RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State University’s Industry Extension Services is proud to announce that the Rural Works! internship program has been named the 2025 University Economic Development Association (UEDA) Award of Excellence winner in the Talent category. This prestigious recognition honors innovative, university-led initiatives that deliver measurable impact in economic development.
Launched in 2018, Rural Works! connects NC State students with competitive, paid internships in rural North Carolina communities, addressing workforce gaps and fostering local economic growth. The program’s success stems from a collaborative effort between NC State’s College of Engineering, the Career Development Center, and Industry Extension Services, the university’s industrial outreach and extension program.
Rural employers—primarily in the manufacturing sector—host summer engineering interns through a cost-sharing model, offering hands-on experience that bridges classroom learning with real-world applications. Beyond technical skills, interns participate in community service, gaining insight into the social and economic challenges faced by the communities where they work. This holistic approach not only strengthens students’ engineering expertise but also emphasizes the broader impact engineers can have in driving community growth and improvement.
Since its inception, Rural Works! has seen remarkable growth:
- Internship Participation: From 19 interns in 2018 to 213 in 2025, illustrating the program’s expanding reach.
- Employer Engagement: In summer 2025, the program partnered with 139 employers across 48 counties, a 35% increase from the previous year.
- Geographic Reach: By 2024, interns had completed 560 placements across 48 counties, highlighting the program’s wide-ranging influence in rural North Carolina.
“Winning the UEDA Award of Excellence is a testament to the power of partnerships and NC State’s dedication to building talent pipelines that support thriving local economies,” said Rebekah Dunstan, director of professional development at the Career Development Center, NC State University. “Rural Works! demonstrates how universities can play a pivotal role in ensuring rural communities have access to workforce opportunities and sustainable economic growth.”
NC State University Industry Extension Services Regional Managers will help employers participate in the Rural Works! Program.
For specific information about Rural Works! visit ncsu.edu/rural-works
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About NC State University Industry Extension Services (IES)
NC State University Industry Extension Services (IES) is the extension and outreach team for the NC State University College of Engineering and administers the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) for North Carolina (NCMEP). IES supports all North Carolina businesses by providing connections, networking with industry experts and helping to identify the resources, tools and customized programs needed to increase productivity, efficiency, quality and profit.
Contact your Industry Extension Services Regional Manager for immediate assistance!
About NC State University Career Development Center
The Career Development Center helps NC State students become standout job candidates. They work with students from their first year on to develop a career path that matches their unique talents, interests, and ambitions, providing resources, programs, and services at every stage of the career planning process.
Contact:
Loree Blue
Director of Marketing and Communications
NC State University Industry Extension Services (IES)
[email protected] | 336.416.6595
