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.

Host a HECUA Intern

HECUA semester programs, both domestic and abroad, include an internship component that intersects with the program themes of social justice, pluralism, and civic engagement.

Looking for a student intern this Fall?

Have a specific project that could use thoughtful help and creative energy?

Would you like to be a mentor to a young person interested in pursuing social justice after college graduation?

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 supervise and mentor students, involve them in community projects, provide direction for study projects and often serve as resources in student and faculty seminars.

To host a student intern for the Fall or Spring Semester in the Twin Cities, please complete the Internship Application Form here (.doc file) or here (.pdf).

For more information or if you have questions please contact:

Emily Seru
Manager of Internships & Community Partnership
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 651/ 287- 3313

 

In addition to our ongoing partnerships with internship sites for undergraduate students, HECUA is currently engaged in the following projects:

The Partners Internship Program (PIP)

The Otto Bremer Foundation started the PIP program in 1990 as part of their mission to build the capacity of under served nonprofit organizations. HECUA has been administering the program since 1998 with continued funding from the Otto Bremer Foundation. The Partners Internship Program makes grants to twenty nonprofit organizations a year in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Each recipient organization hires an undergraduate student intern who manages a new project designed by the organization to further their mission. Interns work full time for ten weeks during the summer and their salary and benefits are paid with the PIP grant funds. PIP seeks to provide equal access to all nonprofit's in our region. For more information please visit our Summer Programs.

The Graduate Fellowship on Philanthropy and Human Rights

The Graduate Fellowship on Human Rights and Philanthropy, founded in 2002, is a joint venture between HECUA and the Otto Bremer Foundation. The Fellowship seeks to advance human rights through the nonprofit sector as well as provide graduate students of color learning experience in the field of philanthropy. The Fellowship fosters an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural community of professionals and students committed to human rights while they conduct independent research related to Otto Bremer’s funding priorities. The scholars’ research involves collaboration with local nonprofit's and local communities while integrating fellowship research with academic objectives.

The graduate scholars spend the academic year working on their individual research projects with support from HECUA, an advisory committee of university faculty from various colleges and universities, as well as individual staff at the Otto Bremer Foundation. The scholars work at the Otto Bremer Foundation’s Saint Paul office; have access to resources and community contacts, attend seminars and conferences relating to Human Rights and Philanthropy and also receive a $12,000 stipend to support their independent research. For more information go to Graduate Level.

The Carnegie Foundation

The Carnegie Foundation Political Engagement Project selected the Metro Urban Studies Term, led by Phil Sandro, for a three-year research project on ways to revitalize student political engagement. The program was selected because of its commitment and accomplishments in sustaining student political involvement. Results will be disseminated by the Foundation through conferences, the internet and other means.

McKnight Foundation

Environmental Project Funds Six Mini-Grants through Grant from the McKnight Foundation. Supported by a $25,000 McKnight Grant, HECUA awarded grants to individuals leading a variety of sustainability projects: David Kelly (University of St. Thomas), Bob Douglas (Gustavus Adolphus College), Dan McGuiness (National Audubon Society), Mark Muller (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy), Peggy Knapp (Center for Global Environmental Education), Derek Larson (St. John’s University). Workshops also supported by the grant led to the development of a HECUA semester program, Environmental Sustainability: Science, Politics & Public Policy.