Undergraduate Student Government has created a new internship to allow more inclusion and participation for students
who want to become active in student government.

The Student Leadership Internship Program, commonly referred to as SLIP, provides students the opportunity to work closely under the direction of student leaders in USG. Marcus Donaldson, USG’s chief of staff, said the program is crucial in “expanding USG’s reach.”

“A lot of people feel USG is very exclusive,” Donaldson, a senior public relations major, said. “Students may feel like they don’t know how to get involved. Hopefully this will be a program that is more inviting.”

The first-year program is open to undergraduate students of all levels and allows interns to be involved in major projects and events ran by USG. Donaldson said SLIP currently consists of “roughly eight interns.”

The goal, he said, is to help students develop better professional and communication skills, all while assisting USG in achieving goals and objectives. Interns are required to attend USG meetings and events, along with other requirements that vary between officers.

Members of USG’s governing body file a request, depending on their want or need for an intern. Applications are then filled out by potential candidates and selected applicants are interviewed by officers to assign the intern to the best possible position.

The eligibility requirements for candidates isn’t overwhelming, keeping the pool of potential SLIP interns relatively large. Candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25 (on a 4.0 scale), meet various requirements set by directors or senators and have a general knowledge of USG’s functions.

Although SLIP makes effort to assign interns to their requested field, it’s the direct involvement in student government that is key to the program’s success.

Blake Springhetti, a senator at large, spoke about why the program is an important one for USG and those involved.

“It helps you (the interns) mold yourself as a professional,” Springhetti, a junior political science major, said.

One of the main projects for this spring that Springhetti worked on was the University Commissions project. The project is designed to create less separation between Kent State’s main and satellite campuses. This is just one of many projects SLIP allows its interns to participate in, all while working with real professionals and administrations throughout Kent State.

“We want people involved in USG and getting them (interns) will make it more successful,” Springhetti said.

More information on USG and SLIP can be found by attending public biweekly meetings Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Center.

Contact Matt Poe at [email protected].