It Starts with Students

The message of diversity is not only demonstrated by administrators, faculty and staff at the university; it is lived through students. In 2009, the Division of University Advancement created new internship opportunities to introduce students to the concept of advancement and all of the individual disciplines typically identified within the profession — primarily alumni relations, development/fundraising, communications, public relations, special events and constituent relations. The mission of the initiative is to create a diversity internship program throughout the division that will establish a pipeline to recruit and train talented young people from underrepresented groups and that will provide them with the experiences, education and skills necessary to be successful.

During their year-long experience, interns learn about the impact advancement has had on the University of Arkansas, how it affects their experience as students and the role they might have as future professionals. The diversity internship program consists of two main components: an experiential component and an educational component.

The first interns were Kabrina Amey (above left) of Helena, Ark., and Airic Hughes (above right) of Jacksonville, Ark., who gained experience in every area of the division through team projects and individual tasks. They also perfected their presentation skills in front of the development arm of the division while sharing project summaries and research findings.