糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Receives $50,000 Grant from Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation to Support Student Internships

A 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock student mingles with staff at 糖心Vlog传媒MS, where she interns as a behavioral health consultant.
Leslie Beard, a Master of Social Work student at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, interns as a behavioral health consultant at 糖心Vlog传媒MS鈥檚 12th Street Clinic as part of the Behavioral Health Integration Internship Program. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $50,000 grant from the Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation to support the University Career Services Internship (UCSI) Program. The funding will be used to provide paid internships for students, expanding access to hands-on, career-relevant learning experiences.

The University Career Services Internship Program connects students with experiential learning opportunities that complement their academic coursework and prepare them for professional success after graduation. While many employers offer paid internships, some high-impact opportunities, particularly within nonprofit, public service, and smaller organizations, are unpaid. This funding helps ensure students can participate in meaningful internships regardless of an organization鈥檚 ability to provide compensation.

鈥淭his support removes a real barrier for students,鈥 said Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor for advancement at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭he Donaghey Foundation helped pilot the University Career Services Internship Program, and we are deeply grateful for that early investment. The Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation is now stepping forward to sustain and strengthen this work, making it possible for more students to gain meaningful, paid experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for life after graduation.鈥

The Taylor family has long been committed to education, workforce preparation, and civic leadership in Arkansas. Through this support, the Foundation is helping ensure students can participate in internships that build skills and professional experience without added financial strain, while employers gain access to talented, motivated students.

鈥淚nternships are often the bridge between the classroom and a student鈥檚 career,鈥 said Brittany Straw, director of Career Services at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭his support allows us to ensure students can take full advantage of valuable learning experiences without financial barriers.鈥

This gift supports the Centennial Campaign, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 $250 million capital campaign leading up to the University鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027. Learn more at ualr.edu/centennial.