Marymount University has been selected to receive a $150,000 Capacity-Building Grant from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP). This grant, part of a larger $3.9 million initiative across Virginia, will enhance student internship and work-based learning opportunities that bridge the gap between academic experiences and workforce demands.
The funding will support Marymount’s new initiative, ElevateMU (Empowerment, Leadership and Engagement in Career and Community), which builds upon the groundwork laid by a 2023 Vision Grant that aimed to optimize experiential learning for diverse students. ElevateMU will focus on creating equitable pathways for career readiness, especially for underserved and first-generation students.
“This grant positions Marymount to empower our students with the career-relevant skills they need to succeed,” said Dr. Brianna Clark-Williams, Director of the University’s Center for Career Development and Community Engagement and principal investigator for the grant. “By connecting academic learning with real-world opportunities, we’re ensuring our students are ready to make meaningful contributions to the workforce and the community.”
Through ElevateMU, Marymount will introduce the innovative District C Teamship Model, a collaborative approach where students work in small, diverse teams to solve real-world business challenges. Unlike traditional internships, the Teamship Model provides inclusive access for students who face barriers to conventional internships. It also develops in-demand skills like critical thinking, communication and problem-solving in a scalable framework that benefits students and employer partners.
A new full-time Director of Experiential Learning will oversee the expansion of internships and Teamship programs across all three colleges at Marymount. This position will centralize efforts for consistency and alignment with workforce trends. Four faculty and staff members will also complete certification through the District C Coaching Institute, equipping them to guide students in Teamship courses starting in Spring 2025.
Using platforms like Handshake, Marymount will systematically monitor student participation, employer engagement and outcomes of work-based learning experiences. Partnerships with District C and local businesses will ensure these opportunities meet regional workforce needs. Dr. Diane Murphy, professor and director of Marymount’s Center for the Innovative Workforce, will also evaluate the Teamship model to assess its positive impact.
“The assessment will focus on outcomes for students participating in this new approach compared to outcomes achieved by students who participate in the standard internship process,” she explained. “It will include the ease of earning a professional position, the level of their first job including their title and salary and a follow-up that considers their first job performance.”
As Virginia’s only Hispanic-Serving Institution, Marymount is uniquely positioned to champion equitable access to high-quality experiential learning opportunities. ElevateMU will empower students from diverse backgrounds while contributing to the state’s workforce development goals.
“The ElevateMU initiative highlights Marymount’s commitment to innovation and student success,” Dr. Clark-Williams added. “By integrating programs like Teamship and fostering partnerships with employers, we’re preparing our students to succeed in their careers while also leading and making a difference in the world.”
The ElevateMU initiative is set to launch in Spring 2025, with the first student cohort participating in Teamship courses over the summer. By Fall 2025, the program will expand across all three colleges, offering students from various disciplines access to transformative work-based learning experiences.
