This summer, Southwestern Advantage interns served 89,905 families across 8,540 communities in the U.S. and Canada—an incredible reflection of the student representatives’ dedication and hard work. For the 927 college students from 17 countries who participated, Summer 2025 was more than an internship. It was a transformative experience in leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.
Developing Leaders for the Future
One of the hallmarks of the Southwestern Advantage Internship Program is its ability to cultivate real-world leadership skills in students who are still in college.
Take Luke Larkin, an Economics major at Flagler College. In his third summer, Luke took on the role of Organizational Leader—mentoring a team of 10–20 peers while still running his own business.
“This summer was one of my favorites, I think I learned a lot of good leadership traits from being an Organizational Leader and had a lot of wins. This summer was probably one of my most challenging, but with great challenge comes great growth.”
Another standout was Sandra Perez, also in her third year with Southwestern Advantage. She shared:
“My summer internship taught me that leading people is harder — and more rewarding — than leading in sales… For the first time, success wasn’t about my effort in sales, but about the work I put into shaping a smoothly operating system of people… What I’m most proud of? Watching the people around me win.”
Stories like Luke’s and Sandra’s highlight the core of the program: giving students the chance to lead, adapt, and build resilience early in their careers. And they represent just two of the 416 student sales leaders who guided their peers this summer.
A Network of Support
Those 416 leaders—some stepping up for the first time, others returning to build on prior experience—form the backbone of the program. They shared best practices, fostered accountability, and created an environment where younger students could grow into confident entrepreneurs. By mentoring others while running their own businesses, they multiplied the impact of the program across thousands of families and communities.
Their efforts were reinforced by the generosity of more than 840 host families across the U.S. and Canada. By opening their homes, these families provided students with the stability and encouragement they needed to thrive in challenging environments.
Finally, the program is strengthened by the backing of the broader Southwestern Family of Companies. As the flagship business of this 19-company collective, Southwestern Advantage is supported by an organization recently recognized as a Nashville Business Journal Best Places to Work – Giant Company 2025 Winner. The family of companies also ranked 6th among mid-sized businesses on Middle Tennessee’s Top Workplaces list by The Tennessean/USA Today, earning top honors for Work/Life Flexibility.
Southwestern Advantage in the News
This year, the program drew widespread attention, with 25 news stories covering the work of our students. These features showcase how interns are making a difference at the local level:
- The ‘Bookgirl’ is Helping Worth County Families Get Educational Resources – WALB
Emory Ontko, a second-year intern, helps connect families with educational tools in Worth County, Georgia. - Polish Exchange Student in Winston Works to Improve Literacy, One Family at a Time – The News-Review
Sebastian Ledwon, a first-year participant and student from Poland brings literacy support to Oregon families. - UTSA Student Brings Educational Support to Wayne County Families – Goldsboro Daily News
Third-year sales rep and UTSA student, Crystal Ledesma, brings Southwestern Advantage resources to families in North Carolina. - College Student Helping Local Families with their Education Needs – West Virginia Daily News
Southwestern Advantage rookie, Troy Langva, brings educational resources to rural West Virginia communities. - International Student Makes Impact on the Iron Range – Northern News Now
Karl Riips, an international student and fourth-year participant, comes to Minnesota and serves families on the Iron Range. - International Student looking to take American values back to Ukraine – KQ2
A broadcast video highlighting, Associate Sales Leader, Ilona Savik’s impact in Missouri communities.
Looking Ahead
The achievements of Summer 2025 showcase the dedication of our students and the strength of the Southwestern Advantage Internship Program. From the tens of thousands of families served to the hundreds of student leaders who stepped up to guide their peers, this summer proved the lasting impact young people can make when given the chance to grow through real-world experience.
As we turn toward Summer 2026, we look forward to welcoming a new class of students ready to serve, grow, and make a lasting impact in communities across the country.
