THE IMPACT OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

The Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics (LEAP) at Sam Houston State University is designed to enrich students’ academic experience through various educational opportunities, including internships, volunteerism, guest lectures and educational field trips.

Partnering with cities, LEAP’s City Fellows program places students in paid internships.

“Through the City of Huntsville and area non-profits, we partner to offer a citizenship preparatory course for local immigrants,” Mike Yawn, LEAP program director, said. “LEAP students are also often found working with the Huntsville Main Street program, the Wynne Home Arts Center and Huntsville Parks and Recreation. These interns help host big public events such as Christmas on the Square, Scare on the Square, the community Easter egg hunt and the city’s Fourth of July activities.”

With an emphasis on meaningful public service, LEAP students also regularly volunteer for the city. Most service involves hands-on activities that include initiating and implementing projects.

“The LEAP Ambassadors do hundreds of volunteer hours a year, often helping the interns run events with the city. They’ve also done a lot of standalone projects, such as beautification projects for the Wynne Home and downtown area,” Yawn said.

Ambassadors are expected to not only perform public services while enhancing and developing their skills, but also learn the principles, processes and structures of public organizations.

For many students, the experience is a trajectory for a future career in civic service. LEAP alumni have gone on to secure city jobs in economic development, city management and governmental affairs. LEAP alumni are also currently working for major law firms, or attending the top law schools and graduate schools, and in diverse jobs in the non-profit field, business fields and in all levels of government.

For Zachary Goodlander (’14, ’16), joining the LEAP program provided a network of like-minded students, practitioners in the field and connections to crucial internship opportunities. After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in public administration at SHSU, he now serves as assistant city manager for the City of Fulshear, Texas.

“In many ways it was LEAP which laid the foundation for my whole career,” Goodlander said. “Through LEAP I was able to intern with the City of Huntsville, and now ten years later I’m the assistant city manager of a dynamic city of over 30,000. I’ll always be thankful for the LEAP program in not only the opportunities it provided me, but also for its promotion of the value and responsibility of public service.”H