Bowie State University Expands Experiential Learning Through Internship Partnership with Anne Arundel County and Gaudenzia

New rolling internship cohort program offers Bowie State students a one-of-a-kind experience

(BOWIE, Md.) — Bowie State University joins Anne Arundel County to advance the county’s multiyear effort to transform the former Crownsville Hospital into a space that promotes healing, wellness and generational change through a new educational partnership. Gaudenzia, a nonprofit serving people in need of treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders, and Bowie State University are collaborating on the Gaudenzia Crownsville Campus Internship Program following a signed Memorandum of Understanding. This initiative enrolls students on a rolling basis in spring, summer and fall cohorts and has already celebrated and welcomed its first group of students. 

“As Maryland’s oldest HBCU, Bowie State University is deeply committed to transforming lives and advancing equity through education,” said Bowie State University President Dr. Aminta H. Breaux.“ This partnership at Crownsville provides our students with meaningful, hands-on experience across critical fields, including healthcare, mental and behavioral health, social work and criminal justice — areas that are vital to the well-being of our communities. We are proud to contribute to the site’s legacy of healing and transformation while preparing the next generation of professionals to lead with intellect, compassion and purpose. We look forward to continuing this important collaboration with Anne Arundel County and Gaudenzia.” 

"Crownsville holds a complex and painful history, marked by the medical mistreatment and discrimination faced by Black patients," said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. "This partnership with Gaudenzia and Bowie State University is a way for the county to address that history — not by rewriting it, but by striving to create an equitable future. I want to thank our partners for working with the next generation to ensure that our residents can access the mental health and medical care they need.”  

This new program integrates higher education directly into critical community service, offering Bowie State students purpose-driven, real-world experience at the intersection of behavioral health, community reintegration and equity. 

Designed for counseling, psychology, nursing, social work and criminal justice majors, the internship is a rare, multidisciplinary experience in which interns are immersed in trauma-informed care. It heavily emphasizes mission-based learning and multidisciplinary collaboration, backed by high-touch mentorship and crucial hands-on experience with justice-involved populations across the full continuum of care.

“Bowie State students are gaining meaningful, hands-on experience through their Gaudenzia internships from day one,” said Dr. Deja Gilbert, CEO of Gaudenzia. “They’re learning alongside our teams in real-world care environments, building the skills and confidence to serve others with compassion. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals while strengthening the communities we serve. We’re honored to walk alongside these students as they grow, contribute and prepare to lead in powerful ways.” 

The educational partnership aligns directly with the county’s vision for the Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park. After Anne Arundel County acquired the former Crownsville Hospital Complex from the State of Maryland in December 2022, Pittman unveiled the Final Master Plan in February 2025. 

The Master Plan, created based on extensive community outreach and collaboration, serves as a blueprint for future development, providing detailed recommendations for land use and building programming to foster healing. The Gaudenzia Crownsville Campus Internship Program is one of the first steps in laying the groundwork for a lasting legacy that will inform and inspire future generations. 

Watch an informational video featuring Bowie State University President Dr. Aminta H. Breaux and cohort interns from Bowie State's College of Professional Studies.

Students interested in the internship program can find more information at gaudenzia.org/internships. 

To learn more about the steps taken to develop Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park, visit AACounty.Org/CrownsvillePark.

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. Bowie State has earned the ‘Research College and University’ designation in the 2025 Carnegie Research Activity Classification. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly Alexander, kalexander1@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311