Overview

The Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship builds upon a millennial spirit of connection and civic engagement by developing the next generation of Alabama leaders.

The longest-running program of the Mathews Center, the JOIP internship provides immersive civic learning opportunities for college students to research deliberative practices and asset-based approaches for working with Alabamians in community-based projects. The Mathews Center administers the JOIP program, collaborating with faculty mentors to recruit students from institutions of higher education across Alabama.

We believe you can apply an immersive civic learning experience to any field of study.
Our interns don’t fetch coffee and make copies—each experience is unique, but the internship is designed around the goal of transforming college students into active members of a community.

Many JOIP internships function as domestic study abroad experiences, where students live and work for several weeks in a partnering Alabama community. Other interns work on yearlong, intensive assignments with a partner organization, or in support of the Mathews Center’s statewide programs.

The JOIP program engages a diverse group of minds. Our interns come from fields of study including economics, finance, history, social work, sociology, medicine, political science, communications, English, peace studies, journalism, and foreign language. Their research projects explore the potential for introducing deliberative practices into the arenas of education, economic development, public health, arts, the humanities, media and religion, to name a few.

Our internship program is lovingly named in honor of Jean O’Connor Snyder, better known as “Mrs. O’C” to the Capstone Men and Women who were directed by her from 1969-1975, during Dr. Mathew’s tenure as President of the University of Alabama. Jean was a cherished, life-long mentor to students at UA. The JOIP program is an effort to build upon her legacy of inspiring and supporting students.

What’s the outcome?

Through JOIP, we seek to extend Mrs. O’Connor-Snyder’s legacy by:

  • Creating immersive civic learning opportunities in Alabama communities.
  • Providing professional development for college students, with an emphasis on community-based collaboration and communication skills.
  • Supporting asset-based approaches to community development and capacity-building at the local level.

What is immersive civic learning?
Immersive civic learning is characterized by active, continuous participation in both formal and informal civic spaces, and through personal experiences with a community and its individuals