About the Program
The Freedman Scholars program is a student internship where Scholars work under the guidance of full-time staff members in the Freedman Center to balance two areas of development.
First, Scholars grow technical skillsets in digital scholarship areas, including but not limited to:
- Generative AI and Large Language Models
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Multimedia digitization, editing, and production
- Network analysis
- Photogrammetry and 3D modeling
- Python
- R
- Text and data analysis and visualization
- Virtual and augmented realities
Secondly, Scholars develop interpersonal skills as a consultant, teacher, and guide alongside project management skills as they contribute to teams with developing timelines, resources, and goals. Scholars work directly with researchers at CWRU and within the community to produce publishable and actionable data, growing their portfolios and better preparing them for graduate school and the workforce.
At the end of their term, Scholars complete a culminating experience related to their professional goals. The project is defined in conversation with an assigned mentor from the Freedman Center and could include:
- A portfolio of work and technical abilities, including a GitHub repository
- Credits for working on faculty or staff research projects as a consultant
- Research projects toward the completion of a degree or for publication
- Running workshops and developing tutorials and Research Guides for patrons
How to Apply
Applications for the Freedman Scholars program will soon be posted on Interfolio for a start date of January 2026. Applications will ask for:
- 1-page resume that includes relevant coursework and/or professional experience
- 1-page cover letter that speaks directly to the required and, if applicable, preferred qualifications in the job description as well as the applicant’s general interest in working for the Freedman Center
The Freedman Scholars program has been generously endowed by Walter Freedman and Karen Harrison. The endowment is managed by the Kelvin Smith Library.