The Sumter County Chamber-UWA Economic Development Micro Internship
Main contact
Timeline
-
September 24, 2025Experience start
-
October 11, 2025Dog Street Café PR
-
November 4, 2025Hunt and Gather
-
November 5, 2025Enviva Ribbon Cutting Event
-
December 9, 2025Christmas on the Square
-
December 9, 2025Experience end
Timeline
-
September 24, 2025Experience start
-
October 11, 2025Dog Street Café PR
Ongoing events – Pub Talks, Trivia Nights, and local music
Deadlines:
i. Interview the owners Michelle and John McCall by Wednesday, Sept. 2 -
(Neely Atkinson)
ii. Make one to two social media posts prior to event(s) – (Carley Rolison)
iii. Take a few pictures and/or video during event(s) – (Neely
Atkinson and Carley Rolison)
iv. Write a press release to send to paper by Tuesday 11 am the
week of the event – (Katie Kreider)
v. Make one social media post post-event – (Carley Rolison)
-
November 4, 2025Hunt and Gather
Date of Event – November 1, 2025
Deadlines:
i. Interview David Hawley – (Katie Kreider)
ii. Write a press release to send to the local paper by Monday, Oct. 27 –
(Carley Rolison)
iii. Create an advertisement series: (Neely Atkinson)
1. Four Print ads to put in the paper each week (for 4 weeks) leading
up to the event
2. Four social media ads to post each week (for 4 weeks) leading up
to the event
iv. Take pictures and video during the event – (Katie Kreider and
Neely Atkinson)
v. Make one social media post post-event (Neely Atkinson)
vi. Write a follow-up press release sent to paper by 5 pm Monday,
Nov. 3 – (Carley Rolison)
-
November 5, 2025Enviva Ribbon Cutting Event
Date of Event – November 4, 2025
Deadlines:
i. Interview Enviva personnel – Ashley Fedrick and Rick Fredrick (student tbd)
ii. Four Social Media posts before event date of Nov. 4 (student tbd)
iii. Write a press release to send to the local paper by Monday, Oct.
27 (student tbd)
iv. One social media post post-event (student tbd)
v. Take pictures and video during event (student tbd)
vi. Follow-up press release sent to paper by 5pm Nov. 4 (student tbd)
-
December 9, 2025Christmas on the Square
Date of Event – December 7, 2025
b. Deadlines:
i. Interview Banks Gordy and Bird Dial by 5 pm Wed., Nov. 5 – (Carley
Rolison)
ii. Write a press release to send to the local paper by Monday, Dec. 1 –
(Neely Atkinson)
iii. Create an advertisement series: (Katie Kreider)
1. Four Print ads to put in the paper each week (for 4 weeks) leading
up to the event
2. Four social media ads to post each week (for 4 weeks) leading up
to the event
iv. Take pictures and video during event – (Carley Rolison and Katie
Kreider)
v. Make one social media post post-event – (Katie Kreider)
vi. Write a follow-up press release sent to paper by 5 pm Monday,
Dec. 8 – (Neely Atkinson)
-
December 9, 2025Experience end
Experience scope
Categories
Branding & style guides Videography Communications Market research Sales strategySkills
professional networking economic development media production marketing communications press releases digital content creation public relationsThis opportunity allows students from the University of West Alabama to collaborate with local businesses in Sumter County to create tailored media packages that promote events and foster community engagement.
Participants will gain hands-on experience in marketing, communications, and media production, applying their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. The program aims to enhance skills in event coverage, public relations, and digital content creation, while supporting local economic development and building professional networks.
Learners
Team size may not exceed 4
- Event summary write-up or press release
- Photo and/or video highlights
- Social media posts with captions and suggested tags
- Graphic content for digital and print use
- Final media package presentation
Skills Students Will Gain:
- Event coverage & media production
- Public relations writing (press releases)
- Photography & videography
- Social media strategy
- Graphic design (promotional material)
- Interviewing techniques
- Client relationship management
Student Requirements:
- Must submit a professional resume
- Must complete an interview process before acceptance
- Reliable transportation is preferred (for attending events)
- Strong communication and digital content creation skills
Project timeline
-
September 24, 2025Experience start
-
October 11, 2025Dog Street Café PR
-
November 4, 2025Hunt and Gather
-
November 5, 2025Enviva Ribbon Cutting Event
-
December 9, 2025Christmas on the Square
-
December 9, 2025Experience end
Timeline
-
September 24, 2025Experience start
-
October 11, 2025Dog Street Café PR
Ongoing events – Pub Talks, Trivia Nights, and local music
Deadlines:
i. Interview the owners Michelle and John McCall by Wednesday, Sept. 2 -
(Neely Atkinson)
ii. Make one to two social media posts prior to event(s) – (Carley Rolison)
iii. Take a few pictures and/or video during event(s) – (Neely
Atkinson and Carley Rolison)
iv. Write a press release to send to paper by Tuesday 11 am the
week of the event – (Katie Kreider)
v. Make one social media post post-event – (Carley Rolison)
-
November 4, 2025Hunt and Gather
Date of Event – November 1, 2025
Deadlines:
i. Interview David Hawley – (Katie Kreider)
ii. Write a press release to send to the local paper by Monday, Oct. 27 –
(Carley Rolison)
iii. Create an advertisement series: (Neely Atkinson)
1. Four Print ads to put in the paper each week (for 4 weeks) leading
up to the event
2. Four social media ads to post each week (for 4 weeks) leading up
to the event
iv. Take pictures and video during the event – (Katie Kreider and
Neely Atkinson)
v. Make one social media post post-event (Neely Atkinson)
vi. Write a follow-up press release sent to paper by 5 pm Monday,
Nov. 3 – (Carley Rolison)
-
November 5, 2025Enviva Ribbon Cutting Event
Date of Event – November 4, 2025
Deadlines:
i. Interview Enviva personnel – Ashley Fedrick and Rick Fredrick (student tbd)
ii. Four Social Media posts before event date of Nov. 4 (student tbd)
iii. Write a press release to send to the local paper by Monday, Oct.
27 (student tbd)
iv. One social media post post-event (student tbd)
v. Take pictures and video during event (student tbd)
vi. Follow-up press release sent to paper by 5pm Nov. 4 (student tbd)
-
December 9, 2025Christmas on the Square
Date of Event – December 7, 2025
b. Deadlines:
i. Interview Banks Gordy and Bird Dial by 5 pm Wed., Nov. 5 – (Carley
Rolison)
ii. Write a press release to send to the local paper by Monday, Dec. 1 –
(Neely Atkinson)
iii. Create an advertisement series: (Katie Kreider)
1. Four Print ads to put in the paper each week (for 4 weeks) leading
up to the event
2. Four social media ads to post each week (for 4 weeks) leading up
to the event
iv. Take pictures and video during event – (Carley Rolison and Katie
Kreider)
v. Make one social media post post-event – (Katie Kreider)
vi. Write a follow-up press release sent to paper by 5 pm Monday,
Dec. 8 – (Neely Atkinson)
-
December 9, 2025Experience end
Project examples
- Media coverage for a local business grand opening
- Promotional package for a community festival
- Social media campaign for a new product launch
- Event recap and promotional materials for a charity fundraiser
- Press release and visual content for a business networking event
- Video interviews and highlights for a local awards ceremony
- Graphic design and media content for a seasonal sale event
- Comprehensive media package for a local cultural event
Main contact
Timeline
-
September 24, 2025Experience start
-
October 11, 2025Dog Street Café PR
-
November 4, 2025Hunt and Gather
-
November 5, 2025Enviva Ribbon Cutting Event
-
December 9, 2025Christmas on the Square
-
December 9, 2025Experience end
Timeline
-
September 24, 2025Experience start
-
October 11, 2025Dog Street Café PR
Ongoing events – Pub Talks, Trivia Nights, and local music
Deadlines:
i. Interview the owners Michelle and John McCall by Wednesday, Sept. 2 -
(Neely Atkinson)
ii. Make one to two social media posts prior to event(s) – (Carley Rolison)
iii. Take a few pictures and/or video during event(s) – (Neely
Atkinson and Carley Rolison)
iv. Write a press release to send to paper by Tuesday 11 am the
week of the event – (Katie Kreider)
v. Make one social media post post-event – (Carley Rolison)
-
November 4, 2025Hunt and Gather
Date of Event – November 1, 2025
Deadlines:
i. Interview David Hawley – (Katie Kreider)
ii. Write a press release to send to the local paper by Monday, Oct. 27 –
(Carley Rolison)
iii. Create an advertisement series: (Neely Atkinson)
1. Four Print ads to put in the paper each week (for 4 weeks) leading
up to the event
2. Four social media ads to post each week (for 4 weeks) leading up
to the event
iv. Take pictures and video during the event – (Katie Kreider and
Neely Atkinson)
v. Make one social media post post-event (Neely Atkinson)
vi. Write a follow-up press release sent to paper by 5 pm Monday,
Nov. 3 – (Carley Rolison)
-
November 5, 2025Enviva Ribbon Cutting Event
Date of Event – November 4, 2025
Deadlines:
i. Interview Enviva personnel – Ashley Fedrick and Rick Fredrick (student tbd)
ii. Four Social Media posts before event date of Nov. 4 (student tbd)
iii. Write a press release to send to the local paper by Monday, Oct.
27 (student tbd)
iv. One social media post post-event (student tbd)
v. Take pictures and video during event (student tbd)
vi. Follow-up press release sent to paper by 5pm Nov. 4 (student tbd)
-
December 9, 2025Christmas on the Square
Date of Event – December 7, 2025
b. Deadlines:
i. Interview Banks Gordy and Bird Dial by 5 pm Wed., Nov. 5 – (Carley
Rolison)
ii. Write a press release to send to the local paper by Monday, Dec. 1 –
(Neely Atkinson)
iii. Create an advertisement series: (Katie Kreider)
1. Four Print ads to put in the paper each week (for 4 weeks) leading
up to the event
2. Four social media ads to post each week (for 4 weeks) leading up
to the event
iv. Take pictures and video during event – (Carley Rolison and Katie
Kreider)
v. Make one social media post post-event – (Katie Kreider)
vi. Write a follow-up press release sent to paper by 5 pm Monday,
Dec. 8 – (Neely Atkinson)
-
December 9, 2025Experience end