The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy and the City of Knoxville announced a partnership launching a fellows program for Baker Center students.
The program would allow the students to “work directly in a variety of departments or agencies with the City of Knoxville,” according to a Friday press release by the City.
There is an official agreement between the City of Knoxville and Baker Center that allows students to work in city government as fellows in areas they are interested in, giving them valuable work experience and serving the city, the press release notes.
“This is a win-win partnership,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said in a statement. “The City benefits from the energy, talent, fresh ideas and new perspectives of the Baker Center Fellows. The students gain tangible real-world problem-solving experience, plus a paycheck for their hard work. It will be exciting to watch as the Baker Center Fellows program matures, and its students go on to become future leaders in public policy and public service.”
The Baker Center currently has four students working for the city, working in the office of sustainability, communications, community empowerment, and chief operating officer departments. For their work, students receive stipends, making them fellows, the press release adds.
Students with the @UTKnoxville @utbakercenter now have the opportunity to become fellows and work directly with the @CityKnoxvilleTN.
There are currently four Baker Center students working among the city ranks. Visit our website: https://t.co/m9xVyM3uMJ pic.twitter.com/4bPITdKF43— Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy (@UTBakerCenter) October 28, 2022
“This partnership between the Baker Center and the City of Knoxville is providing meaningful opportunities for our students to get real-world, hands-on experience that will prepare them for a career in public service,” University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman said in a statement. “Programs like these exemplify the education we offer our students – one grounded in academic excellence, experiential learning, and service and leadership. I am grateful to Dr. Wanamaker and Mayor Kincannon for recognizing the potential this partnership had to benefit both the City and our students.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Howard Baker Center” by The University of Tennessee Knoxville.
