MCC Daily Tribune
Paid Internship Opportunities for SUNY Students Highlighted
During a Visit to SUNY Oswego, Chancellor King Highlighted Initiative That Helps More Students Secure Paid Public Service Internship Opportunities
Oswego, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. highlighted paid internship opportunities for SUNY students at county governments during a visit to SUNY Oswego. Through a partnership with the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), SUNY students have been able to secure paid internships with county governments and local agencies throughout New York State.
"Through SUNY's robust internship partnerships, our students have been able to take part in valuable hands-on job training opportunities that prepare them for successful careers after graduation," said SUNY Chancellor King. "By coordinating with the New York State Association of Counties, more of our students have been empowered to explore career paths that interest them while also supporting county governments and communities throughout the state. I commend the SUNY students taking part in the launch of this initiative, and look forward to growing it so more students have these opportunities going forward."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "SUNY's internship programs and partnerships give our students valuable opportunities to enrich their education through hands-on learning opportunities. We thank the New York State Association of Counties for working with SUNY to ensure our students are able to learn on the job and support county governments and the New Yorkers who rely on these essential services."
During his visit to SUNY Oswego, Chancellor King joined SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu and NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario to speak with students that have participated in internships with county organizations. The partnership with NYSAC, announced in March, will connect students with an array of opportunities for internships and future career pathways in their local government agencies, and more internship opportunities at local governments are anticipated to open for Fall 2026.
SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu said, "Learning by doing has defined SUNY Oswego since our founding in 1861 and remains central to our mission and strategic vision. These internships provide students with meaningful, real-world experiences that prepare them to lead, solve complex challenges, and make an immediate impact in their communities and beyond. We are proud to partner with Chancellor King and NYSAC to expand these transformative opportunities for our students."
Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties Stephen J. Acquario said, "This partnership gives students the opportunity to gain meaningful, paid experience while helping counties introduce a new generation to the many rewarding careers available in public service. From public health and infrastructure to economic development and public safety, county governments do work every day that directly impacts the lives of New Yorkers. Giving students firsthand experience in that work allows them to make a difference in their communities, explore fulfilling career paths, and helps counties build the pipeline of talented leaders we need for the future. We commend Chancellor King and the SUNY Board of Trustees for their vision in expanding these opportunities for SUNY students, and we’re proud to partner with him and SUNY on this important initiative."
SUNY Oswego Graduate and Operation Oswego County Intern Natalie Glosek said, "SUNY Oswego’s internship program is really impressive because it allowed me to expand my career and even get a job in the Oswego community. It opened up doors I did not expect, because I would not have seen working in economic development as an English major, but it was a really exciting opportunity. To be able to get an internship that ultimately got me a job, and now serve the Oswego community, is really amazing."
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said, "This partnership does something I have wanted to see for a long time. SUNY is not only creating paid internships at county agencies; but it also funded 23 community colleges to cover transportation and childcare so students can actually accept them. Anyone who has advised a student knows how often an opportunity slips away over a bus fare or a babysitter. This is how we build the next generation of civil servants and community leaders."
State Senator Monica R. Martinez said, Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, said, “For students interested in careers in public service, local governments offer unique opportunities to learn about the immediate issues that affect people across our state. These municipalities are among the closest to the people, and the partnership between SUNY and NYSAC will connect students with internships that provide real-world opportunities to understand how they work and impact residents’ everyday lives. As chair of the Senate’s Local Government Committee and a former member of county government, I thank SUNY and NYSAC for working together to develop the next generation of public sector leaders.”
State Senator Patricia Fahy said, "Internships have the power to transform lives and empower young people. Studies show that more than 70% of paid internships turn into full-time job offers and that when college graduates accept those offers, they remain here in New York State to live and work. SUNY's and Chancellor King's goal of ensuring every undergraduate student has the opportunity to complete an internship experience is preparing New York students for success while developing our workforce for employers, state and local government, and agencies doing the work on the ground and frontlines. I couldn't be more thrilled to see the next generation of civil servants preparing to take the reins, and I look forward to seeing even more SUNY students take advantage of these unique opportunities."
State Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, said, “SUNY students taking part in a paid internship or experiential learning opportunity via the New York State Association of Counties will gain lifelong skills at county government and local agencies while saving money toward their academic expenses. These coveted roles will help scholars gain real-world experience on their journey toward their future career."
State Assemblymember Bill Conrad, Chair of the Assembly Commission on Skills Development and Career Education, said, "As a former high school teacher and now the Chair of the Assembly Commission on Skills Development and Career Education, I am a firm believer in the transformative power of experiential learning and quality internship programs. These represent students' most direct pathways to good employment, as they afford up-and-comers the opportunities to learn in the field, from the pros who know best. When it comes to roles in public service, we can't overstate the benefit of recruiting our communities' best and brightest; when enthusiastic, compassionate people take on the work of assisting our localities and constituencies, we all reap the gifts of their civic-mindedness. I so appreciate the state Association of Counties and SUNY for their partnership in this vitally important initiative, and I look forward to helping grow the next generation of public servants."
State Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, Chair of the Assembly Local Government Committee, said, "Partnerships like this between SUNY and the New York State Association of Counties are creating meaningful opportunities for students to gain hands on experience in public service while building pathways to rewarding careers in local municipalities. As Chair of the NYS Assembly Local Government Committee, I've seen firsthand the importance of investing in the next generation of skilled civil servants and ensuring that SUNY students are prepared to serve their communities. I commend Chancellor King and all of our partners for their commitment to making experiential learning an integral part of every student's college experience and for expanding the paid internship program."
SUNY has set the goal that every undergraduate student will participate in an internship or other experiential learning opportunity. Paid internships are invaluable opportunities for students to learn on the job, be compensated for their work, and apply their academic experience to real world tasks. The initiative with NYSAC ensures that students are prepared to be part of the next generation of skilled workers, as well as reinforces county governments' capacity to serve their communities.
Through strong support from Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, the SUNY Board of Trustees provides $14.5 million in annual state funding to support paid internships for students at State-operated campuses. SUNY also awarded funding to 23 community colleges to expand access to stipends and wraparound services, including transportation and childcare expenses, so students could complete internships. In addition, the 2026-27 Enacted State Budget includes $7.4 million for the SUNY Career Connect initiative. SUNY will invest these resources to support additional internships at State-operated campuses and community colleges, including research internships, public service internships, and industry internships.
SUNY is committed to ensuring every student can participate in a paid internship or experiential learning opportunity to gain hands-on job preparation before they earn their degree. To support paid internship opportunities for students, SUNY has launched internship partnerships with organizations including Special Olympics New York, the New York State Insurance Fund, as well as an internship exchange program with the University of Puerto Rico and the conservation organization Para La Naturaleza. SUNY has also launched programs including the SUNY Educational Opportunity Career Development Internship Program, Chancellor's Summer Research Excellence Fund, the SUNY Institute for Local News, the Veterans Enrollment and Support Internship Program, and the SUNY Climate Corps. As part of Chancellor King's 2025 State of the University agenda, SUNY also designated regional internship coordinators across the state to assist campuses in identifying internship opportunities.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country's oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum.
Veronica Chiesi Brown
Community Relations
08/20/2026