The George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) uses evidence-based practices to tackle the most pressing community challenges in Tulsa, Okla. Recognizing that community challenges are complex and require constant review and evaluation, GKFF works by leveraging a wide array of resources, both public and private, to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children in Tulsa.
The Swearer Center has partnered with GKFF on a unique program that will enable student scholars who are passionate about communities and the challenges they face to gain practical experience working with nonprofit organizations in the region to build on community strengths, address challenges and have a meaningful impact.
Students selected into the Brown in Tulsa program (Kaiser Fellows) will gain hands-on experience at carefully curated internships. Kaiser Fellows will work at non-profit organizations that focus on issues including:
- Parent engagement and early childhood education;
- Breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty;
- Health and family well-being;
- Vibrant and inclusive communities; and
- Criminal justice
We are seeking professional, energetic and capable students to play an integral role in local nonprofit agencies in Tulsa. The Brown in Tulsa Kaiser Fellowship is a unique opportunity for Brown students to learn from some of Tulsa’s most effective community organizations while gaining exposure to the intersection of policy, philanthropy and community engagement.
In addition to their internship, students participate in a cohort-based Fellowship program which will include an orientation, guest speakers, off-site visits and other special opportunities. Students will also complete a series of reflection assignments to ensure that they are applying concepts and transferring knowledge between the classroom and the workplace. At the conclusion of the internship, all interns will prepare and present insights from their summer experience to the GKFF team, Brown in Tulsa staff and agency partners.
Students must commit to working approximately 30 hours per week at their internships and 5-10 hours on place-based co-curricular activities and professional development. Some night and weekend work may be required. Weekly work schedules will be coordinated with the nonprofit agency where the intern is assigned in coordination with Brown in Tulsa and GKFF staff.
Students will receive a $4,000 stipend for their participation in the Brown in Tulsa program. In addition, eligible students may qualify for a $3,200 summer earnings waiver. Students are required to live together as a cohort on campus at the University of Tulsa. Students will be responsible for housing costs (approx. $15 per day) and all transportation expenses.
** Important note about transportation in Tulsa**
The easiest way to get around the city is by car. The city is fairly easy to navigate, as streets are laid out in grid fashion and logically numbered. Parking lots are fairly abundant, and there are street-side meters as well. Students who are over 21 years old are eligible for a discounted rental rate through a partnership between Brown University and Enterprise. Parking is available at the University of Tulsa.
For more guidance on transportation in Tulsa, click here.
The Brown in Tulsa program satisfies the practicum requirement for students participating in the Engaged Scholarship Program.
The George Kaiser Family Foundation places interns in local non-profit organizations. These organizations seek professional, energetic, and capable interns to gain experience and contribute positively.
Specific tasks for the interns may include interacting with clients, research projects, preparing for and conducting site visits, administrative work, public speaking, and preparing for and giving presentations. GKFF and the Swearer Center will coordinate all professional development and co-curricular learning opportunities, which are mandatory for all student participants (5-10 hours per week). At the conclusion of the program, all student interns will prepare and present insights from their summer experience to the GKFF team and agency partners.
Prospective students should review the list of participating organizations for the Summer 2020 term here. The application to the program will ask about student preferences, so students are encouraged to be familiar with this list.
Past summer fellowship placements include:
- Birth Through Eight Strategy For Tulsa (BEST) | GKFF
- Take Control Initiative (TCI)
- Still She Rises, Tulsa: A Project of the Bronx Defenders (SSR)
- Tulsa Public Schools Data Strategy and Analytics Team
- 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Centennial Commission
- Tulsa Housing Authority (THA)
- Oklahoma Policy Institute
- George Kaiser Family Foundation
- Tulsa County Public Defenders Office
- Women in Recovery (WIR)
Summaries of practicum work from Summer 2018 and 2019 fellows can be viewed here.
Second semester sophomores, juniors and mid-year seniors who are returning for the fall semester are eligible to apply. The program is open to students from any concentration. Students must be in good academic standing and available during the entire duration of the program. Graduating seniors (May '19) are not eligible. International students are eligible to apply, but may be subjected to tax withdrawals if their nation of citizenship does not have treaty benefits with the US—please see the Brown payroll office with questions about this.
The Brown in Tulsa Kaiser Fellowship is one of the BrownConnect funded LINK Signature Programs. Students are not eligible to receive more than one LINK award during their time at Brown -- this includes participation in LINK funded Signature Programs (iProv, CCG in NYC or DC, LA Media, BEO Hong Kong, Entrepreneurship in Israel or Sweden, Brown in Washington Summer Fellowship, Brown in Tulsa). Students on financial aid with a summer earnings expectation are eligible to receive one BrownConnect LINK award and one SEW award, referred to as a LINK/SEW bundle, during their time as an undergraduate at Brown. United States citizenship is not a determinant of eligibility to apply for funding from BrownConnect.
**Please note that if you are selected for an internship and you choose to accept it, you will be ineligible to receive a LINK award and ineligible for participation in any BrownConnect-funded LINK Signature program in subsequent summers.**
Applications to the Brown in Tulsa Kaiser Fellowship are now closed. Please check back for updates on the next application cycle.
Joaquin Romero, Program Manager, Academic Engagement: [email protected]. Please include “Brown in Tulsa” in the subject line.
