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Graduate Fellowship in Community Building

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The Community Partnership Project at the University of Missouri-St. Louis annually recruits students who are interested in pursuing future careers in community development and community building to participate in the Community Building Fellowship Program.
Community building is defined as strengthening the capacity of residents, associations, and organizations to work individually and collectively to sustain positive local community change.
The Community Building Fellowship is designed to introduce a talented group of UMSL graduate students to the challenges and opportunities of working with community-based initiatives in the St. Louis region. Selected fellows will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and staff affiliated with the Community Partnership Project and the Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program on a community-based initiative that is bringing residents and stakeholders together and addressing a priority issue or important public problems. Projects for the 2009-2010 academic year include:
  • A community health initiative developed in cooperation with the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group with a specific focus on expanding access to fresh foods and groceries within the neighborhood.
  • A community building initiative developed in cooperation with the Citizens for the Advancement of Normandy (CAN) and Beyond Housing with a specific focus on developing initiatives that build cooperation among residents and community stakeholders. 
  • A first-suburbs housing initiative developed in cooperation with the City of Ferguson with a specific focus on creating educational programs and services that enable residents to improve their homes and remain in the community.   

Selected Fellows receive a $2,500 award, along with access to an on-campus office and mentors as part of the community-building project. Fellows may also be able to use the community project as an internship or practicum experience or for academic credit, depending on the guidelines of their academic department. In addition to the community project, Fellows are expected to attend monthly brown bag conversations and meetings with faculty and staff.

Two graduate students were selected during the fall 2009 semester. One additional fellow will be awarded for the winter/spring 2010 semester, focusing on the Citizens for the Advancement of Normandy/Beyond Housing Project.  The successful applicant must possess a minimum eligibility requirement of a 3.0 GPA in graduate and undergraduate studies, as well as an interest in working with community-based efforts that engage residents and organizations in creating positive local change. The application deadline is December 1, 2009. To apply and for more information, download these two forms:

Katherine Etheridge is pursing a master’s degree in public policy administration at UMSL, with an anticipated graduation date of December, 2010.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology with minors in international relations and Latin American studies. In addition to taking graduate courses, Etheridge works as a recruitment specialist for Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.  She is currently working with the Community Partnership Project team on the healthy communities initiative in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood.

Course Catalog

Contact Us

Kay Gasen
Director, Community Partnership Project, UMSL

Holly Ingraham
Community Development Specialist

Kara Lubischer
Community Development Specialist