By Rebecca Wyatt Thomas, OU Web Writer

Political science major Melissa Connolly will participate in the prestigious Democracy and World Politics Summer Research Program at Oklahoma State University this summer. Connolly is one of six participants selected from a national pool of applicants. During the program, participants will complete individual research projects, attend workshops and submit their final project to national conferences. Connolly will research international relations and foreign policy during the program.

“I chose a topic suggested by (Special Instructor of Political Science) Alan Epstein. I’ll be looking at the National Endowment of Democracy. I’m interested in finding out exactly what they do, why and what they consider democracy. I’m interested in foreign policy and international relations in general. This topic is a good one for me. I wanted a good idea that wasn’t necessarily mainstream,” Connolly said.

Currently a senior, Connolly hopes the program provides her with new skills in research that she can use in graduate school.

“I am looking forward to getting real research experience. I hope it will give me a better idea of what it may be like when I get to graduate school and hopefully, I will produce an interesting paper with good ideas,” Connolly said.

The program also contains a component about preparing and applying for graduate school, which Connolly is looking forward to. After graduation next spring, Connolly hopes to study international relations and foreign policy with a women’s studies element.

Connolly learned of the conference from Assistant Professor of Political Science Peter Trumbore. She filled out an application, submitted a writing sample and letter of recommendation and was then contacted for a phone interview.

The nine-week program begins June 3 and runs through July 31. Participants receive a stipend, room and board, and travel expenses.

For more information on Oakland University’s Political Science programs, visit the Political Science Web site.