We are looking to place MSU student interns for the upcoming NYC Summer Horizons Travel Program.

The Design Leadership Foundation is well into its 2nd full year of operation. In 2021, the Board of Directors successfully raised a significant amount of funds to continue our work with Mississippi State University architecture, landscape, and interior design students as part of our DLF Pilot Program. It’s exciting to share where we’ve been, where we’re going, and how you can be involved.

The DLF Horizons Pilot Program is based on 4 key goals :

  • To supplement the high cost of technology and materials that cause great struggle and inequity for students from underserved communities.
  • To level the playing field through student workshops that better prepare design students to enter the industry and create more diversity within our field.
  • To enable students to attend the NYC Summer Horizons Travel Program who normally would not have the luxury of participating.
  • To connect the DLN community with diverse students for internships, mentorships, and coaching that they desperately want and need.

Historically, the MSU Horizons Travel Program in NYC was made up of students with means to travel and those who could forego summer jobs/revenue. The DLF contributed $40,000 dollars to supplement the course and travel costs for 12 students to participate in the 2022 NYC program. These awards are given to students of color and those who would not have the opportunity to share in this excellent experience. While these funds cover course fees and travel, we feel it is important to offer participating students a part-time, paid internship in order to prevent the loss of summer wages that many need for housing, food, books, and supplies during the school year at MSU.

This is where you come in! The DLF is looking for DLN member firms in the NYC area that would like to educate and pay forward the lessons and support most of us experienced early on by hiring interns for the month of July. If you are interested in hiring a student intern, please email us directly.

Visit the Design Leadership Foundation’s website to learn more about our mission.