Grant will support Michigan-based mobility companies with internships

University of Detroit Mercy’s College of Engineering & Science recently received a $125,000 grant to assist mobility companies in Michigan with their internship programs. 

Awarded by the Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation and MichAuto, the grant is designed to develop future workforce by creating more internship opportunities and providing students the skills to be successful in these roles. The grant runs through May 2027. 

“Internships are a really good way to develop the future workforce for these mobility industries,” said Richard Hill, associate dean for Research and External Initiative for UDM’s College of Engineering & Science. 

With the grant’s support, UDM’s College of Engineering & Science has launched the Readying Professionals in Mobility (RPM) program to provide administrative support for smaller companies and startups in the mobility space. 

Hill said the goal is to help companies with parts of the intern hiring process — such as creating job descriptions, marketing positions and screening potential applicants — as well as professional development. 

“I think that these companies will see that these students have skills and energy that can provide a direct impact, even as interns,” Hill said. “But they’re also developing a future workforce, for the industry in general, but also for their companies.” 

Home to one of the oldest cooperative education programs in the United States, UDM’s College of Engineering & Science hopes to leverage that expertise and experience as RPM works with companies to establish new internship programs. 

Hill sees great value in internships and work experiences and believes they positively impact students. 

“It’s quite motivating to see what you’re learning in the classroom and how it’s applied, but it also provides a deeper understanding of the things you’re learning in the classroom,” Hill said. “It also provides a lot of education that you don’t get in college.” 

Although RPM is being run by UDM, internship opportunities will be available to students at universities and colleges across Michigan. 

“Building capacity for internships and career exposure that are aligned with key corporate partners across the mobility industry is critical to enhancing our talent supply chain, filling critical positions and creating opportunities for smaller companies and startups in the industry to access this skilled talent," said Drew Coleman, senior director of MichAuto. "We are thrilled to partner with Detroit Mercy to strengthen our automotive and mobility industry through the RPM initiative." 

The grant award from the Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation and MichAuto is the College of Engineering & Science's latest initiative to build partnerships with industries. 

Last fall, UDM was one of five institutions in a consortium awarded $2 million from the National Science Foundation in an effort to support industry-sponsored partnerships. 

“We’re trying to build connections between industry and academia for training, research projects and applied projects, but this is also a way that companies can engage with universities, through hiring interns,” Hill said. “It’s part of a larger effort to engage with local companies.” 

UDM’s College of Engineering & Science is in the process of hiring a position to support RPM’s efforts.  

Learn more about the Readying Professionals in Mobility program.