Shajuana Isom-Payne
Assistant dean of student services
The educational experience at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs extends far beyond the classroom. Many students take advantage of service-learning and internship opportunities, gaining valuable work experience and enhancing their resumes as they contribute in meaningful ways to governmental departments and agencies, legislative offices, nonprofit institutions, community initiatives, and businesses throughout Richmond.
Exceptionally qualified graduate students in the criminal justice, homeland security and emergency preparedness, public administration, and urban and regional planning programs are selected to be Wilder Graduate Scholars who undertake yearlong placements in which they benefit from professional work experience and financial support.
At the Wilder School, service is a tradition that is supported and cultivated by a faculty that reflects a tremendous commitment to community-based research. Each semester, VCU faculty offer a diverse selection of credit-bearing service-learning courses that provide students with the privilege of developing hands-on experience within their academic fields while engaging in meaningful projects that benefit local communities.
Guidelines for internships are available on the Wilder School website.