Dispatch from a Baylor Summer Fellow | Casi Lummer

My internship at the Waco Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) seamlessly bridged academic theory with active, unscripted experience, directly embodying Baylor’s mission to prepare students for worldwide leadership and service. Through the lens of the Office of Engaged Learning, I discovered that true leadership requires translating abstract concept-driven work into tangible efforts oriented toward the common good. WAMPO introduced a distinct governmental perspective to a professional setting, providing a unique space where navigating complex, unscripted instructions was only part of the challenge. The other half required thinking critically to solve regional issues with no clear-cut right or wrong answers, which pushed me to look outside the box. 

Working in this environment deeply shaped my character and purpose. Facing open-ended, complex questions forced me to rely on patience and understanding as two essential tools. These traits allowed me to thoroughly investigate the underlying purpose of implementing equitable changes, pushing my motivation past mere task completion. Instead, I focused on producing rigorous, insightful contributions for staff meetings where we could openly deliberate the ethical dimensions of urban planning. Witnessing WAMPO’s diverse leadership team was profoundly inspiring because it was the first professional environment I have encountered that truly reflects the demographics of the local population. Amidst today’s polarized political climate, the team’s unwavering dedication to public care redefined my academic and professional purpose. Their commitment taught me that character-driven leadership means actively seeking out systemic gaps to better represent the community. 

Furthermore, my time at WAMPO equipped me to navigate and transform complex social, economic, and political contexts by anchoring my daily tasks in the concepts of Fair Trade Learning . . . and the idea that global citizenship demands a moral obligation to halt systemic harm locally. At WAMPO, this framework came alive. I realized that transportation networks are the literal pathways for human connection. When a sidewalk abruptly ends, or a bus route skips an underserved neighborhood, it physically isolates individuals from economic opportunities and civic conversations. All people and all modes must have access.  

By applying Fair Trade Learning principles to long-term regional planning like the Connect 2050 Plan, I learned to view infrastructure not just as concrete, but as a mechanism for equity. I began asking hard questions about who a project might cut off or disrupt, ensuring our work serves a negative obligation to stop making planning decisions that quietly isolate marginalized groups. Our collaborative effort provided a distinct opportunity to learn in service of the greater good. By working alongside a sincere group of professionals passionate about making a positive difference, I realized that we can intentionally design a more equitable world. Ultimately, WAMPO has shown me that there is immense hope for the future when we work hand-in-hand to achieve mutual human flourishing.