Baylor Sophomore Selected for Prestigious Leadership Program
by Paige Patton
James Nortey, a Baylor University sophomore, has been selected for one of 12 positions with the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, a national leadership program for minority male college students.
According to the website, the Institute's mission is "to inspire promising young men to become exemplary citizens for life." They seek "students of impeccable character, unblemished reputation and demonstrated ability" who are pursuing careers in public service, journalism, law, education, business and ministry. The Institute arranges internships for its members to prepare them for their desired careers and provides them with academic training which will "inspire them to be responsible citizens throughout their productive lives." The Institute also strives to "equip the students to be catalysts for improved race relations."
The internship spans the course of two summers and provides students with internships at news organizations, public policy organizations, Capitol Hill offices and other government agencies. The students complete their coursework in the evenings. They participate in briefings at the White House, Capitol Hill and the Supreme Court, and also in social activities such as sporting events, etiquette seminars and writing workshops.
Nortey is a philosophy major and a member of the Baylor Honors College, where he has been on the Dean's List every semester. He is a Community Leader in the Brooks Residence Hall and a member of the Latin Dance Society. Nortey's parents are from Ghana, Africa, and now reside in Dallas, Texas. Nortey plans to attend law school and one day become a Supreme Court justice.
Ten other schools have representation at the Institute, including Brown University, Northwestern University, Howard University and Oberlin College.
For more information, contact Susan Colon, assistant professor in the Honors College, at (254) 710-7391, or visit the Institute for Responsible Citizenship website at http://www.i4rc.org/index.html.