DMC Hosts the 2021 JOIP Intern Retreat

On January 22, the DMC hosted the first ever virtual JOIP Intern Retreat! Over 30 students and faculty mentors from eight universities and community colleges across the state met via Zoom to get to know each other, play games, and share their upcoming JOIP programming and projects for the Spring semester.

DMC Education Director Gabrielle Lamplugh and AmeriCorp member Abby Holcombe facilitated the first official meeting of the 2020-2021 JOIP cohort. DMC board members Stan Murphy and Marsha Folsom joined the call to discuss their experiences working with Dr. David Mathews and Jean O’Connor Snyder. Virtual social hours for interns, faculty mentors, and DMC staff will be held occasionally throughout the remainder of the semester to stay in touch and up to date on each project’s progress.

The DMC is grateful for our partnerships with each university facilitated through the JOIP program and look forward to being a part of their programming this year. Stay tuned for JOIP intern published pieces this summer as part of the Civic Dispatch blog series!

Since the Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Program (JOIP) began in 2008, the DMC has partnered with over a dozen of Alabama’s colleges and universities, nearly 250 students, and myriad communities across the state to create unique community-based learning experiences. These experiences provide college students the opportunity to collaborate with community members in addressing common concerns through the use of deliberative practices. Each internship is a unique partnership between the DMC, an institution of higher education, and a community partner. You can learn more about the program’s namesake—Mrs. Jean O’Connor-Snyder—here.

If you would like to apply for the 2021-22 JOIP cohort, please read more about the current request for proposals here.