SHEEO seeks candidates for two paid internships for the summer of 2026. We are looking for candidates who are motivated, active learners interested in higher education policy, state governance, and policy analysis. This internship is appropriate for students pursuing a career in higher education, public policy, public administration, and related fields. Your work will center on policy areas that may include college attainment, student success, data systems, workforce development, or higher education finance. Interns will work toward achieving professional goals alongside a talented SHEEO team.
This year, interns will be primarily working on one of the following SHEEO projects: A) advancing holistic advising for student success by using research and evidence to support states in developing policy agendas that improve student persistence, completion, and postsecondary attainment, or B) creating a database of governance structures and conducting research into effective governance functions. Interns will have the opportunity to work on other projects as workload permits.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:
- Create and maintain state policy and news inventories.
- Curate unique data sources for analysis.
- Perform data analysis and discover trends to support publications.
- Assist with active survey administration.
- Generate and review website content.
- Contribute to meeting agenda planning.
- Design and build data visualizations.
- Draft various publications (e.g., blog posts, social media content, reports).
- Complete an independent project using SHEEO resources.
- Attend and assist SHEEO staff with our annual Higher Education Policy Conference.
The internship duration is flexible and will last for approximately 12 weeks, beginning in late May or early June. Interns may work remotely or on a hybrid schedule in our Boulder, Colorado, or Washington, D.C., office. Interns are invited to the Washington, D.C. office at the beginning of the internship. Toward the end of the internship period, interns are additionally invited to attend and help host the SHEEO Higher Education Policy Conference in Chicago, which will be held from August 3-6, 2026. Travel and lodging will be provided and/or reimbursed by SHEEO. Interns are expected to work a minimum of 30 hours per week, with schedules determined by mutual arrangement. Working schedules can be flexible, but should overlap with standard business hours. This internship is paid at $23 per hour.
SHEEO encourages applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
Application Process:
The application deadline is March 8, 2026. Please apply through this website and include the following:
- A cover letter addressing:
- Which SHEEO priorities are most interesting to you?
- Any previous class, work, and/or outside research projects related to higher education policy.
- A resume or curriculum vitae.
- Names and contact information of three professional references. (References will not be contacted until you have given permission for us to do so.)
Application reviews begin immediately following the deadline. Successful candidates will be contacted for an interview in March, and decisions will be made by the end of April.
Learn more about this position and how to apply at https://bit.ly/SHEEOintern26.