The
Global Lansing “Getting Started” Fellowship Program, led by the
Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and supported by a coalition of partners including the Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF) recently received a $20,000 grant from the
Michigan Economic Development Corporation to better connect the nearly 7,000 international students at
Michigan State University and
Lansing Community College with local businesses and entrepreneurs.
“We need to infuse these untapped talents into the community;” says LEAP Talent & Communications Director, Sara Graham, “we’re trying to get some of these qualified and driven people to stay in Lansing and create their lives and invest here.”
The “Getting Started” program allows international students in the Lansing community the opportunity to partner with businesses in an internship capacity, to align with their academic and professional interests. LEAP and partners have recently begun the interview process for applicants interested in opportunity. “Applicants included engineering majors, accounting majors, supply chain management majors, and more;” explains Graham, “we’re excited by the variety of applicants and for the diversity of niches we’re able make connections with.”
The grant will largely be used toward employing a program coordinator who will help bring both sides together over the upcoming semester, trouble-shooting issues, and identifying areas of internship focus. Partnering businesses so far include
Message Makers,
Allen Neighborhood Center,
City of Lansing Emergency Management Office, among others determined once the applicant selection process is complete.
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