UND students who intern with InternGF stay in Grand Forks at remarkably high rates, speakers noted at the program’s recent 2026 launch
Sona Lesmeister (left), UND Center for Innovation’s Startup Specialist, and Kinley Anderson, the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp.’s workforce development specialist, welcome guests to the InternGF launch event on Jan. 13. The event was held at the Center for Innovation’s Idea Lab in Grand Forks. Photo by Mark Maliskey, Marketing & Communications manager, Grand Forks Region EDC.
By Haylee Bjork
On Jan. 13, UND’s Center for Innovation and the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp. celebrated the launch of the InternGF program for the upcoming year, hosting a breakfast and presentation that showcased the program’s progress to the UND and Grand Forks community.
Local internships are doing more than filling short-term roles in Grand Forks, speakers at the event noted. They’re shaping career paths, strengthening regional employers and keeping UND talent in the region.
That message was at the center of the event’s presentation of the InternGF program, a nationally recognized funding model designed to help organizations launch new, meaningful internship opportunities while supporting student workforce development.
A funding model built for impact
The InternGF program helps employers offset the cost of hiring interns by reimbursing a portion of intern wages. Startup organizations (within seven years of launch) are eligible for up to 50% wage reimbursement, while established EDC member companies may receive 33% reimbursement.
By lowering financial barriers, the program enables organizations to create new internship roles.
Eight years of measurable results
Since its launch, the InternGF program has funded 172 internships, awarding more than $330,000 in reimbursements. Those funds have translated into nearly $750,000 in real wages paid to UND students who receive InternGF internships.
The reach of the program spans both startups and established companies:
- 56% of funded internships supported startups
- 60% supported EDC member companies
- Many organizations fell into both categories, demonstrating balanced, equitable support across the region
Internships supported by the program span a wide range of disciplines, ranging from engineering and aviation to marketing, finance and creative roles, highlighting both traditional and nontraditional career pathways available locally.
Madelynn Meek, a UND student and former marketing intern for 3 Farm Daughters in Grand Forks, talks at the InternGF launch event about her internship experience. Photo by Mark Maliskey, Marketing & Communications Manager, Grand Forks Region EDC.
Strong outcomes for students
Student feedback consistently reflects the program’s impact. On a 10-point scale:
- Students rated internships 8.5 for applying classroom learning to real-world work
- Students rated 8.4 for growth in professional skills and confidence
Perhaps most notably, internships influence where graduates choose to live and work. Nearly half (46%) of students from the 2018–19 cohorts are still living in Grand Forks five years later, compared to just 12% of UND alumni overall during the same period.
At the two-year mark, 71% of InternGF participants remained in the region, more than triple the general alumni average.
Employer and student voices
Robbie Lunnie, assistant professor of Aviation at UND and the founder of Vertical Works, said that while strong ideas and work ethic are important, community support is often what makes the difference.
“You can have a great idea and work incredibly hard, but that’s not always enough,” he said. “Having mentors and a support system matters.
“InternGF isn’t just about funding an intern; it connects you to people who want to help you succeed,” he continued. “That support made a real difference for me as a startup founder and helps keep talented students in Grand Forks.”
Students echoed the program’s value through personal experiences. Recent graduate and Vertical Works intern, Mateo Garcia, shared how structured reflection and mentorship set his internship apart, helping him see long-term opportunities in Grand Forks that hadn’t previously been on his radar.
Madelynn Meek, a UND student and former marketing intern for the Grand Forks-based 3 Farm Daughters pasta company, described how her internship reshaped her career goals by exposing her to multiple facets of a growing business — from supply chains to retail partnerships — while giving her real responsibility and trust. “It didn’t just prepare me for the real world,” she said. “It helped me better understand where I want to go in it.”
The 2026 InternGF Launch Event took place at the Idea Lab at the Center for Innovation in Grand Forks. Photo by Mark Maliskey, Marketing & Communications Manager, Grand Forks Region EDC.
Building the future workforce
To wrap up the event, Chelsea Mellenthin, director of Career Engagement at UND’s Experiential Learning Center, highlighted key resources available to employers, including using Handshake to share internships and open positions. She emphasized the platform as a one-stop shop for connecting with and recruiting UND talent.
As InternGF continues to align funding cycles with UND and employer hiring rhythms, the goal remains clear: create meaningful internships that benefit students, employers, and the Grand Forks community alike.
By investing in local experiences, the program is proving that internships aren’t just temporary positions; they’re a powerful tool for workforce retention, business growth, and long-term regional impact.
To learn more about InternGF, visit the program’s website.