Reflections on the 2025 JOIP Retreat
During the last weekend of January, the DMC was joined by nearly forty students and faculty in Montgomery to celebrate our 2025 Retreat for the Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Program.
The 2024-2025 JOIP includes seven programs from six different schools: University of Alabama, Auburn University, Troy University, University of South Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and University of Montevallo. Each program takes a unique approach to connecting students with their communities - whether through public forums, oral history projects, or hands-on initiatives. By collaborating with local partners, students apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, developing skills in deliberation, leadership, and civic engagement. Through these experiences, JOIP continues to foster meaningful connections between students and the communities they serve.
Our retreat kicked off at the Alabama Department of Archives and History to connect with one another, learn about the DMC, and share about each program’s projects for the year. Interns learned a wealth of DMC history and the impact of deliberative dialogue from Executive Director Scotty Kirkland, who recounted the story of Dr. David Mathews sitting and talking with student protestors during his time as President of the University of Alabama, hearing each student as an individual voice with concerns and cause for action.
After practicing deliberative techniques themselves and creating program posters, interns joined ADAH education staff Dr. Hayden McDaniel, Kelly Hallberg, and Richard Trammell for a tour through Alabama’s history, learning more about the communities, people, and events that shaped our state today.
JOIP alums Rev. Marian Royston, Chauntina Whittle, and Rylen Dempsey joined for a dinner panel moderated by Auburn University’s Dr. Hollie Cost, a longtime partner of the DMC. Coming from three different backgrounds and programs, each alum illustrated the many approaches but connectedness in civic engagement.
When asked about her main takeaway, serving as both an intern and later a community partner/host for the Auburn University Living Democracy program, Rev. Royston explained that interns “should not be afraid to fail…it can lead to success.”
Similarly, when facing challenges Troy University alumna Whittle gave students advice that resonated throughout the weekend: “Where there is opposition, there is opportunity.”
Another main theme during the panel was the importance of relationships and community. When recounting his time as a UA Walker County Intern, Dempsey explained, “Jasper taught me what community was.” After that, he began to read the local newspaper back home. This small act showed him that you need to know your neighbors first if you truly want to make an impact on your community.
Echoing that sentiment, Rev. Royston emphasized the importance of relationships: “They matter…. I wouldn’t be where I am without the people to walk beside me.”
The weekend together closed with a visit to the Legacy Museum and group discussion about community: How would you define it? How do you see your program fitting into and supporting the community where you’ll be working? In what ways do you see yourself engaging with and learning from the community? Each reflection brought a new, but equally important and considerate, perspective to the conversation, some of which can be seen below.
The Mathews Center is incredibly grateful for our university and community partners who continue to commit to supporting the youth and civic life in Alabama each year.Without them, this program would not be possible. If you are interested in submitting a proposal for the 2025-2026 JOIP year, you can find more information here or email Education Manager Lauren Lockhart at llockhart@mathewscenter.org.