Christian Ford, a junior at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), has been selected for this year’s Tjuana Byrd Internship Program, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA) has announced.
“Designed to remove barriers and expand access to high-demand STEAM careers, this 12-week program continues to create pathways to success for young women across Arkansas. After a competitive application process, 11 outstanding young women were selected for this year’s internship class. Representing a diverse range of colleges and universities across the state, this cohort also boasts the highest average GPA of any internship class to date—an impressive 3.7!” the announcement read.
Ford, who is majoring in hospitality and tourism management, will gain hands-on experience throughout the summer at some of Arkansas’s leading STEAM-focused organizations, including Arkansas Children’s, Arvest Bank, and Southwest Power Pool. She will also participate in networking opportunities, career coaching, and other professional development experiences.
As part of the Girls of Promise® initiative, the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program – named in honor of the WFA’s first Black president – supports woman who belong to a racial or ethnic minority group, or come from an underserved or underrepresented county in Arkansas who are pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (including finance and related fields), according to the WFA’s website.
This 12-week program, in partnership with leading companies across Arkansas, is intentionally designed to expand access and representation in high-demand fields by removing barriers related to cost, social capital, and location. Reflecting the commitment and generosity of our corporate partners, the program provides interns with competitive pay ($15–$20 per hour), free housing, travel stipends, professional networking opportunities, and more—ensuring they are equipped for both professional success and personal growth, the WFA’s website stated.
