ECU students chosen for SECU Public Fellows Internship Program

Published May 27, 2025 by
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GREENVILLE, N.C. (05/27/2025) – A group of East Carolina University students is spending the summer making a meaningful impact across eastern North Carolina through the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program.

Now in its 11th year at ECU, the program connects undergraduates with local governments, economic development agencies, educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations to address community-identified priorities.

Funded by the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation, the program provides students with paid, hands-on professional experiences while helping rural communities build the capacity to address public issues. Since its inception in 2014, ECU has served as a founding partner of the program, which originally launched as the SECU Public Service Internship Program.

“We continue to hear how impactful this program is for our community partners. By connecting them with talented students, leaders gain fresh perspectives on local projects and challenges. Students are introducing innovative tools like social media and newer technologies to help organizations advance their goals. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship where communities gain from students’ ideas and energy, and students receive valuable experience beyond the classroom,” said program manager Cassie Keel.

The 2025 SECU Public Fellows and internship sites are:

  • Maya Beatty of Hickory, Imagine Pamlico
  • Hazel Bolden of Reidsville, North Carolina Coastal Federation
  • Lauren Bullard of Winterville, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern North Carolina
  • Taylor Cavaco of Holly Springs, Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children
  • Darian Chamblee of Raleigh, Koinonia Community Center
  • Yadiel Cruz of Louisburg, City of Goldsboro
  • Jonah Dickerson of Gatesville, Sound Rivers
  • Kelsey Dudash of Kill Devil Hills, NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
  • Sanaa Everett of Tarboro, Aces for Autism
  • Madison Hrukska, of Emerald Isle, Eastern Carolina Vocational Center
  • Taki’yah Joyner of Roanoke Rapids, Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce
  • Bethany Manor of Thomasville, Sylvan Heights Bird Park
  • Dawson Mitchell of Washington, Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership
  • Cassidy Plotzke of Greenville, Town of Winterville
  • Ava Poole of Belhaven, Greenville-Pitt Chamber of Commerce
  • Joycelyn Reyes of Newton Grove, Emerge Gallery & Art Center
  • Landon Simmons of New Bern, City of New Bern
  • Payton Smith of Farmville, Kelly Children’s Home
  • Lauryn Strothers of Richlands, Washington County
  • Charles Wroten of Grimesland, Wilson County Senior Center

To date, 185 ECU students have completed internships with 82 organizations across 23 North Carolina counties. This year, 20 students were selected, and each will complete 330 internship hours with organizations in 12 counties. Interns receive a $5,000 stipend for their work.

Internship projects have included downtown revitalization, strategic planning, water quality testing and reporting, community programming, and organizing public events such as festivals and fundraisers.

“This program is a win-win-win,” said Dr. Sharon Paynter, ECU’s chief innovation and engagement officer. “Students apply classroom learning in real-world settings. Community partners gain access to talented interns and university resources. And ECU strengthens its regional engagement in meaningful and lasting ways.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation and our community partners to provide transformative experiences to students and impactful work across the region through the PFI program,” she said.

The SECU Public Fellows Internship Program is open to ECU undergraduates who are North Carolina residents and have completed at least 60 semester credit hours.

Learn more about the SECU Public Fellows internship program at go.ecu.edu/pfi.

Twenty men and women pose for a group photo.

Through the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program, 20 ECU students are working with organizations to positively impact eastern North Carolina.
(ECU photo)

 

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