Doris Carson Williams serves as Co-Chair of the University of Pittsburgh’s Elsie Hillman Civic Forum. Her career is a testament to the powerful role that mentorship plays in a person’s life, career, and ultimately impact in communities. As a businesswoman and aspiring politician in the 1970s, Doris was committed to advancing economic prosperity among Pittsburgh’s African American community. It was at that time that then Republican National Committee Chair and Pittsburgh resident, Elsie Hillman became her mentor and friend for over thirty-five years. Doris went on to become the founder of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania earning distinctive recognition as one of the nation’s largest and most successful chambers. 

The Doris Carson Williams Internship will be available to two students each academic year. Students will be selected through a competitive process and then join the Elsie Honors Scholars program and cohort. As part of the Elsie Honors Scholars program, the internship will:

• Provide placements with community organizations or public agencies that support entrepreneurs and small businesses
• Earn three credits from the David C. Frederick Honors College
• Work ten hours per week, earning $15 / hour for the full academic year
• Attend a bi-weekly seminar course learning marketable career and transferable skills
• Produce a professional level project(s) for their community partnering organizations

2026-27 Community Partner

The interns will work with the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania to support the chamber through social media engagement, community impact initiatives, and technology support. 

2026-27 Project Mentor

Barãta A. Bey, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania, is a community focused leader boasting achievements directing strategic operations in dynamic financial environments. He has a talent for promoting customer-centric programs that improve the quality of life within local communities through financial or investment support. Barãta can conceptualize and launch services that positively impact communities supporting job creation, local infrastructure, small business loan programs, philanthropic giving, sponsorship and financial education programs. He excels at aligning core business, revenue and growth goals enhancing Return on Investment and supporting product marketing, referral marketing programs, retention and key account development initiatives.

In the News

• PittGiving: Long-Time Community Leader and Pioneer Honored with Named Scholarship
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: New Pitt internship will train students to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs

Apply

The application window closed on March 31, 2026.

The program follows a two-stage review process with a submission of written materials review followed by an interview.

Eligibility

• Any full-time undergraduate student pursuing majors in the School of Business, School of Computing & Information, or the Swanson School of Engineering should apply
• Note: You do not need to be a part of the Honors College to participate
• Preference given to juniors and seniors

When is the program offered?

This program is offered every academic year from September through April.

Benefits

• Earn $15 per hour for 10 hours per week for 32 weeks, plus $500 to support any project-related costs.
• Earn three credits from the Honors College for the year, including 1 credit in the Fall (HONORS 1612) and 2 credits in the Spring (HONORS 1613).
• Work with an organization or small business that supports social entrepreneurship or corporate social responsibility
• Develop project management skills 
• Produce a quality project or product that you can include in your employment portfolio 

Program Learning Objectives

By the end of this program, Doris Carson Williams interns will be able to:

• Explain the components of their organization or small business from a historical, economic, and political perspective, including its mission and role within the community
• Explain how the organization or small business has incorporated social entrepreneurship or corporate social responsibility
• Apply project management skills through the implementation of a project
• Explain what issues their project addresses and how their project will impact the community served through discussion, written materials, and final presentation
• Analyze and synthesize diverse sources of information

Program Commitments

• Eight-month program (September - April)
• Ten hours per week at the partner site for the entire academic year
• Bi-weekly seminar, Fridays 2-4:30 p.m.

Application Requirements

Required Materials:

• Unofficial transcript (upload in "Other" section)
• Resume
• Writing sample – Essay responding to TWO questions below (3-page maximum, double-spaced)

Essay Questions:

• Why are you interested in applying for the Doris Carson Williams Internship, and how does this opportunity align with your academic focus, professional interests, and long-term career goals?
• As a potential intern, what does it mean to improve business and professional opportunities for small business owners and professionals? What skills, ideas, or experiences would you bring to the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA that support social entrepreneurship or corporate social responsibility?

About Doris Carson Williams

Doris Carson Williams is the immediate past President and Chief Executive Officer of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA, and a newly retired board member of Highmark. She is Vice Chair of Highmark Foundation, the board of the Highmark Caring Foundation, and a board member of PENNAULT Organics, Inc. She is the past as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and is the immediate past President of the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline. Doris co-chaired the 2014 G-20 summit in Pittsburgh. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum. Doris graduated from the University of Hartford, Fairfield University-Banking and Finance, the Katz School Management Program for Executives, and received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Carlow University. She is a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania. She resides in Pittsburgh and has one son, James III. He and his Brooke are the proud parents of James Vaughan and Jade Marie Williams.