To develop and support cohorts of UVM interns working in Vermont communities by

• Paying interns a livable wage;
• Coordinating and supporting local housing for interns ;
• Facilitating cultural competence training for students working in rural communities; 
• Bringing UVM student skills and talent to rural Vermont.

To support rural employers by addressing common barriers to hosting interns   

• Offer internship program development and management resources; 
• Provide wage subsidy for interns;
• Co-facilitate reflection and professional development workshops for the interns;  
• Introduce UVM students to a vibrant rural economy.

In summer 2025, the Leahy Institute, with support from the Ford Foundation, has sent interns to help strengthen communities in two regions of Vermont.

Students in both locations have free housing for the 10-week internships. 

Northeast Kingdom:  Picking up from the success of our 2024 cohort, students have returned to the Northeast Kingdom. The interns once again have free housing at Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, and are working at internships throughout the region.

White River Valley:  Students in this cohort have free housing at Vermont State University in Randolph, and are working in a variety of internships in the White River Valley. 

As a follow-up to the successful 2024 NEK Community Resilience Summer Internship program, The Leahy Institute is provinding housing at Sterling College for five Summer 2025 NEK interns. 

Here'a a look at where these students are coming from at UVM, and where they're working in the Northeast Kingdom:

The Leah Institute has sent 12 interns to the White River Valley, and funding their housing at Vermont State University in Randolph.

Here'a a look at where these students are coming from at UVM, and where they're working in the White River Valley: