Farmingdale State College Students Participate in New Summer Internship/Fellowship Initiative
This summer, eight Farmingdale State College (FSC) students participated in an exceptional summer experiential learning opportunity through the College’s newly celebrated partnership with TheDream.US.
TheDream.US is the nation’s largest scholarship program for undocumented immigrant youth to accomplish their higher education dreams. In November 2021, FSC became the first TheDream.US Partner College on Long Island, as well as the first institution within the State University of New York (SUNY) system, to implement the scholarships, which cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies for first-time college students and community college graduates. FSC accepted its first cohort in September 2022 and now has 40 scholarship recipients. The 2023-2024 New Scholar Orientation was held on August 10 in the Campus Center Ballroom.
This year, FSC collaborated with TheDream.US to add a summer internship/fellowship initiative. The paid experiential learning program, which ran from June 1 to August 1, hosted two student interns at EAC Network in Garden City, one at Girls Inc. of Long Island in Deer Park, and five student research fellowships supported by FSC faculty on campus.
“This is truly a series of firsts that we are so proud of at Farmingdale,” said FSC Associate Provost Christopher Malone, Ph.D.
“It was a memorable experience getting to participate in these internships,” said Madelyn Del Valle ’24, a Science, Technology, & Society (STS) major who held two positions at EAC Network. “I felt like I was able to make a difference in people’s lives and give back to my community.”
This unique initiative empowers students who would commonly be turned away from companies that require social security numbers for summer professional development opportunities, added Malone. “TheDream.US has provided FSC with a wonderful opportunity by removing these barriers,” he said.
“We are very pleased to have Farmingdale State College participate in two new programs that create inclusive, paid experiential learning opportunities for TheDream.US Scholars, said Nicole Wesley, Senior Program Manager – Career Supports for TheDream.US. “Through TheDream.US Internship Funding Program and FSU’s DREAM Summer Fellows Program, TheDream.US Scholars are able to participate in paid professional development opportunities while gaining skills, exploring career paths, and building their networks. FSU' s unwavering dedication to supporting immigrant students both inside and outside the classroom is commendable and sets a shining example for educational institutions nationwide."
According to Dylan Gafarian, FSC’s TheDream.US Scholarship Institutional Coordinator, students participating in the summer experiential learning program gain valuable interview experience, professional skills and connections that can help propel them into rewarding careers.
“This is an amazing opportunity for our students,” he said. “They can grow their Long Island opportunities and continue to work with wonderful organizations.”
“The most rewarding aspect of the program was seeing the interns grow and develop,” agreed Robert Stricoff, EAC Network chief external affairs officer. “They came into the program with a lot of potential, and they left with a much stronger sense of themselves and their abilities. They also made valuable connections with staff which will help them in their future careers.”
"Girls Inc. of Long Island is extremely excited to participate in this endeavor with Farmingdale State College," said Renee Daniel Flagler, Girls Inc. of Long Island executive director. "As part of our mission, it's imperative to foster meaningful opportunities and access for girls on Long Island, and we believe this partnership will be of tremendous value for the girls we serve and our community in helping to shape stronger futures."
For more information on the FSC/TheDream.US partnership please visit: https://www.farmingdale.edu/dream/index.shtml.
View photos from the 2023-2024 New Scholar Orientation on our Flickr Gallery.
