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The $17.4 billion, Riverdale, Utah-based America First Credit Union made a $500,000 endowment to the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy at Utah Valley University, supporting students who are qualified to participate in public policy internships in Washington, D.C. but are unable to pay for the associated costs, the credit union announced Thursday.
The contribution will directly support the university's program for Government and High-Impact Internships based in Washington, D.C. – named the America First Credit Union Undergraduate Fellowship Program – helping to cover expenses for Utah-based students living temporarily in the high-cost-of-living east coast city, which include tuition and housing. According to the announcement, UVU strives to place approximately 70 students per year in government and high-impact internships, with 40 student interns working with public policy leaders in Utah and the remaining 30 spending a semester in Washington, D.C.; as a result of AFCU's grant, an additional 15 interns will have the opportunity to go to D.C. each year for their internship.
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Utah's federal delegation supports some of these interns by offering a $2,000 monthly stipend for more-than-full-time work, however other internships are unpaid, according to the credit union.
"Not long ago, (former Utah) Governor Herbert met with our team about the importance of educating tomorrow's leaders," Nicole Cypers, vice president of governmental affairs at AFCU, stated. "We talked about the importance of internships in government and how gaining experience in Washington, D.C. can be a life-changing experience for students. We know this is an expensive opportunity that not everyone can afford. With this in mind, America First Credit Union is thrilled to announce a $500,000 endowment to support UVU's Herbert Institute interns serving in federal offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C."
UVU President Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez added, "With the generous funding from America First Credit Union, interns from the Herbert Institute will gain valuable experience in history and politics as they live and work in our nation's capital. At UVU, we believe that engaged learning is the best way to prepare students for success in work and life. Getting an internship in Washington, D.C. without incurring financial burdens is an incredible opportunity for our students. I believe they will be inspired to consider a life and career in public service."
In the announcement, UVU also noted that the top barrier for students applying for D.C. internships is cost, especially for those living in underserved populations. And speaking to the long-term impact of the $500,000 gift, the university said merging academic education with the practical experience of an internship currently results in a 10% increase in a student's likelihood of remaining in school and continuing to graduation.
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Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
