The Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications hosted a student recognition event on April 15 on the Morgantown Campus to recognize three students who completed its Community Leadership and Civil Advocacy Certificate program.
Students who finished the 50-plus hour extracurricular program include:
• Ariana Burks, International Studies and Geography
• Agnes Mathenage, Geography
• Garrett Oursler, Environmental Soils and Water Sciences
Community leaders participate in the seven-month program, through teaching advocacy and leadership skills then attending students’ advocacy presentations.
As part of the project, students from a variety of academic programs showcased advocacy projects on a broad range of topics from policy reform to community-based initiatives.
Advocacy initiatives addressed topics like mental health services, community involvement, religious observance regulations, and financial literacy.
“I wish I had taken this class as a freshman or sophomore,” Burks said. “It helped broaden the way I think about a problem.”
Certificates and graduation stoles were presented to the students who completed the program.
The Morgantown event was attended by WVU President Gordon Gee, representatives from the Center for Community Engagement and Stubblefield Institute, and others.