Mary Baldwin University is developing a plan to expand and strengthen internship and work-based learning opportunities for students across all disciplines.
Mary Baldwin has been awarded a $25,000 vision grant from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia through the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership.
The grant will help the MBU develop a comprehensive institutional plan to ensure students have access to professionally guided experiential learning before graduation.
Faculty, staff, administrators and students will form an internship task force to see the project through.
“This initiative is all about bringing together faculty, staff and students to define what internships and work-based learning should look like at MBU,” said Brooke Buffington, associate vice president of career and professional development. “Working together to build that strategic plan is the only way to create something that will truly thrive in implementation.”
The project’s objectives include:
- Defining and standardizing institutional language around internships and work-based learning
- Evaluating and improving tracking systems and data collection processes
- Expanding employer partnerships and integrating V-TOP learning resources
- Designing a structured pathway for all students to engage in internships from orientation to graduation
The plan will lay the groundwork for future phases of state funding — capacity-building and scaling grants that could bring up to $400,000 in additional support for implementation and expansion.
MBU also plans to host an internship symposium connecting students, faculty and regional employers to exchange ideas and strengthen relationships.
“One of the most valuable things we’ll learn from this process is where our students want to go for internships,” said Suzie Dull, McCree Center senior director. “That information will help us build the infrastructure and partnerships to get them there.”
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Crystal Graham
