Duke Energy Foundation provides funding for internships

Indiana University Kokomo students will gain hands-on experience in the clean energy industry with paid internships funded by Duke Energy Foundation.

The campus received a $15,000 grant for the “Fueling the Future: Training Tomorrow’s Renewable Energy Leaders” program, led by the Office of Sustainability.

“We want to give our students real-life experience and exposure to companies in north central Indiana that allow them to continue work on their degrees while preparing for in-demand jobs,” said Andy Tuholski, director of the Office of Sustainability and assistant professor of political science.

“I’m excited,” he said. “We’re grateful to Duke Energy Foundation for funding these opportunities for our students. We look forward to partnering with regional businesses for this workforce development initiative.”

The program will create up to five paid internship placements with regional employers, offering them hands-on experience in fields essential to the clean energy transition. Selected students may participate in site assessments, shadow project managers, engage in research, and learn about regulatory and permitting processes.

He’s currently reaching out to area business leaders to identify where students could assist with projects. Tuholski said students will be recruited from a variety of majors that intersect with environmental policy, science, technology, and business. The Office of Sustainability will coordinate pre-placement guidance, goal-setting support, and post-internship reflection opportunities.

“This is a really exciting and complicated time in clean energy and the environmental movement at large,” he said. “Giving students exposure to what businesses are doing to navigate that environment will be beneficial to them, while their expertise will benefit the employer as well.”