Rural Nonprofit Capacity Scholar Internship

Department

CENTER FOR RURAL ENGAGEMENT (BL-CFRE-IUBLA)

Department Information

The Indiana University (IU) Center for Rural Engagement improves the lives of Hoosiers through collaborative initiatives that discover and deploy scalable and flexible solutions to common challenges facing rural communities. Working in full-spectrum community innovation through research, community-engaged teaching, and student service, the Center builds vision, harnesses assets, and cultivates sustainable leadership structures within the communities with which it engages to ensure long-term success.

As part of the Rural Scholars Program, the IU Center for Rural Engagement seeks a student for a project-based internship in partnership with Team Peace, an innovative community organization that support schools and families in integrating trauma-responsive practices into their daily routines and relationships, by providing accessible nervous system education and resilience-building tools to youth and adults. The Scholar will support Team Peace to build long-term organizational capacity by strengthening communication systems, documenting program impact, and organizing digital resources for future use. The Scholar in this role will gain hands-on experience in program development, community engagement, and impact research while working directly with educators and stakeholders. The position also builds valuable professional skills in project management, qualitative research, storytelling, and digital content organization while producing tangible work products that strengthen a resume, portfolio, and future graduate or career opportunities. Rural Scholars commit to their internship for one academic year, from August until completion in May. 

Job Summary

• Coordinates outreach with school partners, organizes communication systems, and documents processes to produce an Ambassador Program Implementation Guide with templates, timelines, and partnership workflows.
• Conducts structured interviews with students, teachers, parents, and administrators to evaluate program outcomes and compile a 2026 - 2027 Impact and Testimony Report with an organized testimonial archive for grants, marketing, and board reporting.
• Reviews, catalogs, and annotates existing program video footage by topic and timestamps to create a fully indexed digital video library with recommended clips for promotional and research use.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Required

• Currently enrolled as a student at Indiana University

Preferred

• Ideal candidates may have interest or coursework in:
  • Education
  • Public Health
  • Social Work
  • Community Development
  • Communications
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Psychology
  • Rural Studies

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Required

• Valid drivers license with the ability to be insured by Indiana University

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority-setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possess flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Seeking to acquire knowledge in the area of specialty
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Ability to solve problems

Preferred

• Strong written and verbal communication
• Interviewing or qualitative research interest
• Organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently with consistent check-ins
• Comfort with digital file organization and basic media review

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment, campus, and community. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana

This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule (mix between remote and in-person work), subject to change in the future based on university policy and business needs. 

Advertised Salary

Position starts at $15/hr

Hourly hires are eligible for a $0.50 raise for each academic semester (Fall/Spring) that they continue with the CRE in their position

Work Hours

8 hours per week, August - May