Five SUNY Oswego students formed the first cohort of the Hometown University Internship, an initiative that expands traditional internships within the community to additionally embed professional leadership guidance from SUNY Oswego’s Office of Workforce Innovation and External Relations (OWIER) team. 

Completing its inaugural session in fall 2025, the program was made possible with support from the SUNY Oswego Internship Impact Fund and SUNY Oswego’s Office of Experiential Learning. Its creation marks an exciting milestone in the university’s ongoing commitment to experiential learning, workforce development and community partnership, organizers said. 

“Our office has rich and long-standing internship partnerships with local businesses and government agencies,” said Mallory Bower, director of Experiential Learning. “The Hometown University Internship initiative was an excellent opportunity to showcase some of these partners, connect them with our talented students, and create some sustainability for these experiences through the Impact Fund.” 

The Hometown University Internship Program was designed to support the growth of connections between SUNY Oswego undergraduate students and meaningful, applied learning experiences within Oswego County. Interns receive the opportunity to both learn from and contribute to local workplaces while local employers help to foster the students’ leadership skills and professional growth. 

“As an alumna of SUNY Oswego and someone born and raised in Oswego, this really is my hometown university,” said Tina Phillips, associate director of Experiential Learning. “Students having mentors where they live and learn, in my opinion, is one of the most important resources they can access as they decide who they want to become. Those relationships affect them beyond what ends up written on their resumes.”

Funded through the SUNY Oswego Internship Impact Fund, the Hometown University Internship builds upon the university’s long-standing tradition of collaboration with local organizations and nonprofits. It is one of many offerings coordinated through the SUNY Oswego Office of Experiential Learning that develops internships, service-learning, community service and student employment programs with local partners. 

“The Hometown University Internship program embodies SUNY Oswego’s mission to prepare students not only for successful careers, but for meaningful lives of purpose and engagement,” said SUNY Oswego Assistant Vice President for Workforce Innovation and External Relations Kristi Eck. “This initiative reflects our shared commitment to building a stronger Oswego by connecting student talent with community needs.”

Gaining experience and connections

Each of the five interns in the inaugural cohort was selected through a competitive application process and recruited by a partner organization aligned with their academic interests and career goals. Fall 2025 Hometown University Internship host sites included the City of Oswego Clerk’s Office; the City of Oswego Water Treatment Plant; Operation Oswego County; the Oswego County Department of Workforce Development; and the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.

“This internship pushed me to where I needed to be professionally and gave me the opportunity to network amongst professionals in my dream field,” said Aileigh Ray, a double major in criminal justice and political science who interned with the Oswego City Clerk’s Records Office. “I’ve made invaluable connections during this semester and have such gratitude to have been a part of the Hometown University Internship Program.” 

“I have appreciated this wonderful experience with the Oswego Workforce! It has helped me grow and learn while gaining hands-on experience,” said business administration major Sophia Lyons, who interned with the Oswego County Office of Workforce Development. “As a senior, I feel more confident and prepared in the professional direction I would like to pursue, and met so many great people along the way!" 

"This internship was so impactful to my development as an undergraduate student. The hands-on experience and overall professional development I gained were extremely beneficial, and I know I'll be able to take these skills with me into my future roles in the communication field,” said communication major Kalya Moore, who interned with Operation Oswego County. 

Moore offered additional praise for the OWIER professionals: “The support I had from not only my site supervisors, but Kristi Eck and Kathryn Watson as well, made this experience even better. I'm more than grateful to have been given this opportunity and hope to continue to grow into a more skilled communication professional!" 

Alexandra Fitzpatrick, marketing and communications manager at Operation Oswego County and a SUNY Oswego graduate, praised the program’s impact. 

“We’ve been thrilled to be part of Hometown University’s inaugural internship cohort,” Fitzpatrick said. “The level of preparation and professionalism these students bring is a testament to the program’s strength. It’s clear they’re gaining the kind of real-world experience that will serve them well after graduation.”

Mark Tesoriero, a supervisor from the City of Oswego Clerk’s Office, echoed that enthusiasm, noting it was “a joy” to have Ray on the team. “From day one, she has impressed us with her energy, professionalism, and passion for learning,” Tesoriero said. “Her initiative, insightful questions, and strong work ethic have made a lasting impression on our entire team. We would be absolutely honored to welcome another intern from this program in the spring.”

“We’re happy to have had the opportunity to collaborate with SUNY Oswego as a participant of the Hometown University Internship,” said Oswego County Tourism Deputy Director Daniel Breitweg. “This initiative is a great way for students to learn more about the community while gaining meaningful career experience. It’s been valuable for us to have a student’s perspective on our design and marketing, and we look forward to continuing this partnership next semester.” 

Impactful internships

Since 2024, the Office of Experiential Learning has strategically implemented the SUNY Oswego Internship Impact Fund that supports the wages of over 160 SUNY Oswego student interns annually. 

While Impact Funded internships are not the only paid opportunities available to students, this fund also provides tuition scholarships and basic needs support for students participating in a variety of experiential learning programs. By ensuring students have access to both the resources they need and relationships with community partners, participants are able to apply their academic knowledge in ways that make a tangible difference across the region.

The Hometown University Internship underscores SUNY Oswego’s deep commitment to community engagement and workforce innovation as a hometown university. The program, alongside many ongoing opportunities within the community, helps students develop professionally while strengthening partnerships that support regional vitality. Plans are already underway to continue the program in future semesters, offering more students the opportunity to participate. 

To learn more about the SUNY Oswego Office of Workforce Innovation and External Relations, visit www.oswego.edu/owier. Any organization interested in developing an internship partnership with SUNY Oswego is encouraged to contact the university’s Office of Experiential Learning directly at experience@oswego.edu or (315) 312-2151.