Glenville State College senior criminal justice major and business minor Gracen Samples has been chosen to take part in the prestigious FBI Honors Internship Program.
Samples is very active on campus; she’s a member of the Lady Pioneer Volleyball, works as an intern in GSC’s Office of International Programs, and participates in Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), which is the collegiate counterpart of the Future Business Leaders of America organization found in many high schools. In 2016 she was elected as treasurer for the West Virginia state chapter of PBL and placed at the PBL Leadership Conference. She also participated in a May 2017 study abroad trip to London and Paris. The recent announcement that she was being selected for the FBI internship came as no surprise to her professors.
“I’m not at all surprised that Gracen stood out in a competitive field; she is the epitome of student engagement, and there is no doubt that she has set the bar extremely high for future interns in this office,” said Dr. Megan Gibbons. Gibbons serves as Director of International Programs and Chair for the Department of Language and Literature at GSC.
Through her internship with the Office of International programs, Samples has found a unique and valuable way to get involved. “I believe my experiences with study abroad helped with getting an interview and receiving the internship offer. It really helped that I had examples of unfamiliar projects that I have taken part in and that I’m able to interact with people of different cultures. Plus some of the projects I am working on with Dr. Gibbons helped show that I know how to prioritize my time and take on projects that I have not done before,” Samples said.
The Wallback, West Virginia native has advice for other students who are thinking of getting involved in study abroad. “Don’t let rumors or your own fears stop you. It will be the best decision you will make. You will get to experience things that very few people get to. Come talk to Dr. Gibbons or myself if you have any questions or concerns, you won’t regret it. Also, it looks great on a resume,” she said.
“As both Gracen’s academic advisor and professor, I am extremely happy and excited for her to be selected to participate in such a prestigious internship program. Her selection was the reward for her continued hard work and dedication to her academic pursuits, and her continued participation in ancillary activities at GSC that further her educational experience. While this will be extremely challenging and intense, I have no doubt that Gracen possesses the proper attitude and desire for learning that will create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her, in addition to representing the GSC Criminal Justice Department to a highly respected government agency. I look forward to having her share this experience with other CJ students upon her completion of the program,” said GSC Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Art Trimble.
The FBI Honors Internship Program is a 10-week, paid internship for college undergraduate and graduate students. Students selected for the program work side-by-side with FBI employees either at one of their Washington, D.C. headquarters locations or in local field offices. Students can apply from a wide range of academic areas. Applicants must also have and maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average before and during the internship and pass all FBI employment background investigation requirements.
Samples says she hopes that, through the internship experience, she’ll be able to get her foot in the door for a career with the FBI. The internship begins in June 2018.
