Chelsea Metivier is a rising senior at the University of Richmond, studying Political Science, Economics and Law. She is interning this summer with Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children to develop, analyze, and evaluate PBS curriculum and trainings for four parent councils located in the Recovery School District of New Orleans, Louisiana. “There are few things better than having the opportunity to be surrounded by people who share your passion. The SELI summer internship not only gives me the chance to explore a new city and the challenges it faces, but it also brings together a small group of people, of different ages and educational backgrounds, who are just as dedicated to education and education reform as one another. It’s not every day that our friends from home want to discuss education in America over dinner; that passion is rare and something that will continue long after our summer internships end.”

Eldrin Deas is a Doctoral student in Education: Culture, Curriculum and Change, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is interning this summer with the UNC Center for Civil Rights of Chapel Hill, North Carolina where he works to support the Center’s grassroots organizing, community outreach, research, data and policy analysis work around school desegregation issues in the state. "I am excited about being an SELI intern this summer because I know that the work I do has an immediate impact in the communities for which I advocate, and I have a unique opportunity to engage key stakeholders—connecting education and social justice issues—to directly influence public policy."

Ivan Metzger is a rising senior at Emory University, studying Sociology and Educational Studies. This summer, he is interning with Georgia Association on Young Children of Atlanta, Georgia and is researching ways to strengthen school transition from pre-k to kindergarten and community/school partnerships to assist low SES children and families. “I am so thankful for this opportunity to work with accomplished local leaders on issues that ultimately impact everyone.”

Jaeric Brooks Shoffner is a Masters of Public Administration student of Appalachian State University and is interning this summer with the Southern Education Foundation. Jaeric’s summer work is focused on researching and analyzing data related to minority student achievement in higher education and how to improve developmental coursework on the collegiate level. “I am excited about being an SELI intern this summer because of the tremendous exposure, practical knowledge, and research I will receive in the field of education policy that I can use in my career and academic program.”

Jennifer Nelson is a Doctoral student in Sociology at Emory University and is interning this summer with the Cowen Institute for Public Education Initiatives at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jennifer is researching this summer the role of non-traditional organizations in training and developing human capital for public education in New Orleans, Post-Katrina. "I am excited about being an SELI intern this summer because it is giving me a window into the current happenings, legislation, and innovations taking place in our nation's urban schools. During the rest of the year, I read theory and academic studies about school systems; this summer, I am becoming literate in how the educational reform and policy-making processes work. Neither type of educational 'literacy' is complete without the other. I'm thankful for this opportunity to apply and complicate what my academic background tells me, and affirm why I am so passionate about education and the South."

Keba Ambrose recently graduated from Jackson State University with a BA in Political Science and is interning this summer with Jacksonville Public Education Fund in Jacksonville, Florida. Through the summer, Keba will assist with organizing and educating community stakeholders about upcoming school board elections and recruiting participants for “kitchen table conversations” to discuss creating an action plan to address education issues in the community. "I am excited to be an SELI intern because I am committed to improving the quality of education each child receives. I have a heart to serve people, and this is the best way I can do it."

Latanya Fanion recently earned her Doctorate in Education Leadership from Clark Atlanta University and is interning this summer with the Arkansas Public Policy Panel in Little Rock, Arkansas. Through the summer, Latanya is supporting four parent groups in Marvell, Strong, Prescott, and Gould counties in developing a strategic plan to address community and education needs in the state as well as working to bring various stakeholders from across the state together to discuss how education policy and practice can be improved. “I am so excited to be a 2012 SELI intern! This summer, I will have the opportunity to work alongside others who have dedicated their professional careers to seeking educational equality for all students by advocating for change!"

Logan Krusac recently graduated with a BA in Political Science from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Logan is working this summer with the Southern Education Foundation reviewing and collecting research, data and personal stories that capture Latino students’ experience with school discipline policies in the South. “In these hyper-partisan times when politicians have slashed education budgets without hesitation and have refused to invest in our nation’s youth, we young people have a responsibility to advocate for the future of this country—a future dependent upon progressive public education reform. I feel very fortunate for this opportunity to serve as an SELI intern and to play a role in ensuring that public education has a bright future.”

Michael Steele is a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, studying Political Science. This summer, Michael is working with The Parents’ Campaign of Jackson, Mississippi compiling research and policy papers on education issues in the state in preparation for the 2013 legislative session. "The Southern Education Leadership Initiative has provided me with an amazing opportunity to do hands on work in an area about which I am extremely passionate. I am excited to work alongside people who have dedicated their lives to improving our nation’s schools, and look forward to learning more about the ways in which positive change is being brought about."

Rachel Stephens graduated from Georgia College and State University with a BA in Political Science and is interning this summer with Voices for Georgia’s Children of Atlanta, Georgia. Rachel is researching, conducting data analysis, and developing fact-sheets on the importance of early childhood education that will be used during the 2012 Georgia Pre-K week, when key community stakeholders including state legislators and state agency members will visit Pre-K centers throughout the state. "As an SELI intern, I look forward to learning new ways to facilitate meaningful education reform!"