Friday, March 12, 2010
PRINCESS ANNE, MD—Thanks to a charitable gift by a Salisbury-based law firm, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore has successfully begun a political internship program in Annapolis this spring.
Two UMES seniors, Quanika R. Lewis and Jasmine M. Logan, started interning with Maryland legislators in mid-January and will continue through the spring General Assembly session that ends April 12.
The Gaudreau Law Firm made a $15,000 gift to provide $5,000 stipends for students, providing them with living expenses while residing in the Annapolis area throughout the legislative term. An additional federal political internship is being considered for the summer.
“When I was told UMES does not have a Political Science Department, I thought a good way to generate interest in political careers would be through a political internship program,” said Kenneth D. L. Gaudreau. “This might be the initial impetus to bring a political science major to the campus.”
Lewis, a 2006 graduate of DuVal High School in Prince George’s County, is an English major with a career goal of becoming a civil servant. She is interning with Del. Henry Heller (D) of Montgomery County.
“I’ve always been interested in politics, especially learning how bills become laws and how I might make a change in a law. In addition to state law, I’m learning about county and municipal laws,” said Lewis, who graduates in May.
Logan, a 2006 graduate of Forestville High School in Prince George’s County, is a criminal justice major. Ironically, she and Lewis were classmates for a while at Forestville, both cheerleaders. Logan is interning for Sen. Jennie Forehand (D) of Montgomery County.
“President Obama’s election sparked my interest in politics and learning about the law-making process,” said Logan. “It’s been exciting, meeting lawmakers from my home district in PG County. I’m interested in going to law school after graduating from UMES in December.”
Dr. Kathryn Barrett-Gaines, an associate professor of history, is the course instructor for the political internships. In addition to their duties as interns for their respective legislators, Lewis and Logan will conduct research on that lawmaker and keep weekly journals about their legislative experience. The course carries 12 credits.
“We are so grateful to the Gaudreau Law Firm for providing this great opportunity for our students to develop leadership skills; network with legislators and interns from other universities; to learn about the state political process from the inside; and explore future career paths,” said Barrett-Gaines.
“What Mr. Gaudreau is doing is inspiring to all of us,” said Barrett-Gaines. “He is creating opportunity for UMES students and investing in our national future. His gift allows us to provide a stipend for our students that will make their internship a pleasant time in their lives and will allow them to focus fully on the experience.”
For more information about the gift or the internship, contact the UMES Division of Institutional Advancement at 410-651-7773.
###
