May 20,2 2026 – More than 120 summer interns gathered this week for orientation activities designed to introduce them to ADM’s culture, values and business operations before beginning assignments across the United States and Canada.
The orientation program brought together 123 interns representing 52 colleges and universities, including the University of Illinois, Illinois State University and Purdue University. Students traveled from across the U.S. and Canada to participate in the multi-day onboarding experience before reporting to 39 ADM locations for the summer.
According to Lori Racine, North American Campus Recruiting Leader for ADM, the week’s activities were created to help interns build relationships, understand ADM’s business structure and become familiar with the company’s workplace culture and expectations.
The program began Monday evening with a tailgate-themed event where interns wore apparel representing their universities and participated in games and social activities. The gathering also allowed students assigned to the same locations to meet one another before traveling to their summer placements.
On Tuesday, interns heard from ADM leaders about the company’s business alignments and supply chain operations. A dinner event later that evening at Hickory Point Golf Course brought together interns and approximately 50 senior leaders and business representatives.
Wednesday’s programming focused on culture, engagement and inclusion. During the session, interns learned how ADM defines workplace culture through shared values, collaboration and accountability. Discussions also highlighted employee engagement and inclusion as key components of the company’s work environment.
The session connected those concepts to ADM’s core values: Have Integrity, Show Respect, Achieve Excellence, Be Resourceful, Practice Teamwork and Take Responsibility.
One featured activity, called “Power of Connection,” encouraged interns to identify shared interests and experiences with one another. Participants physically linked together using large rings as they discovered common hobbies, talents or interests. By the end of the exercise, all 123 interns were connected in one large circle, visually representing the shared connections within the group despite differences in backgrounds, schools and experiences.
Brandi McCann, who facilitated the session, said the exercise was intended to demonstrate how relationships and shared experiences contribute to engagement and inclusion within the workplace.
Additional orientation activities included a packing event with Feed My Starving Children, which organizers described as a favorite event among interns because it connects ADM’s plant-based products and supply chain work to humanitarian efforts. Interns will also participat in a “Taste of Decatur” event and technology training sessions designed to prepare them for their assignments.
ADM officials said 25 interns participating this summer previously interned with the company and returned for another year. Company representatives also noted that about 50 interns are based in Decatur for the summer.
Interns will complete final onboarding activities remotely before beginning work at their assigned offices next week. Company representatives described the internship program as part of ADM’s long-term effort to develop future leaders within the organization.
Check out photos from Wednesday’s activities HERE.
