Josset Sky Gauley
IDSC/M.A. '03

1. Please describe your present professional position? Please include the URL of your organization.

My current work is far from being international. After my experience at Clark I made a decision to return to the Rocky Mountain West and apply my internationally focused skills to similar issues in the western US. Since that time I've worked with rural communities on issues of food security, establishing a regionally serving food bank in southwest Montana. I've also worked as a program director for federal programs including section 8 housing and runaway and homeless youth. I currently work as the state program coordinator for Learn and Serve Montana where I administer a federally funded grant, provide sub-grants to school districts, and provide training and technical assistance to schools and non-profits in Montana. This position is with the Montana Office of Public Instruction (Dept. of Education). In addition to this work, I am an independent contractor who provides training to Montana Americorps*VISTA members. I also work as a grant writer for the Federation of Fly Fishers and I've recently taken on a new contract to develop community connections for the Montana Independent Living Program.

2. What do you find satisfying about your position?

I enjoy the freedom I have in my current position. Most folks enjoy my expertise in the community-building process and I'm basically free to ski and fish and hunt when I need to (which is often) and work when I have to pay bills.

3. How did the IDSC program at Clark University help to prepare you?

Clark prepared me in ways that I realize and recognize daily. While I'm not necessarily applying my graduate work to international development, the same major principles apply and I'm always amazed of how my training and experience at Clark gives me (and the communities I work with) an edge in achieving whatever mission they have in mind. I think Professors Richard Ford and Barbara Thomas Slayter came up with the three or four principles of the IDCE program (communities have immense knowledge but it is not necessarily organized, etc.) and they are, for me, principles I apply and value daily.

4. Why should prospective students enroll in the IDSC program at Clark University?

Prospective students should consider enrolling for the professor/student relationships, the unique perspective that Clark provides students, for GIS and Ron Eastman, etc.

5. What was the topic of your research while at Clark University?

My research focused upon youth-led non-profits in the former Soviet Union and Latvia in particular. I received a Fulbright fellowship to pursue this research and the experience changed my perspective tremendously.