Jamey Walston, a Berea College junior, has been awarded an internship in Kentucky state government and is spending most of her spring semester working and studying in Frankfort.
Walston, of West Salem, IL, is one of only 11 students from five other Kentucky independent colleges chosen for this year’s internship. As a Frankfort intern, she is working at least 30 hours a week at the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and completing two academic seminars focusing on state government issues and policy-making. Student interns receive a monthly stipend to partially cover living expenses in the state capital.
Selection for the program is based is based on several factors, including academic performance, interest in government, letters of recommendation and personal interviews. “Jamey was an easy choice for selection to this year’s class, and she has been a credit to herself, her school and our program,” said Richard Wilson, the program’s coordinator.
At Berea, Walston is majoring in philosophy. She earlier earned an associate degree with high honors from Wabash Valley College in Illinois.
The Frankfort Semester Internship program, in its 12th year, is sponsored by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities. It is tailored to give college students an up-close look at state government. Dr. Gary Cox, AIKCU’s president, said a related purpose is to permit some outstanding students to use their experience to consider public service as a career option.
Eighty-nine students have completed the program since its year 2000 inception.