Are you a sophomore or junior at a North Carolina historically Black college or university (HBCU) looking for a paid summer internship? Do you have an interest in child development or a related discipline? Do you want:
- hands-on professional research experience;
- exposure to leadership, structure, operations, and decision making;
- opportunities to build professional relationships with renowned experts in the field;
- opportunities to participate in professional activities such as conferences, poster presentations, and publications; and
- greater understanding of professional opportunities and possible career pathways?
If so, you could be a great fit for the McKinney Scholars Program.
Our Institute
The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute is one of the nation's oldest and largest multidisciplinary centers devoted to the study of children and families. About 175 researchers, implementation and technical assistance specialists, staff, and students work on more than 60 projects related to developmental disabilities; early care and education; physical, social, and emotional health; and racial, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity. Our work crosses many disciplines from education and psychology to social work and public health. We strive to transform children's lives through innovation in research, practice, and policy.
Our Internship Program
The McKinney Scholars Program (MSP) is coordinated by Sherra Lawrence; she can be contacted via email at fpg_edi@unc.edu email. The program is open to students who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program at a North Carolina HBCU. Students must have completed at least two years of classes and must be in good academic standing.
The summer internship program, which is a 9-week paid internship program, provides students an opportunity to participate in meaningful, project-based work in pursuit of their professional interests and in preparation for their careers. McKinney Scholars will gain familiarity with how FPG contributes to positive outcomes for young children and their families through research and evaluation, implementation, technical assistance, and policy engagement. In particular, they will further their understanding of the importance of research, practice, and policy, as well as the interconnections and pathways between each of these areas of work.
Within the summer internship program, each McKinney Scholar will have an FPG mentor who will ensure that students are supported in their work, exposed to maximal learning opportunities, and integrated into the FPG community. Scholars will create a comprehensive work plan; actively engage in one or more projects related to child health, child development, and/or child and family outcomes; participate in regular project and community meetings; and complete performance and program evaluations.
How to Apply
The McKinney Scholars Program is now accepting applications for the 2025 cohort. Please submit your completed application by Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Access the 2025 McKinney Scholars Program application.
Former Scholars Share Insights
Just before the 2024 summer program wrapped up, Zairen Jackson and Sydney Shepherd took time to reflect on their experiences during the program. Below are their reflections around what they were taking away from the program and how this experience might impact their future career path and goals.
After completing the internship program, Jackson (pictured at right) says that she is more confident and optimistic about going into the field of education, which previously she wasn’t as encouraged by due to a variety of issues such as teacher shortages. But this experience made quite an impression. “I didn't have much exposure to research, understanding how that can relate to [the field of] education,” says Jackson. She shared that there’s a big difference between reading about something and being part of the action, saying “I never really knew research would be something I could pursue in the future.” And now, she’s excited to see how she can make an impact in the field after having explored many ways that research and implementation can change lives.
Shepherd (pictured at left) was also impressed by the many ways to affect change through research, implementation, and technical assistance. “I feel like there are so many more avenues to [the field] of education that people don't really know about,” says Shepherd. “Since I've been here, I've learned that there’s a lot behind the scenes that goes on and a lot of systems that, as a student, you don't really think about in the classroom.”
Additionally, Shepherd appreciated the time spent with mentors and project teams at FPG. “I just really value [learning] from people's experiences, understanding how they got to the position that they're in,” says Shepherd. “I've come to realize that a lot of people have come from very different backgrounds, and that's something that's very valuable to me.”
And during an informational session for prospective scholars, former 2021 McKinney Scholars, Paula Mason (attending NC Central University) and Jasmine Evans (attending Bennett College), talked about their experiences during the McKinney Scholars Program.
Mason (pictured at right) shared that during the program she improved her time-management skills, made friendships with people in her cohort, was exposed to dozens of careers that she previously didn't know existed, and learned how to conduct network interviews and talk to professionals in the field, “I learned how to carry a conversation by practicing ... so I'd know what to say when we were actually in the conversation.” Mason also shared that she had the best mentors and loved this internship, “I learned more about research and how to condense information into a presentation. Mentors were flexible and personable. I loved this internship and was so glad I was able to be a part of it!”
Evans (pictured at left) echoed Mason's sentiments shared above, saying that she had a really amazing experience and also enjoyed learning about a variety of careers, something that helped her figure out what she wants to do, "I had an idea for what I wanted to do with my career but learning about the different types of careers helped me figure out the population I wanted to work with in the future." Her time in the program also helped quell some nerves related to graduate school. “I am very nervous to be a graduate student, but I know with the guidance I had at FPG, I am now very confident going into my Masters program.”
