Chapel Executive Internship Program

Chapel Executive Internship Program
Chapel Executive Internship Program

What is the Chapel Executive Internship Program?

The Virginia Todd Chapel Executive Internship Program provides $6,000 to Liberal Arts students completing full-time, in-person internships in the business or private sector.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Current undergraduate student at Penn State University Park
  • At least one declared Liberal Arts major
  • Completed at least 59.1 credits (fifth-semester standing)
  • Minimum 3.0 grade-point average
  • Offer for a full-time internship (paid or unpaid) in the business or private sector (virtual internships not eligible)

Strongest consideration will be given to students who have not previously received funding from the Chapel Executive Internship Program, students who complete the application prior to the deadline, and students who articulate the ways in which their Liberal Arts education will impact their internship experience and career goals.

Associate Dean Page, Jinnie Chapel, John Chapel, and Clarence Lang with the 2022 Chapel Interns
Associate Dean Page, Jinnie Chapel, John Chapel, and Clarence Lang with the 2022 Chapel Interns

How do I apply?

To apply for the Chapel Executive Internship Program and all other enrichment funding offered by the College of the Liberal Arts, students must fill out the Enrichment Funding application.

When applying, students will be asked to provide the following information:

  • Details about the internship experience (location, salary, coordinator contact information, etc.)
  • Formal offer letter from the internship
  • Description of the internship (title, name of organization, what you will do for the company, etc.)
  • Information on how this internship experience will support your overall career goals
  • Information on why your internship is unique and worthy of support
  • Information on any financial circumstances the Career Enrichment Network should be made aware of
  • List of expenses tied to the completion of your internship
  • Résumé/CV

What is the application deadline?

Fall
Spring
Summer
September 1
December 1
April 18

Students must submit their application prior to the deadline for the semester they are completing an internship. For example, students completing an internship in the fall must submit their application before September 1. Applications will be reviewed and awarding decisions will be made within two to three weeks.

What happens if I am selected for the program?

Students selected as recipients will receive $6,000 deposited into their Penn State student Bursar account the semester their internship takes place. Students who are not selected for the internship program will automatically be considered for our general Liberal Arts enrichment funds. There is no need to submit a separate application.

Program requirements may include:

  • Participating in a pre- and post- career readiness assessment including required internship supervisor feedback.
  • Writing a letter thanking the donors responsible for the award.
  • Submitting short reflections of the internship experience including a summary, networking and mentoring opportunities, career goals, and career and professional development.
  • Completing the Clifton Strengths assessment.
  • Submitting a student profile.
  • Developing content to begin professional portfolio: résumé review, LinkedIn account feedback, elevator pitch video, headshot and internship photos, etc.

Lastly, Chapel Executive Interns are expected to attend an event with the Chapels during the fall semester. Details about this event will be provided in advance.

Meet the Chapels

Virginia (Jinnie) Todd Chapel is a 1965 Penn State graduate with a degree in English and member of the Liberal Arts Development Council. Jinnie had a successful career with the management consulting firm of Booz Allen Hamilton and later became a partner in LeapFrog Solutions, a marketing communications management firm, based in Fairfax, Virginia. Her husband, John Chapel, is a graduate of Drexel University, and today he is president and CEO of White Hall Capital LLC, a Northern Virginia-based private equity investment firm.

The Chapels started The Virginia Todd Chapel Executive Internship Program with leadership gifts creating an endowment now valued at $2.5 million. This funding, partnered with a previous gift, supports premium internships in the private sector for Liberal Arts students who excel academically and who seek high-quality career development opportunities.

Virginia and Todd Chapel
Virginia and Todd Chapel
Kayla Lynch holds a graduation cap while standing outside Old Main in a white dress.
Chapel InternsEconomicsInternship

Kayla Lynch

’25
Economics
Economics
Kayla was a participant in the Chapel Executive Internship Program the last two years, which gave her the opportunity to work at future employer Marex. In 2024, she served as a risk management intern, where she worked under senior leadership at the world’s largest privately owned nonbank futures commission merchant and monitored and analyzed the risk of large portfolios while producing daily risk reports of each portfolio.
Ben Lindgren stands in front of the Whole Foods Market logo at company headquarters in Austin, Texas.
Chapel InternsInternship

Ben Lindgren

’26
International Politics
|
Community, Environment, and Development
|
Spanish (minor)
International Politics
Community, Environment, and Development
Spanish (minor)
Ben spent this past summer in Austin, Texas, working in corporate sustainability as an intern with Whole Foods Market and Amazon. In his role, he assessed the sustainability practices of Whole Foods’ private-brand suppliers, from farm operations to processing facilities, in support of Amazon’s company-wide decarbonization strategy.
Katie Dallas stands outside of the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, flashing two peace signs.
Chapel InternsInternship

Katie Dallas

’26
English
|
Women's Studies (minor)
English
Women's Studies (minor)
As a purpose communications intern, Katie assisted in shaping the storytelling surrounding Nike’s “Great Place to Work” campaign and “People, Planet, Play” framework. The “Great Place to Work” campaign highlighted Nike as a positive work environment, especially for sports lovers. Katie helped create messaging, drafted content and analyzed logistics for the campaign, leading Nike to reach over 22 million Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers on social media.
Katie Dallas stands outside of the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, flashing two peace signs.
Chapel InternsEnglishInternshipWomen's Studies

Katie Dallas

’26
English
|
Women's Studies (minor)
English
Women's Studies (minor)
Katie said her English studies helped prepare her for the technical and creative writing that went into the internship at Nike, while her women’s studies minor gave her a deeper background in the areas that she focused on, such as encouraging young women to persevere and thrive in sports.
Jiawen Zhang sits on a ledge in a Chinese garden during the summer, holding a fan to her face.
Chapel InternsInternship

Jiawen Zhang

Economics
|
Energy, Business, and Finance
|
Philosophy
|
African Studies
|
Sociology (minor)
Economics
Energy, Business, and Finance
Philosophy
African Studies
Sociology (minor)
Jiawen interned with KPMG in China over summer 2025. There she worked on multiple client projects, including Shanghai’s tourism sector, by investigating how hospitality businesses navigate regulatory and market fluctuations. “The internship helped me recognize how private sector insights can inform effective public policy, particularly in areas like healthcare systems and international business regulation.”
Bobby Zahorsky stands in front of a white wall wearing a black sweater.
Chapel InternsInternship

Bobby Zahorsky

’26
Economics
Economics
During his internship with JPMorgan Chase, Bobby worked on the cash equities client services and soft dollar teams. His internship went so well that he received a return offer in 2026.
Future Students
CURRENT Students
Graduate Students
Get Funding