At the University of St. Thomas, the call to serve is at the heart of our mission, particularly serving those with limited access to educational excellence. With those students and their families in mind, the University launched the Rising Stars Internship Program in 2019, to propel scholarship - dependent students into the professional environment as future contenders for top positions . Through the program, qualified first - generation and lower - in come students are granted the opportunity to continue their educational journey at UST while gaining valuable work experience, professional mentors, and a growing network with in the corporate world. It is a win-win program – corporate sponsors gain a productive employee, and the Rising Stars become valuable assets prepared for Houston’s workforce.