Excitement Abounds at the Partnership’s Summer Internship Kicks Off

By Cody Cocchi

The Partnership’s Summer Internship (PSI) is back, bringing together passionate students from around the world in its 2024 program.

This immersive 12-week program pairs talented interns with exciting projects across Georgia and the Southeast. It’s a melting pot of creativity, problem-solving and transformative experiences designed to launch the next generation of leaders.

The 2024 PSI cohort kicked off in style on a bright Friday at Mercer University in Macon, GA.  The opening ceremony buzzed with energy as interns, project leaders and inspiring speakers came together.

Attendees heard from a distinguished lineup, including Mercer University President William D. Underwood and Justice Verda Colvin of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Justice Colvin’s message of embracing discomfort for growth was a powerful takeaway for the eager crowd. The afternoon focused on fostering connections among interns and project leaders. Interactive activities helped build strong bonds within teams and across projects.

As intern Parker Haslem shared, “The PSI opening ceremony inspired me to help communities – especially in rural areas, improve their lives.”

This collaborative approach creates a support network for interns throughout the program, promoting mutual growth and successful project completion. Cody Cocchi, the Partnership’s Student Engagement Manager, echoed this sentiment, welcoming the new cohort and their potential to shape the future of public innovation.

The PSI program pairs interns with project sites, promoting teamwork and creativity. This competitive program attracts outstanding students from around the world.  With a focus on inclusivity and experiential learning, interns tackle real-world challenges using public innovation and technology.

The program emphasizes collaboration, learning across disciplines, mentorship, professional development and purposeful leadership.  PSI partners with organizations making a positive impact, ensuring interns gain valuable experience while addressing community needs.

This year, the program boasts 41 projects across 19 communities, with partners including government agencies, universities, nonprofits and more. A standout project is the Program Development Internship with Georgia FLEX program. This initiative empowers students in rural communities to launch businesses, providing interns with firsthand experience in community engagement and program development.

The 2024 PSI cohort is a testament to the program’s global reach. With 80 interns representing 9 states, 19 countries and 4 continents, the group brings a wealth of perspectives.  This diversity, with 18% adult learners and 36% first-generation college students, ensures a future generation of leaders well-equipped to tackle complex challenges.

Stay tuned for more about the exciting work our PSI interns are doing this summer. They’re on their way to becoming the future’s multifaceted, skilled and knowledgeable leaders.