Three West Virginia University public administration graduate students are reaping the benefits of the U.S. Housing and Urban Developments Community Development Work Study Program. They, in turn, will be serving three agencies in the Kanawha Valley and the people of West Virginia.
Master of Public Administration students Kristi Knott of Alexandria, Pa., Richard Walton of Bridgeport and St. Clair Williams of Brooklyn, N.Y., began their first semester of the program in August.
Public Administration assistant professor Chris Plein said the grants provide a valuable opportunity for students to gain knowledge, skills and expertise, while creating an exciting partnership with the Kanawha Valley.
“What I really like about the program is that its an opportunity for the students to make contacts at the federal, state and local levels of government,”Plein commented.
Students are spending their first year in Morgantown taking courses in the Master of Public Administration program. During year two, students will spend the majority of their time in Charleston working with three host organizations the Mayors Office of Economic and Community Development, the Charleston Housing Authority and The Community Council of the Kanawha Valley.
“The students will be much more than observers they will have substantive responsibilities,”Plein said.
In addition to course work and field experience, students will have the chance to attend national and state conferences and participate in the WVUs West Virginia community design team program.
Knott, who earned a political science degree from Clarion University, likes the many career possibilities available within the field of public administration.”Because Im unsure about what I want to do, I think this program will give me different working experiences with the local government and open my eyes to the different options available,”she said.
The long-time volunteer who was named Clarions Volunteer of the Year two years in a row likes working with people and is considering a future career in a university development office.
She is the daughter of Michael and Cindy Knott of Alexandria, Pa.
Walton is a WVU graduate with a degree in political science and completed an internship with NIOSH . He sees the Community Development Work Study Program as a great opportunity to explore his interest in local government.
“This will be a way for me to stay in the state and give back to West Virginia,”Watson said. He is the son of Michael and Barbara Walton of Bridgeport.
Williams, a WVU sociology graduate, is interested in community development and hopes to pursue a career in the federal government.
“Having grown up in one of the biggest urban areas in the country (Brooklyn), I feel like I want to have input in making changes,”Williams said.”Right now Im interested in working for the federal government, because if you want to make change I think you need to start at the top.”
Williams is involved in numerous volunteer activities, including volunteering with Christian Help. He is the son of St. Clair Williams, Sr. and Ruth Connell of Brooklyn, N.Y.
WVU is one of 30 universities and regional planning organizations to receive funding from HUDs Community Development Work Study program, which provides up to $15,000 per year in work stipends students for two years to help pay for college tuition, travel and books.