Scholars in Public Service
PSA Traineeship Program 
   A Clemson University Service Alliance Program 

Purpose
The Scholars in Public Service Program is a graduate student professional development program that provides assistance to graduate students who participate in summer traineeships with Clemson faculty and projects associated with Clemson’s Cooperative Extension Service and Research and Education Centers and Institutes located throughout the state. In addition, Scholars will develop and work as an interdisciplinary team on a public service project in one of the Clemson University Emphasis areas. For 2008, the emphasis area will be the Sustainable Environment.

Traineeships / Proposed Project for 2008-2010
Program of  Integrated Study for Coastal Environmental Sustainability  (PISCES) is a unique program designed to address environmental sustainability issues that can accompany coastal development. Instead of reacting to mitigate environmental issues after developments are finished, researchers will establish monitoring projects before construction begins in an attempt to better understand how to manage sensitive coastal systems. The developers of Bannockburn Plantation are partnering with scientists from Clemson University's Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science in a continuing effort to understand and minimize the impacts of development on the environment.

PISCES scientists will study water quality, wetlands, forests, hydrology, wildlife, and historical ecology on the property before, during, and after construction to document how these natural aspects change as development progresses.

Summer traineeships will be offered in the disciplinary/degree program areas of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Forest Resources,  Biosystems Engineering, and Landscape Architecture. The interdisciplinary service project to be conducted by the student team in the summer of 2009 will be determined by students chosen as Scholars in cooperation with the PISCES research faculty.

Traineeships
The Scholars in Public Service program will also award traineeships ($1,000 per academic year for 2 years) for up to 5 graduate students to support educational expenses (e.g, tuition,fees) at Clemson. 

Stipends for Summer Project Work
Scholars in Public Service would receive a stipend of $4000 for their summer traineeship with PSA faculty on a public service project in the summer of 2008.  Housing can be provided (in a dormitory setting) on site if required, and Scholars will receive a Housing allowance of up to $720 to assist with costs. Scholars also receive a stipend of $4000 for their work as a team on an interdisciplinary project the summer of 2009.

Eligibility

Clemson University graduate students enrolled as full-time students ( 9 credit hours) at Clemson University.

• Participate in PSA Tour to learn about Clemson’s Public Service Activities related to environmental conservation
• Participate in Summer traineeship program the summer of 2008.
• Develop/work on an interdisciplinary public service project with faculty/team members in the summer of 2009.   
• Attend professional development workshops sponsored by Graduate School related to the Public Service as required.  
• Submit a 5-6 page summary/evaluation ( for possible journal submission) on their participation in the program and how this experience contributed to their personal and academic experience.
• Complete a brief summary of activities

• An application form completed by the student
• Two letters of recommendation regarding service and research activities

• Nature, extent  and  positive impact of previous public and community service activities
• Interest in Community- based Scholarship and Research
• Leadership experience/potential

Application Information
The application and all supporting materials must be submitted to the Clemson Service Alliance Program Office by March 31, 2008. Finalists will be interviewed during early April, and recipients will be notified by the end of April of selection. For additional information and applications, please contact Kathy Woodard of the Clemson University Service Alliance at ckathy@clemson.edu or (864) 656-0205 or the Senior Associate Dean of the Graduate School Program Frankie Felder at 656-1845 or Frankie@clemson.edu. 

TIMELINE

The Baruch Institute http://www.clemson.edu/baruch/

Traineeship position descriptions at the Baruch Institute - Link to Position Descriptions

Click this link for the application - print it off and fill out the required information. Return by March 31, 2008.

Link to Application