Internships Offer Experience | Walk Across History | ULM Forum 7-29-11

15:00 minutes (20.6 MB) Download

Monroe Housing Authority partnership benefits both elderly and students

Employers looking to fill a job are looking for more than education; they’re looking for experience. Students from the University

Parker

of Louisiana at Monroe School of Construction Management have been getting that experience by working closely with the Monroe Housing Authority.

Student interns have been evaluating local retirement properties for maintenance and safety issues, as well as finding ways to improve energy efficiency. Part of a green initiative involving the MHA, the project includes recycling, installation of water and energy efficient devices, and construction of ponds for water self-sufficiency.

Implementation of energy efficient alternatives helps reduce operating costs and utility bills for residents, while also saving energy and water.

Dr. Keith Parker, the director of the School of Construction Management, and Monroe Housing Authority Director Frank Wilcox and Project Coordinator Eddna Castro explain the unique partnership and how students grow from the experience.

Study Abroad Program offers chance to "Walk Across History"

There’s more than on way to travel the world. You might try planning it on your own, but one program offers a chance for international travel that includes the experience of a history scholar. The month of July is Study Abroad Month at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Each year, the ULM History Department selects a historically significant place outside the United States, and orchestrates a trip though the Walk Across History travel abroad program.

Elle Walker is an instructor of history and the Study Abroad Program Coordinator. Paige Driskill and her daughter Courtney Brown travelled to London with the group in 2009. Wallker says, "Traveling in this way is not only economical; it can be a lot of fun, while also being educational and informative. It is so much more than just a vacation abroad."

ULM Students in Berlin. (photo courtesy Laura Walker)

This year, Walk Across History participants will travel to Italy for a week in December.

"Pagans to Popes" will provide an opportunity to explore such historically significant places as the Vatican, the Sistine Chapek, the Trevi Fountain and the Coliseum.

In addition to having daily excursions planned, the upcoming trip includes round trip airfiare from the United States, ground transportation in Italy and accommodation at a hotel throughtout the length of stay.

The deadline to register for the trip to Italy is September 29. Walk Across History will hold an informational meeting on Friday, September 9. More information is available by calling 342-1088, emailing lwalker@ulm.edu, or www.walkacrosshistory.com.

Air Date: Fri, 07/29/2011