2007-2008 s.t.u.d.y Academic internship program

1. 2007-2008 s.t.u.d.y Academic internship program

2. Outline • Introduction • STUDY Advisory Committee • STUDY Objectives • Interns Application and Selection • Demographic Summary • Program Instructors, Staff and Contributors • Academic Program • Luncheon & Award Ceremony • Follow-up Meeting and Outreach Visit • Evaluation of Program Elements • STUDY Project Budget • Conclusion • Project Recommendations

3. Introduction • The STUDY provides six (6) North Miami Senior High (NMSH) school students an enriching academic-work experience internship. • Focus on urban economic development and city and regional planning. The project’s activities support the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) mission of investing in the socio-economic development of the community. • JHS & Associates and Miami Dade Public Schools (MDPS) designed and delivered a curriculum that underlines the challenges faced by municipalities; topics such as urban revitalization, safety, infrastructure, educationandhealth,aswellaspublicfinancingwerepresentedtointerns. • Each intern was required to commit to a specific research topic, and under staff supervision, prepare a professional quality report and present it to the public. • Relevant urban planning issues were analyzed through instructors, staff and guest speakers’ lectures, workshops, field visits, and an urban planning research project.

4. STUDY Advisory Committee • The STUDY Advisory Committee provides guidance to the project. Its main responsibilities are as follows: • Provide feedback and suggestions to the project staff in order to maximize effectiveness of services.  • Review applications, evaluate candidates and recommend at least six (6) potential interns. • Provide staff with suggestions for curriculum design and delivery mechanisms. • Advocate for program and solicit support from the community at large. • The STUDY Advisory Committee Members

5. STUDY Objectives • The STUDY 2008 project focuses on motivating and increasing the analytical skills of six (6) high school interns of primarily economically disadvantaged backgrounds for potential college or vocational studies in the field of urban planning and development. • The STUDY outreach out to a broad spectrum of interns encompassing various levels of academic skills. • The STUDY introduces interns, who might otherwise not have the opportunity, to a potentially rewarding academic experience. • The STUDY interns are motivated through close social and intellectual interaction with instructors, urban planning professionals, and peers. As a result, participation in the project is both an award and an incentive for further academic success.

6. Interns Application& Selection • Interns were selected from North Miami Senior High School (NMSH) based on the following qualifications: * Applicants must:  1. Be in the 12thgrade for the 2007-2008 school year. 2. Have completed or be qualified to enroll in Algebra for the 2007-2008 school year. 3. Have cumulative grade point average 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (minimum). 4. Have an interest in Engineering, Science, Business, Law, Architecture, Criminal Justice, Health, Education or Technology base career. 5. Provide one letter of recommendation from a Teacher or a Counselor. 6. Write one typed-page essay on the following topic: Applicant’s wish to participate in the STUDY program and the ways in which the program can help in meeting the student’s career goal. 7. Submit most recent transcript. • A total of nine (9) students applied for the internships.

7. STUDY 2008 Applicants School: North Miami Senior High School Principal: Mr. Carnell A. White Address: 800 NE 137th Street North Miami, FL 33161 Phone: 305-891-6590 • Alexandra Bien-Aime • Marline Charles   • Maryse Gervais • Bianca Alejandra Graham • Nicole Pierre • Maryann Melessa Rattigan  • Arianna Lissa Sherry  • Nancy Tiday  • Patrice Takiera Virgile

8. Graduating Interns Profile Nancy Tiday is a ‘08 graduate of NMSH School. She will be attending Florida Atlantic University in the fall. She plans on obtaining an MD in pediatrics. Patrice Virgile is a ‘08 graduate of NMSH School. She will be attending Florida State University and will pursue a degree in criminal justice Arianna Sherry is a ‘08 graduate of NMSH School. She was planning on attending Alabama State University, but after the internship program she decided to stay in North Miami and will be attending Barry University to pursue a degree in pre-med. Maryse Gervais is a ‘08 graduate of NMSH School. She will be attending Alabama State University and will pursue a degree in criminal justice.

9. Program Instructors & Contributors • The JHS STUDY Program focuses on the intersection or overlapping of urban planning, politics, geography, technology and the social environment. The staff members who contributed to the curriculum design and/or delivery and/or evaluation were from a variety of fields and expertise among which, psychology, human resources, sociology, science, organizational management, urban planning and engineering. In addition, sessions were also held by the Honorable Ronald Brisé and the Honorable Yolly Roberson, Members, Florida House of Representatives and by Mr. Tony E. Crapp, CRA Executive Director.

10. Academic Program • SESSION FORMAT AND COURSE SCHEDULE • The weekly program starts with a 15-minute orientation followed by a two hours and forty five (2:45hr) minutes session. At five forty five (5:45) PM, the interns completed the daily evaluations and the day’s activities were over at six (6:00) PM. • PREPARATION AND DELIVERY OF CURRICULUM • Curriculum design began on March 3, 2008, and lasted through July 15, 2008. The STUDY’s theme was Sustainability and Urban Planning. • The STUDY implementation plan was characterized by the delivery of the academic curriculum throughout the period May 14 - July 31, 2008. The curriculum was subdivided around four basic themes: • History of the City and the CRA • Public Administration and Financing • Environmental issues and the Green Movement • Infrastructure (Transportation), Energy and Water) and Housing • STUDY RESEARCH PROJECT • The STUDY academic internship program also involved the interns in the production of a research project. Additionally, these activities gave the interns an insight into issues and tasks involved in real-life projects. The project theme was Sustainable Development in North Miami. The key questions to be investigated were consumption of energy, water and housing. • The group presented the results of their research in a public forum, in front of experts in the field on Friday, August 1, 2008. • TRIP TO TALLAHASSEE, FL • Wednesday June 11-13, 2008 • Departed from NMSH to Tallahassee, Fl • Thursday June 12, 2008 • Visit of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). • Tour of the State capitol building • Presentation on Urban Growth Management by Mrs. Barbara Hoagland • Friday, June 13, 2008 • Tour of Florida State University (FSU) • Departed from Tallahassee to Miami

11. Tallahassee Trip Photos STUDY Team Visiting Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) • STUDY Team Visiting Florida State • University (FSU)

12. Assigning Interns to City Departments • The process of locating host departments for the interns’ assignments began in March with a presentation at one of the City Managers weekly staff meetings. Department Heads were made aware of the STUDY program and were asked to submit expressions of interest in hosting an intern for a 4-week period in July. Three departments expressed interest, the Library, the Police and the Community Development and Planning. A department could not be found for Patrice Virgile; she was assigned to perform her project research duties at the Library.

13. Luncheon & Award Ceremony • The closing Research Presentation, Luncheon and Award ceremony was held on August 1, 2008 at the Griffing Community Center. The interns designed the program and were heavily involved in its overall implementation. The key speaker for the event was Mr. Tony E. Crapp, Sr., CRA Executive Director. Several high-level officials were present at the luncheon, including Councilwoman Marie Erlande Steril, Mrs. Patrice Rosemond, Special Assistant to the Director, Citizens’ Independent Transportation and Trust (CITT), Mrs. Joyce Pernicone, Director, North Miami Public Library, and others. • All of the interns received: • Certificates of Achievement along with a facsimile check for $1,000 for completing the program successfully. • A facsimile check for a $1,500 college scholarship courtesy of Camp Dresser & McKee Consulting Engineers. These scholarships are designed to cover expenses for books and supplies during a 4-year period as follows: $200-first year, $300-second year, $400 third year and $600-fourth year of college. • In addition, “Certificates of Appreciation” were presented to various individuals, organizations and agencies for their contributions and support of the 2008 STUDY program. • Finally, an Outstanding Host award was presented to the NM Public Library for outstanding support of the program.

14. Award Ceremony Photos Patrice Virgile (left) and Arianna Sherry before their research presentation at the Griffing Community Center. Maryse Gervais (left) and Nancy Tiday before their research presentation at the Griffing Community Center. (L-R) Mr. Ignacio Lizama, Camp Dresser McKee, Inc. (CDM), P. Virgile, N. Tiday, A. Sherry, M. Gervais, and Dr. Sylvan Jolibois. Interns holding their $1,500 acade-mic college scholarship checks, courtesy of CDM. (L-R) Mr.Tony E. Crapp,Sr., N.Tiday, P.Virgile, M.Gervais, A. Sherry, Councilwoman Marie Erlande Steril and Dr. Sylvan Jolibois. Interns holding their $1,000 STUDY Stipend checks for the internship at City departments.

15. Award Ceremony Photos (L-R) Nancy Tiday, Patrice Virgile, Maryse Gervais, Arianna Sherry, Councilwoman and CRA Board Member, Mrs. Marie Erlande Steril and Dr. Sylvan Jolibois. Interns are holding their $1,000 CRA STUDY Stipend checks for the internship at City departments. Joyce Pernicorne, Director, North Miami Public Library receiving the STUDY Outstanding Host Award from Dr. Sylvan Jolibois.

16. Follow-up Meeting &Outreach Visit • On Wednesday, August 6, 2008, a follow-up meeting was scheduled for the interns and staff that had participated in the STUDY. Four items were on the agenda: • Discussion of the STUDY program • Research presentation • Final exam designed to evaluate the interns’ understanding of the material covered during the sessions. • Finally, the interns were presented with a cashiers check for $1,000, equivalent to the sum earned for their monthly on site internship. From left to right: Nancy Tiday, Maryse Gervais and Arianna Sherry at the North Miami City Hall.

17. Evaluation of Program Elements • At the end of each day, interns were provided an evaluation form in which they were to assess the day’s activities with respect to the following: a) the guest speakers, b) the class sessions, and c) the staff. The data obtained was to serve as feedback for addressing immediate critical issues and to assist us in improving the programs implemented in the STUDY program. Evaluation of Speakers • The speakers, who consisted of both in-house instructors and outside guest speakers, implemented the STUDY curriculum component. Generally speaking, the results show a very high level of satisfaction with the speakers i.e., the way they organized and presented the material. The following guest speakers/lectures were not evaluated by the interns: Mr. Tony E. Crapp Sr., Ms. Myrline Aristil, Ms. Valérie Ménard, and Ms. Maxine Calloway.

18. Evaluation of Program Elements Courses Evaluation Results

19. STUDY Project Budget • STUDY PROJECT 2008 BUDGET The total budget allocated for the project was $51,250. The budget was to cover the following expenses: • Instructors salaries • Student salaries • Recruitment activities • Equipment • Travel • Miscellaneous expenses • ORIGINAL BUDGET DESCRIPTION Personnel Funds allocated in the budget for salaries totaled $31,500 and included salaries for lecturers ($14,000), graduate intern and additional personnel needed for the trip ($11,540), as well as interns’ stipends ($6,000).

20. STUDY Project Original Budget

21. Conclusion • We believe that for its first year, the CRA STUDY Program can be considered as a success. It essentially achieved what it set out to do, i.e., to introduce interns, who might otherwise not have the opportunity, to a potentially rewarding academic experience. • While many challenges were faced, e.g., site logistics, drop out ratio, shortened implementation time period, the added element of the interns working on an assigned urban planning project and presenting their results proved to be a very successful and valued component of the Program. The STUDY project provided the opportunity for implementing interventions to sharpen the analytical skills of young people on their way to college, as well as to introduce interns to the challenging opportunities in the urban planning arena while offering them a trip to Tallahassee, FL. • Two of the most important measures of the STUDY Program’s success : 1) The interns research presentation in a public forum. 2) The overall program evaluation performed by the interns and their decision to rate the STUDY Project outstanding. • Finally, a particular and surprising element of success for the project was the scholarship support ($10,000) it received from the private sector, i.e., Camp Dresser McKee Inc. The funds are be awarded to the pioneer interns as they progress through their undergraduate degrees.

22. Project Recommendations • INTERN RECRUITMENT • This year, staff relied exclusively on NMSH counseling personnel to advertise the program and request applications. There are several ways (mass media advertising, community organizations) in which JHS staff may opt to advertise future programs. • One of the suggested remedies for the low number of applicants was to organize a workshop/luncheon for selected teachers/high school officials in November/December of 2008. • RESEARCH PROJECT • The incorporation of a research project into the STUDY program proved to be a great and rewarding challenge for the participating interns. • ON SITE INTERNSHIPS • One of the short comings of this year project was the lukewarm response from the city departments. As was noted previously, one of the four interns was not assigned. This creates an opportunity for the program to look beyond the City, and explore potential internships with the North Miami private sector and the county agencies. • ON SITE LOCATION • Another challenge faced by staff was the unreliability and timeliness of the services provided at NMSH, from closed/dirty classrooms, to availability of audio visual equipment. Arrangements will be made with FIU to host the program on Saturdays from 10:00 AM-2:00PM. This should improve the delivery of the academic component of the curriculum, as well as the morale of the interns and staff. • INSTITUTIONALIZED STRUCTURE FOR PRIVATE SUPPORT • One of the issues to be resolved concerned the structure for holding cash donations from the private sector. As much as the CRA is unable to accept those funds, a viable alternative must be found. • ADVISORY COMMITTEE • Expansion of the STUDY Advisory Committee is the last component to be addressed. The Committee must include representatives from higher education (FIU/MDC), as well as, one representative from the City Manager’s office.

23. Acknowledgments The author would like to acknowledge the contributions of various individuals and organizations that helped the JHS team achieve its goals. We extend our sincere appreciation to:  • Joyce Pernicone, North Miami Public Library • Mary Culhane, North Miami Public Library • Gareth Mann, Joyce Oliver, Aldwyn Thomas, North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency • Ronald Brisé, Member, Florida House of Representatives • Pamela Paultre, Office of Rep. Ronald Brisé • Yolly Roberson, Member, Florida House of Representatives • Mark Collins, Aleem Ghany, Public Works • Maxine Calloway, Community Development and Planning • Eliu O. Perez, Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. • Carnell A. White, Thelma Ferguson, Dr. Pamela Smith, Gabriel Salgado, North Miami Senior High • Jean Ridori, Yvens Fievre, Joey Bautista, North Miami Adult Education Center  . A sincere thank you is also sent to the North Miami Public Library for their wonderful support.  . Finally, a heartfelt “Merci Beaucoup” is extended to our STUDY Advisory Committee Members: • Ms. Valérie Ménard, NM/Police Department • Ms. Diana Ospina, Transelco Corporation, Inc. • Mr. Ken Caban, Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. • Mr. Tony E. Crapp Sr., NM/Community Redevelopment Agency • Mr. John O’Brien, NM/Community Planning and Development