Social
Concerns
Summer Fellowship
The SouthWay Foundation/Eupora, MS
Volunteer Non US Citizen
Yes
Categories:
Language Preferences:
Location Details
Description
The SouthWay Foundation is a nonprofit accelerator and incubator that uses architecture and historic preservation as tools for community renewal in the American South. Its mission is to identify, champion, preserve and/or build an architecture that fosters growth, human dignity, and environmental sustainability in the communities of the American South. Through project incubation, storytelling, preservation trades, and design, SouthWay seeks to promote resilience, economic justice, and cultural rootedness in small towns and underserved places.
Student Role
A student placed at SouthWay will spend most of their time working directly with community members, local leaders, and partner organizations as part of our ongoing research and preservation projects. This could mean interviewing elders about their memories of Rosenwald Schools, walking with residents through historic sites connected to Emmett Till or Freedom Summer, or joining conversations in towns like Mound Bayou where stories of resilience and creativity are still unfolding. These relational experiences are at the heart of the work, giving students the chance to listen deeply, build trust, and connect history to lived experience. Alongside these people-centered activities, students may also help with supporting tasks such as organizing archival materials, transcribing interviews, drafting short reports, drawing up maps or site plans, or preparing event logisticsactivities that typically take no more than 810 hours per week. Together, these experiences will give students both the relational grounding and the practical skills to understand how research, preservation, and storytelling can serve communities today.
Work Schedule
Students placed at SouthWay can expect a full-time schedule of 3540 hours per week, working primarily Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an hour lunch break from 12:001:00 p.m. Most of the week will be spent in the field, traveling to various communities throughout the state, engaging directly with local partners, residents, and leaders through interviews, site visits, and collaborative projects or via zoom calls. Afternoons often provide time for reflection, documentation, or research follow-up, or event planning. While the placement is designed to be weekday-based, there may occasionally be special events, festivals, or community gatherings on evenings or weekends. In those cases, schedules will be adjusted during the workweek to ensure students maintain a balanced workload. Students will generally have evenings and weekends free, allowing them time to rest, explore the region, or pursue personal interests outside of their placement.
Orientation
Before arrival, students will meet twice via Zoom with Patricia Rangel, Executive Director of SouthWay, to learn about our mission, current projects, and community partnerships, as well as to share their own skills and interests. Once on site, Patricia will lead a comprehensive orientationintroducing students to the town of Eupora, where SouthWay is based, and to the broader network of communities we serve across Mississippi, particularly in the Delta. Through these introductions to local leaders, elders, and stakeholders, students will gain grounding not only in the work itself but also in the people and contexts at the heart of it. Throughout the eight-week placement, Patricia will provide ongoing supervision and mentorship, meeting with the student twice each week: once at the beginning of the week for an alignment meeting to set goals and priorities, and again at the end of the week to reflect on progress, address challenges, and identify any resources or support needed. This rhythm of guidance and reflection ensures that students remain focused, supported, and meaningfully connected throughout their placement.
Housing Information
Students placed with SouthWay may live in one of several housing options, depending on availability and student comfort: a two-bedroom house in nearby Walthall, an apartment in Eupora, or a private room in a shared home in Eupora. All options are furnished with the essentials (bed, desk, kitchen access, etc.) and chosen to balance safety, convenience to project sites, and opportunities for meaningful community connection. We will work with each student to understand preferences and coordinate the best available match, while keeping flexibility in mind. The Town of Eupora: Eupora is a small, welcoming town of about 2,000 residents in Webster County, Mississippi. The community is diverse, with roughly 55% White and 42% Black or African American residents, reflecting the deep cultural history of the region. The median age is about 47 years, with a mix of multigenerational families and newcomers drawn to the slower pace of small-town life. With a poverty rate near 20%, Eupora also offers students the opportunity to engage directly with both the strengths and challenges of rural communities. Life in Eupora is relational and rooted in community. The town is anchored by local businesses, a few restaurants, a coffee shop, and churches that serve as gathering places. Students will also find access to parks and a nearby lake for recreation and reflection. While Eupora offers a quiet, close-knit environment, it is within easy driving distance of Starkville (home to Mississippi State University) and Grenada, providing additional cultural, recreational, and shopping opportunities. For students, Eupora offers not only the chance to immerse themselves in the rhythms of small-town Mississippi but also to connect deeply with the people and stories that shape SouthWays work.
Drivers License
Yes. The organization has multiple vehicles which will be available to the student. Student will need to complete Notre Dame’s driver safety training on campus during spring semester.
Start And End Dates
Eight consecutive weeks between May 17 and August 16, 2026