Rural Investment and Prosperity Project

Dan Broun Award and Internship


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Project Overview

In honor of our late, and highly esteemed, MDC staff member Dan Broun, this program seeks to build a pipeline of future rural leaders and professionals focused on equity and inclusion in the rural south.

It provides advanced or graduate-level students with on-the-ground learning opportunities and skills-based training in the community-based and community-led technical assistance and consulting services field.

About the Dan Broun Internship at MDC

During his time at MDC, Dan Broun championed place-based strategies to improve outcomes for low-income people in rural communities in the South.

In his honor, based on an internal nomination process, a select program associate will receive an additional award/stipend beyond the normal pay rate at the end of the internship period. This award will be based on the intern’s final presentation and other decided-upon criteria.

 

 

Roles and Responsibilities

For a full year (May to April), Program Associates work both virtually and in-person up to 40 hours in the summer and up to 20 hours during the academic school year. Specific tasks may include:

  • Assisting with planning, coordinating, facilitating, and notetaking for meetings.
  • Drafting logic models, asset maps, project management tools, and other documents.
  • Supporting policy change efforts by researching and summarizing public policy.
  • Identify and develop projects that further the goals of groups, coalitions, and policy efforts.
  • Attending meetings convened by partner organizations.

Desired Qualities and Skills

  • Experience in community outreach, equity lens and understanding, and program evaluation.
  • A sincere curiosity about rural communities; willingness to explore issues of inclusion, power, privilege, and diversity; and exceptional commitment to personal integrity, professionalism, and excellence.
  • Ability to think creatively and collaboratively, while also taking initiative on projects.
  • Skilled in detail-oriented service and responsive to community and staff needs with high professionalism.
  • Experience with research and policy analysis

 

To Apply

The application process is open in January each year. Questions about the application process can be emailed to [email protected].

Contact the Project Team


Kathryn Gaasch, Program Director

Email Kathryn Gaasch