Elizabeth City, NC — Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) hosted its annual State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Internship Luncheon Aug. 22, recognizing student interns, community partners and the ongoing support of the SECU Foundation.
This year’s luncheon welcomed special guests, including Mayor Kirk Rivers; Judge Eula Reid, Superior Court Judge for the 1st Judicial District; Mr. Grant Kennedy, senior program manager for the SECU Foundation; internship site supervisors; and representatives from local SECU branches.
The 2025 summer internship program marks the fifth consecutive year ECSU has received SECU Foundation funding to support paid summer internships. Amber Lennon, Ph.D., director of Career and Professional Development and Mrs. Tameka Gibbs, assistant director of Employer Relations & Special Projects, collaborated on the most recent grant proposal, which SECU accepted and fully funded at $110,000.
The funding provided ECSU students with valuable internship placements at government agencies and nonprofit organizations across North Carolina.
“This program is truly special to ECSU,” said Lennon. “By removing financial barriers, we are able to provide students with paid opportunities that not only advance their professional development but also strengthen communities across our state,” Lennon said.
This summer was notable. For the first time, five students were offered part-time or full-time employment with their host sites after completing the 10-week internship program.
- Cole Sinclair
- Tyrese Andrews
- Julianna Hoeppner
- John Kemeny
- Maleah Lassiter
For students, time at their job sites became more than résumé-builders, but experiences that changed them. Aviation science major Tyrese Andrews, who spent his summer at Currituck County Regional Airport, said, “The overall work environment at Currituck County Regional Airport was productive and welcoming. The environment never felt like a job to me. It felt like a family away from home. Throughout this internship, I learned how to network effectively while also dealing with a diverse group of people. The internship also taught me a lot about myself.”
For another aviation student, Hamadou Nkouyate, working at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum showed him the impact of interactive learning. “One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been working with children,” he said. “The museum has taught me how to deliver educational content in a way that is both informative and entertaining, helping young learners stay engaged while truly understanding the material. This experience has shown me the power of interactive learning and the importance of creating a fun, inclusive atmosphere where curiosity and exploration are encouraged.”
The sense of professional growth extended beyond aviation. Social work and sustainability studies double major Julianna Hoeppner described her placement at Port Discover as a turning point in her professional journey. “This experience has helped me grow professionally by building my confidence, improving my public speaking, and giving me real-world experience in education and museum operations,” she said. “I now feel more prepared for future roles in education, science communication, or public engagement. I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity and very grateful for the amazing supervisor I have had the chance to work with.”
Employers, too, echoed the value of the program, praising ECSU interns for their professionalism and enthusiasm.
Mary Bunch of the City of Elizabeth City’s Human Resources office said, “Maleah hit the ground running with a variety of projects for us as she described. She independently researched and carried out each task assigned to her. She’s quite the professional with expert office etiquette. She’s very polished and represented our office with the highest level of professionalism. She definitely brought a spirit of excellence to the HR suite.”
Others described how interns brought fresh energy to their workplaces. At Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center, dental manager Mikayla Connell said, “Having Jade with us in Dental gave me the opportunity to mentor and teach, but also reminded me how important it is to create space for students to learn. She jumped right in and brought such positive energy to our patients and staff.”
At Hintons Group Home, supervisor Spencer Hinton reflected the patience and professionalism he saw in his ECSU intern. “Zaire showed extreme patience with the individuals in the home,” he said. “He used great communication skills along with organizational skills that will assist him in whatever field of work he wants to join. He was a pleasure to have around and teach about the human services field.”
Applications for the 2026 internships are expected to open in spring, pending future grant availability. Students will be able to apply through the ECSU Career Development Center’s website and are encouraged to monitor the website for specific dates and application instructions once the process opens.
The SECU Internship Program continues to represent ECSU’s mission to prepare students for meaningful careers while serving communities across the state. Support from the SECU Foundation and dedicated community partners allows the program to remain a driving force for professional growth and regional development.