RALEIGH, N.C. – Building on the success of the 2015 SECU Public Fellows Internship summer pilot, the member-funded State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation has announced an expansion of the Program to include five additional state universities. Through a partnership with the University of North Carolina (UNC) System, Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, UNC-Wilmington, Western Carolina and Winston-Salem State will join three returning universities – UNC-Pembroke, East Carolina and Appalachian State for the second year of the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program.
The Foundation’s $100,000 grant awarded to each campus will support paid internships for 20 eligible in-state undergraduates, with a total investment of $800,000 for 2016 and/or 2017 funding allocation.
While the goal of the Internship Program is to help build capacity in underserved rural communities and generate student interest in job opportunities close to home, results of last year’s pilot indicated other significant benefits for participants. According to universities’ reports, 2015 interns noted the advantages of learning about the realities of economic development within local communities. The students were able to see firsthand how management works, gain a new perspective on public service, and attain valuable and practical experience through the use of their knowledge and talents on projects. Several described their experience as “life-changing,” helping them assess and confirm their career goals, and further inspiring a desire to give back to their North Carolina cities and towns.
“The support provided by SECU Foundation for the Internship Program allows students an opportunity to make meaningful professional contributions to communities across North Carolina,” said Dr. Sharon Paynter, Director, Office of Public Service and Community Relations and Associate Professor, Department of Political Science at East Carolina University. “Having the chance to work in the fields they are learning about in classrooms is an incredible chance to connect theory to practice.”
“The success of last year’s SECU Public Fellows Internship pilot provided us with a solid model to continue the program and expand our reach,” remarked Jim Johnson, SECU Foundation Board Chair. “Such programs can provide the framework to help college students achieve their career goals and pursue meaningful job opportunities in their home counties. SECU members are proud to support an educational initiative that also has the potential to make a huge impact in the future development and sustainability of our rural communities.”