Interns Announced for 2020 SECU Internship Program

Published Aug 31, 2020 by
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Twenty East Carolina University students will spend the fall as part of the university’s State Employees Credit Union Public Fellows Internship program.

The program, led by the Division of Research, Economic Development and Engagement, places undergraduate students throughout eastern North Carolina as part of internship projects that address community-identified priorities. Internships provide opportunities for students to develop leadership, analytical, problem solving, communication, and project management skills, as well as allowing them to network in professional settings.

This fall’s group of student interns include:

  • Mina Akhnoukh, engineering
  • Darius Alexander, political science and philosophy
  • Mina Chanakira, biochemistry
  • Meredith Ferreri, political science
  • Makayla Harris, family and community services
  • Desteney Hopkins Edwards, fine arts
  • Peyton Jackson, biology
  • Emma La Rocca, anthropology
  • Daniel McCoy, management and management information systems
  • Dejah McManus, accounting
  • Vedika Modi, public health and English
  • Jack Pendergraph, political science
  • Hatcher Price, public health
  • Dana Shefet, public health
  • Nathaniel Smith, marketing
  • Emily Soeken, theatre arts
  • Francisco Solano, chemistry and physics
  • Julie Vincent, marketing
  • Tiana Washington, neuroscience, psychology and Hispanic studies
  • Aaron Watson, management information systems and marketing

“We have interns leading a wide variety of projects across the east, from research efforts to preserve our coastal wetlands to developing art programs for students,” said program manager Cassie Keel. “Creating mutually beneficial relationships with community partners across the region is an important mission for ECU. The SECU Public Fellows Internship program allows us to work together to provide services to the region, while also preparing our students for their future.”

The interns are placed at 18 organizations this semester:

  • AMEXCAN, Greenville
  • Arts of the Pamlico, Washington
  • Ayden Chamber of Commerce, Ayden
  • Beaufort County Economic Development, Washington
  • East Carolina Vocational Center, Greenville
  • Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce, Edenton
  • Heart for ENC, Greenville
  • Hope Restorations, Kinston
  • Interfaith Refugee Ministry, New Bern
  • Love a Sea Turtle, Greenville
  • Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, Greenville
  • Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce, Murfreesboro
  • NC CIVIL, Greenville
  • North Carolina Coastal Federation, Newport
  • Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft, Columbia
  • READ ENC, Greenville
  • Wayne County Public Library, Goldsboro
  • Windsor Bertie Chamber of Commerce, Windsor

The SECU Public Fellows Internship program has provided more than 100 internships to 50-plus eastern North Carolina organizations. This year, 20 ECU undergraduates were selected to the program for 18 internship sites. Students will complete 330 internship hours as part of the program and receive a $4,500 stipend.

The program is available to ECU undergraduates who are North Carolina residents, maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher in their major field of study, and have completed at least 60 semester credit hours.

Learn more about the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program online.