Summary
The US onAir Network will be working with volunteers from Alabama universities, colleges, and nonprofit organizations to oversee the curation and moderation of posts, aircasts (online discussions), and in person events for the Alabama onAir Hub … related to federal, state, and local elections and government.
Our first outreach will be to Auburn University partly because of its proximity to the state capital. We have identified many of Auburn’s civic engagement, academic, internship and research programs related to making democracy and civic responsibility a focus of higher learning on their campus … for students, faculty, staff, and local community. This post, over time, will have similar information on other collaborating organizations in the state.
Contact ben.murphy@onair.cc for more information on how to involve your organization.
OnAir Post: Alabama Collaborators
About
The Auburn University’s onAir chapter will initially focus on training interested undergrad and graduate students on how to curate Alabama onAir content especially submitting recent, relevant News articles, events, videos, and information and moderating forums in each post they curate.
Student curators will also work with state senate and house committee chairs to produce aircasts on issues being discussed and bills being proposed in their committees.
During election season, students with other other organizations like the League of Women Voters, will coordinate and produce aircasted debates with candidates.
Auburn University
Source: About Auburn
Civic Engagement Programs
Source: Center for Educational Outreach & Engagement
Auburn University’s commitment to public engagement includes a strategic goal to “enlarge our programs for the state’s young people”. Through the expansion of CEOE we look forward to extending services to directly impact our local and state schools and communities.
By tapping into the human and intellectual resources of Auburn University we will advance an exchange of academic, social and cultural experiences with our youth, schools and the community at-large. Through CEOE, we will initiate the development of new programs and nurture successful existing programs to offer the youth of Alabama access to experiences that promote college and career readiness.
As we help prepare the students of Alabama for successful post-secondary and career experiences we are mindful of the 21st Century skills they will need as global citizens. Hence, CEOE will include programs and experiences that enhance international exchange and expand the global capabilities of our students.
Student Government
Source: Auburn University SGA
The Student Government Association (SGA) is the official governing organization of the student body. With a vision to elevate the Auburn experience through student life, campus safety and technological innovation, SGA represents the student voice to university faculty, staff and administration as well as government entities like the Auburn City Council and Alabama State Legislature.
SGA is divided among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch consists of Executive Cabinet with different teams conducting programming, initiatives, financial projects, outreach efforts, and communications & marketing tactics to serve, promote and unify the student body. The legislative branch is made up of 34 senators representing Auburn’s 14 colleges and schools who address constituent needs and concerns through passing legislation. The judicial branch interprets the SGA Constitution and Code of Laws.
Internships
Source: Department of Political Science
Students are required to take 12 credit hours of political science electives beyond core courses. One excellent way to get 3 to 6 elective credit hours is by arranging to do an internship in an acceptable political science-relevant organization. Internships not only provide valuable practical experience in applying some of the “book learning” acquired in your political science course work, but they also give you the opportunity to make contacts that may later be valuable when job searching. Students usually do internships during their junior or senior year (or during the summer in between).
Academic Programs
Source: Department of Political Science
Undergraduate Programs
Political Science
Political science analyzes the world of politics and government. It helps students become informed and engaged citizens and prepares them for a variety of career paths in government, law, the non-profit sector, and business.
Public Administration
Public administration gives students the skills needed to assume major leadership roles in delivering the services provided by local, state, and national governments, community service groups, and non-profit organizations.
Health Services Administration
Health Services Administration prepares students to assume managerial positions in the health care sector by providing a strong academic foundation and real world experiences at leading health care institutions.
Law and Justice
Law and Justice is designed for students who are interested in law school. It develops skills in analytical thinking, communication, legal research and writing, the casebook method, and other areas that will enable them to succeed in law school.
Graduate Programs
Master of Public Administration
Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy
The MPA program prepares students to specialize in election administration; nonprofit organizations and community governance; global public administration; and economic development. The doctoral program, a collaboration of Auburn and Auburn University at Montgomery, trains students to be a vital part of both academia and government.
Master of Community Planning
The MCP program is a professional master’s degree program. Community planning is concerned with the use of land, protection of the environment, public welfare, the design of public spaces and infrastructure, and the economy. The hallmark of the program is the opportunity for students to work with real clients, on real planning projects, in almost every class.
Research Initiatives
Global Development Solutions Lab
The Global Development Solutions (GDS) Lab is an interdisciplinary initiative at Auburn University that fosters global research, teaching, and outreach. The mission of the Global Development Solutions Lab is to advance global research, teaching, and outreach that:
promotes sustainable community development
protects civic space, and
leverages the synergies between the disciplines of nonprofit studies, philanthropy, and social work
