ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University and Battelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC (BSRA) have agreed to partner on education efforts, workforce development and an internship program at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), located near Aiken, South Carolina.
BSRA contracts with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage and operate SRNL, which is a multi-program laboratory stewarded by DOE’s Office of Environmental Management. It tackles some of the world’s toughest challenges associated with major environment, national security and energy issues.
With this new agreement, Winthrop and BSRA are expected to focus on establishing and sustaining ways to initiate faculty and SRNL staff engagement. In addition, the two entities will work to prepare individuals for careers in the energy department’s national laboratory system, including at SRNL.
Initial efforts will center on:
1. Creating a pathway for Winthrop students to compete for SRNL internships.
2. Preparing students to compete for internships by offering activities.
3. Giving Winthrop faculty opportunities to engage in residence at SRNL.
Takita Sumter, chemistry professor and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the laboratory efforts align well with Winthrop’s Flight Ready campus initiative to ensure that students have opportunities to expand their knowledge and experiences through off-campus internships. Those engaging in the SRNL internship program are expected to refine their skills needed for entering the workforce.
“We anticipate that SRNL internship opportunities will support a potential employment pipeline for Winthrop students,” Sumter added.
The SRNL internship opportunities will allow students to work in positions that align with their area of study so they will have hands-on learning experiences. Those fields include biology, chemistry, environmental science, communications, finance and data analytics. Students were given the option of attending a virtual seminar by Valerie Preddy, SRNL’s internship program lead, who shared details about these opportunities on Nov. 16.
Senior representatives from BSRA have been actively involved in establishing a presence on campus by taking part in the most recent career fair and meeting with faculty and students. A team from Winthrop is also planning to visit the SRNL to discuss potential collaborative opportunities for students and faculty.
The details of the program are outlined in a memorandum of understanding between the two entities.
For more information, contact the dean’s office in the College of Arts and Sciences, at 803/323-2160.
