SECU Public Fellows Program Inspires Learning, Community Impact

For a decade, UNCW students have turned their passion for service into real-world impact through the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program, gaining hands-on experience while strengthening communities across southeastern North Carolina.

Funded by the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation, the program empowers students to grow professionally, give back meaningfully and build skills that last far beyond graduation.

“When students work alongside local nonprofits, everyone benefits,” said Jaime Russell, director of Student Community Engagement. “Students gain real-world experience, professional confidence and a deeper understanding of community needs, while nonprofit partners receive valuable assistance. This program is an investment in both student success and community impact.”

“We are pleased with the tremendous success and impact of the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program,” said SECU Foundation Board Chair Mona Moon. “By providing students with meaningful, paid internship opportunities and supporting organizations addressing local needs, the program benefits both the next generation of leaders and the communities they serve.”

Since 2016, UNCW has secured annual funding to support up to 20 in-state undergraduates each summer.

2026 recipients and placement locations
Kevin Arnold- The Healing Place
Emily Barnes - Hope Abounds Cancer Network
Julia Baty - YWCA
Kiara Brecht - YWCA
Kassie Callaghan - Domestic Violence Shelter
Charleen Chavez Jimenez - Domestic Violence Shelter
Adelaida Delgado - MedNorth Health Center
Maritza Garcia - MedNorth Health Center
Olivia Howard - DREAMS
Leila Kidder - Hope for the Warriors
Jayley Martin - Elderhaus
Stephanie Monago - Guardian Ad Liem
Rylee Morris - The Healing Place
Lily Nguyen - Domestic Violence Shelter
Elizabet Rios-Hernandez - Novant Health
Sam Sweeney - Rape Crisis Center
Zach Tuinstra- Education without Walls
Lisa Watson - Wilmington Housing Authority
Katherine Weaver - Brunswick County Department of Social Services

Together, these students and their community partners will continue to build a legacy of service that reflects the commitment and connection UNCW students bring to the campus and the community. As each new class of SECU Public Fellows steps into these experiences, they not only shape their own futures but also leave lasting contributions across southeastern North Carolina, proving that learning and service, when combined, can create meaningful change for years to come.