Contact: Maridith Geuder
LaShonda M. Stewart
A Mississippi State University doctoral student from Jackson is earning a major fellowship to support her studies in public administration.
LaShonda M. Stewart is receiving a three-year fellowship from the Atlanta-based Southern Regional Education Board. Designated for members of under-represented groups in certain career fields, the award provides $12,000 annually for advanced academic study.
A 1994 cum laude graduate of Tougaloo College, Stewart entered MSU's doctoral program last spring. She earned a master's degree in public policy and administration from MSU in 1997.
"I enrolled at MSU because I had heard a lot of good things about the university and its excellent academic reputation," Stewart said.
Following completion of her master's program, Stewart worked for the Mississippi Legislature's Joint Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review and, subsequently, for the Mississippi Urban Research Center at Jackson State University.
"My degree from MSU helped me obtain both of these jobs," she said, adding that both jobs involved program evaluation--her long-term career interest.
"The doctoral program is challenging and is enhancing my professional development skills, especially in research and writing," she said. When she finishes the degree, she will seek a position that allows her to teach and to continue research about state government efficiency and accountability.
Edward Clynch, her major professor in the political science department, said Stewart is "a very focused and dedicated doctoral student who will be an asset to the academic community as a faculty member in the future."
A 1990 Greenwood High School graduate, Stewart is the daughter of Emma Womack of Jackson and Henry Womack of Greenwood.
JACKSON EDITORS: Stewart's residential ZIP code is 39206.