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Jump Start! Meeting: Alternative Breaks and International Service Trips

 Big News for B-School Students!

We are pleased to announce that B-School students are now eligible to earn 3 academic credits through the Public Service Internship Program during the Spring and Fall semesters!

Public Service Internships are a great way to: 

• Get professional experience in the field of Business
• Earn 3 academic credits with PERS 4560/4570
• Fulfill your 2nd tier public service requirement
• Engage in your community and network with inspirational people!

Students interested in Spring 2014 internships should apply through CPS Online by the last day of classes. Deadline to secure an internship placement is January 6th.

 One-on-One with Bridget Smith, CPS Program Manager for Service Learning

by Emily Costello

Emily Costello (right) interviewing Bridget Smith (left)

At Tulane, service learning is an integral part of learning both inside and outside of the classroom, and an aspect of the curriculum that enables students to give back some of what they take away from the city of New Orleans. But developing such an intricate program takes a real pro, and there is no one more suited for this role than Bridget Smith. Bridget received her undergraduate degree from University of California-Los Angeles in International Development and Latin American Studies, which served as an excellent precursor to her move to New Orleans for Post-Katrina relief. While working with the American Red Cross and Save the Children in the months following Hurricane Katrina, Bridget says she "fell in love with the city, as if I should have been here the whole time." Bridget then continued her academic career at Tulane where she received her Masters of Public Health.

In June 2008, Bridget began working at Tulane's Center for Public Service  with community partnerships, then as a Course Coordinator for the Service-Learning Program, and finally to her current position managing the entire Service-Learning Program. For students university-wide, Bridget is working to build a course catalog for Spring 2014 to include service-learning courses and project details in order for students to better match up their classes with their availability and interests around the city. The best part about her position is "working with the CPS team, while still being involved in the community and offering them resources. I also really enjoy listening to student feedback and using it to improve the Service-Learning Program."

Bridget also oversees the Public Service Fellows Program, which she describes as "an awesome opportunity for outgoing students who are interested in playing a leadership role in service projects while working in partnership with a Tulane faculty member or a New Orleans community partner." CPS is currently accepting applications to select fellows for Spring 2014. Apply HERE as soon as possible and don't miss the November 8th deadline!

Bridget continues to volunteer in New Orleans with the Louisiana Latino Health Coalition for HIV/AIDS Awareness, and as a medical interpreter. On the weekends, she enjoys Latin and Brazilian dancing, but this will soon be cut short come December when she becomes a full-time mother. Bridget is a true asset to CPS, the Tulane community, and New Orleans as a whole through her countless hours of work and her unique skill set and knowledge of development, public health, and civic engagement! 

If you have questions, you can reach Bridget at bridget1@tulane.edu!

Emily Costello is a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Sociology. She is a student worker at CPS, where she provides great assistance to the Public Service Internship Team.

Beyond the Great Wall: SPHU in China

Through Tulane University's China Public Health Summer Program, students will have the unique opportunity to learn about China's major health problems and more while taking courses on comparative health systems and health economics. In addition, this learning will be accompanied by first-hand knowledge gained from visits to hospitals, private clinics, and health departments as well as guest lectures from local Chinese experts and health practitioners.

This is a one-of-a-kind program that allows all students, regardless of their academic major or language abilities, to learn in person about the urban and rural health systems of China in Shanghai and Jinan. Some of the major topics of interest that will be covered are China's health system reform, the development of the rural Collaborative Medical System (CMS), HIV/AIDS programs and their progress, urban health insurance, disease control and prevention systems, and maternal and child healthcare systems.

The program will be based at the Shandong University School of Public Health in Jinan and the Fudan University in Shanghai.  Students will also spend time studying in the cities of Beijing and Jinan.  There will also be opportunities for sightseeing excursions to other areas in the region.

This program is open to graduate and undergraduate students from Tulane University, and qualified students from other universities are welcome to apply as well.

Dr. Thomas J. Stranova
E-mail: tstrano@tulane.edu
Phone: 504-988-6758

 Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans

Fresh Food Factor Program

With increased pressure to cut costs, schools and care facilities are being forced to make decisions about their meal programs that often involve relying on vendors who provide processed convenience foods. Last year, Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans served 65,555 people in 16 parishes in Southeastern Louisiana. Our newest program, Fresh Food Factor's mission is to provide area schools and other under-served populations with healthy breakfasts, snacks, and lunches made from quality ingredients.

VOA is looking for a Development Research Intern. The intern will primarily be responsible for conducting capacity-building research that will help to attract new business for next school year. Specifically, the intern will find themselves:

• Conducting research on potential school/new business prospects, both public and private institutions
• Creating and conducting surveys and interviews to measure business model supply and demand
• Conducting analysis of current business models compared to business plan
• Developing defined target markets and audiences
• Assisting with development of policies, procedures, and best practice models based on research results
• Performing other duties as assigned.

By the end of the semester the intern will have drafted the business narrative and executive summary of a new business plan.

The ideal candidate will be computer-literate and possess: good oral and written communication skills; organizational skills; the ability to multi-task; the ability to think clearly, logically, and with sound reasoning; and prior business plan development and marketing experience.

 For more information and to apply, contact Johnny Stone (jstone@voagno.org)

The Cowen Service Challenge

This challenge aims to encourage students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Tulane to celebrate President Cowen's legacy of supporting healthy and vibrant communities through direct community service.

By May 2, 2014, we will complete 750,000 hours of service in New Orleans and around the world.

Be in that number!

Questions? Contact us at

cpsinternships@tulane.edu