Rutgers–Camden Interns Get Points in the Paint with Philadelphia 76ers

Thanks to a new partnership between the university and the NBA franchise, the Philadelphia 76ers have welcomed three new interns from Rutgers–Camden.

Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis and Magda Moncrief, vice president of human resources for the 76ers, signed a memorandum of understanding formalizing a collaborative alliance between the two organizations to develop new internship opportunities for students at Rutgers–Camden.

Daveigh Villanueva CCAS'27, Anderson Guaman CCAS'27, and Khamani Wade RSBC’26 comprise the inaugural cohort of the internship program. They joined team and university leaders at the Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden to celebrate the occasion.

Chancellor Tillis expressed his gratitude to the 76ers organization and recognized Leslie Walker, a 76ers employee and Rutgers–Camden alumna, who first suggested creating an internship program with her alma mater.

The 76ers organization is aligned with many of the same guiding principles that shape our work at Rutgers–Camden, including the aim to provide opportunities for the people in our community. This is a perfect partnership because our students, at least one of whom each semester will be a Camden resident, will come to understand it’s not just what you see on the court, but what happens on the inside, and the varied array of exciting career prospects available in professional sports.

Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis

Lara Price, chief operating officer of the 76ers, echoed Chancellor Tillis's sentiment and noted the focus the organization places on community involvement.

“When we developed this state-of-the-art training and practice facility, we had the specific intention to become more integrated into the community of Camden, whether it is through community events or job creation,” Price said. “This new partnership will allow the students of Rutgers–Camden to understand that the professional opportunities available with us go well beyond the basketball court."

The internships will officially begin on October 15, and the students will work with the organization throughout the fall semester in various areas, including finance, IT, and communications. In welcoming them to the organization, Moncrief encouraged the students to embrace the opportunity.

"We anticipate you will learn a lot, but we expect we will also learn a lot from you and encourage you to share your ideas during your time here,” Moncrief said. "We want you to be able to share stories of your time here even as you move on in your careers and lives."

For the interns, this is a chance to grow and live out their dreams.

“I’ve been a fan for a long time, so the opportunity to work closely with the Sixers is really a dream come true,” said Villanueva, a Camden native. “I hope to gain experience not only in journalism but also in marketing and promoting my favorite team.”

For Guaman, the chance to work with such a well-known organization is something he never could have imagined when he was younger.

“I’m a first-generation student who immigrated from Ecuador, so I never expected I would be presented with an opportunity like this,” Guaman said. “Having an IT internship with the Sixers means a lot to me, and I'm excited about what this experience will bring.”

Wade echoed the enthusiasm of his fellow interns.

“This opportunity means everything to me,” Wade said. “I grew up playing basketball, and for the Sixers to take a chance on me for my first internship is like a dream come true. I can be in the NBA in some kind of way.”