ACLU of Missouri, Harris-Stowe State University partner for new social justice fellowship

ACLU of Missouri (ACLU OF MO/FACEBOOK)

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – ACLU of Missouri announced the launch of a new undergraduate fellowship program, centered on social justice reform.

The announcement came on Tuesday and is in collaboration with the Harris-Stowe State University, stating that both the university and the organization hope to be a “stepping-stone” in young peoples’ pursuit of advocacy and activism.

“This newly created fellowship, partnered with the academic education of Harris-Stowe University will provide students with experiential learning and a space to develop professionally marketable skills,” Terry Daily-Davis, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Science at Harris-Stowe State University, said.

Notably, many students’ awareness and experience of the injustices in St. Louis of socio-economics are learned through the academic lens. Through the new Social Justice Fellowship, the “academic void” will be filled by providing students with both a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. According to a news release, this experience will highlight civic and community engagement.

“Upon completing this fellowship, it is our hope HSSU students will see it as their societal responsibility to stay connected and involved in social justice issues,” Daily-Davis said.

HSSU students majoring in political science, sociology and urban affairs have had internship placements with ACLU of Missouri since 2017. According to the release, the university sees this new program as a natural “next step” in creating more opportunities for its students.

The fellowship program aims to create an open learning space for HSSU students to push boundaries, challenge conventions, approach deeply entrenched problems, identify emerging issues and provide a foundation for social justice reform in St. Louis.

“We intentionally partnered with Harris-Stowe State University because we want to see those groups most impacted and reflected in our work at ACLU,” Elaine Sutton, legal support coordinator of ACLU of Missouri, said. “This Social Justice Fellowship will provide students from under-represented groups, who are not well-resourced and well-networked, with the opportunity for direct, on-the-ground engagement involving issues they are all too familiar with.”

Jeffrey Mittman, executive director of ACLU of Missouri, said the organization recognizes its role in supporting future leaders and also encouraging the development of their nonprofit management as well as their grassroots mobilization and policy research skills.

“It is especially important to use that we move in new directions to work with young people and learn from them,” Mittman said.

Applications for the Social Justice Fellowship program are due on February 14, 2019, at 11:59 pm EST. Applications must be submitted via email to fellowapplications@aclu-mo.org.

The fellowship guidelines and application can be found online.

Close