 3-4 students from October 2014 through May 2015. Applications for Practicum projects are due on April 11, 2014.
Individual students select Capstone projects based on their career goals. Students devote roughly 250 hours to implementing their Capstones, which begin at different times of the year depending on student course schedules. Proposals for Capstone projects are accepted on a rolling basis through August 2014. It is recommended that capstone project proposals be submitted by March 7, 2014. In addition to fulfilling degree requirements, the projects allow Clinton School students to add value to partner organizations.
The school seeks field projects that meet an identified need of an organization or group of people. This allows for work to be accomplished that is beneficial to both the community and the student.
“Over the past six years our work with the students and faculty of the Clinton School of Public Service has been a great benefit to Newport and Jackson County,” said Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Newport Economic Development Commission. “The projects have helped our community provide better opportunities for our citizens and have allowed the students from the Clinton School to gain experience that will help them transform other communities in the future. It is one of the most mutually rewarding activities that we have undertaken for our town.”
Clinton School field projects include work such as:
- Help officials identify and address community and organizational needs
- Designing and conducting needs-assessments to study a problem and determine a plan to implement creative solutions
- Facilitating discussions and mobilizing action on social issues
- Building or strengthening partnerships, coalitions and teams
- Conducting interviews and focus groups
- Analyze best practices for use to address issues
“Every year, students, partner organizations and local communities all greatly benefit from our field service projects,” said Clinton School Dean Skip Rutherford. “We’re excited to form new partnerships and we strongly encourage interested organizations to submit proposals to work with us next year.”
Organizations interested in partnering with the Clinton School can submit a proposal online at: https://clintonschool.uasys.edu/academics/field-service-program/apply-to-be-a-field-service-partner/.
Information sessions for interested groups will be held around Arkansas in February and March. Interested groups are encouraged to attend one of the following sessions:
- Thursday, February 13 at 1:00 p.m. at UAMS East, Room 309 in Helena-West Helena
- Tuesday, February 18 at 2 p.m. at The Conway Interfaith Clinic (1301 Museum) in Conway
- Tuesday, March 11 at 2 p.m. at Crossroads Coalition (1790 N. Falls) in Wynne
- Wednesday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m. at the Clinton School, Sturgis Hall in Little Rock.
To RSVP to attend one of these information sessions, you can click here.
For additional information about the application process, contact Julianne Dunn at jbdunn@clintonschool.uasys.edu or (501) 683-5392.
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