David Mathews

Interns

The Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Program – The Jean O’Connor Snyder Internship Program was lovingly named in honor of Jean O’Connor-Snyder, or “Mrs. O’C”, to the Capstone Men and Women who were directed by Jean from 1969-1975.

The Mathews Center and University of Alabama’s New College administer a community-based research internship program drawing students from the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Auburn University, Tuskegee University, Stillman College and the University of Montevallo. Started in the 2008-2009 school year, the Jean O’Connor-Snyder Community-Based Research Internship Program provides learning experiences in which the interns research the use of deliberative practices to develop an on-going community capacity to address common concerns. Beginning in the 1970s, Jean O’Connor-Snyder was a cherished mentor to undergraduates both in school and in their subsequent careers.

The Mathews Center internship program is an effort to extend her legacy and provide experiences similar to those of UA student interns in the 1970s who served under the direction of David Mathews, then president of the University.

The Mathews Center views communities, not as groups with needs to be met by university-based experts, but as groups rich in capacity to address their community concerns. Students work with Alabama communities to develop infrastructure and habits that lead to more effective community decision-making. 
The interns are an interdisciplinary group, representing majors in economics, finance, filmmaking, social work, political science, peace studies, journalism and foreign languages. Their internship research projects explore the potential for deliberative practices in the fields of education, economic development, public health, arts and humanities, community media and religious communities.

For more information on the O’C Internship, please contact Ashley Kontos at atkontos@as.ua.edu.

Documentary on Comet Grove Community Garden in Oak Grove, AL. Jean O’Connor-Snyder interns Hunter Morgan and Ballard Jones both participated in this embedded internship experience.