The co-winner of the 2003 University of Memphis Student of theYear award is just following her heart.
"This may sound corny, but since I was a child I do believe Ihave been called into public service," said Marsinah Erwin, agraduate student in Public and Non-Profit Administration.
On May 9, Erwin won the University of Memphis Student of theYear Award, along with Deborah Reed .presented by the AmericanSociety for Public Administration.
Erwin, who will graduate this August, was not sure whatdirection she wanted her life to take. Since she was a child, shedescribes herself as having grown up in a family of "railers." Afamily who taught her "to rail against the government," shesaid.
As an undergraduate she pursued a BA in Music and a minor inWomen's Studies from Washington State University. Once shegraduated, Erwin did what most alumni do, look for a job. But Erwinsaid she soon discovered her BA was not what the business world wasseeking.
Erwin decided to go to graduate school to seek a master's degreein business administration, which would make her more competitivein the business world. Although she still wanted to affect publicpolicy, she thought a degree in business would grant her theposition to affect change from the inside.
"I thought I would work in the business world for 10 years orso," and then go into the public sector, so she could befinancially stable.
Erwin said despite her laudable goals she is a realist.
"I believe you need to be high enough in an organization tofacilitate change," she said. "If you're not, then you are tryingto beat a dump truck with a fly swatter."
Somehow she did not feel comfortable with her choice-- shewanted to go to the public sector right away, and she did not wantto wait 10 years.
Her mentor redirected her course. "The world is telling you togo into business. No, get right into it, make a difference," hermentor advised.
Erwin took the advice and enrolled in the U of M Master ofPublic Administration program in 2001 and soon gravitated towardswomen and minority issues.
In the spring semester of 2003 she focused her research on theTennessee prison system. In fact, she believes she received theaward because of her work in social justice issues.
Making a difference is a motivating factor for Erwin and shesaid she senses a duty to affect social justice and, "I think thatdrives me to be the best," Erwin said.
