Scott Kloeck-Jenson Social Impact Scholars

See the video below to hear from Jackson Brus ’24, an SIS alum, who shares his thoughts on the community living component of the program, public transportation in the Twin Cities, and more!

Internship
Gain valuable experience working ~35 hours per week with a non-profit, public, or for-profit organization that is pursuing a social mission or addressing community needs. Program directors will identify a wide range of potential internships related to research, public policy, marketing/communications, program development, community engagement, grant writing, and direct service.

Community Living
Live on a residence hall floor at St. Thomas with other SIS interns, suite-style, as well as other St. Olaf students pursuing summer internships. Students are asked to prioritize time building relationships with other program participants. 

Seminars
Meet with alumni and other community leaders, examine social and community issues, and discuss internship experiences through several seminars with Piper Center staff, alumni, and community leaders.

Career Exploration & Vocational Discernment
Spend time exploring vocational questions and career interests through various aspects of the program through conversation and written reflection with Piper Center staff.

See here for a full list of past SIS participants.

• Interest in exploring a career or vocation related to social impact, community development, public policy, and/or environmental sustainability
• Maturity and leadership potential, including the ability to represent St. Olaf in a professional manner
• Ability and commitment to building relationships and community with other participants who come from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences
• Ability to make meaningful contributions in an internship setting
  • Skills may be demonstrated through academic experience, through past internship, research, student employment, or other employment experience, volunteer work, or campus leadership 
• Interest in and capacity for meaningful reflection and group discussion related to themes such as social change, leadership, and vocation
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Applicants are encouraged to clearly and explicitly address the aforementioned qualifications throughout the various components of their application.

1. Please complete the SIS Google form (click here) as part of your application to the Scott Kloeck-Jenson Social Impact Scholars program. Please note that this form is ONE of THREE required components of the application. Please also note that the internship options will continue to be updated until February 9, so we encourage you to wait to complete the internship site preference part of the application until that time (and prior to 2/18, the application deadline).
2. Apply on Handshake (click here) by submitting your resume
3. Have a faculty member submit a recommendation form (click here) on your behalf. Send your faculty an email with the link to the recommendation form to ensure they can complete it.

• By January 8 – all SIS application materials (see above) will be available for applicants to access.
• By February 9 – internship options will be finalized 
• February 18 – all SIS applications are due and must be complete in order to be considered for the program.
• By February 22 –  select applicants will be invited to sign up for interviews.
• February 26 & 27 – SIS interviews will take place
• February 28 – Notifications will begin to be sent to SIS applicants regarding selection to participate in the program. All students who receive an offer to participate on Wednesday, Feb. 28 must accept or decline by Friday, March 1.
• After March 2 – SIS participants will have a chance to rerank their internship preferences. Program directors will invite each student to apply and interview for 1-3 internships. Students will be placed with specific internships based on the preferences of both the students and the employers. Program directors will continue to support students until every student has secured an appropriate SIS internship.