Longwood reaches $1 million in state grant funding to enhance work-based learning and career readiness

This funding allows us to make those opportunities more accessible to students who might otherwise have to turn them down. It's about ensuring talent-not circumstance-determines who gets these valuable experiences.

"Internships and other work-based learning are often the bridge between earning a degree and launching a successful career," said Dr. Elizabeth Narehood, senior director of career and professional engagement. "This funding allows us to make those opportunities more accessible to students who might otherwise have to turn them down because of cost, transportation or other challenges. It's about ensuring talent-not circumstance-determines who gets these valuable experiences."

The awards include a work-based learning comprehensive data collection grant and a student support and access grant. Together, they will strengthen internship and work-based learning opportunities for all Longwood students while providing targeted resources for students who face financial, geographic or other barriers to participation. The funding will enhance existing programs, improve Longwood's ability to connect students with experiential learning opportunities and introduce new resources that make it easier for students to gain the hands-on experience employers increasingly expect.

Among the initiatives supported by the funding are expanded professional clothing and equipment resources through Longwood's Career Closet, a virtual internship program that increases flexibility for students and need-based internship stipends to help offset expenses such as transportation, housing, meals and tuition for internship coursework.

The grants build on Longwood's ongoing commitment to expanding career-connected learning opportunities for all students, ensuring more graduates leave Longwood with the professional skills, experiences and connections that lead to career success.

In 2024, the university received three grants totaling $350,000 for initiatives to support and improve student participation in internships, specifically paid opportunities and experiential learning. That was followed by a $250,000 scaling grant to establish an Internship Support Hub and expand staffing within the Center for Career Success.

Each of these grants builds on the last, allowing us to expand opportunities, strengthen our partnerships with employers and ensure that more students graduate with the practical experience today's workforce demands.

"Reaching $1 million in V-TOP funding reflects Longwood's sustained commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers," Narehood said. "Each of these grants builds on the last, allowing us to expand opportunities, strengthen our partnerships with employers and ensure that more students graduate with the practical experience today's workforce demands."

The grants are administered by SCHEV through V-TOP, which is funded through the Commonwealth Innovation Internship Fund and Program.

Longwood's Office of Research, Grants and Sponsored Projects (ORGSP) played a key role in assisting with the grant proposals. The ORGSP provides support to university faculty and staff interested in obtaining external funding for their research and scholarly and creative activities.