ProX interns Spend Summer Working (And Learning) at Rockhurst University

This summer, nine Kansas City-area high school students are getting a crash course in the day-to-day business of higher education.

They are taking part in the ProX program, which offers school credit and paid internships to local high school students who spend part of their summer embedded at area organizations. It’s the third year that Rockhurst University has hosted ProX interns, who will serve in departments ranging from admissions to facilities, community outreach to exercise science.

There are benefits to the students beyond the obvious — a summer job and credits needed for their diploma. But students are also looking to the ProX experience to provide the kind of real-world experience and career exploration that will help them in college and their careers.

“I got to see all of the opportunities that we had,” during the application process, said Paisley Ofori. “And from the description of the positions available at Rockhurst I thought I could build the skills that I already have and also learn new skills.”

Ofori will be part of the community relations and outreach office this summer, helping to build a portal for community resources, including those available at Rockhurst.

Another ProX intern, Jeremiah Washington, said he hopes working in the University’s community relations office gives him an opportunity to not only learn about their work but get connected with the broader landscape of nonprofits and community organizations in Kansas City for networking and knowledge gathering. The opportunity to make a real impact was also appealing, he said.

“I’m really excited for the community piece of this because I really want to advocate for people who can't advocate for themselves,” he said.

There are benefits to the University, too. Alicia Douglas, director of community relations and outreach, said hosting ProX students not only gives campus additional energy during the less busy summer months, but it also provides a critical link back to the larger Kansas City region.

“We are connecting back to the community,” she said. “These students come from high schools all over the metro, so it’s another opportunity to tell our story.”