Summer interns are invited to apply for an immersive program to explore the Grand Forks region as a cooler place to work, live, and play
GRAND FORKS – The UND Center for Innovation, in partnership with UND’s Experiential Learning Center and Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp., has launched registration for the InternGF Summer Cohort Series.
This free program invites college students interning at companies in the Grand Forks area to connect with fellow interns, build relationships with young professionals and discover the vibrant culture of the region. Funded by a grant from the Knight Foundation’s Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region, along with support from the UND Center for Innovation, the series aims to help students envision a future in Greater Grand Forks.
“Our partnership with the EDC has been instrumental in connecting students with regional startups and employers,” said Amy Whitney, director of the UND Center for Innovation. “The InternGF Summer Cohort Program builds on this foundation, offering students a deeper, more immersive understanding of life and opportunities in Grand Forks.”
The series is structured into six sessions that will be held biweekly through the summer of 2025. Through this experience, interns will explore Grand Forks and have a firsthand look into the region’s workforce, primary sector industries and assets that contribute to an excellent quality of life.
Participants also will tour prominent regional companies and network with local leadership, peers and industry leaders.
Each session is designed to introduce interns to experiences they may not have otherwise encountered and help them become more connected to the community. Aside from industry tours, session experiences will include downtown walking tours, a volunteering day alongside the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals, art classes and sports and recreation activities.
“Helping connect students to the Grand Forks community while they are here for college is paramount to increasing retention rates,” said EDC Director of Workforce Development Becca Cruger. “We want them to stay in the region after graduation, and creating a network of students who know about our local employers and have experienced the great things Grand Forks has to offer will help as they make career choices after college.”
Employers are encouraged to have interested summer interns fill out the registration form provided on the grandforks.org/interngf-summer website. Registration is open now and will close on May 15.
The InternGF program, under the EDC and UND Center for Innovation, seeks to boost the availability of local internships by providing companies with up to $3,500 to offset the cost of an intern’s salary. This cohort series is separate from the InternGF funding program, and participants do not have to have received InternGF funding to be eligible for the summer cohort series.
For more information about the summer cohort series or to register, visit grandforks.org/interngf-summer
About the UND Center for Innovation
The mission of the Center for Innovation is to advance the creation and development of innovative ideas, services, and businesses. The UND Center for Innovation focuses on commercialization of new ventures, operates an entrepreneurial incubator that provides space for innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers, and helps founders secure access to capital to ultimately encourage economic development in the state of North Dakota and the Northern Plains.
About the UND Experiential Learning Center
The UND Experiential Learning Center (ELC) is a location for students to learn about all of the work integrated learning opportunities available to them. These opportunities will prepare students for current and emerging careers. ELC works to foster a welcoming and inclusive university community on-campus and online so all learners have the opportunity and support to realize their full potential.
About Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation
The Grand Forks Region EDC works collaboratively to foster an environment that attracts innovative people and business investment to Grand Forks County and the surrounding region, enhancing economic vitality for long-term prosperity and growth.
Contact Information
Becca Cruger, director of Workforce Development
Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation
[email protected] | O: 701.738.0009 | C: 701.739.9895