Regional Cooperation

UniverCities Connection

Exchanging Insight, Implementing Ideas

Maybe it has something to do with recent rhetoric about Michigan's "brain drain." Or maybe it's because talented young people are hungry for on-the-ground opportunities to dig into urban policy. Whatever the reason, we see one thing for certain: never as the Suburbs Alliance's UniverCities Connection internship program been so popular.

UniverCities provides interns with a dual placement. They serve between eight and ten hours a week in a southeast Michigan city and an equal number of hours with the Michigan Suburbs Alliance (the one exception is our popular Photography Interns who serve several local cities at a time on an assignment basis). By fusing pragmatic projects in city hall with a regional perspective of the Suburbs Alliance, interns have an unusually meaningful experience.

Meet our current interns and fellows here.

Cool Cities Internship Program

Michigan's greatest economic successes have always been tied to the creative and productive power of our cities. By spurring strong regional economies anchored by cool cities, we will grow Michigan's economy.

In 2003, Governor Jennifer Granholm launched Michigan Cool Cities, an urban strategy to revitalize communities by attracting talent and new economy jobs. Designation as a Cool City included $100,000 for a neighborhood catalyst project and access to additional state grants, loans, tax credits and services. Community leaders credit the Cool Cities Neighborhood Designation with re-energizing local stakeholders, increasing community pride and leveraging other investments.

Over the years, Cool Cities communities have reported numerous success. There now exists an exciting new opportunity to share these stories through the Cool Cities Internship Program.

Students at Michigan State University, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan, supported by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority are exploring Michigan's coolest cities through a hands-on internship opportunity. The result is a dynamic learning environment that cultivates the personal and professional development of participants while building a climate of creative innovation and excellence. Managed by the Suburbs Alliance, the Cool Cities Internship Program seeks to bridge communities and universities to encourage economic, environmental and social success throughout Michigan. The program integrates vibrant university education and research with the needs of Cool Cities neighborhoods.

Want In?

If you'd like to see a Univercities intern come to your city, or if you'd like to be an intern yourself, contact Brittany Galisdorfer, Program Director, at Brittany@suburbsalliance.org or 248-546-2380.

Stay updated with current internship positions on our Career Opportunities webpage.