Press Release
March 3, 2021

Media Contacts:
Macy Whitener
mwhitener@arrasfoundation.org

Shana Dry
drysf@sc.edu

Intern Experience to focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and access work within local community

LANCASTER, S.C. – Today, the Arras Foundation and the University of South Carolina Lancaster announced the introduction of a joint internship program for Summer 2021. 

Designed by both organizations to foster community growth and learning, the virtual internship will provide college students or recent graduates the opportunity to work and learn with local communities in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Interns will research, learn, and work with local business, nonprofit, public, and private partners and residents to foster a healthy community that prioritizes inclusivity and appreciation for all people.

“We are ready for this experience – to learn alongside our interns as they help us imagine a more inclusive community,” said Dr. Walter P. Collins, III, Dean of USC Lancaster.  “In joining with our partners at the Arras Foundation to create this robust program designed for young people, we believe the resources and opportunities for community growth and learning are limitless.” 

The joint internship is a paid, 8-week experience beginning June 2021. Interns will work virtually with both organizations and will engage with community members, University and regional experts to build a platform for studying and learning together as we explore the topic of diversity as a community strength.

“In 2016, the Foundation made a commitment to community engagement – supporting and lifting all voices to build a healthier community. That same year, we launched a summer internship program to specifically listen and learn from young people,” said Susan DeVenny, President & CEO of the Arras Foundation. “This summer, together with USC Lancaster, our hope is that these young leaders will help us deepen our community capacity for empathy, understanding, and ultimately building a more inclusive future for all who live here.”

The Arras Foundation and USC Lancaster will open the Summer Internship Experience Application on Wednesday, March 3. Applicants must complete the application and submit by the deadline, April 2, 2021 at 5:00 PM EST.

Applicants for the Summer Internship Experience must have completed at least one year of post-secondary education. Dual enrollment during high school years will not be counted toward the one-year completion requirement. All disciplines eligible. Candidates should possess an interest in learning and serving the community, a high level of initiative and professionalism, and a passion for diversity, equity, inclusion and access. 

For more information about the Virtual Summer Internship Experience, please visit: https://arrasfoundation.org/summer-internship-experience/ or contact Arras Foundation Youth Development Coordinator, Elizabeth Howe. 

—

About Arras Foundation

Dedicated to the health and wellness of all residents of Lancaster County, Fort Lawn, and Great Falls, SC for 25 years, the Foundation joins with partners to work together so that all people can thrive. www.arrasfoundation.org 

About University of South Carolina Lancaster 

Since its beginning over 60 years ago, the University of South Carolina Lancaster has been purposefully positioned to be the choice for higher education in our community. The campus has become a comprehensive learning center that enrolls more than 1,800 full- and part-time students from our region. The campus has grown in many ways since it was founded in 1959 to serve Lancaster and surrounding counties. Through a broad commitment to equity, an extensive scholarship and financial aid program, and a variety of weekday and evening course offerings, USC Lancaster strives to provide an accessible and affordable student-centered educational opportunity and to enrich the regional community through a strong commitment to public service. The current campus is approximately 150 acres and includes nearly 300,000 square feet of classroom and office space. In late 2012, the Native American Studies program moved to Main Street in Lancaster, SC. The extensive Native American Archives and Pottery Collection provides educational programming for students, faculty, visiting scholars, and the general public. A campus location in Indian Land, S.C., was added in August 2018.