Where student ideas meet public action.
The Hillman Internship invites DePauw students from every discipline to explore how ethics connects to real life. As a Hillman Intern, you’ll dive into the ethical questions that matter most to you—about justice, leadership, technology, the environment, and more—while working alongside peers and mentors who share your curiosity. Together, you’ll design programs, host events, and lead conversations that make ethics accessible across campus and in the wider community. Along the way, you’ll develop practical skills in collaboration, communication, and project design, and form lasting relationships with fellow interns and Prindle Institute staff. Hillman Interns go on to pursue careers in law, medicine, public policy, education, and beyond—carrying with them a commitment to reflection, dialogue, and ethical engagement that continues well past graduation.
About the Internship
The Hillman Internship is the heart of the Prindle Institute for Ethics. Open to DePauw students from all disciplines, the program offers a rigorous experience in ethics education, dialogue, and community engagement. Each year, Hillman Interns work 4–5 hours per week during the academic year, supporting the Institute’s mission to foster ethical reflection and public discussion. They assist with events like the Indiana High School Ethics Bowl, Prindlepalooza, and campus lectures, while also designing and leading programs that bring ethical questions to life for audiences across ages and contexts.
Interns enroll in the quarter-credit Ethics in Action course each fall and collaborate in small groups to create innovative programming for both campus and community. On campus, this might mean hosting a radio show on ethical issues, leading a discussion on the ethics of voting or space exploration, or organizing “Campus Conscience” conversations that spark reflection among peers. Beyond campus, interns extend the Institute’s reach by facilitating case-based discussions with local residents, mentoring students preparing for Ethics Bowl competitions, or introducing young learners to moral reasoning through creative, play-based activities.
Through this work, Hillman Interns serve as ambassadors for the Prindle Institute—connecting ideas to action, exploring the ethical dimensions of life, and helping build a more thoughtful and engaged community.
The Hillman Experience: Learning Through Action
The Hillman Internship is more than a campus job—it’s a yearlong experience in ethical inquiry, collaboration, and leadership. Guided by the mission of the Prindle Institute, the program helps students connect philosophical reflection with real-world practice. Through coursework, programming, and community engagement, Hillman Interns develop the knowledge, skills, and relationships needed to make ethics a meaningful part of their personal and professional lives.