50-50 Highlights: Northern Illinois University, Mount Holyoke College, and Wilkes University

Northern-Illinois-UniversityThe Northern Illinois University Center for Non-Governmental Organization Leadership and Development offers students the chance to research area of civil society as well as hands-on experience in working with partnering nonprofit organizations. The Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning has several initiatives to improve hands on learning for undergraduates including the Course Transformation Project and courses with service learning components. All students can participate in the Leadership Academy and develop leadership skills in their areas of interest. PROMISE scholars are freshman and sophomores considering STEM majors and have opportunities for summer research and career readiness activities with national corporations. Engineering students participate in Engineers in Residence teams that complete projects for companies. The Experiential Learning Center connects teams of business students with organizations to solve real-world business issues. The Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability & Energy provides students with opportunities for internships and research projects.

Mount Holyoke in Massachusetts is an all women’s college and part of the Five College Consortium.?  Almost a third of students major in science and mathematics and the college has graduated more women than any other liberal arts college who went on to get U.S. doctorates. The Center for the Environment funds summer Leadership Fellowships at local, national, and international nonprofit organizations. Students can receive funding for summer research abroad through the Center for Global Initiatives. Any student can participate in the Center for Leadership Passport to Leadership program. The Center also partners with communities to provides students with internships, research, and service projects.?  The Leadership and Public Service program provides co-curricular workshops, lectures, networking, internships, and seminars on public policy in Washington DC.

Wilkes University in Pennsylvania is a member of the Wallops Island Marine Science Consortium which allows students to participate in summer laboratory and field activities. Undergraduates collaborating with faculty carry out most research at the Institute for Environmental Science and Sustainability. The School of Business sponsors Social Cyclical Awareness Projects where students work on a community service project for a semester. Communication students run the Zebra Communications public relations agency.?  Criminology majors have the opportunity to complete a three-semester capstone sequence and develop research and statistical skills. The Center for Free Enterprise & Entrepreneurship provides students with opportunities for internships and consulting. Students can intern at the Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development which is a partnership between area universities.

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