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Student Internship Program

Student interns at the A-CAPP Center experience the world of brand protection through our unique approach. Students gain direct connections with professionals in the field, earn practical certificates, and receive experiential education credits that strengthen resumes. Unlike typical recruiting paths, this program opens real doors to job opportunities and sets students up for success in a growing, in-demand industry. For students ready to build skills, make connections, and get a head start on their career, apply now and take the next step toward a strong future.

Our Process

This education opportunity is designed for students who want to gain hands-on experience and build real-world skills before graduation. Participants include both first-year students who join on a trial basis and returning students who continue through the academic year.

First-time applicants typically begin with a one-semester trial in the fall, during which they demonstrate their abilities, learn the program structure, and determine whether the experience is the right personal and professional fit. This entry period creates a low-pressure introduction while setting students up for success in the full program.

Step 1: Apply to the Program

Students interested in gaining hands-on, real-world experience apply to join the program before graduation.

Step 2: Begin with a One-Semester Trial (Fall Term)

First-time participants typically start with a one-semester trial in the fall. This trial period allows students to:

  • Learn the structure and expectations of the program
  • Build practical, real-world skills
  • Demonstrate their abilities in a low-pressure environment

Step 3: Assess Fit and Progress

During the trial semester, students and program leaders evaluate whether the experience is a strong personal and professional fit.

Step 4: Continue Through the Academic Year

Students who successfully complete the trial semester may continue in the program as returning participants, gaining deeper experience and advancing their skills throughout the academic year.

What You'll Gain Through Our Program

Learning Foundations

The experience begins with foundational education, opportunities to grow research skills, and early engagement with industry, law enforcement, and academic partners.

Apply & Advance

The next phase focuses on building real-world experience. Knowledge gained at the Center is put into practice within brands, law firms, government agencies, and other organizations, while also offering direct interaction with practitioners.

Deepen Expertise through Mentorship

As involvement continues, participants receive ongoing mentorship from the A-CAPP Center team and broaden their exposure to research and outreach work aligned with their interests.

Launch Your Career

The final phase prepares individuals to step into the workforce with confidence — supported by practical experience, meaningful connections, and continued engagement with the A-CAPP Center community.

Community Outreach & Education Fellowship

The A-CAPP Center is committed to furthering the current and future workforce within the field of brand protection. This award provides professional development and funding support to students that enrich the profession. The award includes two components: funding for research or education and outreach work through the Center and mentorship from an experienced industry professional.

The A-CAPP Center is committed to furthering the current and future workforce within the field of brand protection. This award provides professional development and funding support to students that enrich the profession. The award includes two components: funding for research or education and outreach work through the Center and mentorship from an experienced industry professional.

Matthew R. Maher Fellowship
Donate to the Fellowship Fund

Matthew Ronald Maher was an intern with the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection and a 2017 MSU graduate. Matt was a natural leader, characterized by his positive demeanor and uplifting spirit. His untimely passing does not diminish the impact he has had on MSU, the A-CAPP Center, and his friends. This scholarship was established by Matt’s friends and colleagues as a tribute to him, and to perpetuate his memory. This scholarship is awarded to an MSU student to work with the Center for one semester on a project relating to anti-counterfeiting and/or brand protection research, outreach or education.

Are You Who We’re Looking For?

Self Starter

Motivated by success to set and achieve goals – resilient in overcoming obstacles.

Critical Thinker

Thinks outside-the-box on innovative theories and ideas.

Adaptable

Thrives in a fast paced environment – adapts quickly to changes.

Teachable

Demonstrates ability to learn and grow in an intern/externship position.

Dedicated

Expresses interest in learning from the Center for multiple semesters.

Who Can Apply?

All available positions can be applied for via Handshake.

  • Undergraduate MSU Students
  • Graduate MSU Students
  • Professional MSU Students
  • Any MSU Major/Discipline

Returning Student Opportunities

Brand Protection Student Specialist Brand Protection Law Student Specialist

New Student Opportunities

Brand Protection Student Intern Brand Protection Law Student Intern
Brand Protection Student Intern Brand Protection Law Student Intern

Returning Student Opportunities

Brand Protection Student Specialist Brand Protection Law Student Specialist

New Interns

All new interns begin as Level I in the fall semester. This initial semester is unpaid and designed to provide foundational experience in brand protection and anti-counterfeiting. Interns will:

  • Complete certificate courses
  • Participate in mentorship activities
  • Engage in research, education, and outreach projects

Spring Semester (Level I)

Continuation into the spring semester is contingent upon a fall semester evaluation. Based on performance, interns may be invited to continue as:

  • Level I paid
  • Level I unpaid
  • Not invited to return

During the spring, interns apply their knowledge to further develop skills in brand protection and anti-counterfeiting activities.

Returning Interns

Returning interns typically work as Brand Protection Student Specialists or Brand Protection Law Student Specialists. These positions are usually paid but may be unpaid depending on circumstances. Levels I–IV apply to returning students, with the majority of duties aligned with Levels I and II. Responsibilities increase in complexity and scope, providing opportunities for advanced professional development.

Requirements & Qualifications

General Requirements

  • Use of own laptop; wireless internet provided
  • Students seeking academic credit (externship) should coordinate with their career or academic advisor

Required Qualifications

  • Current MSU student pursuing a degree program
  • Interest in product counterfeiting, trademarks, intellectual property, criminal law, academic research, or torts

General Requirements

  • Use of own laptop; wireless internet provided
  • Students seeking academic credit (externship) should coordinate with their career or academic advisor

Required Qualifications

  • Current MSU student pursuing a degree program
  • Interest in product counterfeiting, trademarks, intellectual property, criminal law, academic research, or torts

Current Student Spotlights

Rahaf Ahmad

Graduate & Master’s Student, Media and Information Science

Rahaf Ahmad is a Master’s student pursuing a degree in Media & Information with a background in Criminal Justice. Her interest in Brand Protection is driven by curiosity and a passion for human-centered initiatives—particularly understanding and improving human experiences and safety. Now in her third year with the A-CAPP Center, Rahaf is excited to continue applying her knowledge and expertise to Brand Protection research, with a particular focus on cross-cultural awareness and communication within the field.

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Denilsson Lozano Becerra

Junior, Political Science/Pre-Law

Denilsson Lozano Becerra is in the Honors College at Michigan State University, majoring in Political Science-Prelaw with minors in Law, Justice, and Public Policy as well as Business. Born in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, and raised in the United States since age six, he was inspired by his immigration journey to pursue a career in law. He has experience as an intern at the Oakland County Clerk’s Office and at the Law Offices of Gabriel V. Triculescu, PLC. A native Spanish speaker who is also fluent in English, Denilsson has a strong interest in intellectual property and brand protection and is eager to expand his knowledge of anti-counterfeiting strategies while contributing to the A-CAPP Center’s mission of protecting brands and consumers.

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Jessica Boeve

Senior, JD/MBA, Law Student

Community Outreach & Education Fellowship Recipient

Jessica was born and raised in the Philippines as a missionary kid before moving to Michigan at age 16, where she graduated from Holland High School. Jessica pursued her passion for Communications at Michigan State University and absolutely loved her time there as a Spartan undergrad, especially going on Semester at Sea spring of her junior year. After graduation, Jessica has explored various career paths, starting as a lifeguard intern with the Disney College Program in Florida, then teaching English in South Korea for one year. Back in Michigan, Jessica substitute taught, bartended, and worked as a coach and client advocate at Neurocore for two years. Prior to returning to graduate school, Jessica served as an Administrative Assistant to the Director of Operations at Helen De Vos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids for four years. Jessica is currently pursuing a JD/MBA at Michigan State, with hopes of specializing in corporate law, focusing on Trademark/Intellectual Property and/or Labor & Employment. This past summer, Jessica was a Labor Relations intern for the City of Grand Rapids and a Legal Intern for Koppa AI working in online anti-counterfeiting and brand protection. As school starts back up, Jessica will continue her Graduate Assistant role with the MSU Board of Trustees and as a Fellow with the A-CAPP Center. In her free time, Jessica enjoys traveling, playing pickleball and euchre, and camping with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Toddler.

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Isabella Correa

Sophomore, Law Student

Isabella Correa, originally from Holland, Michigan, is a 2L at Michigan State University College of Law with a B.S. in Biology from Central Michigan University. She previously worked as an Analytical Chemist at a pharmaceutical company and is now interested in pursuing a career in intellectual property. Outside of law school, Isabella enjoys Marvel, Pokémon, going to the beach, and spending time with her cat, Cumin.

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Adiya Daza

Junior, Law Student

Community Outreach & Education Fellowship Recipient

Adiya Daza is a third-year law student at Michigan State University College of Law, where she focuses her studies on soft intellectual property topics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from Saginaw Valley State University. This is her second year working with MSU’s A-CAPP Center and where she has been awarded the Community Outreach and Education Fellowship for the academic year. Adiya has gained hands-on experience in the field through her work at Miller Canfield, where she worked on copyright issues, and most recently at S&P Global Mobility, where she covered a wide range of soft IP matters including trademark, copyright, data protection, and trade secrets. In her free time, Adiya enjoys cooking and making her wife try experimental dishes.

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Nayeli Diaz

Junior, JD Candidate, Law Student

Nayeli Diaz is a third-year JD candidate at Michigan State University College of Law, with a focus on trademark law, intellectual property, and legal innovation. She has earned top honors in national competitions, including the Saul Lefkowitz Trademark Moot Court, and leads as President of the Board of Advocates and Communications Chair for the Intellectual Property Law Society. Through research roles at MSU’s Center for Law, Technology & Innovation and at the A-CAPP Center, Nayeli explores the intersection of brand protection with AI. She aspires to pursue a career in intellectual property litigation, advocating for creators and innovators in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

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Samuel Fisher

Junior, Criminal Justice

Sam Fisher is a third-year undergraduate student at Michigan State University, majoring in Criminal Justice with minors in Security Management and Law, Justice, and Public Policy. Originally from Royal Oak, Michigan, he is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma and plans to become more involved in student organizations as the academic year begins. Sam is excited to join the A-CAPP Center, where he looks forward to learning more about product protection and anti-counterfeiting. In his free time, he enjoys staying active and spending time with friends.

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Addison Keener

Senior, Criminal Justice

Matthew R. Maher Fellowship Recipient

Addison Keener is a senior at Michigan State University majoring in Criminal Justice, with minors in Law, Justice and Public Policy, Security Management, and Business. Now in her third year with the A-CAPP Center, she previously served as an Education and Outreach Fellow in her second year, combining her academic studies with hands-on experience in advocacy and public engagement.
In 2025, Addison was honored to receive the Matthew R. Maher Fellowship, a recognition she deeply values. Her professional experience also includes internships with the National Cyber Forensics and Training Alliance in Pittsburgh, PA (Summer 2024) and Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, MI (Summer 2025). She is grateful for the mentors, peers, and opportunities that have shaped her journey and is eager to see what the future holds.

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Victoria Kennaugh

Junior, Criminal Justice; Psychology

Victoria Kennaugh is from Troy, Michigan and is going into her junior year. She is pursuing dual degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice, with minors in Spanish and Law, Justice, & Public Policy. She works for the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety in a Spartan Security role and is taking part in the Adolescent Diversion Program through the College of Social Science this academic year. She is a member of multiple clubs and organizations on campus, including Delta Phi Epsilon. Victoria spent the summer studying abroad in Valencia, Spain, increasing her interest in working abroad in the future. Victoria wants to continue working within the Juvenile Justice system post-graduation, while finding opportunities to learn about new cultures. This is her first year being a part of the A-CAPP Center team and she is excited to hone her research skills and learn more about brand and product protection.

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Dingyun (Emily) Long

Senior, Electrical Engineering; Computer Engineering

Dingyun (Emily) Long is a Senior undergraduate student currently dual majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. For her extracurricular activities, she is involved in campus organizations including Women in Engineering and Spartan Hackers. During her first year with the A-CAPP Center, Dingyun gained valuable experience in the brand protection and anti-counterfeiting field, she looks forward to being a returning intern with the A-CAPP Center for the 2025/26 academic year.

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Olivia Quiroga

Sophomore, Criminal Justice

Olivia Quiroga is a sophomore at Michigan State University, majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Law, Justice and Public Policy and Security Management. She has a strong interest in brand protection, corporate security, and licensing. Olivia is actively exploring new learning opportunities and experiences in her field to build her expertise and prepare for her future career in criminal justice and other related fields.

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Carson Roberts

Junior, Law Student

Carson Roberts is from Nashville, TN, and a graduate of Purdue University. He is currently a 3L at Michigan State University College of Law, where he expects to graduate in May 2026. During law school, Carson has gained valuable experience in prosecution, real estate law, and the insurance sector. He is particularly passionate about intellectual property as well as sports and entertainment law, and the many intersections between these fields.
Carson envisions applying the knowledge and experience he gains with the A-CAPP Center in a trademark law setting within the world of sports law. He has especially enjoyed coursework on trademark counterfeiting and other areas of intellectual property at MSU Law and looks forward to continuing to broaden his expertise in brand protection through his work with A-CAPP Center this year.

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Brooke Winters

Senior, Criminal Justice; International Relations

Brooke is entering her second year with the A-CAPP Center. She is a senior pursuing dual degrees in Criminal Justice and International Relations, with a minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy. She is a research assistant for the School of Criminal Justice and involved in multiple clubs on campus, including the Sunshine Garden which she co-founded. Brooke spent this past summer interning at a fortune 50 insurance company where she learned all aspects of claim handling procedures, including investigation, evaluation, and policy application procedures. After graduation, Brooke is hoping to work for the federal government in international relations. Brooke is excited to spend her last year at Michigan State working at the A-CAPP Center.

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