Community Partners
HECUA has a long history of strategic partnerships with academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and community members in our shared commitment to social justice, pluralism and civic engagement. We not only build relationships that are responsive to the needs of students, communities, and nonprofit organizations but we ensure our partnerships are thoughtful, reflective and promote accountability between all parties.
We see our work as a bridge between academic institutions and community based organizations. Utilizing our expertise in experiential education and community-based learning we strive to expand and deepen the network of people working for social justice.
Overseas the program directors work with a vast number of agencies and organizations and every year find new partners while continuing to develop meaningful and productive placements at sites that have hosted students for a number of years. In some cases HECUA's relationships with particular organizations abroad and here in the U.S. have lasted for ten or more years. These organizations come to depend on HECUA student support and include interns in a long-term work plan. In the U.S. HECUA's Manager of Internships and Community Partnerships organizes placements for students and collaborates with program directors, community partners, and the students to ensure that there is integration between the community experience and the curriculum in the classrooms.
HECUA students contribute vital energy, new ideas, and critical reflection to the work of our community partners. Often, students work on projects that would not have been possible for organizations to launch without the student’s semester-long, 200-hour commitment to the work. Internship partners are asked to supervise and mentor students, involve them in community projects, provide direction for study projects, and often serve as important resources in student and faculty seminars organized by HECUA.
Host a HECUA Intern in the U.S.
Does the mission of your organization uphold social and/or environmental justice and civic engagement values? Do you have a specific project that could use thoughtful help and creative energy? Would you like to mentor a young person interested in pursuing a career in social justice?
HECUA's internship guide (coming soon) details the process of applying to host a student intern in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul region based in Minnesota.
To host a student intern for either the fall (September-December) or spring (February-May) semesters, please complete the Internship Application Form (coming soon) and submit it to HECUA's Manager of Internships and Community Partnerships.
