University of Memphis receives grant to support paid student internships

The University of Memphis has received a grant from the Mellon Foundation that will support paid student internships for the next five years, as well as an endowment that, if matched through university fundraising efforts, will support paid internships in perpetuity. The funding will be used specifically for students in humanities majors to receive paid internships throughout their education.

According to an article on the University of Memphis’ website, Abby Parrill-Baker, PhD, the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, was quoted as saying of the grant, “This generous grant from the Mellon Foundation will significantly advance our goal of creating opportunities for student success by increasing the number of paid internship opportunities. By providing resources and essential support services, this grant will empower more than 100 students to gain practical experience, develop professional skills and enhance their career prospects each year.”

The Mellon Foundation, according to its website, states, “We believe that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and we believe that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom to be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive.” In 2023, the foundation granted a total of $549 million in grants related to arts and culture, humanities, higher learning, and public knowledge.

In total, the Mellon Foundation has granted the University of Memphis $4.9 million. A portion of that funding, $3.9 million, will be used over the next five years to support 125-145 students in paid internships. Students who are placed in internships at nonprofit organizations will have 100% of their wages paid out by the grant funding. Students who are placed in for-profit organization internship roles will see their wages paid for by the employer, with half of the wages supplemented by the grant.

Students who complete their internships during the summer will work for 10 weeks and receive $5,000, and students whose internships take place during the academic year will receive $3,000. In addition to the compensation of their wages, students can also request childcare assistance, transportation assistance, and help with purchasing professional clothing appropriate to the workplace.

In addition to funding student internship wages, the grant will also support the hiring of two new Career Services staff members, course development, and professional development opportunities.

For more information about the University of Memphis, visit the school’s website.