Employing Humanities: Support Experiential Learning in the Humanities

Employing Humanities

The Employing Humanities initiative is about more than preparing students for careers, it’s about affirming the deep value of a humanities education in shaping thoughtful, engaged citizens who will lead with empathy, curiosity, and purpose. By supporting this initiative, you help bridge the gap between what students learn in the classroom and the lives they dream of building after graduation.

At the heart of Employing Humanities are two transformational programs that offer paid, meaningful, real-world experiences for our students:

Humanities EXCEL Internship Program
For many of our students, Humanities EXCEL is their first opportunity to see their studies come alive beyond the university. Through paid internships with community organizations, students work on real projects that matter—contributing to nonprofits, local organizations, and community movements. These experiences develop critical skills, build career confidence, and empower students to discover how their voices and values can make a difference in the world. Each EXCEL Fellow receives mentorship and guidance, helping them translate their passions into purpose and navigate life after college with clarity and courage.

Humanities EXPLORE Undergraduate Research Program
The EXPLORE program opens doors to hands-on research experience. Faculty in the Humanities Division invite students to participate in their research projects as collaborators. The experience nurtures their curiosity and sharpens their ability to think critically and ask the kinds of questions that change the world.

Why Your Support Matters

Many of our students come from historically underrepresented or first-generation college backgrounds. For them, paid opportunities like EXCEL and EXPLORE are not just enriching—they’re essential. With your support, we can offer more of these life-changing experiences and ensure that financial barriers never stand in the way of growth, discovery, and purpose.

Your gift today will fund paid internships and other Employing Humanities initiatives that support student success, such as study immersion courses and community-engaged courses.

Here's what your gift can make possible:

💡 $100 provides five hours of paid research or internship work

🌱 $200 funds ten hours—enough for a short project or training period

🌟 $1,000 supports a student for five full weeks, deepening their learning and skills

🎓 $2,000 funds a student’s entire quarter, giving them a transformative, career-shaping experience

Hear From Our Students

Be a Champion for the Humanities

Together, we can ensure that every humanities student feels supported and prepared to thrive on campus and beyond.

Your gift is an investment in a student’s future. You are empowering the next generation to become the kind of creative problem-solvers and communicators that every profession—and the world itself—urgently needs. Be a champion for the humanities. Help us reimagine the world.