Myrtle Beach, SC, December 27, 2025
News Summary
Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is pursuing state funding to launch the ‘Teal Works Program,’ which aims to enhance student internship opportunities. By securing $390,000 annually, CCU hopes to alleviate financial barriers for students seeking internships, particularly in high-demand industries. The program will offer stipends of $3,000 for students participating in summer internships, with additional bonuses for those in rural areas. This initiative is part of CCU’s commitment to student career readiness and regional economic development in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Myrtle Beach, SC — Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is actively pursuing state funding to significantly expand its student internship opportunities, a strategic initiative designed to enhance career readiness and reinforce its commitment to leadership development and community impact. This effort highlights CCU’s role in strengthening the workforce and contributing to the economic vitality of the Myrtle Beach area and the broader South Carolina landscape.
The university’s proposal for the new “Teal Works Program” represents a forward-looking approach to higher education, emphasizing the critical value of practical, real-world experience for student success. By seeking dedicated state support, CCU aims to remove financial barriers that often prevent students from pursuing invaluable internship experiences, thereby fostering a more equitable and robust pathway to professional development for all its students.
Coastal Carolina Drives Student Internship Expansion
CCU’s “Teal Works Program” seeks state funding to boost career readiness and regional economic impact for students in Myrtle Beach, SC, college news. This initiative reinforces the institution’s commitment to academic rigor, student growth, and institutional excellence while underscoring its vital role in the community and economic development of South Carolina higher education.
The Push for Expanded Experiential Learning
Coastal Carolina University is exploring avenues for state funding to launch its innovative Teal Works Program. This initiative is designed to bolster student involvement in internships, providing them with critical professional experience before graduation. The university has formally requested $390,000 annually from state legislators to initiate this program within the state budget. The Teal Works Program aims to directly address the financial obstacles that can deter students from undertaking internships, particularly those that may be unpaid or located away from home.
This strategic move places CCU among other prominent South Carolina institutions, including the University of South Carolina and Clemson University, that have successfully implemented state-funded internship support programs. These programs have demonstrated their effectiveness in connecting students with high-demand industries and preparing them for successful careers within the state’s diverse economic sectors.
Empowering Career Readiness Through Stipends
The core of the proposed Teal Works Program is the provision of direct financial support to students. CCU’s model includes $3,000 stipends for approximately 75 students for 10- to 12-week summer internships. Recognizing the need to support development across all regions of the state, an additional $1,000 bonus is proposed for students who undertake internships in rural or underserved areas of South Carolina. These stipends are designed as non-repayable aid, ensuring that students can focus on their learning and professional growth without added financial stress.
The program is specifically targeting placements in industries identified as high-demand within South Carolina, such as healthcare, education, information technology, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, and hospitality/tourism. By focusing on these sectors, CCU aims to align student experiences with critical workforce needs, thereby strengthening the state’s talent pipeline and fostering sustainable economic development.
Comprehensive Career Services and Student Development
Coastal Carolina University’s existing Career Services department plays a pivotal role in preparing students for successful careers and would be central to the administration of the Teal Works Program. Career Services empowers students and alumni by providing personalized guidance, resources, and training opportunities. These services include career counseling, exploration of graduate school options, professional development workshops, resume and cover letter critiques, and mock interviews. The department’s mission is to support the development of career readiness and lifelong success for all members of the CCU community.
The university also has established partnerships, such as the CCU RISE internship program with Partnership Grand Strand, which connects local businesses with student talent for paid internships. This program has already shown significant success, with 50% of participating interns receiving job offers from their employers in both 2024 and 2025. Such initiatives underscore CCU’s commitment to ensuring that its students gain valuable, practical experience that often translates directly into employment opportunities.
Impact on South Carolina’s Educational and Economic Ecosystem
The expansion of internship opportunities through programs like Teal Works contributes significantly to the overall strength of South Carolina higher education. By equipping more graduates with practical skills and professional networks, CCU directly supports the state’s economic ecosystem. This focus on experiential learning complements the extensive research conducted at institutions like the University of South Carolina, which also offers financial supplements for internships in high-demand industries. The University of South Carolina system has provided over $5.2 million in stipends to more than 1,750 students, highlighting the widespread state-level commitment to such programs.
CCU itself has demonstrated considerable momentum, with Fall 2023 enrollment reaching 10,829, marking a 14 percent increase over the past decade. The university’s state appropriations saw a 27 percent increase in fiscal year 2024, totaling $32,495,119, underscoring growing state recognition of its impact. These investments in CCU and similar initiatives across the state are vital for nurturing a skilled workforce and fostering innovation, including areas that may lead to future USC research collaborations or independent projects.
Fostering Leadership and Community Engagement
Beyond career preparation, CCU’s commitment to expanded internships reflects its mission to challenge students to lead boldly and inspire them to make a difference. Experiential learning through internships cultivates crucial leadership skills, personal responsibility, and a deeper understanding of community needs. Programs in departments like Physics and Engineering Science have already demonstrated success in placing students in internships that evolve into full-time employment, creating a direct pipeline for talent into local and regional companies. Marine science students also benefit from hands-on research opportunities using vessels like the “Coastal Discovery” boat, gaining practical experience that impacts coastal ecosystems and communities.
By fostering strong connections between academic pursuits and practical application, CCU not only prepares its students for professional success but also instills a sense of civic responsibility and ethical leadership. This approach ensures that graduates are not only skilled professionals but also engaged citizens ready to contribute positively to their communities, aligning with the values of academic freedom and discipline.
Key Program Features and Goals
The table below summarizes the key features and goals of Coastal Carolina University’s proposed Teal Works Program, alongside state-level context:
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Program Name | Teal Works Program | Coastal Carolina University |
| Annual State Funding Request | $390,000 | State-level |
| Base Student Stipend | $3,000 (for 10-12 week summer internships) | Coastal Carolina University |
| Rural Placement Bonus | Additional $1,000 for internships in rural/underserved counties | South Carolina (State-level) |
| Initial Student Participation Goal | 75 students | Coastal Carolina University |
| Target Industries (Examples) | Healthcare, Education, Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Hospitality/Tourism | South Carolina (State-level) |
| Program Administration | CCU Career Services with dedicated program coordinator | Coastal Carolina University |
| Existing State-Funded Programs (Examples) | University of South Carolina and Clemson University offer similar stipends for internships | South Carolina (State-level) |
The pursuit of expanded internship funding underscores Coastal Carolina University’s dedication to student success and regional development. These initiatives are crucial for preparing a skilled workforce that can meet the evolving demands of various sectors across South Carolina. Readers are encouraged to explore the diverse programs offered by Coastal Carolina University and other institutions within the Myrtle Beach SC college news community, attend campus events, and stay informed about the continuous advancements in South Carolina higher education that contribute to both individual and collective prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coastal Carolina University’s Internship Initiatives
Q: What is the primary goal of Coastal Carolina University’s proposed Teal Works Program?
A: The primary goal of Coastal Carolina University’s proposed Teal Works Program is to expand student access to internship opportunities by removing financial barriers, equipping students with workforce skills, strengthening the talent pipeline, supporting local and regional economic development, and increasing CCU’s visibility in preparing students for South Carolina’s workforce needs.
Q: How much state funding is Coastal Carolina University requesting for the Teal Works Program?
A: Coastal Carolina University is requesting $390,000 annually from state legislators to launch the Teal Works Program.
Q: What kind of financial support would students receive through the Teal Works Program?
A: Students would receive $3,000 stipends for 10- to 12-week summer internships, with an additional $1,000 available for internships in rural or underserved areas of South Carolina. These stipends are non-repayable aid.
Q: Which industries will the Teal Works Program prioritize for student internships?
A: The Teal Works Program will prioritize placing students in high-demand industries in South Carolina, such as healthcare, education, information technology, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, and hospitality/tourism.
Q: How does Coastal Carolina University’s Career Services support student internships?
A: Coastal Carolina University’s Career Services empowers students and alumni to explore career paths, pursue graduate education, and achieve professional goals through personalized guidance, resources, training, career counseling, workshops, resume critiques, and mock interviews.
Q: Are there other state-funded internship programs in South Carolina?
A: Yes, other public colleges in South Carolina, including the University of South Carolina and Clemson University, have state-funded internship programs that offer financial supplements to students in high-demand industries.
Q: What is the success rate of CCU’s existing CCU RISE internship program?
A: In both 2024 and 2025, 50% of the students participating in the CCU RISE internship program, in partnership with Partnership Grand Strand, received job offers from their employers after their internships concluded.
