Information For Students
We have many opportunities for students in our major to participate in a variety of specific activities that will allow you to learn, build your resume, develop career opportunities, and have fun. For more information see the examples below. They include activities, internships, American Mock Trial, organizations, research, and travel.
Also, be sure to check back frequently for updates on other unique chances to get to know others in your major.
AMERICAN MOCK TRIAL ASSOCIATION
Wilmington College students have an exciting opportunity to participate in Mock Trials. The goal of college mock trial is not winning. It is to facilitate the growth of the individual student as a person able to work with and support others, as a knowledgeable citizen acquainted with the legal system, and as a community leader working for the betterment of humanity. These goals are met when the student participates at any level of the program. Thus, the motto is that all are winners in mock trial. Photographs show Wilmington College students who participated in the 2007 Mock Trial.
History
The undergraduate mock trial program originated with Richard M. Calkins in 1985 while he was the dean of Drake University Law School. The idea was to give undergraduate students an opportunity to learn first hand about the work of trial attorneys, understand the judicial system, develop critical thinking and enhance communication skills. At the first tournament, held in Des Moines, Iowa, twelve teams from eight colleges and universities competed.
For more information on Wilmington College Mock Trial contact Professor Paul Moke.
For more information on the Mock Trail Association visit http://www.collegemocktrial.org/old_site/about.htm.
TRAVEL & LEARN
Lobby in Washington, D.C.
In March of 2007, over 30 (Wilmington College) students traveled to Washington D.C. for four days to learn how to lobby. The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) (the largest and oldest church lobby in 
D.C.) hosted the event. First, students learned about two issues: the Iraq War and indiscriminate weapons, such as landmines and cluster bombs. Then, after an intensive training on how to lobby, they spent Monday morning meeting with several congressional offices. Students urged their representatives to bring the war in Iraq to an end and stop the manufacturing and use of indiscriminate weapons.
For more information contact Associate Professor Michael Snarr.
To view more photographs click here.
Understand the United Nations, New York
In Michael Snarr's spring of 2006 United Nations class, the first part of the course introduced students to the United Nations system and its role in the world. Then, they traveled to the UN to visit various nongovernmental organizations and UN agencies. Upon returning to campus, students developed a presentation based on what they learned from the trip and gave a presentation to the community. Some presentations took place at the Quaker Heritage Center and others at the Wilmington Public Library.
To view pictures click here and for more information contact Associate Professor Michael Snarr.
Cultural Mexico Trip
Neil Snarr and Michael Snarr provided the Wilmington
College students and community members an opportunity to travel to Central Mexico. Visitors learned about the rich history of the Mexican people by visiting historical landmarks, museums, and archeological sites. They experienced a different culture as they were introduced to Mexican art and music, visited the marketplace, ate "real" Mexican food, and interacted with locals. In addition, the course exposed students to various issues within a developing country, including: over-population, abject poverty, environmental degradation, and a large informal sector. The group spent most of their time in Mexico City. A few days were also being spent in at least two smaller, nearby cities.
For more information contact Associate Professor Michael Snarr.
(View additional pictures at the photo gallery.)
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
An advantage at Wilmington College is the individual attention and research opportunities students receive. For example, Dr. Mary Rose Zink, professor of psychology, worked with a student to role play a Head Start child as Steven Reese, a student majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology, trained to give the National Report System Test. The test will document how well the Clinton County Head Start children are learning. The project is part of President Bush’s campaign “No Child Left Behind.”
For Social and Political Studies Research contact Dr. Mary Ellen Batiuk, area coordinator. For Pyschology Research contact Professors Dr. Mary Rose Zink,
or Dr. Erinn Green.
ACTIVITIES
Events
Students can act on their beliefs by organizing events like the Voices from Darfur and participating in various campus organizations. For example a Global Issues class organized the following event.
Voices from Darfur
Wilmington College Global Issues honor students hosted Voices from Darfur tour on campus November 29th at 7:30 p.m. in the Top of the Pyle. The audience heard Darfur survivor stories, saw a short documentary film, and left the event empowered to take action to stop the genocide.
The tour was organized by the Save Darfur Coalition, which raised public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and mobilized a unified response to the atrocities that threaten the lives of people throughout the Darfur region. The coalition's member organizations represented 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Darfur.
"My honors global issues class worked very hard organizing this event. In order to raise money they made and sold cookies, and designed and sold t-shirts. We were very excited about this event," said Michael Snarr, Associate Professor of Social and Political Science Studies.
( For additional pictures of the event view Photo Gallery )
Student Organizations
Students interested in leadership and campus organizations can find more information at http://www2.wilmington.edu/student-life/student.cfm.
GOVERNMENT/SOCIAL & POLITICAL STUDIES INTERNSHIPS
An internship is an intensive, responsible work experience related to your previous academic studies and your career or general goals. It is also an opportunity to gain practical experience in your major field of study and apply knowledge gained in the classroom. It will also give you a chance to find if a particular field is right for you. It is also a way to earn credits outside of the classroom. Lastly, it is an excellent resume builder and provides an opportunity to make useful contacts in your professional field.
Listed below are internship possibilities for Government/Social & Political Studies majors. To learn more about internships check with Career Services and your faculty advisor.
Internship Opportunities
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC)- Wilmington College has a relationship with The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) in Washington, DC. Through our affiliation, students can secure substantive internships at any of the thousands of organizations, governmental, for-profit, nonprofit, and international with which The Washington Center maintains ties. We provide credit, and The Washington Center provides placement, supervision, an academic course and housing. The experience is open to all majors, and there are many scholarship awards available to help offset the tuition and the cost of living in the nation’s capital. Jessica Cox, a senior Criminal Justice Major in spring 2008 enrolled and was interned at the Violent Crimes and Terrorism Division of Interpol.
For more information you can contact Barbara Kaplan at Ext. 299 in Career Services or for information about the Washington Center you can reference http://www.twc.edu or contact Tania Chakraborty, TaniaC@twc.edu. Tina is the Program Coordinator, Institutional Relations, and serves as the Wilmington College contact.
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
Tania Chakraborty
Main Telephone: 202-238-7924
Direct Telephone: 202-238-7927
Toll Free: 1-800-486-8921
F
ax: 202-238-7700
WASHINGTON PEACE CENTER: Education and Action for Social Justice
The Washington Peace Center is a multi-issue, grassroots, and anti-racist organization working for nonviolent social change in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Working as an intern at the Peace Center gives you an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in political organizing and involves you in educational activities sponsored by the Peace Center and other local & national groups. You are an integral and important part of the Peace Center's vital work.
Each intern works to further the core mandates of the Center and its working groups. Your responsibilities may include: participating in coalition and organizing campaigns;
developing, coordinating and publicizing educational events; researching and writing educational publications; researching, interviewing and writing articles for the community paper;
creating leaflets, posters and banners for political demonstrations; organizing and staffing literature tables; and word processing, data entry and other administrative work.
As an intern, you can work with a specific working group. You are also welcome to develop projects of your own. Your work at the Peace Center is limited only by your energy and imagination. Among the qualities we look for in an intern are
- strong interest in economic and social justice issues,
- commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression analysis and work,
- willingness to learn about nonviolent approaches to political issues, and
- excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a sense of humor.
Internships are 15 or more hours per week (part- to full-time), and are unpaid at this time. Please feel free to write us at wpc@igc.org with your questions, or mail a cover letter, resume and a writing sample to PO Box 50032 Washington, DC 20091.
For more information about the organization visit http://www.washingtonpeacecenter.net/civic/.
Washington Peace Center
1426 9th Street NW, Suite 306
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: 202- 234-2400
Fax: 202-234-7064
US INVESTIGATIONS SERVICES (USIS)- US Investigations Services, a leader in National Security and Public Trust investigations throughout the country, has positions for INTERNS. As a Student Intern with USIS, you would be part of an Investigative Services Division, which is the preeminent supplier of background screening services to the U.S. Government. ISD is uniquely positioned to deliver unparalleled results with special attention to sensitive issues and critical timeframes that can arise in any assignment. They serve Federal, state and local authorities with nationwide coverage.
Since the work is entirely within the District Office, all Student Interns must be willing to commute daily into the office, and work well in a fast-paced office environment. The hours are traditional office hours; no evening or weekend hours are available. At least 20 hours per week are asked of the Student Intern. USIS also prefers to have at least a one-year commitment from Student Interns, hopefully longer, after the background investigation clears. The Student Intern program’s purpose is to give college students administrative work within the district office, in hopes that upon graduation they will advance to Investigators. Ideal candidate will be a freshman or sophomore in college. For more information contact Career Services.
MIKE TURNER (CONGRESSMAN) – Jennifer Taylor, Wilmington Office Manager, 937-383-8931, 15 East Main St., Wilmington, OH 45177
The intern will be assisting the Wilmington Office Manager and District Director with various tasks throughout the day.
MURRAY & AGNES SEASONGOOD FOUNDATION – Dave Altman, Exec. Sec., 15 East 8th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Intern will research various topics including, but not limited to, the success of past grants, potential government areas in need of grants, the intern will coordinate all meetings for the Board of Trustees, and ensure that all grant proposals are in order. Intern will be responsible for the handling of various financial documents. Intern will communicate the charge of the foundation to various segments of the population. Paid.