ECU students selected to SECU Public Fellows internship program

A group of East Carolina University students are spending the summer working with organizations that make a difference for the residents of eastern North Carolina.

The State Employees’ Credit Union Public Fellows internship program partners students with local government, economic development, educational and other nonprofit agencies to work on projects that help address community-identified priorities.

In its 10th year at ECU, the rewarding internship program offers students a chance to use their talents in a professional setting, gain hands-on experience and help with projects that have real-world impact.

The SECU Foundation funds the internship program, which fosters workplace experiences for undergraduates while helping rural communities build professional capacity to address public issues. ECU is a founding member of the program that began in 2014 as the SECU Public Service internship program.

“Creating mutually beneficial relationships with community partners across the region is an important mission for ECU,” said program manager Cassie Keel. “The SECU Public Fellows internship program allows us to work together to provide services to the region, while also preparing our students for their future.”

To date, the program at ECU has provided 176 internships with over 75 eastern North Carolina organizations. This year, 20 ECU undergraduates were selected to work with sites across 12 counties. Students will complete 330 internship hours as part of the program and receive a $4,645 stipend.

Past interns have assisted with downtown revitalization efforts, developing strategic plans, water quality testing and reporting, building and implementing programs for community members, organizing festivals and fundraisers, and much more.

“This program is win-win-win,” said Sharon Paynter, ECU’s chief innovation and engagement officer. “Students get to test what they’re learning in the classroom in a real-world environment. Community partners get to reach into the university’s talent pool and utilize university resources. And, ECU gets to extend its reach into communities in meaningful ways.

The program is available to ECU undergraduates who are North Carolina residents and have completed at least 60 semester credit hours. Learn more about the program at rede.ecu.edu/engagement/programs-and-initiatives/secu-pfi/.