ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University's Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs has awarded ten students positions as Undergraduate Research Scholars for the 2003-2004 school year. The Scholars program provides applied research positions for students with interest in public affairs and leadership development.

During their time at the Voinovich Center, the students will have the opportunity to work with professors, center staff or university partners on one of a variety of research-related projects. The experience is designed to advance their educations, provide valuable professional experience and lend their talents to the region.

Previous students and staff attest to the benefits of the program. Sarah Dahlberg, a 1998-1999 scholar says her experience as an Undergraduate Research Scholar helped her land her first major job at one of the world's largest public relations firms, Ketchum.

"Being a Voinovich Scholar for the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) was a great stepping stone. I really developed my writing and researching skills. Employers look for new hires with a shorter learning curve, and NBIA gave me just that," Dahlberg says.

The 2003-2004 scholars are listed alphabetically at the end of this release, along with their majors and work assignments.

The Voinovich Center Undergraduate Research Scholars program is offered in cooperation with the Honors Tutorial College. The Voinovich Center extends knowledge and resources beyond Ohio University's campus to people in government, education, business and public organizations by providing applied research, training, technical assistance and innovative solutions that make a difference, particularly in Appalachian Ohio.

Undergraduate Research Scholars 2003-2004

• Jonathan M. Ashton
  Major: HTC History
  Assignment: Appalachian Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative
  
  
• Casey Baker
  Major: HTC Business Administration
  Assignment: National Business Incubation Association
  
  
• Kimberly A. Borley
  Major: Biological Sciences
  Assignment: Matt White, Biological Sciences
  
  
• John P. Fischer
  Major: HTC Journalism & Philosophy
  Assignment: Institute for Local Government and Rural Development
  
  
• Mike Jacobson
  Major: HTC Political Science
  Assignment: Institute for Local Government and Rural Development
  
  
• Anna Jagelewski
  Major: HTC English
  Assignment: Julie Owens, Psychology
  
  
• Ryan Mick
  Major: HTC History
  Assignment: Institute for Local Government and Rural Development
  
  
• Emily C. Schiffer
  Major: HTC Social Work
  Assignment: Varsha Pandya, Social Work
  
  
• James Steiner
  Major: HTC Physics
  Major: Arts and Sciences Math
  Assignment: Valerie Young, Engineering
  
  
• Alexis V. Urquhart
  Major: HTC Political Science
  Assignment: Michael Burton, Political Science