UNO Launches Humanities Internship Program with Mellon Foundation Grant

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) will expand opportunities for humanities students with the launch of Humanities in Action: The Maverick Internship Program, thanks to a substantial grant from the Mellon Foundation. The initiative aims to provide paid, credit-bearing internships that bridge the gap between academic study and real-world application.

Expanding Access for Humanities Majors

UNO’s College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Communication, Fine Arts, and Media will collaborate to design, implement, and scale a coordinated internship program. This program will allow humanities students to apply their classroom learning in professional, civic, and public-sector settings. The program will integrate career preparation directly into the curriculum through revised internship courses, professional development workshops, and public events connecting students with community partners.

Addressing the Skills Gap

A key goal of Humanities in Action is to demonstrate the value of humanities training in today’s job market. The program seeks to show students how skills honed in humanities classrooms – critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical engagement – translate directly into real-world problem-solving, professional collaboration, and meaningful impact.

A Multi-Faceted Approach to Career Preparation

Humanities in Action will not only place students in internships but will too provide comprehensive career preparation. This includes:

• Revised internship courses
• Professional development workshops
• Public events connecting students with potential employers and community partners

Partnerships and Long-Term Sustainability

Launching in spring 2026, the program will forge partnerships with organizations such as the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands and the Nebraska Business Development Center [2]. Beyond the initial five-year grant period, Humanities in Action is intended to become a permanent part of UNO’s academic infrastructure, maintaining at least 40 paid internships annually through university investment, donor partnerships, and external funding.

Statements from UNO Leadership

“UNO’s humanities programs prepare students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage ethically, skills that are essential and increasingly important in professional life,” said Dr. Melanie Bloom, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and principal investigator for the project [1].

Dr. Tanushree Ghosh, co-principal investigator and Chair of the Department of English, added, “We hope that these humanities internships show students how the skills honed in the humanities classroom translate directly into real-world problem solving, professional collaboration, and meaningful impact beyond the university.” [1]

UNO Chancellor Joanne Li stated, “This transformative grant will empower our students to turn their passion for the humanities into purpose-driven careers. By creating direct pathways from the classroom to the community, Humanities in Action will position our students for success in a world that increasingly values analytical, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving skills.” [1]

Mellon Foundation Support

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supports initiatives that align with its grantmaking areas, including arts and culture, higher learning, humanities in place, and public knowledge [3]. The foundation’s support recognizes the power of the humanities to connect learning with action.