4-H and MU place college students in rewarding summer jobs across the state

University of Missouri student Clemma Sperry of McFall, Mo., is helping youths have a safe, healthy and fun summer and improving the quality of life in communities by working in the Daviess County university extension office.

Missouri 4-H and the Student Financial Aid office at MU are working together to place students in summer jobs at county extension offices. Students are paid through a federal work-study program funded by the U.S Department of Education with matching funds by MU.

“We think it’s important for people to know that MU is making this contribution to their community and that 4-H is a part of that,” said Jo Turner, 4-H program director at MU.

Clemma is working under the supervision of Linda Denton, a university outreach and extension specialist. Some of the projects planned for this summer include 4-H Teen Camp, 4-H Youth Camp, 4-H Day Camp, Fairs, Achievement Days, and Contest Days.

Turner said regional specialists request students to fill community service assistant positions to help plan, carry out and evaluate local summer recreation and educational programs for youths. Students help 4-H and UOE provide safe, supervised summer activities to more kids in their communities.

“It’s a benefit to all the residents of a community to have an MU student working with University Outreach and Extension in their community,” Turner said.

Turner said the jobs are diverse. Students assist with 4-H camps, community day camps, field days, safety programs and assist other community groups. Students are placed in communities based on the local need for summer youth programs. The students directly help some of the most needy communities in the state, Turner said.

“This helps to fulfill the community service portion of our federal work study program requirements and helps us communicate our interest in supporting communities throughout the state,” said Lori Hartman, MU associate director of student financial aid.

Hartman said the program benefits students by placing them in summer jobs. Money made in the summer helps reduce the amount of money borrowed for college fees. The students also receive learning opportunities and work experience, she said.

“We’re always looking for ways to help students reduce their debts,” Hartman said.

Turner said the students are asked to keep a portfolio of events and highlights of the activities performed in their community. The students help collect evidence of their work and evaluate what did and did not work, she said.

“The students help us document the value of this program,” Turner said.

In addition, the students serve as representatives from MU. Turner said students have an opportunity to share the importance of education and the value of the university with local youths. “They’re ambassadors for the university in the work that they are doing,” Turner said. Funds were provided to place 40 students in communities. So far, 33 students have been placed in positions.