A unique and immersive paid internship designed to provide undergraduate students in the College of Education the opportunity to study, live and work in Harlingen, Texas.

Students accepted into the internship program will gain valuable, real-world experiences in Harlingen CISD classrooms and volunteer at United Way community nonprofits during the Summer 2025 internship session.

The HEH summer internship has required virtual and in-person components in the spring and early summer of 2025.

Accepted students will receive a confirmed list of required activities by Friday, March 1.

Students will also participate in required virtual preparation activities with the cohort and HEH course instructor before and after the five (5) weeks in Harlingen. Interns will be asked to complete written assignments designed to reflect on their personal learning and career goals, as well as how the HEH internship connects to them. All assignments must be completed by Thursday, July 10.

Students must be in Harlingen, Texas for five (5) weeks, from Monday, May 27 (move-in) through Saturday, June 28 (move out).  While dates and activities are still being finalized, a likely schedule is:

• Required HCISD orientation will occur on Tuesday, May 27, and classroom internship placement begins the same day and runs through Thursday, June 26.
• Internship hours: Monday – Thursday from 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Fridays from approximately 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• A South Padre Island celebration trip is scheduled for Friday, June 27.

Students will also participate in required virtual preparation activities with the cohort and HEH course instructor before and after the five (5) weeks in Harlingen. Interns will be asked to complete written assignments designed to reflect on their personal learning and career goals, as well as how the HEH internship connects to them. All assignments must be completed by Thursday, July 10.

Working closely with dedicated HCISD teachers, HEH interns will provide accelerated reading and math support to elementary and middle school-aged students on a daily basis M-Th, 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

On Fridays, students will participate in additional, half-day, community-based field experiences to better understand the unique cultural context of the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

HEH interns have the opportunity to participate in weekend and evening activities such as exploring South Padre Island, visiting heritage sites and museums and immersing in local community events.

HEH interns are matched with an HCISD Mentor Teacher who will guide and support your work. Each mentor teacher will provide accelerated learning tools and professional development to inform your work with students in a classroom setting.

Through spring in-person orientation meetings and summer virtual meetings, College of Education instructors will guide HEH interns through required self-evaluations and other assignments. This will allow interns to reflect on HEH experiences and ensure support throughout the internship. The designated COE instructor will serve as a liaison and primary point of contact for any questions or issues that arise while in Harlingen.

No credit is given for the course.

Accepted students will register for EXP 000/080: Internships & Career Experiences, a free, zero-credit course offered through Texas Career Engagement to help students develop professional skills and identify personal career interests and preferences based on their experiences.

The course will show up on a UT Transcript. Taking this course provides students the option to maintain enrollment and access to UT Austin Libraries, ITS services, University Health Services and other University services.

The HEH internship cannot be substituted for any other internship required by your major. This is a stand-alone experience.

Students in the program will receive a $2,000 Dean’s Community Service Award stipend to significantly defray associated travel, housing, meals and other costs.

Students will be employees of HCISD at an hourly rate of $12/hour, earning approximately $1,650 for the five (5) weeks.

HCISD will also be providing nearby housing accommodations at free/reduced rate for those who need it.

Up to 15 COE students will be accepted and placed at an elementary school campus.

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Education who has a second-year standing or higher who is not graduating in May 2025.
• Be part of a teacher preparation program (e.g. elementary, urban teachers, special education) OR a Youth & Community Studies major.
• Have a 2.5 GPA or higher.
• Are available to live and work in Harlingen, Texas from Monday, May 26, 2025 (move-in) through Saturday, June 28, 2025 (move-out).

Admitted HEH students will be employed by HCISD, and as such will be required to complete a background check (including fingerprinting), as well as show proof of tuberculosis vaccination before May 27, 2025.

Eligible students will receive an invitation from the College of Education dean, Charles R. Martinez, Jr., in early January with a personalized link to the online application.

The application opens Wednesday, January 15, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5.

Applicants will be notified of their status no later than Friday, February 28 at 5 p.m. and must confirm acceptance of placement by Wednesday, March 5 at 5 p.m.

Please email coe-hookem@utexas.edu for followup information.