The Jessie Ball duPont Fund trustees have approved full funding of $100,000 over three years for Stetson’s project: Internship as a High Impact Learning Practice, which will support a new, full-time internship coordinator position.

The internship coordinator will help Stetson advance a campus-wide internship program that will significantly impact students’ career decision-making and preparation. The focus of the coordinator’s work will be to develop a program that will make internships universally accessible to Stetson students and ensure that available opportunities meet the high standards set by the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

A Stetson student (pictured) tutors a young child at the Boys and Girls Club of Spring Hill in DeLand, as part of one of Stetson’s internship programs offered through the Center for Community Engagement.

“The new internship program will be based in the collaborative work of career development professionals, faculty, students, and internship sites, which will translate into career success for Stetson’s graduates,” said Joe Protopapa, executive director of Career Development and Academic Advising. “The program will also attract new students to Stetson by providing educational opportunities suitable to the diverse learning styles of 21^st century learners.”

The new internship coordinator will be a member of the office of Career Development and Academic Advising and will collaborate with university faculty and administration, specifically those who coordinate aspects of internship programs that exist in academic areas throughout campus.

The project proposal was led by Protopapa; Lua Hancock, assistant provost of Student Success; Carol Buckels, director of Grants, Sponsored Research and Strategic Initiatives; and Sidney Johnston, foundation relations officer.

By Joseph Protopapa

Executive Director of Career Development and Academic Advising