The Montevallo Legacy Project is seeking two University of Montevallo undergraduates to serve as Jean O'Connor-Snyder Program Interns for the academic year 2024-25. Applicants should be passionate about community engagement, storytelling, and mass communication. All majors are invited to apply. The JOIP team will use a variety of multimedia storytelling tools to gather and tell stories of Montevallo residents whose voices are not always heard. 

"Our Stories, Our Strength" is a public/private partnership between the Montevallo Legacy Project, a nonprofit; the Dave Mathews Center, and UM. It is administered by UM's Office of Engaged Education and Public Service; supported by UM's Department of Communication; and guided by the aims and goals of the Dave Mathew Center. JOIP interns will be trained as Falcon Facilitators in the Fall. In the Spring they will plan and execute a multimedia storytelling campaign designed to foster a more inclusive community where diverse histories are recognized and celebrated. 

If you want to make a difference through the power of stories, we encourage you to apply. Together we will work to tell the full Montevallo story!

Eligibility:

• Current UM undergraduates (open to all majors, juniors and seniors preferred)

• Strong interest in community engagement, storytelling, and mass communication

• Self-motivated and able to work collaboratively

Stipend: $2,000 

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a storytelling campaign that culminates in a deliberative community gathering

• Build a virtual platform using social media and mass communication to create a virtual storytelling community

• Work collaboratively with Montevallo residents to gather and tell their stories

• Use creative approaches to share stories using techniques of multimedia storytelling (including but not limited to video, photography, graphic design)

• Design, organize, and moderate one or more live storytelling events that showcase diverse experiences within the town of Montevallo

Support and training: Interns will be supported by the Director of UM's Office of Engaged Education and Public Service with additional support from MLP staff, the Dave Mathews Center, and UM's Department of Communication. JOIPs are required to complete Falcon Facilitator moderator training in early Fall. They will participate in a series of deliberative forums with the FFs through the semester in preparation for hosting their own deliberative projects in Spring.

Academic Credit: Academic credit is available through the Office of Engaged Education and Public Service. 

How to apply: Submit application materials here. Include the following:

• Cover letter indicating your interest in the internship and relevant experience

• Current resume

• Sample of your storytelling work (e.g., writing, video, photographs, multimedia project, community organizing)

Application Deadline: September 6th

Contact Information: 

For information about the JOIP program, contact:

Joyce Jones, Director 

Office of Engaged Education and Public Service

University of Montevallo 

Email: Jonesjt@montevallo.edu