(L-R) Amari Wells, Draylon Mathis, Alyssa Johnson, Ryan Ewell, Kametrice Gray, Kendall Payne, Christina Brieno, William Hunter, and Briana Birdine were among those involved in the Conrad Leadership Internship Program this year.

By Lin Lofley

The Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Internship Program, open to qualified college students, sent 11 undergrads to various Departments and Offices on the UT Southwestern Medical Center campus over the summer.

The Conrad Program offers its charges an opportunity to experience life in an upper-level academic setting, mostly working in areas that mirror to their educational track in college. It is open to college students who reside across District 23, served by State Sen. Royce West of Dallas.

Kimel Hodges, Assistant Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion and Equal Opportunity, lauded the contributions of the program, which now has sent nearly 200 interns to UT Southwestern. The program is named for Dr. Emmett J. Conrad, a renowned African-American physician, civic leader, and education activist who passed away in 1993.

“These are bright, talented students who are receiving a great benefit through mentorship, practical work experience and the relationships they develop,” Ms. Hodges said. “The Conrad program gives students a strong foundation that prepares them for their future careers, and we’re delighted to help provide opportunities for them. Special thanks goes to each and every hosting department for investing in these students.”     

All of the students learn the basics in their areas of employment, but often advance to take on meaningful opportunities to contribute during their summer internships. The program also offers mixers that bring together interns in a variety of programs across the campus, and luncheons with faculty members who explain health and wellness topics.

One goal of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and Equal Opportunity is to expand the program to provide more slots for interns.

The 2016 program wrapped up with a luncheon for the Conrad interns, at which each department’s summer workers talked about their experiences. The family of the late Dr. Conrad was welcomed to the luncheon, as was Lajuana Barton, Chief of Staff to Sen. West.

Across the region, UT Southwestern and the more than 30 businesses, agencies, and institutions hosted the interns in this summer. The students who served Conrad internships, along with their college affiliation and the UT Southwestern entity or program in which they gained experience, are:

Courtney Austin, UT Austin; and Chelsea Classo, University of North Texas, Department of Emergency Medicine.

Briana Birdine and Kendall Payne, Texas Tech University; and William Hunter, University of Houston, Department of Physical Therapy.

Christina Brieno, UT San Antonio, Office of Diversity & Inclusion and Equal Opportunity.

Ryan Ewell, Texas A&M University, Office of Human Resources.

Alyssa Johnson, University of North Texas, Office of Accounting.

Kametrice Gray, Wiley College; and Amari Wells, Hampton University, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.