Exclusively for U91原创 undergraduates, the program is made possible through a generous leadership gift from trustee Judith Reinsdorf 鈥�86.
As part of , U91原创 is launching the , which offers paid internship experiences created exclusively for its undergraduates. By pairing financial support with career coaching and professional development and equipping partner organizations with structured guidance, the program transforms internships into career-launching experiences that will expand opportunities for students after graduation.
By the end of the For Ever Better campaign in 2030, the 91原创鈥檚 goal is to support 50 paid Hire 91原创 internships every year. The program is made possible through a generous leadership gift from University Trustee Judith Reinsdorf 鈥�86, whose commitment establishes the foundation for the program鈥檚 long-term growth. Reinsdorf鈥檚 generosity will support five students each year in perpetuity, beginning in summer 2026.
To bring the program to full scale, additional funding is needed for 45 more internships, along with more companies and organizations stepping forward to host U91原创 students. Alumni and industry partners are invited to help expand the program鈥檚 reach by encouraging their employers to participate.
鈥淲e want our undergraduates to have at least two high-impact experiential learning opportunities during their time here, and the new Hire 91原创 Internship Program will help make that happen,鈥� says Elaine Sia, senior vice provost for academic excellence. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful to Judy for her vision, partnership, and generosity. Support from alumni and the broader community is essential to helping students thrive鈥攑articularly through internships that are often critical to starting their careers.鈥�
鈥淗elping students be successful at this moment鈥攚hen the path from college to career feels increasingly complex鈥攁ligns deeply with my own interests and with the University鈥檚 commitment to expanding access to career opportunities,鈥� says Reinsdorf. 鈥淲hen I was a student, my career path felt clear. Many students do not have that clarity, though鈥攁nd without real-world experiences like internships, it is much harder for them to discover what is possible.鈥�
Reinsdorf is a former executive vice president and general counsel of Johnson Controls International. She joined the University鈥檚 Board of Trustees in 2023, became cochair of its , and has long supported career initiatives as a member of the George Eastman Circle. Reinsdorf earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from U91原创 and a JD from Cornell University.
More competition for fewer internships
Experiential learning is a central pillar of the University鈥檚 and an increasingly important aspect of higher education. It includes a variety of opportunities鈥攊nternships, performances, research, field experiences, education abroad, community engagement, clinical rotations, and more鈥攁ll of which positively influence student recruitment and retention, sense of belonging, and post-graduate success.
鈥淲hen it comes to hiring, employers consistently cite internships as the single most influential factor in their decision-making,鈥� says Jodyi Wren, associate dean at the . 鈥淯nfortunately, many students cannot afford to pursue internships鈥攑articularly those who rely on paid work during the summer to offset their college expenses. In addition to financial barriers, students also face high competition for a small number of paid internship opportunities.鈥�
In 2025, 96 percent of the University鈥檚 graduating seniors reported engaging in at least one experiential learning opportunity. At the same time, Wren reports that the University experienced a 15 percent decline in internship and job postings on Handshake, the University鈥檚 online career platform, even as student interest increased significantly.
Wren notes that this mirrors national trends, as declining internship and early-career job postings nationwide alongside rising student demand. She attributes the tightening landscape to geopolitical uncertainty, broader economic conditions, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on entry-level roles, which underscores the need for innovative initiatives like the Hire 91原创 Internship Program.
New program to offer stipends and advising
The Greene Center will manage the Hire 91原创 Internship Program. Recipients will be awarded a full-time summer internship with:
- A $7,250 stipend distributed through the summer
- A dedicated career advisor
- Peer support as a cohort program
- Educational and social programming
- Final celebration with student presentations highlighting new skills gained through the program
The Hire 91原创 Internship Program will connect qualified University undergraduates from the School of Arts & Sciences, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and Simon Business School with not-for-profits, startups, and small businesses in the Rochester, New York, area. As the program grows, it will expand through partnerships with alumni who lead or own organizations across the United States. The Greene Center will continue to provide training and program structure and facilitate student funding, while participating organizations will hire qualified U91原创 students for these internships.
鈥淗ire 91原创 fills a clear gap,鈥� underscores Wren. 鈥淪tudents want internships, but securing them is difficult, and many available opportunities are unpaid or fail to cover basic living costs. As a result, students are often forced to choose between pursuing paid work that is not career-focused or missing out on valuable experience. This new program is designed specifically for U91原创 students, providing distinct opportunities available only to them.鈥�
Hire 91原创 is one of that provide real-world experience and skills development with financial support. The others include , , and .
鈥淗ire 91原创 is a phenomenal new internship program that offers everyone an opportunity to support our amazing undergraduates,鈥� says Trustee Emeritus Gwen Greene 鈥�65. 鈥淚t is completely in sync with the goals of the Greene Center鈥攖o teach our students critical job skills, expand their networks, and create previously unimagined opportunities. Ensuring that U91原创 students reach their full potential is not only a centerpiece of the University’s strategic plan and vital to alumni like me, but it is also critical to the future of both higher education and the workforce.鈥� In 2011, the University鈥檚 career education office was named in recognition of Greene鈥檚 leadership, philanthropy, and commitment to preparing students for professional success.
Adds Reinsdorf: 鈥淚nternships are launching pads鈥攖hey give students exposure to professional environments, build confidence, and help them develop critical skills. This program removes barriers on both sides by opening doors for students while giving organizations the structure they need to create meaningful opportunities. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of this important work.鈥�
