TheState System of Higher Education's Board of Governors today recognized The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS), which recently celebrated its 10^th anniversary.

Since its creation in 1989, THIS has placed 276 students from State System universities in offices throughout state government, including in the legislative and executive branches as well as with independent boards, agencies and commissions. Students who participate in the program spend a full semester in Harrisburg, where they learn first hand about the workings of state government at the policy-making level.

Two classes of students are selected to participate in THIS each year. All 14 universities participate in what has become one of the longest-running System-wide programs.

In order to be eligible to participate in the program, a student much have at least a 3.0 grade point average in 45 undergraduate credit hours. THIS welcomes students in any academic major, and juniors and seniors especially are encouraged to apply.

The Board at its quarterly meetings recognizes outstanding accomplishments of System students, faculty, campus organizations and System-wide programs. Past recognitions have included the McKeever Environmental Learning Center, the Rolling Scots athletic team from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, System faculty who have received Fulbright awards and the System's highly successful partnership programs.

The State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 350,000 System alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and the University Center for Southwest Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resources Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.