How SLU PIC Empowers Students and Local Nonprofits to do Their Best Work
What started with just five interns and a bold idea has grown into the powerhouse that is St. Lawrence University Public Interest Corps (SLU PIC) From sparking curiosity at the North Country Children’s Museum to transforming transportation access in the North Country, our students and alums are creating lasting impact.
The idea for a “North Country vocational corps” first arose in 2014, when then-president Bill Fox ’75 approached Falen and asked if he had any experience building such a program. Falen proposed a year-long post-baccalaureate initiative, but the budget and the available funds didn’t quite match up. They realized they could make a summer program work, however, and launched the first cohort of five interns in 2015 with $30,000 in “seed money funding” from the President’s Discretionary Fund.
For the first three years, this presidential seed funding annually sustained what is now called the St. Lawrence University Public Interest Corps. Since then, generous donations from alumni, parents, and funds from organizations like the Emerson Foundation and the Fresh Sound Foundation, and other friends of the University have helped to raise over $600,000 for both immediate use and endowment development to secure the future of SLU PIC.
The first cohort of five students has grown to anywhere from eight to 12 per summer. Many of the five original partner organizations–GardenShare, the Boys and Girls Club of Ogdensburg, Renewal House, Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY), and the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce–still participate but Falen, Downing-Duke, and a committee of dedicated alumni have added 22 others through the years, including the NCCM, United Helpers, the St. Lawrence Land Trust, St. Lawrence County Arts Council, the St. Lawrence Community Development Program, and more.
There are now 72 alums of SLU PIC, many of whom, have dedicated their careers to mission-driven work in public service and advocacy.
Learning While Serving
From play facilitator to social media strategist, Alexandria Nye '26 wore many hats during her SLU PIC internship at the North Country Children’s Museum. Over the summer, she honed her adaptability while managing events, advancing a major expansion project, and sparking curiosity in young learners. Through SLU PIC, St. Lawrence students like Alexandria gain hands-on nonprofit experience while making a lasting impact in the North Country community.
Connecting Communities, Driving Change
What happens when passion meets purpose? For Sonja Jensen ’19, a summer SLU PIC internship at GardenShare sparked a journey of impact and transformation. Today, she’s St. Lawrence County’s mobility manager, improving transportation access and creating lasting change in her North Country community. Read Sonja’s inspiring story and see how SLU PIC is empowering the next generation of changemakers.
SLU PIC Alums Then and Now
Oscar Castillo ’19 discovered a passion for community organizing through his SLU PIC internship at the North Country Children’s Museum, leading to a master’s degree in museum studies at NYU. Today, as the Executive Director of the NYS Assembly & Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, he channels his SLU PIC experience into impactful work in politics and community engagement. Read about other SLU Pic alums making a difference across industries.
