A new initiative is giving economics students a powerful opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences Economics Impact Internship, made possible by a generous gift from alumnus Brent Hodges (B.A. ’70) and his wife Bonnie, will fund up to 15 paid internships starting in Spring 2026. These internships will allow students to work alongside community leaders in economics-related professions.

Interns selected for the program will gain insights into policy, finance, data analysis and more. These experiences not only enhance students’ resumes but also help them build professional networks and clarify career goals.

The Hodgeses's support for UMKC spans many years, beginning in 2018 with a gift to the UMKC Foundation to establish the Hodges Scholarship Fund in Economics. Their philanthropic legacy extends across campus and now includes three scholarship endowments and future planned gifts to the UMKC Foundation. This latest investment in internships reflects his belief in the power of mentorship and the importance of preparing students for leadership in a rapidly evolving economy.

“The Hodges Economics Internships Fund offers students valuable opportunities to gain practical experience that complements and enhances their studies in the Economics Department at UMKC with an emphasis on real-world understanding,” said Sirisha Naidu, Ph.D., chair of economics at UMKC.

“This internship is the perfect win-win situation, or, as in economics parlance, it offers the perfect ‘increasing returns to scale’ opportunity. It will not only boost students’ chances of finding jobs with much-needed experience, but also make them better at economic analyses, a much-needed skill in both certain and uncertain times.”

The launch of the internship program coincides with UMKC’s celebration of 25 years of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship. As the university continues to expand its research footprint, now recognized with top-tier Carnegie Research 1 status, programs such as the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Economics Impact Internship reinforce the importance of hands-on learning and student-driven inquiry.

By investing in experiential learning, the Hodges family is helping UMKC students turn academic potential into professional impact — one internship at a time.