Summer Internships & Fellowships

Cook Family Summer Fellowship

Cook Family Summer Fellowships are awarded to two Davidson students for self-designed summer internships in non-profit organizations (including churches) that, by wishes of the donors, demonstrate a Christian commitment through their mission statement, their stated goals and objectives, or their embodiment of values that they distinctly associate with Christian faith.

Duration: 8-10 weeks (summer dates are flexible)
Provisions: $3,500 for the summer, plus up to $1,500 in grant funds to reimburse the student for qualified summer expenses (e.g. housing, food, travel, etc.)
Applications: First-years, sophomores, and juniors may submit an application towards the beginning of the spring semester.

Congregational Fellowships

Congregational Fellowship for Leadership and Service

Fellowships to explore religious leadership and service in any tradition are available to students with a strong record of academic achievement, campus leadership, and concern for others.

Juniors are nominated by faculty, staff, and area clergy. Nominees may or may not be considering a religious occupation (as a clergyperson or professional lay leader), but community members perceive them as having gifts for such leadership and service. They submit formal applications to the College Chaplain at chaplain@davidson.edu.

Fellows take part in a supervised, congregation-based summer internship after their junior year under the mentorship of a seasoned clergyperson. Early in the fall semester of their senior year, they gather as a cohort with the college chaplain to reflect on what they have learned over the summer about congregational leadership and about their own sense of calling or career direction.

Duration: 8 weeks (summer dates are flexible).
Provisions: $4,000 for the summer, plus funds for vocational exploration during senior year.
Applications: Nominated students are notified by the College Chaplain and may submit an application towards the beginning of the spring semester of their junior year.

Stapleton/Davidson Urban Service Internship

This summer internship engages a cohort of students in full-time placements with Charlotte-based non-profits serving people experiencing homelessness and deep poverty. Students of any religious or spiritual background may apply, with the understanding that they will integrate their experience in urban service with learning about social justice through a Christian lens. Interns participate in regular opportunities for continuing education and meet weekly with the college chaplain and local religious leaders to reflect on their experiences.

Duration: 10 weeks (Memorial Day – early August)
Provisions: $4,000 for the summer, plus housing with a host family in Charlotte
Applications: First-years, sophomores, and juniors may submit an application towards the beginning of the spring semester.

Opportunities for Graduates

Post-Graduate Fellowships

A number of faith-based organizations offer year-long fellowships for college graduates. These opportunities generally integrate hands-on service, spirituality, simple living in community, and social justice.