Barclays has launched a new annual internship program with Delaware State University in which six DSU students will work at Barclaycard US in its Credit Risk Organization for a two-month assignment.

Amer Sajed, CEO of Barclaycard US, and DSU President Harry L. Williams unveiled the new Barclays Bank Mentor Program during a media event at the Barclaycard site in Wilmington. Also in attendance and speaking in support of the initiative were U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper and U.S. Sen. Chris Coons.

“This program underscores the commitment of Barclays to citizenship, community and the future of Delaware – its young people,” said Mr. Sajed.  “We’re focused on ensuring that our energy, ideas, expertise and passion are leveraged to help the different causes we support.  This program illustrates this approach in action because our colleagues will leverage their mentoring skills and share their knowledge to help young people.”

Dr. Williams said the program is part of a series of new initiatives to make Delaware State University stronger and enhance its national reputation.

“We are very proud that a major company agreed to provide our students with this type of support,” Dr. Williams said. "Initiatives like the Barclays Bank Mentor Program help DSU to achieve the vision by providing an opportunity for our students to build upon their academic training in the skills necessary to become the first choice of employers in this industry. "

Each student will have Barclays business mentor and receive important, marketable experience through assignments in gathering data, conducting analysis, leveraging computer programs such as Excel and SAS, working on teams, implementing programs and presenting to a corporate audience.

Carmen Mikhaiel, a DSU student and Barclays intern, spoke on behalf of the other interns. “In the business world, this program is great for networking and will boost our resumes -- an advantage after graduation when we go into the work force,” she said.

Sen. Carper said that DSU’s partnership with Barclays is reflective of the direction the University is moving in to prepare its students for success. “DSU is breaking into the top 15 HBCUs and is working toward breaking into the top 10,” Sen. Carper said. “DSU is a school on the move.”

Sen. Coons noted the importance of public-private partnerships in driving job opportunities in Delaware. “It is very important for area employers to support our educational institutions,” he said.  “This is a model of what a public-private partnership should be about.”

The inaugural group of DSU-Barclays interns, their years and majors are: Clarence Banks, sophomore, finance & banking; Tiona Campbell, sophomore, accounting; Dwight Deloatch, sophomore, finance & banking; Carmen Mikhaiel, junior, accounting; Palesa Motshidi, sophomore, accounting; and Clifford Streater, senior, management information systems.