Being the Solution: Six BSOS Students Named Public Service Scholars

It’s one thing to learn about how you can make a difference in the community, but it’s another thing to step outside the classroom and actually do it.

Embodying what it means to “Be the Solution,” that’s exactly what six College of Behavioral and Social Sciences students did last year while serving as Maryland’s 2016 Public Service Scholars through the Governor's Summer Internship Program.

Zachary Atran (GVPT), Emily Long (GVPT), Rebecca Goodridge (HESP/PSYC), Sarah Lebarron (PSYC/Spanish), Taylor Love (CCJS/PSYC) and Lauren Paniati (SOCY/Spanish) were among those selected to participate in this prestigious opportunity.

The Public Service Scholars fellowship program, coordinated by The Shriver Center at UMBC, selects and places fellows in full-time positions at various nonprofits and government agencies. Fellows attend seminars to better understand the sector that they are working in, attend field trips, meetings and network events, and present a final project to stakeholders.

“I transferred to UMD as a junior after studying abroad in Spain and taking a semester off to reconsider my personal interests and abilities. I was really drawn to sociology in an effort to understand the root cause of the injustice and inequality that I was seeing and failing to understand in my own community,” Lauren Paniati, a senior sociology major, explained. “My lifelong goal is to be a public servant, and this program has helped me to understand the structure of nonprofit organizations, their function and the difference between service provision and structural change.”

Paniati was matched with United Workers, a nonprofit human rights organization that aims to end poverty by putting those most affected at the forefront.

“Through this experience I learned the value of working directly within the community and organizing to build community power,” Paniati said. “After UMD, I plan to continue to dedicate myself to continually learning about and fighting to break down systems of inequality while also working to build community.”

Rebecca Goodridge, a junior hearing and speech sciences and psychology double major who aims to pursue a career in geriatric and acute speech-language pathology, likewise had an enriching experience.

Goodridge, who launched a Vintage Voices group that sings “oldies” to senior citizens, served in the Maryland Department of Veteran Affairs.

“The program surpassed my expectations by giving me exposure to many different areas within the public service field as well as giving me hands-on experience in more specific areas such as veterans affairs and policy writing,” Goodridge reflected. “One of the most valuable lessons I learned was hearing about all the sacrifices veterans have made for our country, and what we can do to serve them upon their return and throughout their lives.”

Those interested in following in these students’ footsteps should consider applying to become a 2017 Public Service Scholar. Applications are due March 15.

Group photo courtesy of UMBC's Shriver Center: http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/

Published on Mon, Dec 12, 2016 - 6:47PM