By Joy Vann
Old ֱ University’s Monarch Internship & Co-Op Office won the 2025 Innovation Award from The Hampton Roads Workforce Council in recognition of its successful efforts to provide students with a variety of internship and work-based learning opportunities, access to resources for professional growth and events and workshops featuring experts who know how to get not just a foot in the door, but a seat at the table.
Old ֱ University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D's "Forward-Focused" strategic plan aims for 100% of students to complete an internship or other work-based learning before graduation by 2027. Barbara Blake, executive director of internships and co-ops, said the University is poised to do that as evidenced by the award from the HRWC which oversees workforce development programs throughout the region.
“This Workforce Innovation Award from the Hampton Roads Workforce Council recognizes our broader work-based learning initiatives and regional partnerships that expand paid, high-quality internship opportunities that keep ODU students in Hampton Roads,” said Blake, who is also a research fellow with the university’s Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy. “We are so honored because this is the first time ODU has been honored in the history of the awards.”
She added that the office is growing, offering more ways to connect with students with demanding schedules to internships.
The Virtual Internship Office opened as an offshoot of the internship office in September and while not part of the nomination process for this award, Blake said that if is further evidence of how important it is to Old ֱ University to prepare students for life after college.
“Through our office and the new Virtual Internship Office, we place students in every industry in Hampton Roads, from shipyards to hospitals to libraries and classrooms to media outlets,” she said. “Our students go through a process starting with resume building and creating a solid LinkedIn account before exploring possibilities and different career paths.”
Shawn Avery, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, said the work being accomplished at the Monarch Internship & Co-Op Office shows how ODU is leading the way in developing pathways to success for its students while creating dynamic workforce solutions for Hampton Roads.
“The Hampton Roads Workforce Council has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with ODU and we are thrilled to recognize the impact that Barbara and the internship office team have accomplished,” Avery said. “The commitment that ODU has shown to its students’ success and to the continued ֱ growth of Hampton Roads will be felt for decades to come.”
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