The WVU Center for Resilient Communities is accepting applications for its fifth annual Sustainable Development Internship. The internship is made possible through a generous partnership with The One Foundation. 

The Sustainable Development Internship is designed for undergraduate students who wish to cultivate their leadership and community-based research capacities to contribute to transformative social change in Appalachia. The Sustainable Development Internship provides undergraduate students a space to build confidence and capacity in their search for creative solutions to local and global problems.  

The WVU Center for Resilient Communities in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, launched the internship program in 2019 to support professional readiness, community-based research training and provide opportunities for students to engage with community partners in meaningful social action in WV. Since 2019, the CRC and partners have hosted over 80 students and supported 13 community-based organizations that are working to improve access to food, and advance environmental conservation, agricultural development, downtown revitalization, health equity and environmental justice. 

“Student interns learn to lead, they gain real research experience, and they work on the wicked problems that face West Virginians and people around the world,” said Bradley Wilson, director of the Center for Resilient Communities. “But most importantly students lend their creativity to support community organizations and local leaders who are working to find practical solutions.”  

Sustainable Development Interns have hailed from degree programs across the university including geography, women’s and gender studies, anthropology, engineering, political science, biology, international studies, world languages, business, and environmental geoscience. 

What is a sustainable development internship?
- Four-month mentorship in action research for sustainable development
- Internship and first-hand experience with community-based organizations  
- $500 award for completing the program 
- 3 credit course 

What do sustainable development interns do?
- Support the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Receive one-on-one mentoring 
- Participate in weekly seminars and earn course credits
- Learn critical leadership skills and build action research capacities  
- Learn from peers - have fun – make friends – launch a career

Application deadline is Sep 20, 2023. 

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The WVU Center for Resilient Communities is an action research and education center focused on raising up the next generation of leaders for more just, equitable and resilient communities. 

For application and student queries, contact Valentina Muraleedharan at vm0028@mix.wvu.edu and for program related queries, contact Bradley Wilson at brwilson@mail.wvu.edu.