Investing in the Future: A Night with the RISE UN Youth Corps

By Karen Owens, Publisher

As I stood in the Georgetown Library Auditorium this past Monday, April 27, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of optimism. I was there for the Coastal Carolina University RISE Center UN Youth Corps poster presentations and reception, and quite frankly, I was blown away.

A Local Hub with Global Impact

To understand why this event felt so significant, you have to look at the foundation of RISE (Resilience, Innovation, and Sustainability through Education). Founded in 2017 through a partnership between Coastal Carolina University, the North Inlet – Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, SixAxis, the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation, and Georgetown County, RISE is a United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE).

While there are 200 such centers globally, RISE is the only one in the coastal Southeastern U.S. Its mission is to bring global sustainable development goals into our local backyard, unifying educators, businesses, and elected officials to build a resilient future for our county.

Led by Dr. Pam Martin, the program featured about 20 undergraduate students who spent their semester as interns with local governments, nonprofits, and businesses. The sheer scope of their research was impressive:

• Environmental Stewardship: Identifying solutions for nonpoint source water contamination and better battery recycling.

• Urban Planning: Analyzing how peer coastal communities manage zoning and development.

• Public Health & Education: Exploring ways to dismantle barriers to healthcare and strategies to improve student literacy.

As I spoke with these young leaders, I was struck by their poise. They fielded questions from over 30 community attendees—including Georgetown Mayor Jay Doyle, County Administrator Angela Christian, and Pawleys Island Administrator Daniel Newquist—with total confidence.

I’ll admit, it made me reflect on my own college days back in 1987. Let’s just say I wasn’t nearly that prepared. Of course, in those “dark ages,” we didn’t have the internet at our fingertips, and professional internships weren’t the standard they are today. These students are graduating with a toolkit I could only have dreamed of.

A Community Effort

What makes this program sustainable is the incredible support system behind it. The Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation has been the primary sponsor for nine years, underwriting 60% of the cost of these paid internships. The remaining balance is covered by the employers, while Coastal Carolina University handles the heavy lifting of HR and payroll.

Dr. Martin was quick to credit the employers who do more than just provide a desk; they mentor and “lift up” these students. In fact, many of these internships have turned into full-time jobs after graduation. 

Get Involved

If you are a business owner or lead an organization in Horry or Georgetown County, I cannot recommend this program enough. It is a rare opportunity to mentor the next generation while gaining fresh, research-based perspectives on your own operations.

If you’re interested in participating in future internships, you can find more details on the UN Youth Corps Paid Internship website. It’s more than just an internship; it’s an investment in the resilience of our community.