Levine Connection, December 2012

December 2012

UNC Charlotte Publication

Mobile Surgery in Ecuador: A Summer I Will Always Remember

By Anna Bawtinhimer

G

own on, sandals covered, mask in place—patient number fifty-five was ready for her operation; all that remained was loading her in the van. One year ago, I would have been in complete disbelief if you told me I would be spending my third summer interning in Cuenca, Ecuador with a mobile surgery unit. The Cinterandes Foundation, founded

by Ecuador’s former Minister of Health, Dr. Edgar Rodas, is a non-profit organization that provides free or low cost operations to local underserved communities. For six weeks this past summer, I was able to shadow and observe a variety of rural healthcare settings including local public health centers, regional hospitals, and native communities with the mobile surgery unit. Through school-based community health fairs, home visitations for shut-ins with pneumonia, vaccination outreach programs, and rural medical expeditions, I was able to witness the healing power of medicine on a personally engaging level. While emergency cesarean and orthopedic operations were remarkable to observe, the most enjoyable parts of my experience abroad, however, were becoming immersed in a foreign culture and learning about rural healthcare outreach programs.

Vol 3 Edition 1

A

s soon as I got off the plane at the airport, I realized family and community were prominent parts of life in Cuenca. Every day I would be greeted with kisses on the cheek from aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. At first, it was a bit intimidating for this firm hand-shaking American to experience such open affection with strangers, but gradually the overwhelming love and interdependence of the family and the events we shared together would become some of my most cherished memories. I learned to cook (or at least attempted to) local cuisine, salsa dance, and tell jokes. Weekends were spent shopping with the family, hiking Cajas National Park, or touring Incan ruins.

Local open-air marketplaces became popular destinations, and by the second week, I felt right at home in my Andes Mountain house.

M

y personal education through cultural immersion was incredible, but I’d have to say the preAnna Bawtinhimer with professional medical Dr. Edgar Rodas, President of encounters I was able The Cinterandes Foundation to observe were the highlight of my experience abroad. Some of the most lifeenhancing moments I had were those spent interacting with surgeons and patients during the medical missions.

The native communities we visited were dependent on healthy farmers and fishermen. As the towns were isolated from hospitals, medical conditions requiring even minor surgical interventions often remained untreated and worsened. In two weeks, volunteer surgeons through the Cinterandes Foundation conducted fiftyfive minimally invasive operations including laparoscopic cholecystectomies, lipoma excisions, and hernia repairs.

The extreme gratitude of the patients and hospitality the entire community showed to our medical team was sentimental and extremely humbling. I knew I wanted to pursue medicine before going to Ecuador, but after witnessing first-hand the healing power of healthcare in clinics, hospitals, and the back of a surgical van, I am certain I am called to become a doctor. I will continue to strive to become the quality physician and humanitarian Dr. Edgar Rodas has inspired me to be, helping the underserved in our own backyard.

The Washington Center’s DNC Seminar

The Best Summer (and Beginning of October) Ever

By Austin Halbert

By Vrushab Gowda

T

W

his August, Charlotte became a national stage and the focus of international attention with the proceedings of the Democratic National Convention. I was blessed with a position as one of UNC Charlotte’s participants in The Washington Center’s DNC Seminar. This allowed me not only to hear from national leaders in media and politics, but also to complete field work in the heat of the action.

I

began the experience with a week of speaker sessions and discussion groups. The seminar brought forth an unbiased examination of current trends within American politics and media. Ultimately, this enabled me to further my insight into major issues, offering a substantive complement to textbook learning. I spoke with the very same CNN reporter I watched deliver the news of the September 11 attacks on my television screen in 2001. I shook hands with local representatives, introduced myself to some of Charlotte’s most influential community members, and was equally humbled and enlightened by each interaction.

T

he day after the course ended, I completed my first field work assignment with StartUp RockOn, a concert benefiting entrepreneurial innovation. This opportunity allowed me to network while listening to The Roots, which was certainly not a difficult role to accept. As I ventured to my car at 1:30 that next morning, I began to reflect upon my experiences. This would not have happened in just any old city; this was Charlotte at its best, and being fortunate enough to take part in the hype encouraged me to realize the many ways that this city can contribute to my development as a leader. The remainder of my DNC work was spent as a volunteer for The National Journal and The Atlantic. The sentiment began to sink in as I recognized how close I was to the end of this energizing experience, but it did not take away from the thrill that came with assisting these publications.

A

t the end, when I finally found time to process what I had been through, it was no longer pure excitement that I felt. It was immense gratitude - to my city for being so ambitious, to my university for being so involved, and to the Levine Scholars Program for encouraging me to pursue this opportunity. These weeks had an irrevocable impact on my life, and it was a time that I will never cease to reflect upon. Currently, I am in the midst of planning my spring study abroad program with the Global Business Semester, which will allow me to live in Cyprus while visiting firms in London, Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong, New Delhi, and Agra. While my thoughts race incessantly on these opportunities, I can sum them up with one definitive conclusion: I love college.

hat a wonderful summer and fall I have had! My Washington, DC experience began in mid-June when I took a few night classes at Georgetown University while interning with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was much more fun than work, as my professors (an ex-CIA intelligence analyst, a former Assistant Secretary of Labor, and a director with the Cato Institute…all really down-to-earth people) kept each class engaging, and the work in environmental law was fascinating. I also had the chance to meet several ambassadors, Congressional chiefs of staff, business executives, and leading economists over breakfast or coffee. In the summer months, the entire DC metro area was crawling with thousands of other college students at George Washington St. Paul’s Cathedral taken from Millennium Bridge University, American University, and the University of Maryland’s College Park campus located just outside of town. It’s such a vital time to work in our nation’s capital.

S

hortly after completing my DC internship, I headed to Boston to spend several weeks shadowing and researching at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. It was deeply humbling to work alongside some of the world’s best doctors and scientists, whose technical expertise was rivaled only by their sheer modesty. I even had the good fortune of being able to help them with a few drafts of articles which will hopefully find their way into scholarly journals in the near future.

M

y “best summer” extended into fall as I spent my time conducting research through the month of September, and preparing for my year abroad in the United Kingdom. Since the British academic year starts in October, I had a couple of weeks to return home to New Jersey and pack my bags to study at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Before I knew it, I was across the pond, where I currently find myself writing this

The Palace of Westminster Page 2

Vrushab Gowda in Washington, DC with Dr. George Ayittey, a Ghanaian developmental economist

article after coming back from Guy Fawkes Night fireworks. Aside from the really rainy weather, it’s a great city with plenty of opportunities. When I am not in class during the week, I work as a research assistant to the Lord Maclennan of Rogart, a Scottish peer and co-founder of the Liberal Democrats. The Palace of Westminster is an incredible place to call “the office” (also incredibly confusing to navigate; I get lost almost every time I am there) and it is impossible to tire of the beautiful architecture, priceless artwork, and mazelike corridors. In spite of all this, I miss my friends from Charlotte and look forward to seeing them when I return home to spend Christmas with my family.

Page 3

Interpreting the Past

Learning to Teach the World One Continent at a Time

By Alex Curley

By Caitlin Vaverek

F

I

rom the moment the sun radiated over the eastern horizon to when it returned behind western hills, the slaves labored intensely in the endless cotton fields. A droplet of sweat combines with the soft white cotton and drips across the dark skin of one man’s forehead. Women and children are not pardoned; they contribute to the grueling work effort in their own ways, pushed to their physical limits to produce the most product for the greatest profit. The overseer, a man of light skin, keeps a close eye on his slaving laborers yet, at the same time, he keeps his wife and children physically removed from the lowlands of the cotton fields. Their well-furnished homestead, nestled in the highlands adjacent to the cotton fields, represents their prominence in the social standings.

T

hese cotton fields no longer exist and the laborers have long since passed, but the land of the cotton fields is now home to the campus of UNC Charlotte. The dramatic history of this land still lingers today and only represents a mere glimpse of Charlotte’s timeline.

f there is one thing that I have been sure of my entire life, it’s that I want to be a teacher. I have always known that I love working with children in all different capacities, and I have never doubted that a career in education was the right choice for me.

I We chastise the Confederacy for representing immoral rebellion, but do the Confederate soldiers that fell in battle for their cause deserve the right to have the Confederate flag displayed on their tombstones or is that an insult to the Union? Is the social inequality between the wealthy districts of Charlotte and the impoverished districts unjust or is the wealth a catalyst of economic growth for the city?

t wasn’t until coming to Charlotte, though, and traveling a bit, that I was able to really refine my specific passion in education.

D

r. Dan Morrill, a historical preservationist and an academic expert of the Charlotte region, immersed the class of 2016 Levine Scholars in Charlotte’s colorful history and culture. Starting from the lowland cotton fields, we traveled through the decades and experienced the conditions, both physical and social, in which the locals lived. What resonated most with me was Dr. Morrill’s statement, “History is how we interpret the past.”

F

ar too often, we stubbornly stand in our ideologies without regard for the other ideas that surround us.

Caitlin Vaverek interning with the International Rescue Committee in Seattle, WA

R

egardless of each individual’s perspective, the Charlotte Immersion experience intellectually stimulated me and made me assess my own personal beliefs. This setting of intellectual stimuli cannot be taken for granted, for only in such a setting will we grow, socially and intellectually.

T

he tour itself—from the fountains of Fourth Ward to uptown Charlotte to Pike’s Soda Shop—all represented an evolving community.

Interwoven within the fabric of Charlotte are both the past and the future; even today, buildings from the eighteenth century stand strong and artifacts of Charlotte’s history remain preserved in the multitude of local museums to enrich the cultural history of its residents. The Charlotte Immersion experience has brought great insight to the fact that history is dynamic; it is not just the past, it is the foundation for our future.

Page 4

After a service trip to Honduras during my freshman year and getting the chance to teach students in a rural village, I suddenly felt a new desire for working with certain populations. In Honduras, an education for children, especially those who have special needs or are from impoverished families, is the exception, not the norm. Getting the chance to work with those children, even if just for a short time, really renewed my sense of responsibility for advocating for them and wanting to make a difference in their lives.

S

erving now as the UNC Charlotte chapter president of Students Helping Honduras, I am better able to connect with other students who share these concerns.

In late September, I attended the 2012 Millennium Campus Conference (MCC) at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. The MCC is a student based initiative that focuses itself around the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and seeks to provide student leaders with the inspiration, tools, motivation, and connections that will allow them to impact their chosen part of the world. I was able to meet with

hundreds of college students, just like me, whose goals for the world, and specifically for education reforms in third-world countries, mirrored my own.

L

istening to the panel discussions from world leaders speaking about making a difference in the life of each and every child, I thought back to my summer spent interning in Seattle with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Often, I think that to make a real difference you have to complete something big, flashy, and complex. Thanks to my time with the IRC, I was reminded that this isn’t the case.

It was on my morning walks to school, 22 refugee children from 7 different countries in tow, that I saw a real impact being made in the lives of each individual child through simple acts. My “little munchkins,” as I nicknamed them the first day, never cared how many materials we could provide them with or how extravagant our lessons were. They only cared that we loved them and encouraged them through every new word learned and every correctly formed letter of the alphabet. What made a difference to them was that we taught them how to play baseball, laughed with them as they learned the days of the week, and sang “You Are My Sunshine” with them so many times until we heard it in our sleep.

I

have had the incredible opportunity to work with children from three different continents, and each and every experience has taught me new things about myself and the world. Now that I am back in Charlotte, at least for a little while, it is great to be able to apply everything I have learned to my teaching practice here. Whether I am volunteering in Honduras or Seattle, studying abroad in Finland or studying in Charlotte, each and every child I get to teach touches my heart in a completely new way.

Page 5

Discovering Sustainability

Alaska 2012

By Kevin Rodengen

By Christie Koehler

M

y feet continue to peel, my leg muscles are still too large for my shorts, and my shin splints act up after even the smallest climb.

Alaska changes a person. the plane not knowing what to expect. I had Ifire,boarded never been camping, never cooked a meal over an open and never exercised for more than three days at a time. Suddenly, I was boarding a plane to do all of these things—with complete strangers. Nervous does not even begin to describe my emotions at the time.

D

on’t get me wrong. There were miserable days—days where I just wanted to give up and sprawl on the tundra. When I tell stories from this trip, many people ask whether Alaska was worth the discomfort. I learned things that I would have been perfectly content never having known: quinoa is disgusting, rain gear does not guarantee dryness, and hiking in wet socks can lead to blisters. Rocks, false summits, and rice and beans were things that I came to dread.

ife was awkward for the first 24 hours, a giant game of owever, I learned a lot of things that I will L 20 questions: “So, what’s your favorite color?”, “What H remember for the rest of my life: relationships are are you planning to major in?”, “Are you excited for this key, limits are to be pushed, and one person’s weakness trip?” We were all so eager to get to know one another but unsure about how to do so. The Talkeetna Mountain Range took care of that for us.

impossible not to get to know one another when Itot’syou’re huddled together in your sleeping bags, listening the wind rip through the tent; when you’re digging bathroom holes together in sleety, 30-degree conditions; or when you’ve impulsively decided to swim in glacier water. Privacy was thrown to the wind. Distractions were taken away. There were no phones, no computers, and no televisions. Instead, we built a solid foundation for great friendships.

S

ome of the best conversations I had stemmed from late night discussions underneath the kitchen tarps. I talked on a deeper, more honest level with these new friends than with some people I have known since childhood.

behind a desk, I also learned the fundamentals of organic gardening on an urban scale. This experience has inspired me to start formulating a plan to use my Levine service grant to form a sustainability awareness project on campus by possibly bringing organic farming to UNC Charlotte.

is another person’s strength. I grew not only to love but also to appreciate my fellow Levines. We were one another’s lives: warning one another of falling rocks and encouraging one another to keep going. Not only did we ignore each other’s terribly off-key singing, but we also joined in. The best days were when the two separate hiking groups came together. As Dr. Mike Richardson, The Leon Levine Foundation liaison, comforter, and hiker version of Mary Poppins likes to say, “It took all 17 of us together to make the sun come out.”

hen we entered the wild, we were a group of W strangers. When we emerged, we were a family.

Never mind the stench, the struggles, or the pain. If anything, these factors just helped to unite us.

S

o, was Alaska worth it? Absolutely.

I

wish I could say that sustainability has been an interest of mine for years, but that is not the case. I envy those who discovered their dream job at an early age because I have flip flopped between every career pursuit you could think of - architect, astronaut, artist, professional athlete, engineer, biologist - just to name a few. However, deep within the unconscious learning that takes place at an early age from our parents, lies the environmentalist Kevin who is loving sustainability right now.

M

y mom raised me to develop an appreciation of nature, but it wasn’t until recently that I have reached a point in which I genuinely feel bad for any form of environmental harm I could have prevented. My internal affinity for the environment has sparked my decision to study Earth Sciences at UNC Charlotte. Partnered with numerous sustainability initiatives on campus, the Levine Scholarship helped me place my interest in the field of sustainability.

L

ast summer, I interned with Friendship Gardens, a small nonprofit in downtown Charlotte. Their mission is to spread knowledge and encourage passion for sustainable food production across Charlotte through urban gardening.

Not only did I get to work outside all day, as opposed to

Gold Dusters

By Anna Swartz

eing a part of a second family is one of the greatest B bonuses of the Levine Scholars Program. My fellow Levine peers will help me with practically any situation at

any time. It is through their support, the flexibility of the Levine Scholars Program, and my extracurricular interests,

M

ore recently, I have become an Eco-Representative for Witherspoon Hall on campus. I am in the process of initiating water saving strategies for the building, as well as helping to educate residents about various sustainable initiatives. However, I will have to relinquish this position at the end of the semester because I will be attending the University of Iceland in Reykjavik, Iceland, for my spring semester abroad. While there, I plan to study Glaciology and Volcanology in one of the only locations on earth with great expertise in both fields. Iceland is one of the most sustainable countries in the world providing abundant clean alternative energy to its growing population.

M

y passion for sustainability has been easy to pursue in a city thriving with green initiatives and a UNC Charlotte campus following in the footsteps. My hope is that I can make a difference within the campus community to one day have the leadership capabilities of making a difference on an even grander scale. becoming a member of the dance team in the fall of my freshman year, I have learned that being a Gold Duster requires a lot of commitment. We practice five days a week in preparation for performances and the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Competition that is held every April. Last year, we placed 2nd in hip hop! lthough most of our time A is spent training and practicing techniques, the main

Page 6

Photo courtesy of

role of the team is to be a Spirit © Dee Bowers/Perfect Gift Photography 2011 Squad for UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte community. We dance at the men’s 2011-2012 Gold Dusters after placing 2nd in Hip Hop at the and women’s home basketball games, volunteer at baseball National Dance Alliance Collegiate Competition in games, and perform at other campus events throughout the Daytona Beach, April 2012 year. We also make community appearances with Charlotte Athletics and Undergraduate Admissions, and at events such that I have also been lucky to become a member of a second, as the annual Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure. second family - the UNC Charlotte Dance Team. o matter what the event, I take great pride in representing UNC Charlotte, whether by promoting he dance team, known as the Gold Dusters, is a team athletics or academics, or by spreading Charlotte spirit! of 37 girls who share a passion for performance. Since

T

N

Page 7

Levine Museum of the New South Internship

By Kevin Caldwell

magine walking past Michael Jordan’s personal box seats, eating unrestricted amounts of food, and seeing Cam Newton in the bright lights of the Bank of America Stadium.

Immediately, we knew we were in for star treatment when we could park closer to the stadium than we can to our dorm on campus. As we approached the hoard of people going into the stadium, we found a roped off “red carpet” leading us to the luxury suite area, skipping the lines that so often force fans to wait for hours. After snapping a photo with a few TopCats, having a friendly woman escort us up to our floor, and running full speed down climate controlled halls with unbridled joy, I could not see how my night could get any better. Yet it did.

ome to understand:” it’s a powerful request, isn’t it? The simplest of phrases, it also conveys a complex message, illustrating our human desire to understand the physical world and our role within it. Functioning as instigators in this human quest, museums actively push the envelope, encouraging ceaseless questioning and reflection of the world as is, as it was and as it will be. Over the summer of 2012, I had the privilege of working with such an organization— Levine Museum of the New South—as an intern within their education department.

O

Kevin Caldwell with the staff of the Levine Museum of the New South

function independently of my campus community, a privilege that consistently reminds me of how much I have grown and changed since beginning this summer. Growing into this autonomy has given me a sense of self-satisfaction, as well as a series of wonderful opportunities, such as attendance on my first business trip.

I

n late September, members of the museum staff (myself included) flew to Birmingham, Alabama to participate in the programmatic development of a new museum initiative entitled Latino New South. This project will explore the Latino experience in the Southeast, documented through community listening sessions and interviews. While in Birmingham, the staff (of the Levine Museum of the New South, as well as two partnering organizations: the Atlanta History Center and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute) worked closely with the Latino community. We conducted listening sessions, using these as tools to record Latino strengths and complaints within the larger community. The trip was incredible—from the moment the plane touched down, I was immersed in a new, exciting cultural context doing something that I loved. I was making a difference.

Vice President Biden and Kevin Caldwell with supporters at the Levine Museum of the New South

J

ust as my understanding of the power of education broadened, so has my internship, so to speak. Intended to be a summer position, I have continued interning with the Levine Museum, providing a wonderful counter to the academic pressures felt by any college student. Remaining on staff has provided a space unique to me, away from the broader UNC Charlotte community. At my internship I Page 8

By David Pesce

I

“C

ver my ten week summer internship, I was able to participate in many projects, all of which I adored. Through facilitating dialogic experiences, guiding tours, developing educational outreaches, assisting in programmatic planning, traveling to meetings throughout Charlotte and implementing an online virtual exhibit series, I was consistently challenged. Using these instances, I gained a much clearer understanding of nonprofit management within the museum field, but more importantly, I was able to experience the sheer power of education on the ground—the power that “coming to understand” can provide an individual, a group, humanity.

A Night to Remember

I

t was while I was in Birmingham that I truly began to take stock of all the changes I have experienced since the summer began. I’ve grown and changed, clearly. I now realize that, over the course of the few months I have been working at the Levine Museum of the New South, I have matured both personally and pre-professionally. I have just begun to see evidence of this summer’s impact in my everyday life and it continually surprises me. Talk about “come to understand.”

A

lthough the play of the Carolina Panthers left much to be desired, the rest of the outing made the night of Thursday, September 20, 2012, an unforgettable experience.

The panoramic view of the game was spectacular. We were afforded the pleasure to meet the gracious Mr. and Mrs. Levine who invited us into their box with open arms and extreme generosity. The downto-earth hosts were extremely easy to talk to between plays.

Their kindness was evident throughout the night, but was most apparent when Mrs. Levine gave my roommate a bag full of popcorn to take home because he spent more time staring at the popcorn bowl than at the game. Never have I been closer to heaven than I was that Thursday in September.

I

n addition to the suite, the Levine family provided us with access to three seats in the stands, and while I loved sitting in the suite, the seats down at the fifty yard line were even better. There is something about the smell of cracker jacks, popcorn, and hot dogs, coupled with the intense screaming of fans that adds so much to the NFL viewing experience. Now if only the Panthers had brought home a win…

Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies

By Brandon Nixon

S

teven Serio, the Board of Elections Chair, wasted no time in revealing the well-anticipated news: “…and Freshman Class President is…Brandon Nixon.” While still in the Student Government Association (SGA) complex, I tried my hardest to keep my cool with just a subtle fist pump, but as soon as I left I had to give my parents a call to share the exciting news.

I

owe much of my election as Freshman Class President to the network I was able to develop within my first month of college, most of which included other Levine Scholars.

When people ask me, “How did you do it?”, my reply is typically, “It was just a simple grass roots movement. Shaking hands and kissing babies.” Honestly, though, hanging up posters, utilizing social networks, and then hoping for the best was the extent of my campaigning. I guess you could also say my involvement within SGA in high school as Student Body President aided me in the campaign process, but more importantly, I believe my past experiences have influenced my ideas for the future.

M

y position as Student Body President at Pine Forest High School allowed me to lead an amazing group of students as we fundraised, planned programs and events, and helped wherever needed. My involvement imparted upon me valuable lessons concerning public speaking and forming a

supportive network.

The experiences I shared with my peers created an impact that words can hardly express.

I

do believe my experiences as UNC Charlotte Freshman Class President will be fairly similar, and I will be able to further develop my leadership abilities. I am currently attending weekly executive cabinet meetings led by the current Student Body President, Conor Dugan, and weekly advising meetings with Mrs. Judith Rowles. With extraordinary backing from Mrs. Rowles, I am working to appoint the Freshman Council and draft a living constitution. In the spring semester, I look forward to offering innovative and creative ideas as the Freshman Council and I create and plan a large, “signature” event for the Class of 2016. The goal is to engage students immediately when they step upon campus, allowing them to form those bonds and connections that will increase both retention and graduation rates.

I

can only hope to represent the largest freshman class the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has ever had well and make those who supported me proud. Maybe one day my participation will lead to a part time position in politics.

Then, I’ll really be shaking hands and kissing babies.

Page 9

When Washington Came to Charlotte

By Celia Karp

F

or over a year, it was the buzzword in North Carolina’s Queen City. It consumed the newspapers, social media and gossip channels; it instilled both fear and excitement in community members; and it presented a unique opportunity for the students of UNC Charlotte. It was the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC), and somehow, I found my way in.

I

was fortunate to land a two-week internship with NBC Universal, one of the largest media and entertainment companies in the United States.

Working alongside some of the most influential members of American news media, I got a taste of everything the media world encompasses. Throughout long shifts, late nights, and the collaboration of dedicated professionals, each broadcast of the event was televised smoothly. The media compound, which housed many national broadcasting companies, was located right outside of the arena. This news center operated as a fully functioning organizational hub, complete with a few hundred flat screen televisions, catered lunches and luxury portable bathrooms.

W

ith my limited experience in the field, every day was a learning opportunity. From the logistical aspects, like linking each individual with a distinct security credential, to the technical elements, like working with sound and lighting professionals to craft the set of network

Interning in the District shows, to the communication essentials, like determining the best methods for communicating across the two network centers, my many assignments gave me a fullfledged media experience. Adding another dimension to this opportunity, my experience provided me with access to experience the speeches of renowned political figures like former President Bill Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and President Barack Obama, inperson.

I

n the midst of my time with NBC News, the Department of Communication Studies at UNC Charlotte presented me with the opportunity to attend the Aspire mentorship program co-sponsored by Bloomberg News and AT&T. Switching roles for the day, I was paired with Cynthia Marshall, president of AT&T North Carolina, whom I shadowed for the day. We worked together on media campaigns for the company, and brainstormed ideas for connecting with teens about the consequences of texting and driving. By sharing her experiences from working in the field, Ms. Marshall taught me about harmonizing a company’s values within each of the campaigns it spearheads. When I was not working with Ms. Marshall, I was at the Bloomberg News Link listening to political commentary by Bloomberg’s strategic analyst Matthew Dowd, columnist Jonathan Alter, and Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett.

Just the experience of learning about politics and the conditions of this election through my interactions with these individuals was incredible. By seeing, living and breathing everything political for two weeks, my experience at the Democratic National Convention forever impacted my interest in media and politics and shaped my future in the field of communications.

By Christina Neitzey

T

his summer I had the opportunity to spend twelve weeks in the heart of our nation’s beautiful capital, Washington, DC, interning at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) – the research, development and evaluation agency of the Department of Justice. Although I was a little apprehensive at first about living alone in a big city, DC’s diverse, always bustling atmosphere immediately won me over. My 1 ½ mile walk to work early each morning brought me down Pennsylvania Avenue, past the White House, through crowds of tourists from around the world and finally to my office in Chinatown. I spent my lunch breaks hunting down “food trucks” and exploring the American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery across the street from my office. Evenings and weekends were dedicated to exploring DC with new friends from around the country.

Moonlit walks through the National Mall never got old -- the Lincoln Memorial at night is an incredible sight -- and the opportunities to experience new restaurants, shops, markets, outdoor events, nightlife and museums were endless.

I

n between my DC adventures, I worked hard at NIJ. I was there during their busiest time of year, grantmaking season, and got to learn about the process by which federal grants fund research from the ground up. I primarily worked with the Crime, Violence and Victimization Research Division (CVVRD), where we focused on social science research relating to criminal justice. When I wasn’t attending to grants, I got to attend working group meetings with members of other agencies and learn about the relationships between NIJ and these

other organizations in respect to relevant issues such as human trafficking (State Department), crime mapping/ prediction (Metropolitan Police Department) and youth Internet safety.

T

hroughout this internship experience, I was constantly in awe of my coworkers’ intelligence and passion for their research and projects. The director of my office, with whom I spoke on a daily basis, is a renowned criminologist whose theories I’ve studied in my criminal justice classes at UNC Charlotte. Nearly everyone in the office has a PhD (or a couple) paired with true passion for his or her research. Working in such an intellectually stimulating office kept me constantly energized and engaged in learning the ins and outs of the criminal justice system.

A

t various intervals throughout my internship, the Department of Justice arranged speakers, trips, workshops and networking events for all its interns to attend. This structure was a great aspect of the summer. We went on trips to the Supreme Court, FBI Training Academy, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and a drug treatment court.

Speakers included the Attorney General and the director of the US Marshals Service (my personal favorite).

T

hrough this internship program, I had exposure to various branches of public service and was able to develop professionally and personally far more than I could have imagined. To sum up the summer, it was the most energizing, yet exhausting twelve weeks of my life.

There was never a dull moment during the day, and I slept like a rock every night. I can’t wait to get back to DC!

Page 10

Levine freshmen preparing a meal at Ronald McDonald House

Levine Scholars enjoying dinner together at Pike’s Soda Shop

Page 11

9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223

The Levine Scholars Program

The Levine Scholars Program

T

he Levine Scholars Program is a four-year scholarship that includes full tuition, room and board, a new laptop computer and four summer experiences, including an international experience, which will develop leadership skills and social awareness. The full scholarship is awarded to approximately 15 high school seniors each year and is valued at $90,000 for in-state students and $140,000 for out-of-state students over four years.

L

evine Scholars are talented high school seniors from around the United States whose accomplishments epitomize the values of philanthropists Sandra and Leon Levine, including a demonstrated commitment to community service, intellectual curiosity and the capacity

for ethical leadership. Through community engagement, mentoring relationships with civic and business leaders in Charlotte, and a rigorous academic program, Levine Scholars develop the characteristics necessary to produce positive change in the communities in which they live and work. Scholars are able to turn their community service interest into actions with community service grants of $8,000 to support their work in the community.

I

t is this unique connection to Charlotte – its resources, leaders and challenges – that differentiates this program from other scholarships of its kind. The program is specifically designed to expose Levine Scholars to the urban culture of a thriving city and to engage them in service to address needs of the citizens of Charlotte.