For many Worcester State University students, experiential learning opportunities—such as internships, student teaching placements, practicums, and community-based learning experiences—serve as a bridge between the classroom and a future career. These hands-on experiences allow students to apply what they have learned, build professional networks, and gain confidence in their chosen fields.
Yet for many students, participating in unpaid experiential learning opportunities can present a financial challenge.
A $25,000 grant from Santander Bank is helping to remove that barrier. Qualified students who completed for-credit, unpaid experiential learning opportunities will receive a $500 stipend, helping them focus on professional growth while easing financial pressures.
The funding supplements Worcester State Foundation’s longstanding commitment to experiential learning. Each year, the foundation allocates $30,000 to support students participating in unpaid internships, practicums, student teaching, field work, and other community-based learning experiences. Demand for the program consistently exceeds available funding, making Santander’s support especially meaningful.
The grant is part of Santander’s broader investment in education, entrepreneurship, and employability. Through a current two-year funding commitment of $75,000 to Worcester State, Santander is helping students access career-building opportunities, entrepreneurial programming, and study abroad experiences.
“Santander is proud to support Worcester State’s work in the community and its commitment to student success,” said Graham Chapman, Director of Strategic Programs for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Santander Bank. “Our collaboration aligns with Santander’s global investment in education, entrepreneurship, and employability, helping build a more innovative and inclusive economy.”
For students like Safa Khan ’27, the stipend has provided both practical support and affirmation that her hard work is valued. Kahn is pursuing a double major in Business Administration and Economics with a minor in Communications. She chose an unpaid marketing internship with Champion Real Estate to gain hands-on experience in a field she is passionate about while exploring a longtime interest in real estate.
Through the internship, Kahn discovered a new appreciation for the strategy and creativity behind effective marketing.
“Now, when I receive mail in my mailbox, I never look at it the same way,” she said. “I think about the countless hours that went into creating it—the design, the messaging, even the precision of folding the letters.”
The experience also strengthened her professional skills, from learning industry tools to developing the ability to communicate complex information in ways that engage consumers. Because she chose to complete two unpaid internships rather than work a traditional retail job, the stipend arrived at a critical time.
“This support means a lot to me,” Kahn said. “It won’t only help me financially, but it also makes me feel seen and appreciated for the work I am putting in.”
For Emma Estepp ’26, an Early Childhood Education and Disabilities Studies major, experiential learning has helped prepare her for a future in the classroom.
As she completes the field experiences required for her degree, Estepp is already looking ahead to launching her teaching career after graduation. The stipend will help her take one of the first tangible steps toward that goal.
“This stipend will help me begin building the foundation for my future classroom by allowing me to purchase materials and resources that will support my students’ learning,” she said. “I look forward to a long and meaningful career in education, and I am truly grateful for the role this experience and this support has played in helping me get there.”
Stories like Kahn’s and Estepp’s illustrate the transformative power of experiential learning. Beyond academic credit, these opportunities provide students with the confidence, skills, and professional experiences needed to thrive after graduation.
Thanks to Santander’s investment, more Worcester State students can say yes to opportunities that prepare them for meaningful careers and strengthen the communities they will one day serve. By helping students gain real-world experience today, Santander is helping shape the next generation of business leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and changemakers tomorrow.
This story appeared in the 2026 Donor Impact Statement.
