The department of psychology and sociology at Rogers State University named Volunteers for Youth as its Internship Partner of the Year award recipient for the 2020-2021 academic year.
“We deeply appreciate the relationship with RSU. We are very grateful for the opportunity to partner and are honored to be selected as the Internship Partner of the Year,” Program Director Roxanne Bilby said.
The award recognizes an outstanding internship partner organization that exemplifies the mission of enhancing student learning through pre-career experience in environmental, community and human services work.
“Volunteers for Youth has consistently provided excellent hands on experiences for RSU students. They gain invaluable learning experiences that will better prepare them for a variety of careers in the social sciences,” Dr. Abe Marrero, department head of psychology and sociology, said.
The award recipient agency must demonstrate dedication to working cooperatively with RSU psychology and sociology students, providing exceptional oversight and mentorship, and impacting student learning and development to promote career readiness.
“Community service is an integral component of student life at RSU. Our students are leaders, and they shine in their element working with the youth of Claremore,” Internship Program Coordinator Christi Mackey said.
Volunteers for Youth provides services for Rogers County youth in the areas of mentoring, safe and structured activities, healthy starts, skill building and service opportunities. The partnership has allowed RSU students to intern and connect with Claremore youth for more than 10 years.
“The students walk away with a realistic perspective of what it means to work at a non-profit. We talk all the time in our office about how everyone does a little bit of everything at Volunteers for Youth,” Bilby said. “Our goal is that students gain an understanding of the direction they want to go when they enter the workforce.”
Internships not only benefit students, but host agencies as well; including provision of additional resources to clients, impacting the future through guiding experiences and the generation of new ideas.
“RSU students bring new perspectives and creativity to projects. Oftentimes they bring realistic, relatable ideas when we are in a team meeting or working together to create a program or marketing plan for an event,” Bilby said. “I enjoy most when they get to live out their passions as they work on projects in our office. It is really inspiring to see them engage in the work we get to do.”
To host an RSU intern, contact [email protected].