Urban Innovation21 Celebrates Conclusion of the Region's Largest and Most Diverse Summer Innovation Economy Internship Program

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As the largest and most diverse innovation economy based internship program in the region, Urban Innovation21 placed 69 students with paid internships this summer.  16 students were placed with UPMC Affiliates, 24 interns with advanced manufacturing companies, 26 with technology companies, and 3 with community based organizations.  According to Alyssa Boehringer, the Program Manager for Internship Programs, Urban Innovation21 will provide approximately 100 paid internships for students in 2013.

As one of our region's leading public-private partnership, Urban Innovation21 works to build our regions innovation sectors while simultaneously working to connect women and minorities to those sectors.  The organization is funded by a consortium of anchor institutions, the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, the Heinz Endowments, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Alcoa Foundation, the Hillman Foundation, the Surdna Foundation, and the Roy A. Hunt Foundation.

The internship program provides paid internships to students from Carlow University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, and Point Park University. Each intern is provided with "real life" work experience and the opportunity to expand their professional networks.  This experience also strengthens their likelihood of securing employment in our region.

Urban Innovation21 has a special initiative for students who received the Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship and are currently attending Carlow University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University and Point Park University.  This summer, 40 students that have received the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship have been matched with paid internships; 16 interns, in various departments of UPMC and 24 CCAC student interns at select advanced manufacturing companies throughout the region. The program supports the professional development of students — many of whom are first generation college enrollees. This specific initiative's founding partners are the Alcoa Foundation and UPMC Health Plan.

"Urban Innovation21′s effort to create opportunities for all within the local innovation economy is reflected in this internship program. I am heartened to see  the diversity of the interns (approximately half of Urban Innovation21's interns are African American students and 60 percent are women) reflects the wonderful diversity present in our schools, " said Saleem Ghubril, Executive Director, The Pittsburgh Promise.

A celebratory event to conclude the internship assignment for the summer 2013 Pittsburgh Promise interns is scheduled for Monday, August 12, at 5:00 p.m. in the Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium at the Kaufmann Center (1825 Centre Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219). The keynote speaker is Bill Strickland, President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation.

Urban Innovation21 Partners and Supporters: Alcoa Foundation, Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, Carlow University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, the Heinz Endowments, the Hill House Association, Hillman Foundation, Idea Foundry, Innovation Works, PA Department of Community and Economic Development, PNC Bank, Point Park University, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Roy A. Hunt Foundation, Surdna Foundation, UPMC Health Plan, The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Federal Government Economic Development Administration. www.urbaninnovation21.org

SOURCE Urban Innovation21