Nine UNCSA students selected for SECU Public Fellows Internship Program

UNCSA has announced the recipients of the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Public Fellows Internship Program supported by the SECU Foundation.

The 2024 summer recipients are:

• School of Music student Jacob Burnette of Forest City, interning with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
• School of Filmmaking student Jada Cheek of Matthews, interning with the Charlotte Film Festival and The Independent Picture House movie theater.
• School of Filmmaking student Cameryn Chestnut of Reidsville, interning with the North Carolina Black Repertory Company.
• School of Drama student Ellie Chickoree of Monroe, interning with the Matthews Playhouse, a performing arts theater.
• School of Music student Kyle Coleman of Marshallberg, interning with the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro.
• School of Filmmaking student Hollyn Gambill of Mooresville, interning at the Mooresville Public Library.
• School of Filmmaking student Sanath Hegde of Morganton, interning at the Cucalorus Film Festival in Wilmington.
• School of Filmmaking student Ashely Luckadoo of Forest City, interning at Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby.
• School of Filmmaking student Olivia Stallworth of Fuquay Varina, interning at the Raleigh Little Theater.

All were selected after an interview process and will receive a maximum stipend or payment of $5,000 per intern that is intended to help offset expenses accrued during their internship period. Each intern will work a minimum of 300 hours during this summer internship.

"We are delighted to announce the 2024 SECU Public Fellows Internship recipients," said Rebecca Nussbaum, director of the Office of Career Readiness and Community Engagement. "These nine talented students are participating in enriching internships with esteemed arts and educational organizations across the state. The support from the SECU Foundation makes these opportunities possible, allowing our students to gain real-world experience that will enhance their artistic and professional growth while contributing directly to North Carolina nonprofits. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to witnessing the impact of their work this summer."

About the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program

The SECU Public Fellows Internship Program helps develop future leaders, build capacity of nonprofit and government agencies, and reduce the talent drain from rural communities in North Carolina. The internships provide talented in-state undergraduate students with meaningful work experience, professional development and a unique opportunity to serve hometown communities over the summer. 

The internship program was first announced in 2015, collaborating with the University of North Carolina System for a three-campus pilot. The success of the pilot, along with the growing need for paid undergraduate internships, led the SECU Foundation to expand the reach to all 16 universities, including UNCSA. Each participating university administers the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program locally.

About State Employee’s Credit Union

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for more than 80 years. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high-impact projects in the areas of housing, education, health care and human services. 

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