Policy Pathways, Signs & Wonders Ministries, and MEGA Mentors Celebrate Four Program Alumni Through A Fruitful Partnership

August 30, 2022

Policy Pathways launched its third Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service Online (SAO) this year with an invaluable partnership at its side. Signs & Wonders Ministries, together with MEGA Mentors, sponsored four of this summer’s participants! The Chester, Virginia-based organizations helped four area high schoolers explore their passions and expand their knowledge of public policy, public administration, and international affairs.

The Summer Academy Online is a rigorous, two-week program that exposes participants ages 15-25 to various aspects of public policy making including critical thinking, policy formation, advocacy and persuasion, policy analysis, economics, statistics, research methods, and more. Each topic is instructed by esteemed college professors, government leaders, and policy experts who join the virtual classroom via Zoom. 

Throughout the course, program participants collaborated on Capstone projects.  Local and international Capstone site representatives worked closely with team members; teaching them to identify problems and pose solutions to contemporary policy issues. The Capstone projects are presented at the Academy’s Closing Ceremony. Alivia worked on the “Title IX & The History of Women’s Collegiate Sports” Capstone project, Khaleya and Logan were part of the “A New Path Towards Park Engagement at Petersburg Legends Historical Park” project, and Daisha presented on “School Policies Addressing Trans and Non-Binary Students’ Rights.”

Signs & Wonders Ministries and MEGA Mentors augmented the tuition and administrative fees for the four SAO participants! All four participants continued onto the five-week Policy Research Internship directly after the Academy and were awarded $1,000 stipends through Signs & Wonders Ministries and MEGA Mentors! Policy Pathways and the program participants are exceedingly thankful for these exceptional partners.

Logan said, “I would like to thank the sponsors, representatives, and the incredible speakers who have taught us so much and really expanded our views and understanding of so many important problems that our society faces today. When I learned about the Summer Academy Online, I knew 

immediately that it was going to be a special opportunity; it was something different and new. It lived up to and exceeded all of my expectations.”

The values and processes taught in the Summer Academy Online are those that will carry into participants’ futures. Daisha would like to apply this foundation in policy in “opening an organization dedicated to serving the less-fortunate people in my community, especially families. I would like to look into healthcare to add to my organization for people who may need that extra healthcare and for families.”

On Saturday, August 20th, Signs & Wonders Ministries hosted a Community Day on the Church’s campus, which boasted many vendors, tables, community resources, a bounce house, music, food, face painting, and school supplies giveaways. Community residents and families came out to partake in the festivities and visit tables to learn more about services and resources available in Chesterfield and Metro-Richmond! Signs & Wonders First Lady Dr. Laura Taylor, MEGA Mentors, and Policy Pathways President and CEO Dr. D. Pulane Lucas awarded congratulatory certificates and stipend checks to the four students at the event. 

Policy Pathways looks forward to continuing these fruitful partnerships with outstanding organizations! You may view Capstone projects and more information at policypathways.org/programs.

Policy Pathways is a Richmond-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to training and educating the next generation of policy leaders. Through its remarkable educational programs, individuals aged 15-25 are exposed to various aspects of public policy, public administration, and international affairs. 

Signs & Wonders Ministries is a thriving ministry in Chesterfield, VA who reaches individuals and families through nonprofit and faith-based organizations, Chesterfield County Public Schools, and churches. They are ceaseless in their mission of seeking God, sharing the Gospel, and serving people. 

MEGA Mentors offers programming, resources, mentoring, and attention to at-risk students. Through their ceaseless work, they are bringing equal opportunity to education and success to African-American and other underrepresented students in the Chesterfield County Public School system.