FSU’s Broadwell College of Business and Economics Awarded SECU Foundation Grant for 2026 Public Fellows Program

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Broadwell College of Business and Economics received a grant of $130,000 from the SECU Foundation to support the 2026 SECU Public Fellows Program at Fayetteville State University. Approved Dec. 19, 2025, the award extends a longstanding partnership focused on providing paid, community-based experiential learning for students.

With this funding, the college will place up to 20 undergraduate interns with public-sector and community organizations across North Carolina. The program follows a structured model to enhance students' career readiness and increase workforce capacity for partner organizations.

Building on Previous Achievements

This year’s effort builds on the strong foundation established by the 2025 cohort, when students gained hands-on experience with 16 regional employers. Their achievements were recognized at the SECU Foundation and Preceptor Luncheon in August 2025, where BCBE highlighted the impact of these internships.

Building on that foundation, BCBE is introducing further innovations for the current program cycle. The college is refining role definitions and learning outcomes, improving supervisor tools and evaluation practices, and enhancing student preparation for professional communication, among other initiatives. These targeted refinements are designed to improve consistency and outcomes across placement sites while preserving the core structure.

“We keep the same proven framework, and we tighten the student preparation and supervisor supports so every placement delivers a high-quality experience,” said Rodney L. McCrowre, DBA, assistant professor in the Broadwell College of Business and Economics and university coordinator for the SECU Public Fellows Program. 

Expanding Program Impact Through Strategic Partnerships

The SECU Foundation award also enables the college to expand effective practices, such as improved placement matching and increased engagement with host organizations. According to McCrowre, the program remains focused on producing "repeatable outcomes for students" and providing "dependable capacity for community partners."

Central to these efforts is the program’s placement approach. By prioritizing local opportunities, the college helps students build lasting professional relationships and reduces barriers to transportation and relocation. This local focus gives students early access to employers and leadership networks.

“If we want to retain talent in North Carolina, we have to help students build professional ties here before they graduate,” McCrowre said.

Internship placements will encompass a broad range of public-sector and community-facing roles, including public safety, community engagement, administrative innovation, nonprofit capacity-building, municipal and county operations, and partnerships at Fort Bragg.

To further enrich the internship experience, interns will be assigned specific deliverables, including process improvement initiatives, communications support, data tracking and reporting, and service impact projects. These practical responsibilities are integral to the program’s experiential learning model.

Student Opportunities and Eligibility

The SECU Public Fellows Internship Program is open to students from a variety of majors, including analytics, information technology, communications, public administration, criminal justice, and social sciences. The program will prioritize applicants who demonstrate a strong desire to learn, a commitment to service, and an interest in pursuing careers in North Carolina. Applicants must also be current undergraduate students at FSU.

Students interested in applying for the 2026 SECU Public Fellows Internship should submit their applications through FSU’s Job Site. The application window closes March 15.

For additional information regarding the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program at Fayetteville State University, contact Dr. McCrowre at (910) 672-2124 or rlmccrowre01@uncfsu.edu.