In the summer of 2020, 10 UNC Asheville students participated in the SECU Public Fellows program, working full-time jobs and using their liberal arts education to benefit high-quality nonprofit and government organizations focused on improving life in rural North Carolina for a diverse array of residents. The program, which provided UNC Asheville a $50,000 grant to fund the internships, is designed to connect interested, talented undergraduate students with local leadership in order to obtain meaningful on-the-job experience with a local agency or organization, while providing a unique learning opportunity to allow students to give back to his or her community.
Learn more about the SECU Public Fellows and hear about their experiences in their own words:
My name is Elena Keller and I am a senior Health and Wellness major, German minor at UNCA, and this summer I interned with MAHEC's COVID-19 Regional Response Team. I learned about our community's response to COVID-19 by providing technical and administrative support for virtual classes, data tracking and external communications. What drew me to this position was that it provides an opportunity for me to learn more about the logistical side of public health work, as well as offer assistance during one of the biggest modern day public health crises.
I am a Senior Mass Communication and Political Science double major from Asheville, NC. I am interning with Working Wheels, a nonprofit that repairs donated cars to give to families in need to improve their access to transportation. I was drawn to the SECU Fellows Internship Program because I am very passionate about public service and improving my community. I specifically was drawn to Working Wheels because they have a strong mission that I can wholeheartedly get behind because of its high impact in the community.
I wanted to be a part of SECU Public Fellows Internship Program for the opportunity to gain work experience in my desired fields. I am currently interning at the ABCCM Crisis Center. I am a double major in Psychology and Health and Wellness Promotion so I wanted to gain experience in public health and social work. I also wanted to get more involved and help those in need in my community.
My name is Emma, I am an environmental studies major, chemistry minor and I had the opportunity to work for MANNA Foodbank through the SECU public fellows internship program. I am working in the HR department. I was happy to know MANNA selected me for this position because I have volunteered with them several times with my sorority. I knew they were a great nonprofit organization and I really wanted to learn more about all they do for our community beyond helping to end hunger. Through my work in Human Resources I have gotten to know almost all the departments at MANNA, and I now have a greater understanding of the need not just in our area but all around the world. Without this opportunity I never would feel as prepared as I do to go out into the work force next year and try to make a difference with my degree.
These internships are a once in a chance opportunity, and nothing can prepare you better for the real world that a 2 month long internship with one of these fantastic local organizations.
Zax Milkereit is interning with Forest Keeper, a grassroots non-profit that works to help protect public land around the Southern United States. Zax first met the leaders of Forest Keeper at an outdoor education conference, and a few years later asked to join the team in the hopes of making a positive impact in his local community. Currently, he is working with them on their I HEART Craggy campaign, with the goal of increasing the acres of protected land in the final draft of the Forest Service's new Nantahala and Pisgah Forest Management Plan.
Hi! I'm Savannah Vickers and I'm interning at United Way of Asheville Buncombe County. I've always been drawn to working in the non-profit sector and found United Way to be a perfect fit. I was excited to use my creative and data management skills to carry out a project, the School Supply Drive. I was also excited to be able to do this through the SECU Public Fellows program because I knew that I would have fellow interns going through a similar process and that there would be an outside party ready to help if any problems arose.
My name is Madeleine Oots, and I am a senior at UNC Asheville studying Mass Communication. I was born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina. I'm interning with Girl Scouts Peaks to Piedmont this summer. I wanted to do the SECU Public Fellows Internship because I have been interested in non-profit work and helping my community. I believe this professional experience will give me the confidence I need after graduation.
My name is Senuri Fernando. I am a junior, pursuing degrees in Accountancy and Business Management and a minor in Economics. I was born in Sri Lanka and I live in Lincolnton, N.C. This summer, I interned at Mountain BizWorks, a non-profit organization located in Asheville, N.C. I wanted to participate in the SECU Public Fellows Internship because I wanted to use my skill set to do meaningful work in my community. This internship gave me the opportunity to network, accomplish impactful projects that demonstrated a commitment to the community, and continuous engagement in my learning experience.
Hey, my name is Lee Hill. I’m an economics major and an environmental studies minor. My passion lies in solving socio-economic issues and sustainability. I originally grew up in Charlotte, but my heart now lies in Asheville. This summer I am interning with ASAP Connections. This organization does amazing work with farmers and food providers to increase access to sustainable agriculture and support farmers in the many ways they may need. I was super interested in the SECU Public Fellows Internship program because it has allowed me to do meaningful work and complete an internship while maintaining financial stability. All of the sites seem to be doing incredible things here in Asheville, and I would have been lucky to work with any of them. My experience with ASAP has been very enriching, and I’m super lucky to be a part of this program.
My name is CT and I'm a Health and Wellness Promotion major. I will be graduating in the fall. My internship site was at Asheville Humane Society in the Community Solutions department. We travelled throughout Buncombe County to work with people at their residences, among other tasks. It was similar to social work. We often visited those in housing authorities and other low income areas to assist with pet needs. Our goal was to keep the pets in the homes despite people struggling in various capacities. Many of the resources we provided ensured a better quality of life for pets and their owners. My interest going forward will likely encompass some non-profit social justice work, and mental health advocacy. This internship lined up with my future goals and was a wonderful stepping stone on my path forward.
Interested in becoming an SECU Public Fellow, or learning more about internship opportunities? Visit the Career Center.
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