2015 Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program

The Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program is a six-week immersive and experiential summer program designed to provide students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain a better understanding of key issues facing public higher education. The program is open to rising juniors and seniors attending one of the sixteen constituent institutions of higher education in the University of North Carolina. Scholars will be mentored by UNC leadership, spend time in the UNC General Administration offices in Chapel Hill, NC, travel to UNC campuses, visit with key NC policy leaders and elected officials in North Carolina and Washington, DC.

Scholars will also have the opportunity to work in a state government agency approximately 25 hours per week to further their knowledge of how higher education impacts the state of North Carolina. Finally, the Scholars will work with a faculty sponsor on their respective campuses to develop and present a capstone project outlining the role of higher education in North Carolina and its impact on the UNC System. Through these experiences, it is anticipated that each scholar will develop a deep appreciation for the complexities of higher education and state government.

The position carries a stipend of $2400.

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Internship Placement:
• Strong project management or organizational skills;
• Research, editing, and proofreading skills;
• Ability to work as a team where ongoing collaboration is a must;
• Ability to handle multiple projects and deal with uncertainty;
• Ability to contribute individually and participate in cross-functional teams; Proficiency with MS Office Suite.

Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, but applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Be a rising junior or senior pursuing their bachelor’s degree from a constituent institution within the University of North Carolina with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Have a faculty sponsor at the scholar’s home institution that is willing to assist in development and completion of a capstone project;
• Have a passion for how higher education in North Carolina relates to our future, to local and federal government policy, the military, financial aid, and/or economic development;
• Be willing and able to live in apartment-style housing on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, for six weeks beginning in May.

Please submit a resume, cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications, a letter of recommendation from your faculty sponsor, and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Tracey Ford, Assistant Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs at MDG@northcarolina.edu no later than February 16, 2015.

Candidates chosen for an interview will be notified in late February. Interviews will take place in early March and scholars will be selected and notified in mid-March 2015.

The anticipated program dates are May 17, 2015 through June 28, 2015.