Rising Montana Student Chosen for First Interstate Bank Smithsonian Award
Lyla Ackerman, a Helena High School graduate and rising junior at the University of Montana, has been selected for the Smithsonian Institution’s first-ever rural internship program, sponsored by First Interstate Bank. The 19-year-old will spend the summer working at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., a landmark opportunity for Montana’s rural youth. This initiative, announced June 18, aims to bridge the urban-rural divide by offering 20 students from underserved areas hands-on experience in cultural preservation and museum curation. Ackerman’s selection marks a turning point for Montana’s education pipeline, where only 12% of students from rural counties attend college compared to the national average of 36%.
Why This Internship Program Could Reshape Montana’s Education Landscape
The Smithsonian’s rural internship initiative is not just a one-time opportunity—it’s a deliberate response to a decades-long disparity in educational access for Montana’s rural communities. According to the Montana State Auditor’s Office, rural counties like Lewis and Clark, where Helena is located, have graduation rates 15% lower than urban centers like Missoula. Ackerman’s placement aligns with broader efforts to address this gap, including Montana’s 2023 Rural Education Investment Act, which allocated $5 million to expand STEM and arts programs in high-need districts.
“This isn’t just about giving one student a chance—it’s about proving that rural kids can compete at the highest levels. The Smithsonian’s program is a statement that Montana’s future isn’t just in Billings or Missoula.”
How the Program Works: A Closer Look at the Selection Process
The inaugural class of 20 interns was chosen from a pool of 450 applicants based on academic merit, leadership potential, and essays detailing their connection to rural heritage. Ackerman, who grew up on a family ranch near Helena, submitted a proposal focusing on preserving Montana’s ranching history—a topic she explored through a senior thesis at Helena High. Her selection underscores the Smithsonian’s emphasis on place-based learning, a model increasingly adopted by institutions like the Library of Congress to engage students from non-urban backgrounds.
- Duration: 10-week residential program (June–August 2026)
- Stipend: $3,500 (including travel and housing)
- Focus Areas: Digital archiving, oral history collection, and exhibit design
- Eligibility: High school graduates from counties with populations under 10,000
What Happens Next: The Long-Term Impact on Montana’s Workforce
Ackerman’s internship extends beyond personal growth—it’s a pilot for a potential pipeline between Montana’s rural youth and national institutions. The state’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, mining, and tourism, but a 2025 Montana Department of Labor report warns of a looming skills gap in heritage preservation and cultural tourism, sectors that employ nearly 12,000 Montanans. By exposing students like Ackerman to museum curation and digital preservation, the program could address this shortage while keeping talent local.
Local businesses are already taking note. In Helena, heritage tourism operators are partnering with the University of Montana’s Anthropology Department to create apprenticeships for interns returning to the state. “We’ve got kids who can now tell the story of Montana’s ranching history with the same rigor as a Smithsonian exhibit,” says Javier Morales, CEO of Montana Heritage Tours. “That’s a game-changer for our industry.”
A Historical Precedent: How Other States Are Filling the Rural Education Gap
| State | Program | Funding Source | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | North Dakota State University Rural STEM Internships | $2.1M from ND Legislature | 30% increase in rural students pursuing STEM degrees (2022–2025) |
| Vermont | Vermont Folklife Center Apprenticeships | $1.8M from NEA grants | 15% of apprentices hired by local cultural nonprofits |
| Montana | Smithsonian Rural Internship (First Interstate Bank) | $700K private-public partnership | Pilot program; expansion pending 2027 funding |
Montana’s approach differs from programs in North Dakota and Vermont by leveraging national institutions rather than state-funded initiatives. While Vermont’s folklife apprenticeships focus on local preservation, Montana’s Smithsonian tie-in offers a higher-profile platform. “This isn’t just about access—it’s about visibility,” notes Dr. Elena Vasquez, a rural education policy expert at the University of Wyoming. “When rural students see themselves in national narratives, they’re more likely to stay engaged in their own communities.”
The Bigger Picture: Rural Brain Drain and How This Program Might Help
Montana has lost nearly 18,000 residents to urban migration since 2010, according to U.S. Census data. While Ackerman’s internship won’t reverse this trend overnight, it could mitigate it by offering rural students pathways that don’t require leaving their home state. The University of Montana’s Continuing Education program has already seen a 22% increase in enrollment from rural counties since 2024, partly due to similar pipeline initiatives.
“We’re not just training curators—we’re training ambassadors for Montana’s story. If Lyla comes back and starts a digital archive of Helena’s ranching history, that’s a job that keeps her here and brings others with her.”
Who Benefits Beyond the Interns?
The ripple effects of this program extend to Montana’s intellectual property attorneys, who are already advising cultural nonprofits on securing grants for preservation projects. The Montana Office of Public Instruction is also reviewing the program’s curriculum to integrate it into high school social studies standards, ensuring future cohorts have a clearer path to participation.
For businesses, the opportunity lies in leveraging this newfound expertise. Cultural tourism agencies in places like Big Sky and Whitefish are eyeing partnerships with returning interns to develop immersive experiences, while STEM-focused bootcamps in Butte are positioning themselves to train the next generation of digital archivists. “This is the kind of talent that can turn a small-town museum into a destination,” says Natalie Park, owner of Helena Heritage Walks.
The Road Ahead: Will This Become a Model for Other States?
The Smithsonian’s program is a proof of concept, but its long-term success hinges on securing sustained funding. First Interstate Bank has committed to underwriting the initiative for three years, but expansion beyond Montana’s borders will require federal or corporate partnerships. The Smithsonian’s Office of Rural Engagement has indicated interest in replicating the model in Appalachia and the Pacific Northwest, where similar rural-urban divides exist.
For now, Montana’s focus remains on scaling the program locally. The Montana Rural Education Association is lobbying for state funding to create a year-round version of the internship, while the Governor’s Office has earmarked $500,000 in the 2027 budget for rural STEM-arts hybrids. “This is about more than one intern,” says Ackerman’s high school guidance counselor, Ms. Rivera. “It’s about proving that Montana’s future isn’t just in the cities.”
As Ackerman prepares to leave for D.C., her story serves as a reminder: the solutions to rural America’s challenges often lie in the very communities they aim to serve. For those looking to capitalize on this momentum—whether through education, tourism, or legal advisory—now is the time to act. The question isn’t whether Montana can compete with urban centers, but how quickly it can turn this internship into a movement.