Internship Program

The Consortium provides a national internship program that trains a cohort of young professionals to serve on-site at centers around the country.

About the Internship Program

The Consortium’s Internship Program provides training, development and coaching for recent college graduates serving at Christian Study Centers for one year. Interns receive experience in programming, operations and fundraising, and they develop a better understanding of their vocational goals and their place in God’s kingdom.

On a day-to-day basis, interns work with center staff to provide programming and opportunities for students. Over the course of the year, interns benefit from exposure to the study center movement through the Consortium’s Annual Meeting and other opportunities to interact with interns and staff at other study centers and foundations.

This is a full-time, paid internship that includes a vocational mentor and ongoing training with a cohort of other young professionals. A salary and housing are provided.

Meet the Internship Program Team

Charity Wahrenberger – Internship Program Director

Charity Wahrenberger has spent the last 25 years directing programs and developing leaders as an independent consultant, as the Director of the Center for Public Justice’s CIE initiative, the Assistant Dean of Nyack College’s Washington, DC campus, and as an Area Director for CCO. Charity is actively engaged in the Pittsburgh Community. She has served as a volunteer for Pittsburgh Mercy’s homeless outreach program, Operation Safety Net, and as a member of the Executive Service Corp with the Covestro Center for Community Engagement. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Pittsburgh Urban Christian School and The Association for Public Justice. In her down time, you will find Charity out in the woods with her husband Todd and her dog Scout.

Ryan O’Dowd – Curriculum & Training

Ryan O’Dowd, Chesterton House Academic Director, is designing and delivering the Internship Program curriculum. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy (1994), Reformed Theological Seminary, and the University of Liverpool (PhD). Over the last 30 years, Ryan has balanced work as a pastor, an Active Duty and Reserve officer in the U.S. Air Force, and a scholar in a wide variety of academic settings. His doctoral research explored the relationship between biblical wisdom and law, and, over the last 15 years, he has examined these subjects alongside the study of moral theology and religious and secular ethics. He has also developed and taught several courses on work and vocation (calling). Ryan and his wife Amy have three grown children and live with their youngest daughter in Ithaca, NY. In his free time, Ryan loves to bake, read, cycle, run, and swim.

2024-2025 Internship Information

How the Application Process Works:

Step 1: Fill out the CCSC application form. Upon receiving your application, the Internship Program Director will contact you to set up an interview with Consortium staff.

Step 2: Interview with the CCSC Internship Program Director and staff.  During this first interview, you will learn how the Internship Program works, and Consortium staff will learn more about you, your interest in the Internship Program, and your skills and experiences.

Step 3. If you progress in the interview process, the Internship Program Director will coordinate an interview for you with the Christian Study Center position(s) you have indicated an interest in. All communication happens through Charity Wahrenberger. The Study Center staff should not be contacted directly.

Host Study Centers for 2024-2025

Anselm House

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

For more than forty years, Anselm House has served U of M students, faculty, and friends in the mission of connecting faith and knowledge with all of life. It is our joyful pursuit to help people see the world and approach life as God created it to be: whole.

There are two positions available at Anselm House!

Center for Christian Study

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

The Center for Christian Study has been serving the UVA community for over fifty years. We seek to serve Jesus Christ by providing opportunities to investigate the truths of the historic Christian faith in response to the questions raised by contemporary society. Located just across from the UVA campus, our building is a home away from home and a safe space to study, enjoy a meal, and fellowship with others. We are proud to partner with other campus ministries to equip students to connect their faith with every area of life through learning, hospitality, and discipleship.

This position has been filled!

Chesterton House

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Chesterton House is an independent Christian study center founded nearly 25 years ago. We are strategically located next to Cornell University and an affiliated chaplaincy within Cornell United Religious Work. Chesterton House provides Cornell students with a comprehensive Christian college experience in a beautiful two-acre residential campus with a vibrant common life. Chesterton House exists to facilitate the discovery of the intellectual riches of the historic Christian faith, thereby empowering more faithful Christian living among students at Cornell University.

There are two positions available at Chesterton House!

Theological Horizons

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

Theological Horizons is a vibrant campus ministry centered at the Bonhoeffer House at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. With over 30 years of experience, Theological Horizons supports Christians and seekers by providing a welcoming community for engaging faith, thought and life at the heart of academia.

This position has been filled!

Please do not contact the host study center staff directly. The recruitment process will be administered through the Consortium. Should you have any questions, please reach out to the Internship Program Director, Charity Wahrenberger.

Recruitment Schedule for 2024-2025

December-April

Applications accepted and interviews held on a rolling until positions are filled

June

Onboarding and orientation

July

Annual Meeting and on-campus planning

August

Begin direct service to students in coordination with center staff

Internships Available Now!

Interested in interning beginning January 2024? Learn more about the two positions currently open at the Center for Christianity & Scholarship (Duke University) and the Cambridge House Christian Study Center (William & Mary). Interns beginning in January 2024 will intern through May 2024.

Meet the 2023-2024 Interns

Lauren Fitch

Lauren Fitch

Chesterton House

Lauren received her B.A. in History and Sociology at Spring Arbor University. In 2021, just after beginning her senior year of college, Lauren made the decision to take a gap year and join the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) Program. She worked full-time in development and communications, all with the goal of improving the lives of foster and adoptive children and families at the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA). In her free time, Lauren enjoys cooking, traveling to new places and reading historical fiction.

Bio
Hannah Hoffman

Hannah Hoffman

Chesterton House

Hannah holds a B.A. in Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies from Cornell University. Before coming to the Consortium, Hannah worked on several archaeological excavations in Israel and Turkey, returning most recently from an excavation at Sardis—known among other things for being one of the seven churches named in the Book of Revelations. In her time at Cornell she was involved with research and curatorial work at the Johnson Museum of Art, and was also a very active member in the Chesterton House ministry. In her free time she loves traveling, baking, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Bio
Micah Hoffman

Micah Hoffman

Chesterton House

Micah graduated from Cornell University in 2023 with a Bachelors of Science in Biology and with minors in psychology and English. During his undergraduate years, Micah participated in Chesterton House activities and lived in the house for two years. On campus, he worked in multiple psychology labs and developed a deep interest in human flourishing from a psychological perspective. He also competed on the men’s varsity wrestling team at Cornell and enjoys reading and watching movies in his free time. While interning at Chesterton House this year, Micah plans on applying to graduate school for psychology.

Bio
Lydia Marlin

Lydia Marlin

Cambridge House

Lydia is an intern at the Cambridge House at William and Mary. Before serving with the Consortium, Lydia worked in marketing and communications, and fundraising for higher education and non-profit organizations. During her time in college, Lydia served in various ministry roles within the college, the local church, and for the Navigators ministry. Lydia holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics with a minor in theology from The King’s College, New York City. Outside of work, Lydia enjoys traveling and exploring new places with friends, reading, and specialty coffee.

Bio
Elizabeth Stewart

Elizabeth Stewart

Center for Christianity & Scholarship

Elizabeth started her career at various nonprofits across greater Detroit with a focus on community development and at-risk youth. She worked as a Youth Advocate at The Children’s Center of Wayne County, receiving Youth Advocate of the Year within her first year among nationwide nominations. In the fall of 2018, Elizabeth started her undergraduate career as a non-traditional student in Communication Studies at Spring Arbor University (SAU), completing her studies in spring 2022. At the end of her time at SAU, Elizabeth received the Concept in Action award, awarded to one graduating senior who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to service.

Bio

Testimonials

“I am so thankful for the experience of being a CCSC intern at UNC. Educational opportunities, being paired with another intern, and building relationships at the Study Center were formative aspects of the program that continue to impact me. I can’t think of any other way I would have wanted to spend my first year out of college!” – Ivy Overcash, 2022-2023 Intern

As a Consortium Intern, I now live alongside the students whom I serve daily. No two days of ministry look the same, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. This diverse array of work is a privilege, and I’m grateful that I get to encourage students to think about what role their daily rhythms and habits have in impacting their faith. – Zachary Lee, 2021-2022 Intern

2024-2025 Cohort

June 2024 – May 2025

If you have any questions about the Internship Program and the 2024-2025 cohort, please contact the Internship Program Director, Charity Wahrenberger, by submitting the form below.