Anne Cafer, University of Mississippi, works with The Marks Project (Marks, MS) and But God Ministries (Jonestown, MS) to connect the university and community members. ASA asked Cafer about that work:
What are the missions of the Marks Project and But God Ministries? Both are focused on economic development, community resilience, and improving community and household well-being in these communities by increasing access to programming and by building infrastructure and a sense of community belonging.
Could you describe your involvement with these organizations? Since fall 2016, I have worked with community members to develop research and programming priorities with which the university can assist. I then work with community members to outline these project priorities in such a way that students from my upper-level division courses can work toward specific goals during the semester. Community members come to campus and students go to the community. Community members evaluate students’ work and assist in assigning grades. For example, I currently have a number of students working to organize a conference as part of community and university activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Poor People’s Campaign which started in Marks. Students are also assisting with focus groups and grant writing for a program the community has identified as needed.
What sociological knowledge and/or skills did you use? Research methods (particularly mixed methods) has played a critical role in these activities; these projects have also been a great way to teach students about the importance of collective action, understanding inequalities (specifically racial inequalities), examining poverty and class, demography, development and globalization, and community-based participatory research.
How did you connect with these organizations? Through the University of Mississippi’s McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement.
Is there anything else you would like to share about this work? Follow us on instagram @umsocialchange
