Public Choice Associates Mentoring Program

The Public Choice Associates program is a mentoring program for exceptional College of Charleston undergraduate students who are interested in developing data analysis skills while learning more about the free market process. The Public Choice Associates program develops research skills through exposure to data analysis workshops and the opportunity to engage with a broad range of successful academic scholars and business executives representing diver fields of study.

About PCA

The Public Choice Associates program at the College of Charleston offers exceptional undergraduates the opportunity to develop data analysis skills and deepen their understanding of the free market process through workshops, reading groups, and public lectures, with a commitment to maintaining good academic standing.
  • Activities

    Public Choice Associates are encouraged to attend as many of the Center's events as their academic schedule allows. Additionally, they are given the opportunity to participate in the professional development workshops alongside the Market Process Scholars.

    However, here are the minimum requirements of events that we expect Associates to attend during the academic year:

    1. Four Workshops - Each semester the Center organizes workshops for scholars and associates to learn data analysis skills using Excel and Stata.
    2. Economics Book Colloquium - Each year the Center organizes two reading groups (one the Fall and one in the Spring) in order to foster discussions regarding domestic and international economic and policy issues. Associates are expected to participate in at least one of these colloquiums. That requires reading the assigned chapters every other week and actively participating in the discussion.
    3. Free Market Speaker Series or Adam Smith Week - Each semester the enter invites speakers from the academic, business, and non-profit communities for a research and/or public presentation to address the principles of a free society. Associates are expected to attend at least two of the public lectures during the academic year.
    4. Participate in at least one of Weekend Discussion Colloquium during the academic year:
      • Weekend Discussion Colloquium - This 1-2 day event is held each semester during a weekend. This reading seminar engages students in an in-depth discussion of the books and articles read ahead of time.
  • Program Requirements

    Public Choice Associates have to meet certain requirements:

    • Good academic standing.
    • Submission of a completed application (see How to Apply for details).