Graduate Student Internship - GEAR UP Kentucky

Term: 2023-24 Academic Year 
Application Due Date:  Oct. 13, 2023 
Location: Predominantly remote position. Applicant must reside in Kentucky.  
Travel: Travel to CPE Office in Frankfort, KY approximately twice a month. 
Compensation:  $18 - $20/hr 
Time commitment:  15-20 hours per week. 

About the Council 

The Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) is Kentucky’s higher education coordinating agency committed to strengthening our workforce, economy, and quality of life. We do this by guiding the continuous improvement and efficient operation of a high-quality, diverse, and accessible system of postsecondary education. 

Internship Description 

The mission of GEAR UP Kentucky, a federal grant program through the U.S. Department of Education, is to increase the number of students in low-income Kentucky communities who are ready to successfully transition to and through postsecondary education. We do this by providing services and support to prepare the whole student and equipping their families, institutions, and communities to promote and sustain student success. Our statewide team serves students, families and schools in 12 school districts and on 9 Kentucky university and college campuses. 

This paid research internship program is designed to provide graduate-level students with an opportunity to work on data analysis and evaluation projects that could impact education policy.  The internship also provides valuable experience working for a Kentucky state government agency.  

Internship Goals 

• Provide data analysis and research opportunities for graduate students who are pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree program from a Kentucky postsecondary institution. 
• Train future data analysts in a relevant workplace. 
• Strengthen the research capacities at CPE and GEAR UP Kentucky. 

Internship Projects 

• Work with internal staff to develop GUK Postsecondary Transition Report to examine  college enrollment and retention of GUK graduating classes and evaluate the impact of GUK services on successful postsecondary transition. 
• Develop GUK Financial Aid Report to examine sources and amounts financial aid awarded to GUK high school graduates. 
• Work with staff at CPE and the National Council on Community and Education Partnership to develop College and Career Readiness Evaluation Consortium report. 
• Contribute data analysis support for GUK’s Annual Performance Report which outlines progress toward project objectives and implementation of project services.  

Benefits 

• Work with unique large-scale administrative data.
• Assist GUK staff with reports and publications. 
• Interact with agency staff and project partners. 
• Earn credits towards their graduate degree, if needed. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s or doctoral students in educational measurement, statistics, program evaluation, research methods, policy analysis, sociology, psychology, higher education, economics, computer science, or other related fields. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with agency staff and project partners. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.). 
• Experience with applying statistical methods. 

Application Instructions 

Interested applicants should submit the following application materials at https://forms.clickup.com/36079846/f/12d276-10471/ASDXN2N6CEI38R7WZL.  

Required Documents

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position, how you satisfy the desired qualification and how the position can help with your graduate program.
• A CV or resume.

Applicants may then be selected for at least one virtual interview prior to being notified of their acceptance into the program. Applicants who are selected then have one week to either accept or decline the internship offer. 

If you are unable to apply through the form above, please email materials to CPE.HR@ky.gov.