Cronin Career Scholars Program

Launched in 2024, the Cronin Career Scholars Program stands as the first paid internship program of its kind at UC Clermont. It provides funding and support for UC Clermont students to participate in meaningful, career-focused work experiences. Through the program, Career Services partners with faculty, campus departments, and community employers to create opportunities that allow students to apply what they are learning, build professional skills, and gain valuable experience.

Organizations can work with Career Services to identify or develop opportunities for students within their programs. These opportunities may include projects, internships, research experiences, community-based work, or other meaningful experiences that connect classroom learning to the workplace.

Cronin Career Scholars funding cannot be used to support an experience that is a required component of a student's major or program.

For example, if a student's program requires them to complete an internship, clinical, practicum, student teaching experience, or another specific experiential learning requirement in order to graduate, that required experience cannot be funded through the Cronin Career Scholars program.

However, faculty can still partner with Career Services to develop opportunities that are separate from a required program experience. These opportunities can provide students with additional professional experience and may be especially valuable for students who have not yet had an opportunity to gain career-related experience.

If you have an idea for a student opportunity or would like to explore a potential partnership, please reach out to Career Services. We would be happy to discuss the opportunity and determine how we can support it.

When Milford native Luke Ustick graduated from high school, he didn’t see higher education in his future. Instead, he planned to pursue a trade, and tried different types of work — in siding, windows, landscaping and concrete — for three years, searching for his path.

“With everything, I always wanted more,” Ustick said.

Today, he's served as a pre-fellow in Cincinnati Children's cardiac lab and is preparing to start medical school--thanks in part to the Cronin Career Scholars program.

Read Luke's story.

After leaving college and working retail for several years, Nathan Gorman wanted to find his permanent career path — and took the next step at UC Clermont.

“I had always enjoyed working with computers and had a deep love for movies and television; for how things can be expressed through moving images,” said Gorman, who chose the college's digital media program. “I was fascinated by it and wanted to know how to do it myself. I thought, ‘let’s give this a shot.’”

The Cronin Career Scholars program helped Gorman secure internships in his field to gain hands-on experience and finally bring his future into focus.

Read Nathan's story.

The Cronin Career Scholars Program addresses significant challenges faced by UC Clermont students, such as the financial barriers of unpaid internships. By offering paid opportunities and flexible schedules, the program ensures that students can gain essential experience without compromising their financial stability.

The program is funded by Dennis Cronin, a UC alumnus and local architect who has long supported the cooperative education model. Cronin's commitment to enhancing student opportunities reflects his own experiences with co-ops and his deep connection to UC Clermont.

With the Cronin Career Scholars Program, UC Clermont students are not just preparing for their future careers — they are shaping them. Discover how this initiative is making a difference and learn more about how it can benefit you. For more information about the Cronin Career Scholars Program or to get involved, please contact the Career Services Center.