Student Opportunities - Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

The Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) provides opportunities for students to engage with multidisciplinary prevention research and practice projects. Students may work on projects in areas such as cardiovascular health, obesity, and diabetes; cancer prevention and control; children’s health; health equity; healthy food access; nutrition and physical activity; rural health; and more.

While working or interning with HPDP, students will be supervised by a HPDP faculty or staff member. Specific responsibilities will vary by project, yet all interns will have the opportunity to participate in applied research or public health practice to address pressing health problems facing our society. A variety of types of opportunities may become available, including unpaid internships, practicum experiences, work study positions, and paid opportunities. The types of opportunities and projects accepting students vary throughout the year.

Current Opportunities

Information on current opportunities is listed below. For more information on a particular opportunity, reach out to the individual listed in the posting.

Nutrition and Culinary Education Practicum with the Carolina Hunger Initiative

Who: UNC Chapel Hill MPH students completing MPH practicum in summer 2025

When: Monday, May 12-Friday, June 20, 2025

Position: Unpaid MPH Practicum Opportunity for UNC Chapel Hill Students

Project: The Carolina Hunger Initiative has a new project focused on developing and testing a peer-led nutrition and culinary education curriculum for college students. This practicum opportunity will provide training and hands-on experience related to curriculum and recipe development that will lead to the development of a new curriculum. This practicum is designed for students with past experience providing nutrition and/or cooking education who are looking to further their skills in this area by learning to develop curriculum and recipes. Practicum students do not need to have extensive prior experience or formal culinary training but should have some experience teaching nutrition or cooking classes, have basic cooking skills, and feel comfortable in the kitchen. This practicum is designed for someone who is excited about nutrition education and creating new, innovative programs.

Apply: Complete the application form where you will be asked to upload a copy of your resume and provide a brief description of why you are interested in the position and any relevant experiences/skills you may have related to the qualifications described in the position description. Multiple positions are available. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.

More Information: See job posting or contact Jessica Soldavini, PhD, MPH, RD, LDN at Jessica6@live.unc.edu

NC College Food Benefits Practicum with the Carolina Hunger Initiative

Who: UNC Chapel Hill MPH students completing MPH practicum in summer 2025

When: Summer 2025

Position: Unpaid MPH Practicum Opportunity for UNC Chapel Hill Students

Project: The Carolina Hunger Initiative recently launched a statewide outreach campaign called NC College Food Benefits to help increase awareness of SNAP/FNS among college students. This practicum opportunity focuses on improving nutrition and food security among college students by supporting projects and outreach activities related to NC College Food Benefits.

Apply: Complete the application form where you will be asked to upload a copy of your resume and provide a brief description of why you are interested in the position and any relevant experiences/skills you may have. Multiple positions are available. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.

More Information: See job posting or contact Jessica Soldavini, PhD, MPH, RD, LDN at Jessica6@live.unc.edu

Summer Nutrition Practicum with the Carolina Hunger Initiative

Who: UNC Chapel Hill MPH students completing MPH practicum in summer 2025

When: Summer 2025

Position: Unpaid MPH Practicum Opportunity for UNC Chapel Hill Students

Project: This position will work with the Carolina Hunger Initiative to support activities and events related to USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids (SUN Programs) and summer nutrition education activities. SUN Programs, which include SUN Meals, SUN Meals To-Go, and SUN Bucks, help kids get the nutrition they need during the summer when they can’t get school meals. The Carolina Hunger Initiative provides support to state agencies, school districts, and community organizations operating SUN Programs. The team also provides a variety of nutrition education activities during the summer at various sites, including SUN Meals sites. This is a hybrid practicum opportunity. The in-person component of the practicum primarily focuses on supporting events and activities related to SUN Programs and nutrition education.

Apply: Complete the application form where you will be asked to upload a copy of your resume and provide a brief description of why you are interested in the position and any relevant experiences/skills you may have. Multiple positions are available. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.

More Information: See job posting or contact Jessica Soldavini, PhD, MPH, RD, LDN at Jessica6@live.unc.edu

Research Assistantship for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) implementation study

Who: UNC Chapel Hill graduate and undergraduate students
When: January–December 2025
Position: Part-time research assistant, 20 hours/week, must be available for several hours at a time on at least two days per week. Travel to off campus sites is required.
Project: Our research team has previously developed and tested a DSMES toolkit for providers and educators to increase the use of DSMES among people with diabetes. Our current research project aims to increase the uptake and sustainability of DSMES, specifically among minority, rural, and medically underserved populations. In Phase 1, we will employ a variety of systems science methods (e.g., iceberg model, causal loop diagramming, process flow diagramming) during interview and focus group sessions to design an implementation plan to be carried out in subsequent phases. The Research Assistant will be responsible for contacting potential study participants by phone and following study protocol to consent, enroll participants, collect baseline participant data at off campus locations, and responding to and returning participant phone calls.
Apply: Please send a cover letter detailing qualifications and interest and a resume/CV to Harlyn Skinner at ruraldiabetes@unc.edu.
More Information: DSMES Research Assistant Position Description

Data Analysis & Dissemination Assistance with the UPSIDE Team

Who: UNC advanced graduate students
When: Ongoing
Position: Part-time, 5-10 hours/week, hybrid (weekly in-person meetings)
Project: The UPSIDE Team is looking for an advanced graduate student with skills and interest in analyzing data and contributing to/leading manuscripts related to adolescent wellbeing and mindfulness interventions. Knowledge and/or experience with mental health interventions and school contexts strongly desired. Ongoing mentoring provided, with future funding opportunities available.
Apply: Please contact hnetschy@live.unc.edu and send a resume.
More Information: The UPSIDE Team

Research Volunteer with the UPSIDE Team

Who: UNC Chapel Hill undergraduate students
When: Ongoing
Position: Part-time, 5-10 hours/week, (volunteer or work-study), hybrid (weekly in-person meetings)
Project: The UPSIDE Team is looking for a volunteer (with future possibility for a paid position) to support the development of intervention resources and products for dissemination, including multimedia product creation, graphic design, and website support. A background in health communications preferred.
Apply: Please contact hnetschy@live.unc.edu and send a resume.
More Information: The UPSIDE Team

Internships with the Carolina Hunger Initiative

Who: UNC-Chapel Hill Students
When: Fall, Spring, Summer (ongoing)
Position: Unpaid internships and practicum experiences
Project: The Carolina Hunger Initiative works to increase access to healthy food year-round for North Carolinians. Interns may help projects related to areas such as nutrition education, school and summer meals programs, and food insecurity among college students.
Apply: For information on how to apply for current opportunities, contact Jessica Soldavini.
More Information: Carolina Hunger Initiative Interns and Students