NewComm × Your School
NewComm operates what we call a "community design studio" where students from local schools are employed to build a $10,000 project using Math and English.
What NewComm Offers Your Students
NewComm builds genuine builder identity by redistributing what we call "architecture tools"—the resources that enable students to see themselves as designers of solutions, not just consumers of systems. Through a multi-year internship pathway, students gain:
- Professional Networks: Monthly Supper Clubs with industry leaders and paid consulting opportunities with mission-driven companies
- Real Budgets: Fellows co-lead $10,000 community projects with full financial accountability and decision-making authority
- Leadership Authority: Professional committees where students make strategic decisions, experiencing genuine power
- Coaching & Validation: Adults create builder-affirming environments—coaching without controlling, validating without overriding
The Result: Students internalize "I am trusted with resources. I belong in professional spaces. My vision shapes outcomes." This identity shift—from consumer to builder—is what changes trajectories.
Two Pathways for Your Students
Lead $10,000 community project with full decision-making authority, working with a client organization focused on social impact (housing, education, health, etc.). Reserved for students with lived experience in communities facing the challenges being addressed.
What Fellows Do:
- Co-lead project with up to 3 other Fellows from partner schools
- Manage $10,000 budget with full accountability
- Lead teams of Engaged Members across 4 committees
- Design and implement community intervention
- Present findings to client organization leadership
- Receive stipend for leadership work
Build specialized expertise through committee work supporting Fellow-led projects. Pipeline to Fellowship for junior year.
What Engaged Members Do:
- Join specialized committee (Budget, Program Dev, External Partners, or Marketing)
- Support Fellows' $10K project with deliverables
- Attend monthly Supper Clubs with professionals
- Participate in Weekly Roundtables (Math & English)
- Build portfolio for college applications
- Apply for Fellowship in spring
📚 Note: This is an unpaid internship focused on skill-building and preparing for Fellowship.
General Membership: Open to All Students
Beyond Fellows and Engaged Members, any interested student from your school can participate as a General Member—no application required.
What General Members Experience:
- Monthly Town Halls with community meals and guest speakers
- Weekly Roundtables (peer-led Math & English tutoring)
- Observe Fellows presenting real work-in-progress on projects
- Learn community-centered design from youth leaders
- Explore NewComm with no formal commitment
💡 Pathway to Deeper Involvement: General Members who show interest and consistent engagement can transition to Engaged Members and join committees at any point.
Four Professional Committees
Engaged Members join one committee to build specialized expertise while supporting Fellows' leadership:
Key Principle: Fellows lead with full authority. Engaged Members contribute expertise and deliverables, but Fellows make final decisions.
The NewComm Multi-Year Internship Journey
From sophomore internship to senior year consulting—a comprehensive pathway building professional credentials and builder identity
Recruitment & Exploration
Students learn about NewComm through school info sessions. Begin attending General Member events (Town Halls, Roundtables) to explore the program.
Engaged Member → Apply for Fellowship
Join committee, support Fellow-led projects, build specialized expertise, attend Supper Clubs and Roundtables. Apply for Fellowship in spring.
💵 Unpaid internshipCommunity Leadership Fellow
Co-lead $10,000 community project with full decision-making authority. Manage teams of Engaged Members across four committees. Design and implement community health intervention.
💵 Stipend for leadership workIndustry Studios Consultant
Top-performing Fellows and Engaged Members become paid consultants for mission-driven companies and organizations. Build professional portfolio while earning consulting fees.
💵 Consulting fees (paid)Next Steps for Your School
School Nominates Students
Your staff identify and nominate - Due: October
- Current Freshmen for Engaged Member internship - Due: October
- Current Sophomores for Fellowship (junior year 2026-27) - Due: October
NewComm Interest Session
NewComm staff present to nominees (in-person or virtual)
- Overview of opportunities and expectations
- Q&A with current Fellows and Engaged Members
- Information on time commitment and benefits
- Sessions scheduled as soon as nominees identified
Student Applications
Applications sent to all interested nominees
- Students complete application expressing interest and goals
- No prior experience required
- We look for commitment and curiosity
Selection & Onboarding
NewComm works with your school to determine accepted students
- Collaborative selection process
- Orientation and committee placement (for Engaged Members)
- Students begin their journey
Timeline: Interest sessions scheduled as soon as your school identifies nominees. Interested students can observe our current Design Studio
Ready to Partner with NewComm?
Offer your students a multi-year internship pathway that builds genuine builder identity through professional networks, real budgets, and decision-making authority.