The Hillman Internship

About the Internship

The Hillman Internship is the heart of the Prindle Institute for Ethics. Open to DePauw students from all disciplines, the program offers a rigorous experience in ethics education, dialogue, and community engagement. Each year, Hillman Interns work 4–5 hours per week during the academic year, supporting the Institute’s mission to foster ethical reflection and public discussion. They assist with events like the Indiana High School Ethics Bowl, Prindlepalooza, and campus lectures, while also designing and leading programs that bring ethical questions to life for audiences across ages and contexts.

Interns enroll in the quarter-credit Ethics in Action course each fall and collaborate in small groups to create innovative programming for both campus and community:

Examples on campus

Hosting a weekly radio show on ethical issues on campus

Leading a campus discussion on the ethics of voting or space exploration

Organizing “Campus Conscience” conversations that spark reflection among peers

Examples beyond campus

Facilitating case-based discussions with local retirees

Mentoring students preparing for Ethics Bowl competitions

Introducing young learners to moral reasoning through creative, play-based activities

Through this work, Hillman Interns serve as ambassadors for the Prindle Institute—connecting ideas to action, exploring the ethical dimensions of life, and helping build a more thoughtful and engaged community.

The Hillman Experience: Learning Through Action

The Hillman Internship is more than a campus job—it’s a yearlong experience in ethical inquiry, collaboration, and leadership. Guided by the mission of the Prindle Institute, the program helps students connect philosophical reflection with real-world practice. Through coursework, programming, and community engagement, Hillman Interns develop the knowledge, skills, and relationships needed to make ethics a meaningful part of their personal and professional lives.

At its core, the program rests on four pieces:

Build a foundation in ethics education.

Hillman Interns begin by developing a strong academic and practical foundation in ethical theory and moral reasoning. Through coursework, guided reflection, and dialogue with peers and mentors, interns learn to analyze moral questions from multiple perspectives. They gain the confidence to approach complex ethical issues—about justice, leadership, technology, and the common good—with clarity, empathy, and intellectual curiosity.

Apply ethics in programming and outreach.

Working in small groups, interns design and lead programs for campus and the wider community, from discussions and events to creative activities for young learners, turning what they study into something others can take part in.

Support professional growth.

Along the way, interns build practical skills in collaboration, communication, and project design. Hillman Interns go on to pursue careers in law, medicine, public policy, education, and beyond.

Foster community and collaboration.

Interns work alongside peers and mentors who share their curiosity, and form lasting relationships with fellow interns and Prindle Institute staff.