Effective Date: July 1, 2026

Who we are

The HBCUI Internship Program (“HBCUI,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you choose to share with us.

Our mission is to connect students with meaningful educational, career development, and internship opportunities through partnerships with the National Park Service, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other participating organizations.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and disclose information when you visit:

By using our websites, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect Automatically

When you browse our website, certain technical information is collected automatically. This information generally does not identify you personally.

Information collected may include:

  • Internet Protocol (IP) address
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Device type
  • Date and time of your visit
  • Pages viewed
  • Files downloaded
  • Referring website or search engine
  • Website performance and diagnostic information

We use this information to:

  • Improve website functionality
  • Enhance accessibility
  • Monitor website security
  • Understand how visitors use our website
  • Improve user experience
  • Maintain reliable website performance

2. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience and better understand how visitors use our website.

Cookies may be used to:

  • Remember user preferences
  • Improve navigation
  • Maintain secure browsing sessions
  • Analyze website traffic
  • Improve website performance
  • Help us understand visitor interests

Our website may use both:

  • Session Cookies, which expire when you close your browser.
  • Persistent Cookies, which remain on your device until they expire or are deleted.

You may configure your web browser to refuse cookies or notify you when cookies are being used. Some features of the website may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

3. Website Analytics

We may use analytics tools, including Google Analytics or similar services, to understand how visitors use our website.

Analytics may collect anonymous information such as:

  • Pages visited
  • Time spent on pages
  • Navigation patterns
  • Device information
  • Browser information
  • General geographic region
  • Website performance metrics

Analytics data is used only to improve our website and services and is not intended to personally identify individual visitors.

For more information about Google Analytics, please visit:

https://support.google.com/analytics

4. Information You Voluntarily Provide

You may voluntarily provide personal information when interacting with our website.

Examples include:

  • First and last name
  • Email address
  • Telephone number
  • Mailing address
  • City
  • State or Territory
  • ZIP Code
  • College or university
  • Academic major
  • Graduation year
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Cover letter
  • Portfolio or website links
  • LinkedIn profile
  • Internship interests
  • Professional experience
  • Media inquiries
  • Partnership requests
  • National Park Service site information
  • Uploaded documents
  • Other information you voluntarily choose to provide

Providing personal information is entirely voluntary.

5. Forms on Our Website

Our website includes several forms that allow visitors to request information, submit applications, or communicate with our team. Depending on the form you complete, we may collect information necessary to respond to your request or administer our programs.

Examples include:

  • General Contact Form
  • Team Contact Form
  • Internship Interest Form
  • Internship Application
  • Current Intern Support Form
  • College & University Partnership Form
  • National Park Service Site Interest Form
  • Community & Organizational Partnership Form
  • Media Inquiry Form
  • Newsletter Sign-Up Form
  • Event Registration Forms (if applicable)

Information submitted through these forms is used solely for the purpose for which it was collected.

6. Internship Applications

Information submitted through internship applications or internship interest forms may be used to:

  • Determine applicant eligibility
  • Evaluate qualifications
  • Coordinate interviews
  • Match applicants with internship opportunities
  • Communicate application status
  • Administer internship programs
  • Maintain program records
  • Coordinate onboarding activities

Submitting an application does not guarantee selection or placement.

7. National Park Service, Colleges, Universities, and Partner Organizations

Representatives from National Park Service sites, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, foundations, and other partner organizations may voluntarily submit information regarding partnership opportunities.

Information may include:

  • Site contact information
  • Internship position requests
  • Position descriptions
  • Housing availability
  • Supervisor information
  • Internship planning
  • Program collaboration
  • Partnership inquiries

This information is used solely to administer partnerships and support internship programming.

8. Media Inquiries

Members of the media may voluntarily submit information such as:

  • Organization
  • Publication
  • Reporter or producer name
  • Interview requests
  • Story topics
  • Deadlines
  • Contact information

This information is used only to coordinate media communications.

9. Uploaded Documents

Some forms may allow users to upload documents such as:

  • Résumés
  • Cover letters
  • Position descriptions
  • Portfolios
  • Supporting documentation

Please submit only information that is relevant to your inquiry or application.

Uploaded documents are used only for the purpose for which they were submitted.

10. Embedded Content

Our website may include embedded content from third-party websites, including:

  • YouTube videos
  • Google Maps
  • Social media posts
  • Documents
  • Images
  • Other multimedia content

Embedded content behaves in the same manner as if you visited the originating website directly.

These third-party websites may collect information about you, use cookies, or monitor your interaction according to their own privacy policies.

11. How We Use Information

Information collected through our website may be used to:

  • Respond to inquiries
  • Process internship applications
  • Coordinate internship placements
  • Support students
  • Coordinate partnerships
  • Communicate with applicants
  • Send newsletters (when requested)
  • Improve website services
  • Enhance educational programming
  • Maintain organizational records
  • Meet legal and regulatory obligations
  • Protect website security

We use personal information only for legitimate organizational purposes.

12. Information Sharing

HBCUI respects your privacy.

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

Information may be shared only when reasonably necessary to:

  • Administer internship programs
  • Coordinate placements with participating National Park Service sites
  • Coordinate with colleges and universities
  • Coordinate with approved nonprofit and government partners
  • Utilize trusted service providers that support our website and communications
  • Comply with applicable laws or legal processes
  • Protect the rights, safety, or security of HBCUI, our users, or others

Only the minimum information necessary will be shared.

13. Email Communications

If you subscribe to receive updates, we may send information regarding:

  • Internship opportunities
  • Application announcements
  • Professional development
  • Program news
  • Events
  • Partnership opportunities
  • Newsletters

You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link included in those communications.

Transactional emails related to applications or partnerships may still be sent when necessary.

14. Third-Party Services

Our website may use trusted third-party service providers to support website operations.

Examples may include:

  • Google Workspace
  • Google Analytics
  • WordPress
  • Elementor
  • YouTube
  • Email service providers
  • Spam prevention services
  • Website hosting providers
  • WooCommerce
  • Forminator

These providers maintain their own privacy policies governing their services.

15. Links to External Websites

Our website contains links to websites operated by other organizations, including:

  • National Park Service
  • U.S. Department of the Interior
  • Urban American Outdoors
  • SODAS Life Inc. 
  • USAJobs
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Google
  • YouTube
  • Other partner organizations

When you leave an HBCUI-operated website, you are subject to the privacy practices of the external website.

HBCUI is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites.

16. Children’s Privacy

The HBCUI Internship Program is intended primarily for high school students, college students, university personnel, educators, professionals, and partner organizations.

Our website is not directed toward children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 without appropriate parental consent or other authorization required by law.

If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child under 13 in a manner inconsistent with applicable law, we will take reasonable steps to delete such information.

17. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

While we strive to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

18. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary to:

  • Administer internship programs
  • Maintain partnership records
  • Respond to inquiries
  • Meet legal obligations
  • Resolve disputes
  • Improve organizational services

When information is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or anonymized where appropriate.

19. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on applicable law, you may have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal information
  • Request correction of inaccurate information
  • Request deletion of personal information, subject to legal and operational requirements
  • Withdraw consent for future communications
  • Unsubscribe from marketing communications
  • Manage cookies through your browser settings

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.

20. Accessibility

HBCUI is committed to providing an accessible website for all users.

If you experience difficulty accessing any part of our website or require accommodations, please contact us so we can provide assistance.

21. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our programs, website functionality, legal requirements, or organizational practices.

Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised Last Updated date.

We encourage visitors to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

22. Contact Us

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us:

HBCUI Internship Program

Website: https://www.hbcui.org

Website: https://www.hbcuinternship.org

Email: privacy@hbcuinternship.org

General Inquiries: info@hbcuinternship.org

23. Notice Regarding Partner Organizations

The HBCUI Internship Program collaborates with the National Park Service, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, foundations, and other partners to provide educational and career development opportunities.

Unless expressly stated, HBCUI is an independent nonprofit organization and is not a federal agency. References to partner organizations are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement, sponsorship, or responsibility for the privacy practices of those organizations.

24. Security Concerns and Vulnerability Reporting

HBCUI takes reasonable steps to protect its website, online forms, and information systems.

If you believe you have discovered a security vulnerability affecting an HBCUI-operated website or online service, please report it promptly to:

info@hbcuinternship.org

Please include, when available:

  • The webpage, system, or service affected
  • A description of the suspected vulnerability
  • Steps that may help us reproduce the issue
  • Screenshots or supporting information
  • Your contact information, if you would like a response

Please do not:

  • Access, download, alter, retain, or disclose personal or confidential information
  • Disrupt website operations
  • Introduce malicious software
  • Attempt to gain persistent access to HBCUI systems
  • Conduct denial-of-service testing
  • Conduct phishing, impersonation, or other social-engineering activity
  • Publicly disclose a suspected vulnerability before HBCUI has had a reasonable opportunity to investigate and address it

Information submitted through this process will be used to investigate and address potential security concerns. HBCUI does not offer monetary compensation for vulnerability reports unless expressly agreed to in writing in advance.