University Of Mary Washington Wins 2 State Internship Awards

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The University of Mary Washington has received two regional awards from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership recognizing its internship programs and nearly four decades of providing students with workplace experience.

The Fredericksburg university was among seven employers in GO Virginia Region 6 to receive the Innovative Employers Award through the inaugural 2026 InternshipsVA Top Employers for Interns awards. The region includes Fredericksburg, the Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula.

UMW also received the Inspiring Employers Award, recognizing its 38-year history of offering internships and its efforts to help students develop professional skills before entering the workforce.

UMW Also Earns National Recognition For Internships

The awards follow UMW's recent ranking as No. 1 in Virginia and No. 5 nationally among public universities for internships in The Princeton Review's Best Value Colleges for 2027.

While the Princeton Review ranking recognizes the university's broader internship opportunities, the new state awards focus on UMW's role as an employer providing students with professional experience.

“Universities are not only preparing the next generation of talent in the classroom but also providing valuable work experiences that translate directly to students’ first careers,” said Kimberly Young, UMW's associate provost for career and workforce. “At Mary Washington, students are doing work that matters and seeing firsthand how their efforts contribute to the University community.”

Departments across the university offer internships that allow students to explore potential careers while gaining practical experience in their fields of interest.

For example, UMW's University Communications department offers paid, on-campus internships in which students participate in marketing, media relations and university news coverage.

Student interns create social media content, write news stories, develop website content and produce original video series highlighting campus life, university history and the Fredericksburg community.

According to UMW, its internship programs are designed to help students develop professional skills while contributing to university operations. The university also connects students with internship opportunities through employers outside the campus.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership announced the awards as part of its first InternshipsVA Top Employers for Interns recognition program, which highlights employers providing workplace learning opportunities for college students.

Verification Note: Story based on the Oct. 28, 2026, University of Mary Washington release. No discrepancies found in the supplied material. The state awards and Princeton Review ranking are distinct recognitions.