Member Spotlight
Story by Samantha Abbott for the University of Missouri Graduate School
Suzanne Barnes’ love for advocacy began as an undergrad when she became involved with the Student Peace Alliance, an organization whose mission is to “mobilize our generation to create and sustain peace”.
“It was around this time that I realized I had a love for advocacy and for helping change occur on a larger scale,” Suzanne says. “I wanted to learn more about how to lead in nonprofits, understand organizational and community behavior, and develop public policy.”
Now as a graduate student through the Truman School of Public Affairs, Suzanne is researching social justice issues with guidance from her advisor Lisa Zanetti. She was able to delve into local issues last semester when she researched gang violence in Columbia. Suzanne was able to observe what steps Columbia is taking to prevent gang violence in comparison to other areas.
Suzanne’s achievements have earned her the Stan Botner Memorial Scholarship providing her with a graduate research assistantship. “My assistantship has been a huge asset in my education,” Suzanne says. “Not only has it provided me the financial support but also job skills, both of which I am extremely grateful for.”
Suzanne is also a Social Innovation Fellow for the Truman School where she helps develop the Truman School Project on Independent Leadership and Social Innovation, an initiative to support socially innovative initiatives in Missouri. “It is great to have work outside classes. The supplement provides an immediate context for which to apply what I am learning in class,” Suzanne says. “I feel very fortunate to be a part of both experiences.”
Suzanne credits MU faculty for her success. “The department has a deep commitment to providing the best education for the students and really encourages our interests and listens. I’ve been very pleased,” Suzanne says.
Suzanne Barnes will graduate from the Truman School of Public Affairs in May 2010. She hopes to one day start an organization to help aid in violence prevention.
Click here to view the story as published on the Graduate School web site.