Kristy Coffin, junior psychology and sociology student at Missouri State University, is part of the sociology research assistant (SOC RA) program. The program allows Coffin to take part in two different research projects for the Center for Social Science and the Public Policy Research Center.
The first project is a study of religious congregations and their civic engagement in the community. Coffin will also help research the motivations behind the congregations’ community engagement.
“For the second research project I will be evaluating an after-school learning center which gives at-risk youth a place to receive tutoring,” said Coffin. “I will analyze and write a report about the overall effectiveness of the program.”
Coffin also volunteers with Convoy of Hope, Ozarks Food Harvest, Street Cleans and Friends Against Hunger. It started out as a requirement for her scholarship, but it turned into something she loved.
“I don’t know where I will end up in my future, but I know that all of these experiences have provided a strong foundation to build upon and many valuable skills,” said Coffin. “It’s skills like communication, critical thinking, writing and understanding and respecting diversity that are important to many employers and I have developed them through my experiences.”
For the complete article see: http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/education/2015/07/12/msu-student-researches-impact-springfield-social-programs/30062017/