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 build relationships that are responsive to the needs of students, communities, and nonprofit organizations, and we ensure our partnerships are thoughtful, reflective, and promote accountability among 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.

At HECUA sites abroad, the program directors work with a vast number of agencies and organizations. Every year new partnerships are developed while HECUA programs continue to develop meaningful and productive placements at sites that have hosted students for a number of years. Some of HECUA's relationships with organizations have lasted for decades. 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.

Twin Cities organizations: Host a HECUA Intern

Do the mission and values of your organization align with social and/or environmental justice and civic engagement? 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?

To host a student intern for either the fall (September-December) or spring (February-May) semesters, or for the summer (Agriculture and Justice program only), please contact HECUA's Manager of internships and Community Partnerships, Emily Seru at [email protected].