Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Driving Economic Transformation

IALR recognized as 2026 Top Employer for Interns

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IALR recognized as 2026 Top Employer for Interns

IALR recognized as 2026 Top Employer for Interns

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research has been recognized as one of Virginia’s 2026 Top Employers for Interns by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). This recognition reflects IALR’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, paid internship experiences that prepare the next generation of professionals across a range of industries.

SCHEV recognizes employers who provide exceptional internship opportunities for students, helping them develop critical skills and gain real-world experience. Each summer, IALR offers an immersive internship program spanning diverse career fields, including research and data analysis, marketing and communications, economic development, manufacturing engineering, agricultural technology, coding and robotics, IT and more. The internships are designed to provide practical, hands-on experience while interns contribute to IALR’s work of driving economic transformation in Southern Virginia.

2025 IALR Internship Recap 

“We believe experiential learning is essential to workforce readiness,” said Dr. Melanie Lewis, IALR’s Vice President of Advanced Learning. “Being recognized as a top employer for interns highlights the intentional work our team does to prepare students for meaningful careers while supporting the region’s long-term economic growth.”

“Our internships are built around collaboration and impact,” said Jessie Vernon, IALR’s Director of Employer Engagement & Experiential Learning. “Students gain professional confidence and clarity, and IALR benefits from fresh perspectives and motivated contributors.”

IALR is excited to welcome at least 13 interns to its 2026 summer program. Applications for the 2027 program will be posted in the spring of 2027.

In addition to hosting interns, IALR supports Southern Virginia businesses in designing and implementing effective internship programs by providing technical assistance and resources. Internship support is one of many ways IALR’s Advanced Learning division connects employers with talent through work-based learning.

IALR was recognized alongside additional Region 3 award recipients, including:

  • Appalachian Conservation Corps
  • Averett University
  • Danville – Pittsylvania Community Services
  • Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History
  • LE&D Professionals, PC
  • Letterpress Communications
  • Solex Architecture, Inc.
  • The Danville Hotel Collection (The Bee Hotel, The Holbrook Hotel, The Laurel Hotel)
About IALR

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville.

IALR Seeking Businesses to Partner in Work-based Learning Programs 

IALR Seeking Businesses to Partner in Work-based Learning Programs 

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is seeking employers and businesses across Southern Virginia to partner and participate in several work-based learning programs. With varying levels of time and financial commitments, these programs help employers grow the regional workforce and allow students to connect and learn about quality career opportunities in the region.  

“We operate a variety of youth workforce development programs that are mutually beneficial to the participants and the businesses involved,” said Jessie Vernon, Program Manager for Advanced Learning at IALR. “Our programming helps build recruitment pipelines and exposes youth in the region to the opportunities available with area businesses. While we coordinate these programs, they truly would not be possible without the support of our business and community partners.” 

Each of the programs below are part of EmPOWER, an employer-driven system to empower and connect students to careers. Through career awareness, engagement, and experience we can build pipelines of students whose interests and skillsets align with current employer needs and economic development interests. 

Exploring Careers through Industry Teacher Externships (Excite)

IALR is looking for businesses to host teachers or school counselors through Exploring Careers through Industry Teacher Externships (EXCITE), a professional development program operating for educators across 15 counties in Virginia. By placing educators in local businesses through this teacher externship program, IALR helps connect the classroom to the workplace. With first-hand exposure, teachers can design and implement classroom activities, projects and work-based learning opportunities that will add relevance and meaning to students’ classroom learning.  

Participating businesses commit between one and three days during the summer to host an educator. There is no financial commitment associated with this program.  

Businesses interested in hosting an educator this summer can reach out to Jessie Vernon. The deadline to sign up to host an educator is May 19th.  

Host a Teacher

Two women talk with a man in a manufacturing plant.

IGNITE – Internships (already completed) 

IALR is looking for businesses that can host a high school or college intern this summer. Companies will receive project/business support as they mentor and aid in the skill development of a young person and might just train their next hire.  

More than 26,000 students across Southern Virginia have access to MajorClarity, a work-based learning platform where all internships will be posted. This gives businesses access to the best and brightest students across the region. Internship duration and hours are customizable and companies may be eligible for matching funds for the cost of the intern.  

Those interested in hosting a summer intern at their business should complete this online interest form. The deadline to request a summer 2023 intern is April 28th.

HOST AN INTERN

AspHIRE – Meet Your Future Workforce (ALREADY COMPLETED)

IALR is looking for volunteers to participate as mock interviewers or session presenters at AspHIRE mock interview days across Southern Virginia. The mock interview days provide high school juniors and (primarily) seniors an opportunity to hone their interview skills with a local professional. In addition to their interview, students take part in a formal business lunch and six work-readiness sessions. 

The AspHIRE Mock Interview Days will take place at the following locations and times:  

  • South Boston, Southern Virginia Higher Education Center: March 29 & 30 
  • Danville, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research: April 7 & 26 
  • Farmville, Longwood University: April 25 

The minimum volunteer commitment is 1.5 hours, but business professionals and employers who would like to invest more time are welcome. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.  

 

 

KYOCERA ‘Signs’ Integrated Machining Interns as New Employees

KYOCERA ‘Signs’ Integrated Machining Interns as New Employees

Manufacturer of high-performance cutting tools leverages Danville-Pittsylvania advanced manufacturing pipeline for high-quality workforce needs

DANVILLE, Virginia – (April 7, 2022) – KYOCERA SGS Tech Hub has hired three student interns who recently graduated from the Integrated Machining Technology (IMT) third-year capstone program, instructed by Danville Community College (DCC) and housed and financed by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

Students Jonathan Gauldin, Bobby Moran and Joel Oakes celebrated the occasion with KYOCERA by participating in a signing ceremony at the Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining where they received their training. Gauldin, Moran and Oakes will start on April 11 as Setup A technicians, one of KYOCERA’s highest-level grinding positions. They will join Josh Owen, another IMT graduate, who started at KYOCERA as a Setup C technician on April 4.

“To thrive in a highly competitive global market, there needs to be a system in place that creates a workforce for our future,” said Jason Wells, president of KYOCERA SGS Tech Hub. “The unparalleled training and education that Danville Community College and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research have established, allow companies such as KYOCERA to focus on our core business and growth with less focus on skill development. Our elected officials, community leaders, educators and local citizens have put in the hard work to address skilled workforce development needs.”

Kyocera signs interns as employees

L-R, front row: Joel Oakes, Bobby Moran and Jonathan Gauldin; back row: David Gauldin and Jason Wells (KYOCERA SGS Tech Hub), Troy Simpson (IALR), Josh McDowell and Joe Distad (Danville Community College), and Dylan Hardy (IALR)

The IMT program serves as an optional third year of advanced training for completers of two-year precision machining programs or for those with equivalent work experience. The hands-on instruction by DCC takes seven months and is set in a flow cell environment to build true-to-life advanced manufacturing experience and leadership skills. A 90-hour internship fulfills requirements for an associate degree.

“DCC, in partnership with the IALR, is proud to be a leader in the creation of talent for Pittsylvania County and the surrounding region,” said Dr. Muriel Mickles, interim president at DCC. “The IMT capstone program is an excellent example of many ways DCC is supporting the growth of the manufacturing industry here in Danville while ensuring exciting, high-paying jobs for our students.”

The success of the IMT program has grown since its inception in 2015. Noted by Virginia and Arkansas governors and other localities as a benchmark model, the program also helped seal the win of the location bid for the 2018 Haas Technical Education Center Americas CNC Educators Conference. A team of students won last year’s Project MFG National Skilled Trade Championship, and others have won medals at the SkillsUSA Championships.

“The Integrated Machining Technology program is a key aspect of the progressive talent pipeline the Danville-Pittsylvania County region has championed to attract and retain high-performance jobs and industry like KYOCERA,” said Troy Simpson, director of advanced manufacturing for IALR. “We continue to work with KYOCERA and other companies to ensure the curriculum of DCC and the facilities housed and financed by IALR are state of the art and industry-driven.”

Gauldin, Moran and Oakes will bring the following industry-recognized credentials to their new positions at KYOCERA: MCOSMOS C1 and C2, a cutting technology certificate and the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. Other employers who have benefited from these credentialed IMT graduates in the past include FasTech, Piedmont Precision Machine, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, BWX Technologies and others.

“I am extremely proud of all our Integrated Machining Technology graduates and congratulate Jonathan, Bobby, Joel and Josh on their new journey with such an impactful industry as KYOCERA,” said Dr. Betty Jo Foster, interim president at IALR. “I hope their path to successful employment is an example and inspiration to other youth in our area who seek high-quality jobs and meaningful careers. The partnership between DCC, IALR and industry like KYOCERA offers hands-on instruction that leads to job opportunities for our community and workforce solutions for advanced manufacturers.”

KYOCERA has actively supported the region’s talent development efforts. Wells serves in multiple board positions, including the advisory boards for both Danville Community College’s workforce services programs and the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC™) program, a GO Virginia-supported program administered by IALR that educates and trains middle schoolers to post-secondary students on relevant career pathways.

In September 2016, KYOCERA SGS Tech Hub announced it would invest $9.5 million and bring 35 new jobs paying an average annual salary of $65,000 to the Cyber Park, a technology park jointly owned by the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County through the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority (RIFA).

The company broke ground in the spring of 2017 on the 30,000-square-foot manufacturing and research hub, which was designed and constructed by Blair Construction and sits on 10 acres directly across from the campus of IALR. The grand opening was celebrated in September 2019.

For additional photos of the KYOCERA signing ceremony for the three interns/new recruits, visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzJLCB.  

IALR Announces Internship Opportunities

IALR Announces Internship Opportunities

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is pleased to announce and accept applications for the 2020 Summer Internship Program. The program will place 10 interns in meaningful, on-the-job training experiences at IALR in the areas of biotechnology, precision agriculture, economic development, marketing and communications, and talent development.

“Nothing prepares our future talent more for successful career opportunities than real-world, work-based learning experiences,” said Dr. Julie Brown, IALR’s Director of Advanced Learning. “, We are excited to once again offer internship opportunities here at IALR that provide students with significant leadership development, networking, resume-building and skill-building activities and projects.”

To be considered for the eight-week, paid project, candidates must be one of the following: (1) a high school graduate with plans to attend college in the fall of 2020, (2) an undergraduate or graduate level college student or (3) a recent college graduate who completed a college degree within the last 12 months. For the most part, the internship will be completed June-July 2020.

Available internship opportunities include:

  1. Biotechnology to Develop Natural Plant Biostimulants with Dr. Chuansheng Mei
  2. Biotechnology to Develop Natural Plant Pesticides with Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa
  3. Precision Agriculture and Controlled Environment Agriculture with Samantha Smith-Herndon
  4. Agricultural Technology Internship – SMART Table with Daniel Caccavelli (two positions)
  5. Research and Data Analysis for the Southern Virginia Region with Linda Green
  6. Marketing and Communications with Allison Moore
  7. Career Booklet Development for the SOVA Career ChoICE: East and West Expo with Dr. Julie Brown
  8. Smart Manufacturing Workforce Pipeline Research and Marketing for the Southern Virginia Region with Linda Green (two positions)

Interns will receive a stipend of $2,925 paid semi-monthly. The anticipated weekly time commitment is 28 hours, and the IALR mentor will set the work schedule during the intern orientation.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. (EST), Friday, March 13, 2020. The internship application, other information and detailed project descriptions are available at www.ialr.org/internships. For more information, please contact Brown at julie.brown@ialr.org or 434.766.6711, or Elaine Ratcliffe, IALR’s Human Resources Manager, at elaine.ratcliffe@ialr.org or 434.766.6747.

Mitchell Doss, a 2019 IALR summer intern, assisted IALR’s Samantha Smith-Herndon with the precision agriculture drone project. He helped deploy the technology at a regional farm to capture and analyze imagery for more efficient monitoring of crop health and detection of potential problem areas.

Anna Brooks, a 2019 IALR summer intern, worked with fellow intern Kaitlyn Lipscomb and IALR’s Dr. Julie Brown on a talent development project to promote advanced manufacturing and engineering career fields to women. Brooks and Lipscomb conducted focus group sessions and activities with groups of students as part of their work.