AAAD works with a variety of local, national, and international partners to offer a range of professional and research internships. Opportunities vary by semester, but we generally have positions available with the Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project, virtual internships through AAAD-CGE partnerships, and a variety of other professional and engagement opportunities in Harrisonburg, Northern Virginia, and beyond. We are always cultivating new partnerships, so be in touch with the AAAD Internship Coordinator Dr. Case Watkins (watki2ac@jmu.edu) to learn more.

Our internship course, AAAD 401: Internship in African, African American and Diaspora Studies provides students with opportunities to earn university credit for their internships, applying knowledge learned in the classroom to professional and community-based settings. It provides valuable experience and prepares students for working independently in the field.

The AAAD minor also offers several internal internship opportunities every year. AAAD Administrative Interns, typically serving for a full academic year, support the director of AAAD Studies Center and other AAAD faculty by contributing to campus and local events, academic programming, visiting scholars, and the annual AAAD conference, and maintaining a social media presence for the minor. AAAD Media and Marketing Interns, also serving for a full academic year, support the Center and its minor programming by designing promotional and recruitment materials for our events and social media platforms. Please contact the AAAD Internship Coordinator if you are interested in learning more or applying.

Individual AAAD faculty members also periodically offer their own AAAD Research Internships, designed to bring AAAD minors into the research life of the AAAD program by providing opportunities to collaborate with faculty on their projects. By enrolling in AAAD 401, research interns earn academic credit for their work supporting an AAAD faculty member’s research, teaching, or service project. In the process, research interns will deepen their knowledge and skills in their area of interest, while experiencing what it means to be part of an intellectual community engaged in research and professional development, and gaining a competitive edge on future job, fellowship, or graduate school applications. Available research internships will be announced to minors. Students are also welcome to reach out to faculty to inquire about possible research projects and internships.

Learn about some of our past interns.