Chamber Awarded Community IMPACT Award for Work-Based Learning Initiatives
The South Bend Region’s commitment to creating high-quality work-based learning experiences was well-celebrated during Work and Learn Indiana’s 2023 IMPACT Summit featuring the 17th Annual IMPACT Awards on February 21.
The South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce was selected as the David R. McKinnis Community Partner. The Indiana Chamber recognized the South Bend Regional Chamber as “a relentless advocate for supporting work-based learning opportunities for Indiana students and engaging employers in strategies to support its local talent pipeline. While traditionally representing the local business community, the South Bend Chamber is also widely regarded for the leadership and coordination it brings to the entire talent ecosystem of the region – playing a critical role as a coordinator and intermediary for local schools, postsecondary institutions and the broader business community.”
Two Center for Civic Innovation at the University of Notre Dame summer 2022 interns were recognized: Alex Lefever (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology) was named College Intern of the Year and Arda Kurama (Penn High School) was named High School Intern of the Year. The Center for Civic Innovation nominated Lefever because of his skills in project management, independent and collaborative problem solving, and quick thinking. Not only that, Lefever took initiative with project partners and maintained and fostered positive relationships in the community. Kurama was part of the Michiana Community Health Coalition team, which was tasked with interviewing Community Health Care workers to learn how to best support them in their work. In these interviews, Kurama was intentional about listening to the health care workers and making sure the team understood the needs of the project by engaging community partners with clarifying questions.
In addition, Kate Lee, Executive Director of Education and Workforce, presented a session on how to “Connect the Dots to Build Your Internship Ecosystem,” sharing the foundation and evolution of the South Bend Regional Chamber’s Intern South Bend Region and Summer Connect programming, which launched in 2014 and has impacted more than 1,100 interns to date. “This year’s event highlighted the remarkable opportunities created when students and employers come together,” says Todd Hurst, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Excellence. “Work-based learning is pivotal in helping the next generation of Hoosier workers excel and it was a pleasure to showcase the fruits of these efforts.”
Presented by Work and Learn Indiana, The 2023 IMPACT Award winners were selected by an impartial judging panel from over 150 nominations.