Internships With a Community Impact

Over the summer of 2026, Shenandoah University students gained work experience that also allowed them to give back to others by working for nonprofits through the university’s new community impact internship program. 

Overseen by Career and Professional Development at Shenandoah, the program provides students with opportunities to build professional skills while making positive contributions to the larger community. “These partnerships not only benefit our students and community organizations, but also help create lasting connections between the university and our local community,” the CPD team writes. 

Each of the participating students received $2,000 by the end of their internships, and the program is made possible through the generosity of a donor committed to expanding local work-based learning.

A new outlook

“This summer, I interned with the Winchester Rescue Mission on the Development team,” said nursing major Ellie Hoover ’28. “I had the opportunity to work on social media development, community outreach, donor engagement, and projects connected to the mission’s programs and services. One of the areas I especially enjoyed was working with the Market on Cameron, where I saw firsthand how the mission connects community members with food and other resources. 

“On a more personal level, this experience has given me a different outlook on life. Seeing the challenges people in my own community face has made me more grateful for what I have and has encouraged me to not take the everyday things in my life for granted. It has reminded me that everyone has a story, and you never truly know what someone else may be going through. Being able to see both the needs in our community and the ways people come together to help has made me more appreciative of the opportunities and resources I have, while also motivating me to find ways to give back.” 

Nonprofit insights

José Porta ’27, a business administration (with a concentration in digital marketing) and Spanish double major, interned at Literacy Volunteers of Winchester Area, helping with administrative work, marketing and communications, data entry, registration and Spanish-speaking learners. “I’ve learned a lot about how a small nonprofit operates and how much work goes into keeping everything running. I’ve also gotten to see what parts of my business and Spanish studies actually look like in a workplace,” he said.  

Unique experiences

“I learned a lot about creating social media content for an actual organization instead of just making things for personal or school projects,” said Carter Bell ’27, a virtual reality design major who was a social media manager intern with Music for Life, a nonprofit organization focused on expanding access to music and music education. “I got experience researching ideas, designing graphics, writing captions, making revisions based on feedback, and thinking more about what kind of content people will actually engage with.”

Bell pursued the internship because he said he wanted to get more real-world experience with social media and graphic design while also working with an organization that was doing something positive for the community. “Music for Life also stood out to me because I already have an interest in music and music production as a hobby, so it felt like a good fit.”

Business major Sarah Dalton ’29 interned with the Youth Development Center in Winchester, gaining an appreciation for and understanding of patience, empathy, resilience and adaptability in the workplace, and further developing problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. “I would absolutely encourage other Shenandoah students to do a nonprofit internship,” she said. “It provides a special opportunity to make a meaningful difference, develop valuable skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the social issues affecting your community.”

Relationship building

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how many different pieces go into running a nonprofit,” Hoover said. “Before this experience, I understood fundraising as primarily asking people to donate, but I’ve learned that development is really about building relationships, telling an organization’s story, connecting people to a mission, and finding creative ways to engage the community. I’ve also learned about how important it is to listen to the people an organization serves and make sure their experiences are part of the conversation.” 

Students will have the chance to participate in new internships this fall. Applications are being accepted through Sept. 21. To learn more, check out the application online. Questions? Contact Career & Professional Development at career@su.edu.