UNI Receives $2.4M Mellon Grant for Humanities Internships & Hub

The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is set to launch the UNI Humanities Hub, a new initiative designed to bolster career preparation for students in the humanities. The project is supported by a five-year, $2.4 million grant from the Mellon Foundation.

Expanding Opportunities in the Humanities

The Humanities Hub will integrate paid internship opportunities directly into the curriculum for students majoring in fields like history, languages and literature, communications and media, and philosophy and world religions. This initiative aims to strengthen the role of these disciplines both on campus and within the broader community.

Did You Know? The UNI Humanities Hub is planned to support a total of 250 paid internships over the five-year grant period.

UNI intends to support 30 paid internships in the first year of the program, scaling up to 60 internships annually by year four. These placements will connect students with nonprofit organizations, community partners, and employers throughout Iowa and the Midwest.

Strengthening Career Pathways

According to Mary Black, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences, UNI’s existing relationships with community partners and professional experiences uniquely position it to lead this work. The initiative is intended to highlight the adaptability, creativity, and communication skills fostered by a humanities education.

Expert Insight: Investing in paid internships within the humanities signals a recognition of the evolving needs of the modern workforce. While traditionally focused on theoretical knowledge, this initiative aims to demonstrate the practical value and career readiness of skills developed through humanities disciplines.

The grant will also support faculty involvement in strengthening these career preparation efforts. By incorporating internships into curricula, UNI hopes to provide students with valuable real-world experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What majors will benefit from the Humanities Hub?

Students majoring in history, languages and literature, communications and media, and philosophy and world religions will directly benefit from the opportunities provided by the Humanities Hub.

How many internships will be available each year?

The program will begin with 30 paid internships in the first year, increasing to 60 paid internships per year by year four.

Where will these internships be located?

Internships will be available with nonprofit organizations, community partners, and employers across Iowa and the Midwest.

How might increased access to paid internships impact the perception and value of a humanities education in the job market?