Paul Quinn College, a Historically Black College and University – also the nation’s only urban work college – has long pursued business relationships for students. President Michael Sorrell says his school and Southwest Airlines will be a great fit.
“They are supportive of the work program,” Sorrell said Monday at Southwest Airlines headquarters. “They’re supportive of expanding the opportunities that students have, and these conversations began in earnest, when we went to them last spring, when our men’s basketball team was playing in the national tournament.”
That’s when Southwest offered free flights for Paul Quinn’s Tigers. They went on win their division and national championship in the USCAA, the United Small College Athletic Association.
As Paul Quinn’s “official” airline, Southwest says it will provide 150 free roundtrip flights a year, valued at $400 a trip. Southwest Airlines also plans to offer up to three students paid internships starting this spring, with plans to add more as the relationship grows.
Paul Quinn Communications sophomore Ericka Drinker appreciates the benefits of such a program.
“I actually had the opportunity as a freshman to get a corporate internship (with Capital One), and that’s usually not the case,” said Drinker.
Now, some fellow students will have the chance to learn and benefit from Southwest Airlines as interns with the carrier.
Got a tip? Email Reporter Bill Zeeble at bzeeble@kera.org. You can follow him on Twitter @bzeeble.
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