The Schubert Center is a leading advocate for integrating research and policy into undergraduate and graduate education. In 2021, we forged a significant partnership with the Emerging Scholars Program (ESP), which led to the establishment of the Schubert Research Fellows program. This initiative provides Emerging Scholars with the opportunity to gain research experience under the mentorship of faculty mentors, while also developing professional skills and receiving financial support. During the Spring semester, three Schubert Research Fellows were paired with Schubert Associates, forming collaborative partnerships to pursue their research objectives. Additionally, we introduced the Welter-Muzic Emerging Scholars Research Fellowship, offering up to $1,500 for continued research, conference travel, and professional development. This fellowship facilitates collaboration with mentors across various disciplines and allows fellows to present findings their findings during our undergraduate research conference. This fellowship was made possible through the generous donation of alumni Christina Welter, MPH, DrPH (CWRU '98), and David Muzic, MD (CWRU' 97).
In the Fall, the "Public Policy in Child Development" course (CHST 301) continued to attract significant enrollment. Notably, the course now offers the option for graduate-level credit, enhancing its appeal. CHST 302, generously supported by Robbie and Carol Mann, will be offered next Spring. Furthermore, the Mann Externship (CHST 398), which facilitates student involvement in research and policy work related to children in Cleveland, resumed in-person placements for both the Fall and Spring semesters. We also awarded the Freedheim Fellowship to Alexandra Piedra, a Ph.D. candidate in child clinical psychology.
Our CHST Minor program has seen substantial growth. In the Fall of 2017, there were 12 CHST minors, and this number peaked at 40 in the Spring of 2022. As of Spring 2023, we rank 8th in terms of the number of students among 91 minors offered across the campus and 5th among 53 minors within the College of Arts and Sciences.
Schubert Research Fellows Spring 2023
The Schubert Center's Spring 2023 Research Fellows met weekly with the Schubert Center's Research Director, Dr. Sonia Minnes (right). Three of our Research Associates mentored our students. Dr. Lauren Calandruccio mentored Aja Leatherwood (left), Dr. Faye Gary mentored Brahaan Singh (top center), and Dr. Angela Ciccia mentored Noah Habtemariam (bottom center).
During Fall of 2022, Madelon Jensen was placed at the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, a membership-driven association of Ohio's county Public Children Services Agencies. PCSAO advocates for safe children, stable families, and supportive communities in various ways.
During the Spring, Jenna Purslow participated in the Mann Child Policy Externship through her placement at the Cuyahoga County Public Defender's Office Juvenile Division which provides quality representation for youth accused of delinquency.
Alexandra Piedra, a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the clinical psychology doctoral program, was selected as the 2022-2023 Freedheim Award Fellowship recipient for her promising research focused on improving interventions for child anxiety, with a focus on how patient contextual factors can be used to tailor treatments or make them more accessible.