When Diana Mastrocola '06 (Reading, Mass.) opted to spend her summer
conducting research as a Levitt Fellow, she simultaneously expanded her
commitment to the Utica community. As a volunteer at Girls Inc.
throughout the academic year, a program for girls ages 6-16 in Utica,
Mastrocola wanted to know more about this national non-profit
organization and particularly the demographic makeup of the Utica
chapter.
"I am looking at the needs assessment (of Girls Inc.) in Utica in two parts—the needs of the organization and benefits to the young girls, and the politics of running a non-profit," she said.
Girls, Inc, which was founded in 1845, has the motto, "Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold." The organization, which maintains chapters throughout the nation, established a chapter in Utica three years ago, in conjunction with the YWCA.
For her project, described as "The provision of social services for girls in Utica's non-profit sector, using Girls, Inc. as a case study," Mastrocola is conducting interviews with the girls who attend the program, their parents, school officials and teachers, YWCA directors and police.
"One of the difficulties in this so far has been that many parents are reluctant to be interviewed and will not sign the consent forms for their daughters," Mastrocola said. She explained that the parents and guardians she is able to receive permission from for interviews are typically the ones who pick their daughters and granddaughters up from the program.
Girls Inc. is a free program and open to Utica girls on Tuesday evenings throughout the year. Mastrocola said that when the program began three years ago, there were only eight girls. It has since grown to 52 girls, even though the program is not widely known. Mastrocola says that she foresees much potential in further growth throughout the area.
Regarding why she chose to research Girls Inc, Mastrocola said, "I just thought it was interesting because Utica is right next door, and there are things I didn't even know about until I did this research."
Mastrocola said that she is considering researching more in depth some of the topics that she has encountered this summer for her senior thesis.
To enhance student research around issues of public affairs, the Levitt Center funds student-faculty research through its Levitt Research Fellows Program. The program is open to all students who wish to spend the summer working in collaboration with a faculty member on an issue related to public affairs. Students receive a summer stipend and some expense money, and spend 10 weeks in the summer working intensively with a faculty mentor. Those selected for the program are required to provide a written assessment of their work at the completion of the summer, and also give a public presentation of their research findings to the Hamilton community, or local high school classes through the Levitt Scholars program.
"I am looking at the needs assessment (of Girls Inc.) in Utica in two parts—the needs of the organization and benefits to the young girls, and the politics of running a non-profit," she said.
Girls, Inc, which was founded in 1845, has the motto, "Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold." The organization, which maintains chapters throughout the nation, established a chapter in Utica three years ago, in conjunction with the YWCA.
For her project, described as "The provision of social services for girls in Utica's non-profit sector, using Girls, Inc. as a case study," Mastrocola is conducting interviews with the girls who attend the program, their parents, school officials and teachers, YWCA directors and police.
"One of the difficulties in this so far has been that many parents are reluctant to be interviewed and will not sign the consent forms for their daughters," Mastrocola said. She explained that the parents and guardians she is able to receive permission from for interviews are typically the ones who pick their daughters and granddaughters up from the program.
Girls Inc. is a free program and open to Utica girls on Tuesday evenings throughout the year. Mastrocola said that when the program began three years ago, there were only eight girls. It has since grown to 52 girls, even though the program is not widely known. Mastrocola says that she foresees much potential in further growth throughout the area.
Regarding why she chose to research Girls Inc, Mastrocola said, "I just thought it was interesting because Utica is right next door, and there are things I didn't even know about until I did this research."
Mastrocola said that she is considering researching more in depth some of the topics that she has encountered this summer for her senior thesis.
To enhance student research around issues of public affairs, the Levitt Center funds student-faculty research through its Levitt Research Fellows Program. The program is open to all students who wish to spend the summer working in collaboration with a faculty member on an issue related to public affairs. Students receive a summer stipend and some expense money, and spend 10 weeks in the summer working intensively with a faculty mentor. Those selected for the program are required to provide a written assessment of their work at the completion of the summer, and also give a public presentation of their research findings to the Hamilton community, or local high school classes through the Levitt Scholars program.
