02/04/2006

Gov. Rounds announces Washington Center pilot internship program
new program will provide support for South Dakota university and technical school students to pursue internship opportunities in the nation’s capital

PIERRE, S.D. – A new program will provide support for South Dakota university and technical school students to pursue internship opportunities in the nation’s capital.

Gov. Mike Rounds said the pilot program, offered through the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, will provide financial support for nine or 10 undergraduate students from South Dakota colleges, universities, and technical institutes.

“There are many meaningful internship opportunities available in Washington, D.C., and this program, while limited in scope, will help students pursue a semester or summer internship based on their academic work and interests,” said Gov. Rounds.

The awards amount to $5,250 per eligible student. Students are responsible for all tuition and fees paid for credit earned during the internship, for living costs not covered by the award, and for travel to and from Washington.

Eligible students must be enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program at an accredited postsecondary institution located in South Dakota and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students must be at least second-semester sophomores by May to qualify for summer 2006 internships, or by August for fall 2006 internships.

Students must be nominated by their institution, which agrees to award academic credit for the internship experience. Students also must commit to return to South Dakota for at least one semester of full-time enrollment or one year of employment after the internship ends.

The Governor’s Washington Intern Program will be managed by the South Dakota Board of Regents (http://www.sdbor.edu/ ), which will provide information about the nomination process directly to colleges, universities, and technical institutes. For more information, contact the Board of Regents at (605) 773-3455.

For information about the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, visit the Web site at www.twc.edu.