Student Activities & Leadership Development (SA/LD)
Contact Information
Student Center
201
(860) 832-1990

Club Central

CORQ

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Student Activities/Leadership Development Graduate Internship Program

Launch Your Career in Student Activities at Central!

Are you passionate about student activities, leadership programs, multicultural events, or building campus community? Central Connecticut State University’s Department of Student Activities & Leadership Development (SA/LD) is hiring graduate interns for a two-year, hands-on professional experience.

For decades, SA/LD has helped emerging professionals gain the skills, mentorship, and confidence they need to build successful careers in Student Affairs and Higher Education. Many of our interns go on to full-time roles in student engagement, leadership programs, campus events, and higher ed administration.

How to Apply

Submit all materials using our online application

You will be asked to upload:

  • Current resume highlighting student leadership experience
  • One (1) recommendation letter, may be emailed directly to Lisa Baxter-Rincon, MBA — lbaxter-rincon@ccsu.edu
  • Academic transcript (unofficial is fine)

At a Glance

What You’ll Gain
  • $20,000 annual stipend for 12 months (subject to increase soon, per Board of Regents!)
  • Tuition fee waiver for part-time graduate study
  • Professional development support, including:
    • Membership in the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA)
    • Subsidized national conference participation
  • A two-year experience designed to prepare you for a career in Student Affairs
Eligibility
  • Must apply separately to – and be accepted into – a Central or another CT State University graduate program.
  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, typically beginning in February.
  • You may apply for the internship before being admitted to graduate school. Graduate school acceptance will be checked prior to an official offer being made.
Additional Options
  • Using the same online application, you can also apply for graduate internships in Campus Recreation and the Student Center.
Questions?

What Interns Do: The Experience

SA/LD supports 100+ student clubs, leadership programs, campus traditions, and training initiatives that help students grow, connect, and belong at Central. Graduate interns serve as key members of our professional staff and help us deliver these experiences.

Core Responsibilities

Functional Area Advising (each intern is assigned at least one of the following areas):

  • Student Government Association & committees
  • Culture, Faith, Social Justice, and Affiliation Groups (Mosaic Center)
  • Central Activities Network (Campus Program Board)
  • Small but vibrant Sorority & Fraternity Life
  • Late-Night Programming

Student Engagement & Leadership

  • Advise 20+ student organizations
  • Support large-scale events including Weeks of Welcome, Homecoming, and Family Day
  • Assist clubs with travel planning and off-campus excursions
  • Help facilitate trainings, workshops, and the fall/spring club fairs
  • Contribute to social media, marketing, and storytelling
  • Supervise student employees
  • Manage student activity fee budgets
  • Participate in on-call weekend rotations

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, with occasional nights and weekends
Length: 2 years, with renewal after year one

Who We’re Looking For

We seek graduate students who are:

  • Engaged, coachable, and committed to student development
  • Interested in pursuing a career in Student Affairs or adjacent industries
  • Ready to contribute to a fast-paced, collaborative team

Applicants must:

  • Have a Bachelor’s degree by June 2026 with a minimum 2.70 GPA
  • Get accepted into a CT State University graduate program, including but not limited to the M.S. in Student Development in Higher Education program at Central
  • Be available to start in late May 2026
  • Have experience in student activities, recreation, orientation, or similar roles
Note:

Graduate programs may require additional materials (essay, three recommendation letters, official transcripts). You may reuse the same recommendation letters for both applications.

Application Process

  1. Attend an optional information event (Graduate Open House or Internship Fair)
  2. Apply to both the internship and your graduate program 
    Submit all internship materials using our online application
  3. SA/LD reviews your application materials
  4. Selected applicants receive interview invitations (virtual or on-campus)
  5. Offers are made
  6. Internship and graduate classes begin in late May/early June