OHIO Chillicothe seeks applicants for Bruce Lombardo Internship

Ohio University Chillicothe is accepting applications for the Summer 2026 Bruce Lombardo Internship.

The intern selected will be paid to work with Chillicothe's Hopewell Culture National Park in a variety of ways, depending on their interests, background and the park's needs. Such opportunities include supporting educational programs and youth outreach activities, as well as communication and research projects, and assisting park rangers.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (HCNHP) in Chillicothe, Ohio, draws visitors eager to learn about its ancient mounds and earthen enclosures, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Park rangers and an Ohio University faculty member will mentor the student throughout the internship. At the end of the summer, the intern will reflect on their experience in a 3–5-page essay about what they learned through the internship and how it complemented and enriched their educational experience. 

“We encourage our interns to explore various facets of park operations," said HCNHP Director of Interpretation and Education Susan Knisley. “From assisting with educational programs and engaging in youth outreach to developing communication strategies and supporting our rangers, there are many opportunities.”

Students from any major are welcome to apply. Applications should include a resumé, an application letter summarizing the applicant's interest in Hopewell culture and the internship, along with what the student hopes to learn from the internship, and a letter of recommendation from an Ohio University faculty member detailing the student's suitability for the internship. Interviews may be scheduled with applicants as part of the selection process. Students should submit completed applications to Ann Holmes in the Dean's Office. Find more information, including testimonials from previous interns, please visit OHIO Chillicothe’s website.  

The Bruce Lombardo Internship was launched in 2022 when Dr. Richard Rooney made a gift to Ohio University Chillicothe to honor Bruce Lombardo (1956-2017), a retired teacher, published author, conservationist and biologist who worked at the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park as well as several other cultural sites in the area. The goal of the internship is to bring OHIO Chillicothe and the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park together to instill an appreciation of the significance of the prehistoric people through their complex system of earthworks and burial mounds while simultaneously expanding and enriching students' experiences.