Slippery Rock University has secured funding from three partners to support student success and a pipeline of talent for employers in the region through SRU’s Early College Work-Based Learning program, which connects classroom learning with hands-on workplace experiences and future career opportunities.
The grants include:
- $25,000 from the Staunton Farm Foundation to fund student training, 20 paid micro-internships and partnerships with behavioral health providers across southwestern Pennsylvania to develop a stronger pipeline of future behavioral health professionals.
- $10,000 from the GitLab Foundation through Parker Dewey’s Skills-Informed Gateway for Networking, Access, Learning & Success (SIGNALS) Micro-Internship Program to fund 30 paid micro-internships of 15 hours each.
- $3,000 from the Butler County Bar Association Foundation to fund 10 paid micro-internships.
Micro-internships are short-term, paid, professional projects, typically completed virtually, that allow students to contribute to meaningful employer initiatives. Students will work with nonprofit organizations, businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, behavioral health organizations and community partners across western Pennsylvania and beyond. These projects connect classroom learning to real workplace challenges, expand students’ professional networks and create meaningful pathways for career exploration and development while helping employers connect with emerging talent.
“We know that students who can demonstrate professional experience before graduation are more competitive in the job market,” said Susan Bowser, SRU assistant director of early college work-based learning. “These grants remove barriers to participation and create opportunities for students to engage with employers, build confidence and develop career-ready skills through real-world projects.”
In addition to 20 micro-internships, the $25,000 grant from the Staunton Farm Foundation will provide 40 students with Mental Health First Aid training and certification and establish three to five regional employer partnerships.
“By introducing students to behavioral health careers earlier in their college experience, we can help them develop valuable skills, gain practical experience, and build professional connections while still in school,” Bowser said. “We are especially excited about creating opportunities for students to learn from and work alongside organizations that are making a difference in our communities.”
To sustain the initiative beyond the grant period, SRU will train faculty and staff as certified Mental Health First Aid instructors, maintain employer partnerships and develop a program manual and replication toolkit to support future expansion.
More information about SRU’s Early College Work-Based Learning program is available on the University’s website. More formation about the Staunton Farm Foundation, the GitLab Foundation, and the Butler County Bar Association Foundation are available on the organization’s websites.
