By expanding access to paid internships, WE donors are opening doors to hands-on learning and career-shaping opportunities for Elon students.
Internships are among the core tenants of an Elon education, providing critical real-world experience and work opportunities for students. But often, internships are unpaid and therefore inaccessible. Since 88% of Elon students complete at least one internship prior to graduation, The Women of Elon (WE) saw an opportunity for impact and thus created the Women of Elon Internship Fund.
Already, the fund has raised over $2.1 million toward their $2.5 million Spring 2026 goal. Elon’s goal is to raise the endowed funds necessary to make internships 100% accessible for any student who wants or needs one. And with help, Elon can further the impact, helping students like senior Nailah Ware.
Ware completed a transformative internship experience in Los Angeles with event technology company ShowPro, courtesy of the innumerable Elon donors who believe in experiences like hers. At ShowPro, Ware assisted with high-profile events like the TikTok Summit, a physics and astronomy convention at Hudson Loft, and Netflix Summer Break (NSB).
“My favorite project was NSB, where I learned to fly line array speakers, mic performers and collaborate with the stage manager in a fast-paced, professional environment,” Ware says. “These experiences helped me build both technical and interpersonal skills and confirmed my passion for becoming an Audiovisual Technician.”
Laurie Johnson P’17 is among those donors invested in Ware’s success. A co-chair of the WE Advisory Council, Johnson and husband Rich Johnson ’87 P’17 endowed a need-based internship scholarship in support of current and future Elon students.
“I believe internships are invaluable for students because internships provide practical experience in a real working environment,” Johnson says. “I also believe that internships help students build confidence in their chosen field and in their skills related to that field. Lastly, internships can help a student build a cadre of professional relationships which continue to support them and their career goals.”
The minimum gift commitment to establish an endowed internship fund at Elon is $50,000. This can be paid over five years and generates approximately $2,250 in annual support. During this initiative, women are encouraged to gather a group of friends and pool their resources to create a collective endowed internship fund. For more information about making an endowed gift, please contact Emily Majmudar, director of development. Online tax year-end gifts must be made by midnight on Dec. 31. Read more about other ways of giving here.
For donors wanting to support the effort but not at the endowment level, annual gifts can be made to the Women of Elon fund. These gifts go directly to supporting Elon interns with current needs.
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The Women of Elon (“WE”) are a diverse network of alumnae, parents and friends dedicated to providing transformational support for Elon students. Together, we will grow an inclusive culture of philanthropy and expand our impact on campus and beyond.