First thing every new, or not so seasoned, golfer needs to know is that no one is good at golf. Everyone is just at different levels from decent to not the best. Everyone, even the pros, are constantly improving some part of their game from putting, to driving, or to getting out of a sand trap. Golf can still be fun for everyone regardless of skill level!
Read moreFinal Board Meeting of the 2018-2019 Year
Just like that, we are only three weeks away from the end of the Students United year. For myself, David, and Elijah, that means just three weeks away from the end of our term as Officers. We wrapped up the year of action items on May 26th with our final Board meeting…
Read moreStudent Feature || Meet our New Events & Development Intern Holden Sill
My name is Holden Sill and I am excited to have been chosen to be the Events and Development Intern. I am going into my senior year at Winona State University. I am…
Read more2019 Students United Scholarship Recipients Announcement
We are thrilled to announce our 2019 Students United Scholarship Recipients. The Students United Board of Directors approved these scholarship recipients on Sunday, May 26th.
Penny Program
Barbara J Penny Scholarship
Rita Rai | Metropolitan State University
Linh Nguyen | Metropolitan State University
Benjamin Ellgen | Winona State University
Oluwatobi Oluwagbemi | Metropolitan State University
Tyla Holland | Minnesota State University, Mankato
Burak Tekin | Metropolitan State University
Glenda E. Marroquin Tema | Minnesota State College
Laura Akissi Ilboudo | Southwest Minnesota State University
Willie Pearl Evans | Metropolitan State University
Rahil Pereia | Minnesota State University Moorhead
Penny Fellowship
[Federal Fellowship]
Oluwatobi Oluwagemi | Metropolitan State University
Burak Tekin | Metropolitan State University
[State Fellowship]
Willie Pearl Evans | Metropolitan State University
Rita Rai | Metropolitan State University
Jared P. Stene Student Leadership (JPS)
Benjamin Ellgen | Winona State University
Leticia Esteves Rodovalho | Minnesota State University Moorhead
Friends Scholarship
Rita Rai | Metropolitan State University
Heather Brandsrud | Southwest Minnesota State University
Elizabeth Pegues Students of Color Matching Award
Aye Win | Metropolitan State University
Rita Rai | Metropolitan State University
Rahil Pereia | Minnesota State University Moorhead
Hull Educational Foundation
Mar Lay | Metropolitan State University
Robert L. Carothers Distinguished Writer Award
Clara Darby | Minnesota State University Moorhead
Emily Laumer| Winona State University
Jason Emrick | Metropolitan State University
Casey Fuller | St. Cloud State University
Emily Comstock | Bemidji State University
Colin Nelson | Southwest Minnesota State University
Penny Fellowships: Supporting the Success of our Students
written by | Christina DeVries
Last week, at the end of the Minnesota Legislative session, the Higher Education budget was the only one to to make it out before the special session. Minnesota State was awarded $1.45 billion to support the college and university system. NPR reported that about $8 million will go towards workforce development scholarships and workforce partnerships. While this is a small slice of the overall allocation, it does signal the system wide interest to invest in students heading towards the workforce.
This workforce development investment will likely be geared towards a piece of the college experience many students are likely familiar with-internships . For undergraduate college students, work experience is often in the form of internships. In some majors internships are required. Often, regardless of requirement, internships are unpaid. Employers and colleges increasingly use internships to support student success in the long-term. However, the cost of unpaid internships still fall on students. Housing costs, daily meals, travel to-and-from the internship don’t evaporate during unpaid work. Minimum wage in Minnesota is $9.86. If a student takes an unpaid summer internship working 20 hours a week for 12 weeks, their estimated total lost wages (pre-taxes) is $2,366. For an unpaid intern, working 40 hours a week for 12 weeks, the total lost wages are closer to $5,000.
Yet, for some, internships provide the opportunity for learning, industry connections, or new experiences that can outweigh the lost wages. Evidence shows that internships improve employability, academic outcomes, and usually help students clarify career choices. Studies also show that 65% of employers are looking for candidates with industry specific work experience. Students who had relevant internships to their careers were twice as likely as their peers to find a job right after graduation.
Students United does not have a stance on paid or unpaid internships as part of our Student Platform. However, we do advocate for college affordability. To support students who are going into public service careers or interested in public service while in college, Students United awards the Tim Penny State and Federal Fellowships. For students who intern in public service roles in Minnesota, the Penny Fellowship provides $2,500. For students who intern in Washington D.C., the Penny Fellowship provides $5,000. These fellowships provide students the opportunity to leverage their interests and take the right internship for them with the help of a stipend.
A 2018 State Fellowship winner, Nasra Farah, explained her internship this way, “I was required to finish 480 hours to obtain my social work degree. That is 32 to 40 hours a week. I was also taking classes at the same time. Therefore, I was supposed to spare time to do my assignments. As a student who has no family or any support system around, I also have an obligation to work and pay for my bills. I was so blessed to receive the fellowship scholarship, which has lightened my financial burden. I work less because I did not have to pay for my classes out of pocket. I was provided an opportunity to do my internship with a domestic violence agency in Saint Cloud Area.”
On June 20th, people from across the state will gather in Red Wing, MN to support students like Nasra at the annual Penny Golf Scramble. Won’t you join us? https://www.studentsunited.org/pennyscramble
Staff Feature || Meet our New Director of Government Relations Thomas Anderson
I am extremely excited to be joining Students United as the new Director of Government Relations. I believe deeply in civic engagement and I know that together we can create positive change…
Read moreRecognition Feature || Thank You President Gores
As the academic year comes to a close, we say farewell to Southwest Minnesota State University President Connie Gores. Students United wanted to take a moment to recognize the great work…
Read moreStudent Feature || Being a Campus Coordinator
This past year I had the wonderful opportunity to serve as the Campus Organizing Coordinator for St. Cloud. Being involved with Students United has been an amazing experience and I will always cherish the memories and opportunities…
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