While running to become Turlock’s mayor, Gary Soiseth frequently mentioned his intent to donate his mayoral stipend to fund public policy research at California State University, Stanislaus.
That campaign promise has become reality as the University announces completion of the agreement to create the “Mayor’s Award,” a fund that will support a special public policy competition.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Mayor Soiseth and the City of Turlock to provide this platform of support for student research projects addressed to public policy issues,” said James A. Tuedio, dean of the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. “This competition will encourage students to apply their knowledge, research skills and creative intellect to help civic and community leaders address tangible social issues and problems in order to improve the common welfare of our local communities.”
The Mayor’s Award will be seeded with Soiseth’s mayoral stipend, which he intends to augment with additional funds he plans to solicit.
“While the Mayor’s Award honors my campaign promise, it is more than that,” Soiseth told the Turlock Journal. “It shows that I want to find real solutions to social, civic and economic issues that challenge our community, and I believe the solutions will be found among Stanislaus State students.”
The award will be overseen by Stephen Routh, chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, and consists of a two-part process. Any undergrad or graduate student can submit to a research proposal that seeks to address a specific regional issue. Proposals should not exceed 1,000 words and should be submitted to Routh by Oct. 30. A committee of faculty and staff will screen the proposals, and a committee including Soiseth, faculty and community leaders will review the proposals and meet with students for presentations.
“Any time we can link student engagement with community service we are promoting a stronger partnership between the University and our local communities,” Tuedio said. “Mayor Soiseth is providing resources and recognition to establish an incentive for students who are primed to conduct meaningful research projects in the public interest. We hope this partnership becomes a model for other civic leaders, and that over time we see increasing numbers of students involved in applied research.”
For more information or proposal criteria, email Stephen Routh, Department of Political Science and Public Administration.