The University of Southern Indiana’s Romain College of Business has established a new international internship program in partnership with Trustmoore, a global capital markets company with offices around the world. The internship will take place at the company’s Luxembourg offices. The agreement was finalized this past June during a visit to Luxembourg by Dr. Sudesh Mujumdar, Dean of the Romain College of Business, and Dr. Shelly Blunt, USI Provost.

During a meeting in 2024, members of the International Alumni Advisory Council along with Blunt and Heidi Gregori-Gahan, Associate Provost for International Programs Emerita, brainstormed ways in which international alumni can help current USI students in the areas of mentoring and career development. USI alumnus Mauricio Paniagua, a 2012 graduate in international studies and Spanish language, proposed the possibility of establishing a partnership with USI and his employer Trustmoore Luxembourg, where he serves as Senior Legal Account Manager in the Fund Services Department. Paniagua, who also serves as chair of the USI International Alumni Advisory Council, recognized that the program would be a great opportunity for USI students interested in an international career, and he began to work with his colleagues on what a university partnership would entail.

Paniagua and Gregori-Gahan arranged an initial virtual meeting with several of his colleagues and members of the IAAC council in May 2024 to discuss the internship program. Subsequent meetings in the months following included key USI staff and representatives from the Trustmoore Human Resources Department, with the objective of drafting a framework for the internship program.

“This partnership with Trustmoore reflects our commitment to preparing students for success on a global scale,” said Dr. Blunt. “By connecting our students with international internship opportunities, we’re not only expanding their horizons but also reinforcing the power of our alumni network to shape meaningful, real-world experiences.”

The internship program will provide USI students—particularly those pursuing degrees in finance or accounting—with opportunities to gain hands-on professional experience at Trustmoore’s Luxembourg office. Selected interns will work closely with company professionals on assignments aligned with their academic background, while developing cross-cultural business skills in one of Europe’s key financial hubs.

“The Trustmoore Internship in Luxembourg can be a life-changing experience for a USI student, said Dr. Tom Noland, Chair of USI’s Accounting and Finance Department. “Whether you are thinking about international business, international law or diplomacy, this internship is for you.”

Founded in 2005, Trustmoore is an independent provider of corporate, fund and capital markets services with offices in key global financial centers. The Luxembourg office specializes in fund administration, corporate management and related financial services.

Throughout the internship, Trustmoore will provide mentorship, ensure an appropriate work environment and guide students through the necessary administrative and visa processes required for the students who will stay in Luxembourg for over three months. USI will assist in identifying and recommending suitable candidates for the internship roles.

“We are very confident that this is a great opportunity for our USI community, and at the same time, beneficial expansion for our office,” Paniagua said. “Soon, the most ambitious and talented students will be joining us to contribute to the organic growth of our organization.”

The internship program marks another step in USI’s commitment to expanding global learning opportunities for students, strengthening the University’s international footprint and preparing graduates for success in an interconnected world.