Eight summer Study USA Charlotte students were awarded funds for the Elon University Queen City Internship Grant.
Students completing unpaid internships in Charlotte this past summer were awarded the Queen City Internship Grant to help fund their Study USA Charlotte experience.
Through generous donations, the grant supports students participating in registered, unpaid internships in the Charlotte metro region. The grant is available through Elon’s National Campus Programs in coordination with the Student Professional Development Center (SPDC). Elon opened its Charlotte campus in September 2023. The recipients were from a variety of majors including music production and recording arts, accounting, journalism, strategic communications, sports management, cinema and television arts, marketing, and finance.
Selena Babiiha ’26
Selena Babiiha ’26 worked as a studio intern at one of the most recognized studios in Uptown Charlotte, Platinum Plus Recording Studios. Babiiha used her grant funds to help pay for her transportation to and from her internship.
“As an international student, I was initially worried about how I would be able to commute in a new area without my car in the country,” said Babiha. “Navigation within Charlotte, especially to and from my workplace, has been made so much easier because of the grant. I have been able to cover transport costs in a situation where my internship has been unpaid.”
The internship at Platinum Plus taught her new “music creation, experimentation and branding skills” including “recording and editing audio sessions, assisting with client intake and scheduling, music production support, studio promotion and social media assistance, mixing and mastering assistance and studio maintenance through cleanliness and cable management for sessions.”
Tyler Strenk ’27
Tyler Strenk ’27 worked as a marketing intern with the American Cornhole League. Strenk gained hands-on experience in video editing, videography, and marketing, and he appreciated the chance to take on meaningful projects while collaborating with other interns.
“The internship has helped me strengthen my technical skills, build confidence, and learn about sports broadcasting and storytelling in a fast-paced, real-world environment,” said Strenk. “It’s been an incredibly valuable opportunity that’s helped clarify my interests and shape the next steps in my career path and I really appreciate the grant funds.”
Katie Strohl ’26
Katie Strohl ’26 interned with Special Olympics North Carolina, where she supported event planning, volunteer coordination and community engagement. She helped recruit and manage volunteers, plan large-scale events like Camp SOAR, and support athletes across Mecklenburg County.
“Every day, I’ve applied skills developed throughout my Elon coursework, such as organization, communication, and adaptability to real projects that made a direct impact on this organization,” said Strohl. “This experience has solidified my passion for event management and inclusive programming, and it has helped me see how I can turn that passion into a career. I now feel more confident in my professional abilities and inspired to pursue a future where I can combine my interests in hospitality, service and community development. I’m very grateful to the donors that made this all possible – it has meant the world to me.”
Garek Johnson ’26
Garek Johnson ’26 was a development intern at Make-A-Wish. The experience allowed him to get a better understanding of his preferred field of work, while also aligning him towards a future career post-graduation.
“My favorite part of the internship was hearing about the stories of children impacted by the work at Make-A-Wish,” said Johnson. “Hearing these stories inspired me to go above and beyond in all of my projects.”
Johnson said that the Study USA program allowed him to build connections with his peers from Elon. “I believe these connections are ones that will last through the years,” he said.”
Vinny Weinkam ’26
Vinny Weinkam ’26 also interned at Make-A-Wish. He learned about fundraising, Microsoft Excel, donor relations and more. He was tasked with creating a new invoice system for the Make-A-Wish team. He was able to dedicate time to this because of the grant he received.
“This has been one of the most fun summers ever,” said Weinkam. “The city of Charlotte has so many things to offer, and it really feels like home. I really do appreciate the opportunity I had and thank every donor that made this possible!”
Kaelyn Elien ’26
Kaelyn Elien ’26 had a busy summer interning with the Athletic Communications Department at Queens University.
“From writing player bios and conducting interviews to producing engaging content with platforms like Box Out and SIDEARM Sports, I’ve strengthened my storytelling skills while learning how to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment,” Elien said.
A highlight of her internship was writing a feature article on MLB draft pick Landry Jurecka, a unique and exciting opportunity that used her journalism training in a real-world setting.
For Elien, this internship clarified her career path and “gave me the confidence to move forward into my senior year with renewed passion and purpose. I am so appreciative of the donors whose support made this summer experience in Charlotte possible; it has truly been a transformative step toward my future.”
Lucy McAfee ’26
Lucy McAfee ’26 interned at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) as a Student-Athlete Development intern. McAfee said she gained a better understanding of the student-athlete experience beyond competition, “learning about areas such as compliance, career development, and overall athlete support.”
She also explored current issues in college athletics, such as the House settlement and the SCORE Act, which sparked her interest in how legislation and policy impact college athletics. This internship has solidified her passion for working in collegiate athletics and she is excited to continue learning and contributing to this field.
Anna Hackett ’26
Lastly, Anna Hackett ’26 also interned at the ACC as a Strategic Communications intern. She had the opportunity to work in multiple sports, including women’s field hockey, swimming, basketball, soccer and men’s cross country. Her responsibilities included, using Adobe InDesign to update team profiles, statistics, and 2024–25 season accolades and she also had the privilege of supporting the planning and execution of the 2025 ACC Football Kickoff, coordinating social media content, graphics, and on-site operations for 68 ACC student-athletes and 17 coaches.
During the 2025 Football Kickoff in July, she was responsible for creating social media content featuring a student-athlete from each of the 17 ACC universities. The internship solidified her passion for pursuing a full-time career in sports communication following graduation.
“I am deeply grateful to the donors for their generosity in making this experience possible. I learned valuable lessons, gained real-world experience, and further developed my desire to work in sports communication—all of which would not have been possible without their support,” said Hackett.
Applications are currently open for the summer and fall 2026 Study USA Charlotte programs. Students can apply through the Study USA website. Students interested in the Study USA Charlotte programs are also encouraged to attend the upcoming Meet and Greet or Mini Fair.
The Study USA Charlotte Meet and Greet is Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 3-5 p.m. in Irazu Coffee in Moseley Center. The Study USA Mini-Fair is Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 3-5 p.m. in McKinnon F in Moseley Center. All of the Study USA cities will be represented (CLT, LA, NY, DC) at the Mini Fair.