COMMUNITY BUILDING FELLOWS

The first fellowships in the new Community Building Fellowship Program were recently awarded to two University of Missouri–St. Louis students: Tiffany Jackson and Ann Chisholm. The fellowships include a $3,000 financial award as well as an ensemble of learning experiences that supplement the students’ master’s degree education, including mentoring, participation in community-building seminars and site visits, and an internship or practicum.

Tiffany Jackson, who has a bachelor’s degree in social work, is pursing a master’s in social work as well as a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership and management. She is a graduate teaching assistant in the School of Social Work, where she is the instructor for the Social Welfare as an Institution laboratory. Besides having worked for seven years in a nonprofit home for abused and neglected children, Jackson has volunteered at several organizations, including Echo Children’s home, Larry Rice Ministries, and New Union Vine Teen Passages. She is a member of the Missouri Association for Social Welfare and the Student Social Work Association at UM–St. Louis, and co-founder of Project Easy, an organization that provides education assistance for inner-city youth. Jackson’s long-term career goal includes developing strategies, models, and curricula to advance education in community building at local and national levels.

Ann Chisholm, who graduated summa cum laude from UM–St. Louis in December 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in social work, a minor in psychology, and a Certificate of Honors from the Pierre Laclede Honors College, is now pursuing a master’s in social work. She is also earning a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership and management. Co-chair of the Senate Student Affairs Committee, Chisholm has attended the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life Leadership Academy and is listed in Who’s Who in American Universities, 2007. She is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, the Phi Kappa Phi International Honor Society, and the UM–St. Louis Tau Sigma National Honor Society, of which she currently serves as chapter president. A long-time resident of Ferguson, Mo., she formed and leads the Jeske Park Neighborhood Association. She also volunteers with several service organizations and hopes to use her skills and experiences by working in the field of community building and development.

The Community Building Fellowship Program is sponsored by the Community Partnership Project and the Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program at UM–St. Louis and is supported by funding from the Urban Extension Program, a joint project of University of Missouri Extension and the University of Missouri–St. Louis.