Service Engagement

Shepherd Summer Internship Program

Photo of SHECP 2018 Cohort at Arlington Opening Conference

Frequently Asked Questions:

As part Manchester's mission, Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty (SHECP) brings together students from member institutions with agencies that work to benefit our nation's impoverished. Through the Shepherd Alliance internship program, students learn first-hand about the multi-dimensional nature of poverty in the United States. In doing so, students work for eight weeks to strengthen impoverished areas through collaboration efforts with partner agencies and individuals who are working to improve their communities. Shepherd Alliance partner agencies are centered around the areas of education, healthcare, legal services, housing, hunger, social and economic needs, and community-building efforts.

What is it?

An eight-week internship with an agency working in a disadvantaged community.
Each student works with Internship Director and Consortium Director to determine an internship that fits his or her intellectual interests and/or a potential area of professional interest.

The agencies represent many fields of interest, including education, healthcare, legal services, housing, social and economic needs, and community-building efforts.

Where is it?

Opening and closing conferences are held at member institutions.

Opening:TBA

Closing: TBA

Internships are located in cities and small communities across the U.S., including Birmingham, AL; Helena and Marvell, AR; Navajo Reservation, AZ; Atlanta, GA; London, KY; Boston, MA; Baltimore, MD; New York, NY; Chester, PA; Austin, TX; Richmond and Lexington, VA and so many more.

*You are unable to be placed in a home state.

What internships are available?

Shepherd Alliance is pleased to offer internships in a wide variety of areas suitable to all interests and courses of study. Visit the SHECP Internships webpage to see what internships are available for the upcoming summer. You can even search by discipline and location; such as Legal, Children & Family, Medical etc. Manchester University has two slots for students to apply for the internship.

Who may apply?

Students with a minimum of 2.5 GPA
Freshmen, sophomores and juniors (rising juniors and seniors)
International Students
Graduating seniors are not eligible.

The Shepherd Consortium requires a gateway course for each intern to have completed prior to opening conference.

Manchester Course: : PEA-112 Concerning Poverty ( this class will be offered this January Term and Spring Term) If you have not completed the class prior to internship offer we will need discuss a plan of action.

Is there financial support?

Covered by Shepherd Consortium:

Each intern receives a food and commuter stipend. This is $14.00 per day to live on and is subject to the site's location
Round trip transportation costs are covered from home to opening conference and from closing conference back home.
On-site transportation during the internship
Summer housing expenses and arrangement
Opening and closing conference costs

No other funding provided.

Why should I apply?

To learn first-hand about the multiple dimensions of poverty in the United States.
To be challenged—Shepherd interns learn to cope with a job and with living in a new setting, as well as how to deal with issues of poverty they see every day.
To experience a poverty immersion program.
To learn about yourself in a way you did not think possible.
To live in community with students from other Shepherd consortium members (Washington & Lee University, Baylor University, Berea College, College of Wooster, Furman College, John Carroll University, Lynchburg College, Middlebury College, Manchester University, Notre Dame, Spelman College, University of Arkansas, Virginia Military Institute).

How do I apply?

Complete Shepherd Internship Application APPLY HERE
Submit University Transcript to the Manchester University Shepherd Internship Coordinator (see below) This can be an unofficial transcript.
Submit a current resume.
Submit a letter of recommendation (submitted directly by recommender) to serve as a character reference. This letter is to be a character reference from a past academic, volunteer, or employment supervisor. This reference letter can not be someone from Manchester University. ( faculty, staff, student or family)

What is the application timeline?

Application deadlines at each university vary, so please check with your institution. Some deadlines occur as early as mid-October. The latest date for any application is January 20. Please contact the Kelsey Gower for the exact date and any other college-specific application requirements.

Contact Us

Email Service Engagement
Phone: 260-982-5230
Chinworth 104

Katharine L. Gray Brown, Ph.D., ’91
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Peace StudiesCouncil Member and Academic Director of the Peace Studies Institute
klgraybrown@manchester.edu
Phone: 260-982-5343
Chinworth 104