Summer 2024 – News

Part 2: Skills, surprises, epiphanies as �ֲ��ý students share summer experiences

Jay Burns — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 18:41:35 +0000

This past summer, �ֲ��ý offered 128 Purposeful Work internships in 18 states, the District of Columbia, and seven countries outside the U.S.

Another five dozen students did funded research on campus with �ֲ��ý professors across 14 academic disciplines, or had off-campus academic internships. Other students held internships with community organizations through �ֲ��ý’ Harward Center for Community Partnerships.

Last week, we shared stories and photographs of students who had summer internships outside Maine. This week, it’s back to Maine, and to �ֲ��ý, for Part 2.

‘I’m glad to be making the most of these opportunities’ — Pat Cullinane ’25

The place: A research lab in Bonney Science Center at �ֲ��ý

The job: Cullinane, a biochemistry major from Quincy, Mass., worked with four fellow students in the research lab of Associate Professor of Biology and Neuroscience Martin Kruse.

Pat Cullinane ’25 had a summer research job in the lab of Associate Professor of Biology and Neuroscience Martin Kruse. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

The research team is studying an important but not fully understood protein found in our cells that might play a critical role in several neurological conditions, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.

Cullinane has his sights set on graduate school, so the professional experience of working in the Kruse lab has “been a great tool for gaining exposure with techniques and what a layout would look like in a post-grad lab as opposed to undergrad labs.”

One of Cullinane’s research partner was Sebenele Lukhele ’26, a biological chemistry major from Manzini, Eswatini, “This research lets me solve real-life problems in biochemistry. Plus, the community here has made the experience much more than just lab work — it’s a whole growth process.”

Cullinane has enjoyed going from neophyte to now standing on his own two feet as a researcher. “A lot of labs are set up for you, but in this lab, you have a lot of control. You can share your ideas and guide your experience,” he says.

The quote: “Learning how to design your own experiments is pretty awesome.”

From left, members of the summer 2024 research team in the Kruse lab in Bonney Science Center: Natalia Correa ’26 of Glastonbury, Conn.; Pat Cullinane ’25; Anna Kurianova ’26 of Moscow; Martin Kruse; Sebenele Lukhele ’26 of Manzini, Eswatini; and Yuka Enkh-Orgil ’27 of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

‘My goal was to ensure they were having the best experience possible’ — Chidera Kalu-Uka ’27

The place: Tree Street Youth in Lewiston

The job: A sociology major from Katy, Texas, Kalu-Uka was a Harward Center Summer Fellow at Tree Street Youth, where she supervised a group of third- and fourth-graders, becoming a mentor, friend, and active participant in their growth and joy.

Chidera Kalu-Uka ’27 of Katy, Texas, had a 2024 Purposeful Work internship at Tree Street Youth in Lewiston. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

Before Kalu-Uka fell in love with �ֲ��ý, she fell in love with Lewiston, and a summer spent at downtown Tree Street Youth “has only strengthened that love.”

Under the leadership of executive director Julia Sleeper ‘08, who co-founded the organization with Kim Sullivan ‘13, Tree Street is a cornerstone youth support and aspirations program located in downtown Lewiston. “As someone who moved to this country only six years ago, I feel resonance with the impact Tree is making,” said Kalu-Uka.

The �ֲ��ý Center for Purposeful Work encourages a developmental approach to the search for a rewarding career, with ample opportunities for both discovery and reflection. Kalu-Uka’s summer at Tree Street prompted her to reflect on her academic and career goals, which had been focused solely on pre-health and public health.

She now plans to major in sociology, minor in education, and stay on a pre-health and public-health track and pursue a career “dedicated to working with underserved communities, whether that be in public health, healthcare, or education.”

The quote: “I’ve discovered that my interests can intersect without sacrificing any of them.”

Chidera Kalu-Uka ’27 engages with a young child at Tree Street Youth in Lewiston. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

‘I’ve been infected with the pure joy and curiosity of the kids’ — Shenandoah Waugh ’26

The place: Harpswell (Maine) Heritage Land Trust

The job: As a Purposeful Work intern who had never worked with children before, Shenandoah (Shenny) Waugh took on the daunting task of teaching, guiding, and herding 16 young children, ages 4 to 6, for five days a week, at the land trust’s popular Nature Day Camp, located along the Maine coast.

Shenny Waugh ’26 had a Purposeful Work internship at the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s Nature Day Camp. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

“It was challenging and intimidating,” says Waugh, who discovered that working with children sparked a feeling of purpose. “ Working with young kids is so engaging, fun, and refreshing.”

The camp provides screen-free opportunity to engage with nature. As technology continues to create a barrier between ourselves and the natural world, “it is so important to offer these young kids an experience where fun is tech-free, and we embrace free exploration, curiosity, and even boredom,” Waugh says.

A double major in chemistry and European studies from Lyons, Colo., Waugh is a �ֲ��ý Outing Club outdoor program manager and a Registered Maine Guide. “Engaging with the BOC on campus has shown me what outdoor education looks like and potential career paths.”

The quote: “Working with young kids outdoors feels even more purposeful.”

As technology continues to create a barrier between ourselves and the natural world, “it is so important to offer these young kids an experience where fun is tech-free, and where we embrace free exploration, curiosity, and even boredom,” Waugh says. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

‘I always look forward to the camaraderie’ — Bora Lugunda ’25

The place: Ladd Library, �ֲ��ý College

The job: For Lugunda, a history major from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, this was her third summer working on campus as a field assistant for Information and Library Services.

Paul Adutwum ’27 of Tepa, Ghana, split his time between the ILS Help Desk in Ladd and the Harward Center, where he supported projects related to community-engaged learning and research. He also wrote blog posts featuring student experiences in community engagement.

Paul Adutwum ’27 (left) of Tepa, Ghana, split his time between the ILS Help Desk in Ladd and the Harward Center, while Bora Lugunda ’25 worked as a field assistant for Information and Library Services. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

“I have a pretty awesome set of bosses and really feel like an appreciated part of the team,” says Lugunda, who takes care of computer setups and upgrades for faculty, staff, and labs. “I always look forward to the camaraderie through restaurant suggestions, conversations about AI, and random banter.”

Adutwum said he was “thrilled” to be on campus, and was looking forward to another gig, a soon-to-begin research project on Ulam-like sequences (patterns and rules found in number sequences built from sums) with Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics Senia Sheydvasser.

The quote: “I am looking forward to an exciting and productive summer!” — Adutwum

‘It made me think of my own position and privileges in the context of a bigger community’ — Ganga Corsaro ’26

The place: St. Mary’s Nutrition Center in Lewiston

The job: As Purposeful Work interns, Corsaro, a double major in environmental studies and Chinese from St. Paul, Minn., and Haley Wilkins ’25, an American Studies major from Hoboken, N.J., saw and supported the growth of 10 local community gardens.

Ganga Corsaro ’26 (left) and Haley Wilkins ’25 had Purposeful Work internships at St. Mary’s Nutrition Center in Lewiston. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

They mulched, weeded, cleared, and created garden beds; provided community gardeners with seeds and seedlings; handled food deliveries for the Nutrition Center’s food pantry; and supported youth programs at Geiger and Montello elementary schools and at Hillview Resource Center.

For Wilkins, the internship revealed the importance of community and place to her own purposeful work. She also valued how the Nutrition Center constantly adapts to “new needs and circumstances with collaborative brainstorming.” Corsaro learned that her own purposeful work will need to be “proactive and intentional — actively contributing in ways that reflect who you are and what you stand for.”

The experience deepened Corsaro’s appreciation of her adopted hometown of Lewiston. “The community’s diversity and strength, and the work people are doing to improve their own lives and the community as a whole, really surprised me.”

The quote: “It sounds simple to some, but witnessing seeds growing and producing food has been more exciting and rewarding than I expected.” — Wilkins

Corsaro (left) and Wilkins both gained a deeper appreciation for Lewiston community during their Purposeful Work internships with St. Mary’s Nutrition Center. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

‘It’s very beautiful, and obviously different from fall or winter’ — Harris Ramlee ’25

The place: Bonney Science Center

The job: Ramlee, a biology major from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, spent his summer on campus working as a technician in the college’s vivarium.

Harris Ramlee ’25 poses with his friend Paul Zhou ’25 of Beijing on July 30, 2024. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

In his downtime, Ramlee enjoyed strolling around campus, soaking in the summer weather — his first summer spent in the U.S. His friend Paul Zhou ’25, a psychology major from Beijing, agrees with the weather assessment. In winter, there’s snow and less light, but “in the summer, it looks absolutely beautiful.”

Ramlee has also taken time to explore Maine, hiking and visiting the beach. “It’s very, very amazing,” he says.

The quote: “The campus looks absolutely beautiful.” — Zhou

Part I: Skills, surprises, and epiphanies when �ֲ��ý students talk about their summer experiences

Jay Burns — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 16:47:08 +0000

For some �ֲ��ý students, summer 2024 meant adding skills. Avery Lehman ’25, for example, is an accomplished photographer, but didn’t know much about the business side of the art world — until her Purposeful Work internship at a New York City art gallery.

For others, summer meant feeling accepted into the world of business. Johnny Nunez ’26 felt “everyone’s extraordinary kindness and willingness to help” during his Purposeful Work internship with an investment firm in New York City.

This past summer, �ֲ��ý offered 128 Purposeful Work internships in 18 states, the District of Columbia, and seven countries outside the U.S.

Economics major Johnny Nunez ‘26 had a Purposeful Work internship at HPS Investment Partners in New York City. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

Another five dozen students did funded research on campus with �ֲ��ý professors across academic disciplines (14 in all) or had off-campus academic internships. And even more students held internships with community organizations through �ֲ��ý’ Harward Center for Community Partnerships.

In Part I of our stories about �ֲ��ý students with college-supported summer experiences, we check in with eight students whose work took them outside of Maine, to businesses and organizations from Boston to Santa Barbara, Calif.

‘I was super intimidated at first, since I felt a little out of my element’ — Eileen Dockery ’26

The place: Asian American Arts Alliance (4A)

The job: During her Purposeful Work internship at 4A, Dockery, an environmental studies major from Rye, N.Y., was invited to lead a project to produce a short video highlighting work by .

Eileen Dockery ’26 had a Purposeful Work internship at the Asian American Arts Alliance in New York City. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

The video project tested her. “I was worried about the outcome, but I learned that I just needed to trust the process and have confidence in my own skills,” she said.

The quote: “The internship gave me the chance to explore my own interests while contributing in a meaningful way by helping artists and activists realize their projects. The arts community has had such a positive impact on my life, and it’s really nice to be able to spread the love.”

‘People are more than willing to help’ — Aydan Gedeon-Hope ’25

The place: MLS Next Pro league offices in New York City

The job: Gedeon-Hope, an interdisciplinary studies major from Norton, Mass., was a Purposeful Work intern at MLS NEXT Pro, a Major League Soccer feeder program that provides a competitive platform for developing young players and a pathway to professional soccer’s highest levels.

Aydan Gedeon-Hope ’25 had a Purposeful Work internship at MLS Next Pro league offices in New York City. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

Gedeon-Hope said he was able “to learn, surrounded by smart and accomplished individuals.” It took time to seize the opportunity to do some networking, but he was quickly and pleasantly surprised by how “nearly everyone responded and agreed to meet me.”

Gedeon-Hope’s interdisciplinary studies major combines interests in marketing, management, and the social sciences with a focus on sports. (He is a two-sport �ֲ��ý athlete, in basketball and track and field.)

“At NEXT Pro, even though you work in a specific department, many projects and presentations require knowledge beyond your specialization,” he said. “The liberal arts helps students gain a broad understanding of multiple subjects rather than just focusing on one area.”

The quote: “I gained a deeper appreciation for my interdisciplinary journey because of this experience.”

‘Purposeful work is finding and exploring new interests’ — Aasya Patel ’26

The place: Wolfe Research in New York City

The job: Patel, an economics major with a mathematics minor from Indore, India, was a Purposeful Work intern at Wolfe Research in midtown Manhattan.

Aasya Patel ’26 had a Purposeful Work internship with Wolfe Research in New York City. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

Wolfe is a sell-side equity research firm, meaning it analyzes financial securities for trading. In her work, Patel used time-series methods, which elucidate patterns and trends over time, to forecast commodity stock indexes. She also conducted macroeconomic research on factors affecting returns.

Patel’s �ֲ��ý coursework in time-series econometrics was particularly valuable, she said.. “A shoutout to professors [Austin] Smith and [Daniel] Riera-Crichton for how well they covered these topics at �ֲ��ý!”

She also had the opportunity to attend panels and presentations, teaching her “valuable skills in engaging with an audience, particularly in a finance context — an area I hadn’t previously encountered.”

The quote: “Purposeful work is finding and exploring new interests and learning more about those interests through experienced professionals — in addition to learning from my mistakes.”

‘I definitely feel more connected to my major’ — Hannah Burdick ’25

The place: Off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif.

The job: Burdick, a biology major from Lyme, N.H., had a �ֲ��ý-funded environmental internship on the West Coast with Ocean Rainforest, a sustainable aquaculture business. The company grows seaweed, which absorbs carbon and offers eco-friendly alternatives to plastics and fertilizers, among its climate-positive uses.

Hannah Burdick ’25 had a �ֲ��ý-funded environmental internship on the West Coast with Ocean Rainforest. (Courtesy Ocean Rainforest)

Half the week, Burdick was five miles off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif., working with colleagues at the company’s off-shore research and development farm — the first of its kind — which grows kelp, a type of seaweed. “We measured kelp growth and water conditions, maintained the farm equipment, and helped partnering researchers with their studies,” said Burdick.

For the other half, she was on shore doing lab research on various topics, including fermentation, where the kelp is broken down by microbes to produce useful and sustainable substances.

For Burdick, the half-and-half experience added up to 100 percent satisfaction. “It was the perfect balance for me — fresh air and time on the ocean as well as lab work that I’ve worked so hard to learn at �ֲ��ý.”

The quote: “I loved that the work I was doing went toward making food, fertilizers, and cosmetics more sustainable.”

‘It allowed me to see the direct impact of my work’ — Johnny Nunez ’26

The place: HPS Investment Partners in New York City

The job: Nunez, an economics major from New York City, had a Purposeful Work internship with HPS Investment Partners, a U.S.-based global investment firm.

Johnny Nunez ’26 had a Purposeful Work internship with HPS Investment Partners in New York City. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

The internship gave Nunez experience in accounting including analyzing supplier invoices, maintaining management fee schedules, and reviewing unclaimed properties. Along the way, he started to identify his strengths and interests. “I am particularly passionate about understanding and evaluating businesses, and I thrive in environments where I can solve problems.

Along the way, the internship opened his eyes to the power of networking and building professional relationships.

To that end, he appreciated “everyone’s extraordinary kindness and willingness to help.” He looks forward to being able “to help young professionals navigate their journeys just as I was helped.”

The quote: “It gave me a vivid sense of the work environment and projects I find most engaging and rewarding.”

‘I’ve learned about the internal part of the art world, the business side’ — Avery Lehman ’25

The place: Yancey Richardson Gallery in New York City

The job: Until this summer’s internship, Lehman, who is an accomplished photographer, only had experience with what she calls the “external part of the photography world — making the art.”

Avery Lehman ’25 had a Purposeful Work internship with Yancey Richardson Gallery in New York City. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

As a Purposeful Work intern, Lehman learned about “the internal part of the art world, the business side — what goes into planning an exhibition, what kind of correspondence needs to happen, what type of materials the work needs to be framed or glazed with.”

The practical skills will come in handy as Lehman, a studio art major from Portsmouth, N.H., prepares to exhibit her work at the annual Senior Thesis Exhibition at the �ֲ��ý Museum of Art in 2025.

Working with gallery founder Yancey Richardson was particularly meaningful, Lehman said. “She’s really championed female photographers in such a male-dominated space of the art world.”

The quote: “To actually meet and connect with photographers I have studied or followed has been incredible.”

‘The members of the investment team were all great mentors’ — Linh Hoang Vu ’26

The place: Promethos Capital in Boston, Mass.

The job: Hoang Vu, a double major in mathematics and economics from Hanoi, and Drew Williams ’25 worked as research interns at Promethos, an investment boutique focused on global equity investments founded by Joe Sylvester ’90.

Linh Hoang Vu ’26 (left) and Drew Williams ’25 had Purposeful Work internships at Promethos Capital in Boston. (Samuel Mironko ’21 for �ֲ��ý College)

Projects included research on the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, a framework to assess an organization’s business practices and performance on sustainability and ethical issues.

The experience taught Williams, an environmental studies major from Guilford, Conn., “that you can bring your own morals and perspective into any work you are doing.” Williams wrote a whitepaper that challenged her presumptions about an issue related to the oil and gas industry. “That was a unique and important growth experience,” she said.

The quote: “This internship allowed me to think about environmental and social issues critically in the world of finance.” — Williams

At Promethos Capital offices, Williams and Hoang Vu walk with Joe Sylvester ’90, who is the firm’s founder, director of research, and managing partner. (Samuel Mironko ’21 for �ֲ��ý College)