Cluck is one of 13 students from eight of Kentucky's 19 independent colleges chosen for the first AIKCU Frankfort Semester Administrative Internship Program. Selection was based on applicants' interest in government, their academic background and a desire for an administrative employment experience while still in college. The AIKCU interns receive monthly stipends.

A sociology major from Fort Smith, Ark., Cluck will spend four months in her Frankfort job. For her internship experience, which includes working 30 hours per week in the agency and the completion of two academic seminars in Frankfort, she will earn academic credit.

One seminar taught by State Budget Director James Ramsey, focuses on public finance and the state budget. The other seminar is a research course on state government issues taught by Richard Wilson, the internship program's coordinator.

The administrative internship program is the second state government-related working and learning experience in Frankfort sponsored by AIKCU. Last spring the organization coordinated a legislative internship through which five students spent the entire semester in Frankfort working for members of Kentucky's General Assembly and participating in two academic seminars.

AIKCU is an advocacy organization supporting Kentucky's 19 non-profit independent higher education institutions in the areas of fundraising, cooperative programs, research and public policy.