Le Moyne College is looking to increase engagement between students and the surrounding community.

The new Le Moyne Community Internship Initiative (LCII).

The college will work with government agencies, nonprofits, and small businesses to create projects and internships.

The hope is to boost the future careers of students, and the Syracuse economy.

"It's a great way to engage students and help them develop that work relationship that can lead to career opportunities, and also keep them in the community," said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.

"They are serving the community, meeting people who run our local businesses, they're meeting people in nonprofits, so that right away, when they step on campus, they realize they are a part of the community in which we are," said Meredith Tornabene, the director of Career Advising and Development.

The project came together because of COVID-19, and all of the organizations significantly impacted.