During the Fall 2025 semester, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) was strengthened by the dedication and professionalism of its student employees.

Working in multiple units across DPS, these students supported essential operations that help DPS serve the campus community. Their work reflects not only completed tasks—but also meaningful skill development and a deeper understanding of what it takes to keep a campus the size of Syracuse safe.

Building Trust Through Storytelling

In the Communications and Marketing department, Alexa Selter ’26 and Lily Mallette ’27 played a key role in shaping messaging and strengthening the relationship between DPS and students.

Selter shared that what she enjoys most is “telling stories that have an impact,” noting that each campaign contributes to building trust and connection. The position expanded her understanding of DPS: “I now recognize how deeply involved they are in our community. It motivated my goal of helping spread their message and guide more students in understanding the people and mission of the department.”

Mallette echoed this sense of purpose, reflecting on how developing outreach campaigns and creating graphics has helped her grow in design, communication and creative direction. “Thoughtful design and messaging can make a real difference in engaging a community and keeping it informed,” she says.

Their supervisor, Kiana Racha, internal communications and marketing manager,  expressed deep appreciation for their work, praising Selter and Mallette for exceeding expectations. “They came up with amazing projects of their own that have helped the Department of Public Safety connect with and keep our campus safe,” says Racha.

Monitoring Campus Security

The Video Security unit benefited from the work of Charlize Wen ’29 and Donghwan Lee ’26, who supported the reliability of the campus camera network and related technology.

Wen says her favorite part of the role was working with new technology and software used in video forensics. She also emphasized how much she has grown professionally, particularly in communication and confidence.

Lee shared that he valued the independence and responsibility that came with monitoring campus cameras, saying that the experience taught him the importance of precision and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Their supervisor, Courtney Albiker, project manager, Security Services, praised their performance, noting that both students quickly became valuable contributors. She highlighted their systematic camera health checks across our 2,600-plus campus cameras and commended their strong initiative, attention to detail and professionalism, which directly supported campus security.

Strengthening Emergency Preparedness

In the area of Business Continuity, graduate student Shappelle Marshall and Samantha Morse ’28 played significant roles in strengthening campus resilience and preparedness.

Marshall appreciated working on projects with real impact, noting that developing tabletop exercises and planning resources enabled her to apply her public administration studies in meaningful ways. She also contributed to creating surveys, instructional videos and planning tools that support stakeholders across the university.

Morse says her favorite part of the job was gaining hands-on experience in risk management and helping departments prepare for potential disruptions. Through her work on webpage redesigns, tabletop exercises, video scripts and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coursework, she learned how essential communication and proactive planning are for strong continuity practices.

Their supervisor, Cassandra Gentile, business continuity specialist, described both students as instrumental in advancing the department’s projects. She emphasized their professionalism and initiative, saying they each brought unique strengths. “I would not have been able to complete these initiatives or stay on track with other aspects of my role without their dedication and support,” Gentile says.

Together, these student employees contributed valuable time, talent and creativity to DPS’s operations, supporting campus safety, enhancing communication and strengthening emergency preparedness.

Story by Lily Mallette

The Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award applications are open now for juniors, seniors and graduate students of any major who seek to further their career development through undertaking self-initiated unique internship opportunities. The award provides students with financial support to pursue meaningful, hands-on experiences that would otherwise be financially out of reach.

The awards typically range from $1,500 to $6,000, and the funds can assist with internship-related travel, accommodations, living expenses and required materials.

Applying for the 2025-26 Clements Internship Award

This year’s application period closes Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 11:55 p.m. Applicants are responsible for developing and obtaining their own internships before submitting the application for a Clements Award, as well as securing a faculty or staff sponsor letter. Students must also complete a Handshake application and the Clements Internship Award Qualtrics Survey by the application deadline. Visit the for complete details.

Exploring New Terrain

The 2024-25 Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award enabled  Elizabeth Henson ’25 to kick off her post-grad life in Alaska to intern with the Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP) for eight weeks, where she conducted glacial research and learned mountaineering skills.

“I really enjoyed every part of the program. The faculty, staff and students were great. Everyone was so motivated to be there, and I learned so much from everyone,” says Henson, who graduated with a degree in geology last May. “We had lectures throughout the summer, both about mountaineering skills and topics in glaciology. We were also able to help with a variety of research projects, from short day trips to multiday work.”

The largest project Henson was able to work on during her time with JIRP involved glacial isostatic adjustment, the slow, ongoing movement of land due to the removal or addition of major ice sheets.

“As the ice sheet is melting and losing mass, the land beneath starts to rise up since there is less weight sitting on top of it, so the elevation of the [Juneau Icefield] area is changing and impacts local sea level,” says Henson. “There are a few historical GPS points scattered along the icefield where elevations were measured back in the 90s. Our team went out and remeasured them to look at uplift levels as the icefield has been melting.”

In between the important scientific research she helped conduct, Henson’s internship with JIRP allowed for unique and fun outdoor experiences as well. “All of the camps were on nunataks [mountain peaks that protrude from ice fields or glaciers], so we were able to ski right out of camp,” says Henson. “There were countless ski days. I got to go on a few hikes and check out some glacial lakes. I went in a few crevasses and ice caves. I got to go to some of the most beautiful places and do some of the coolest things.”

Henson’s summer internship with JIRP proved to be incredibly beneficial for her future professional endeavors. “I learned so much and made so many connections to help guide my career,” she says. “I talked to a few professors about grad school and have that as a possibility in my future. I also learned about some jobs in Antarctica that I might apply for, and I have people willing to write letters of recommendation for them. I am so grateful to have had this experience!”

For questions about the Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award, visit the , email Career Services or call 315.443.3616. Students are also encouraged to learn more about the annual , with applications scheduled to open Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Shaking hands with a Supreme Court justice is a dream come true for anyone in the legal profession, but that dream for three students who participated last summer in .

Students Imari Roque L’27, Rebeca Chavar L’27 and Emma Bissell L’27 participated in the program, which aims to “cultivate and develop future leaders from underserved communities” through judicial internships, educational experiences and other resources to help achieve professional goals.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina and third woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009. Growing up in public housing in the Bronx, Sotomayor is known for her respect for the judicial process and passionate approach to the law, particularly in regard to civil liberties and the rights of those from marginalized communities.

For two months this past summer, Roque, Chavar and Bissell worked full-time for judges, while also participating in professional development training and networking as part of the program. Each worked in a different judicial environment, but all three gained invaluable insight and experience working in courtrooms under the direct supervision of a judge.

Roque has been interested in the Sotomayor Program since she was 14 years old, but it wasn’t until she was a first year at the College of Law that she applied to the program’s law school division.

“I’ve always been drawn to being a lawyer, and Justice Sotomayor is the first person who comes to mind,” she says. “No one in my family is a lawyer, so Sonia Sotomayor—a Puerto Rican woman from the Bronx like me—has been my role model.”

Roque was matched with the Hon. Bryant Tovar, a judge of the Housing Part of Civil Court of the City of New York, dealing with landlord-tenant matters, civil litigation and immigration law. The work focused on the Small Property part of the court, which handles housing issues before trial, particularly cases where landlords are suing tenants.

“I became really familiar with what city court looks like, developed a rapport with the judge, clerk and others, and learned a lot about negotiations and alternate dispute resolution, as well as what everyday law looks like,” says Roque. “It was interesting because Judge Tovar leads with understanding and empathy on the bench, which gave me a different perspective on the law.”

Chavar worked for the Hon. Javier Vargas in New York State Court of Claims in Manhattan,  where she gained hands-on experience observing three major trials. Judge Vargas encouraged his interns to engage deeply in their work, often discussing with her issues brought against the state of New York, involving issues such as car accidents and claims of excessive force by law enforcement.

“I was thrilled when Judge Vargas asked me to help draft a memo recommending how to decide on a motion, and that set the tone for the kind of work he expected,” she says. “I also helped draft a decision for one of the trials, did research on pending trials and my final project was a case where I wrote a decision by myself for review by the clerk and the judge.”

Bissell discovered the Sotomayor Program through an email Mary Kate Tramontano L’26 sent to the Women’s Law Student Association listserv, an opportunity that ultimately led her to work with district civil and criminal court judges in the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn.

“It was awesome because I was able to observe a lot of different types of trials,” Bissell says. “I was assigned to a judicial clerk who helped me with whatever I needed. Getting to the end of my internship and seeing that I could write a full legal opinion was the best feeling ever.”

Meeting a Legal Legend

After a summer of learning the ins-and-outs of the courtroom, students were invited to an event highlighted by a visit from Sotomayor herself. Not only did the interns get to hear the Supreme Court justice speak, but they also had the chance to talk with Sotomayor and take photos with her.

“It was a full circle moment for 14-year-old Imari,” says Roque. “I shook hands and said hello to someone I’ve admired most of my life. It’s funny because she looked like someone who could be in my family. The experience really helped me understand that that could be me.”

Chavar was also awestruck by Sotomayor.

“We took a group photo, and I was lucky enough to be placed right next to her!” Chavar says. “She asked me where I went to law school. The reason I’m in law school is largely inspired by Justice Sotomayor. When she went to the bench, I was in middle school and I have a distinct memory that inspired me to go to law school. So it was a big deal to hear her wisdom. A majority of the students there were from underrepresented backgrounds in the legal field, and Justice Sotomayor was a beacon of hope and encouraged us to trust in the legal system despite all that’s going on in the world.”

“You read her opinions, and you know that she is incredible, but then you see her in action, and she is so eloquent,” says Bissell. “When I started law school, I was questioning my decision. And I think The Sotomayor Program helped reinforce that those in the legal field are making decisions that are impacting people’s lives. I know I want to be a part of that type of work.”

Jill Nelsen L’27 playing soccer and loving sports. She was recruited to California State-East Bay with a four-year athletic scholarship to play women’s varsity soccer, while also earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. When she later decided to pursue law school, she hoped to stay connected to the world of sports and entertainment—but she never imagined that would open doors to opportunities like Miami Swim Week and New York Fashion Week.

During her first year year, Nelsen joined the Entertainment & Sports Law Society, often attending networking events with alumni thriving in this space. At one such event, she met Riley Christian L’16, now an entertainment and sports attorney with , a firm he founded in 2022.

Nelsen and Christian had a lot in common; she had been a collegiate soccer player and he a collegiate baseball player. At the time, Christian was rebranding his boutique law firm in New York City to focus more on the areas of sports and entertainment that dealt with navigating the NCAA’s new Name Image and Likeness (NIL) rules for college athletes and handling legal issues related to artificial intelligence in the entertainment and music business.

Nelsen later reached out to Christian, asking if he might need an intern, and he agreed to bring her onboard.

At first, she helped navigate the logo development for the firm’s rebranding, later moving on to legal research for defamation cases, statute of limitations issues, trademark infringements and intellectual property, while learning as much as she could about the ever-evolving NIL rules.

Piecing Together Sports, Fashion and the Law

While her whole internship experience was exciting, Nelsen says two highlights were attending Miami Swim Week and New York Fashion Week.

“Riley knew these big events would be good networking experiences for me, and he also knew I liked to talk to people and that would be a good way to spread the word about the rebranding of Artifex Athleta,” she says.

The annual Miami Swim Week is the world’s largest swimwear and resort wear event that includes runway fashion shows, trade shows and pop-up shops, as well as the chance to meet and network with all kinds of people connected to this area of fashion— from designers and buyers to athletes, agents and the media.

“Yes, it was focused on swimwear, but there are so many aspects of the law attached to the fashion space, including trademarks, sponsorships, negotiating and closing NIL and more,” Nelsen says. “It was a fascinating experience to see it in action.”

She also attended New York Fashion Week, one of the “big four” fashion events in the world, showcasing what’s going to be “in” for the upcoming season. The biannual event includes exclusive runway shows by world-class designers that are attended by celebrities, influencers, fashion buyers and the media.

This, too, gave Nelsen an opportunity to network with a host of agents, attorneys and other business leaders in the fashion space.

“The experience of not only attending these fabulous events but also having the chance to work with Riley helped me begin to make a name for myself as more than just an athlete,” she says. “The younger version of me would be emotional to see all the things I’ve accomplished both in my course work, as well as internship opportunities. My takeaway from this entire experience is that I can do it, and there are people who truly believe in me and see my potential.”

Uplifting Women Is the Ultimate Win

After completing her education at the College of Law, Nelsen’s dream is to one day work as general counsel for a NBA or NFL team and negotiate from the team’s side with players and their agents. But her ultimate goal is to one day be a general manager or even owner of a WNBA team.

“Sports, and now working in sports—has always been the dream,” she says.

Her older sister has been a role model, she says, “moving mountains” as director of services and retention for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers.

“I’ve also learned a lot about creating space for people like me, particularly as a first-generation Latina woman,” Nelsen says. “I’ve been told I’m too much, too blunt, too Californian, but I’ve also been told ‘don’t dim your light to fit into a box that’s been predefined for you.’ I am proud to be a Syracuse law student with the opportunity to contribute to uplifting women in the sports and entertainment business and also within the legal field. That is a real win for me.”

As he participated in a seminar for the International Drug Policy Academy in Strasbourg, France, one afternoon last May, Alejandro Parra ’24, G’25 had a moment of reflection.

The alumnus, who earned a bachelor of science and a master’s degree in public health, joined global health experts from as far away as Malta and Mexico for a discussion about the ways culture shapes health care. They talked about the impact, for instance, of adjusting clinic hours based on local religious traditions, and collaborating with institutions such as churches to help distribute medicine and supplies.

Parra was not just an observer, but a participant—he gave a presentation on a proposal to cleanup needles discarded by drug users in a city park.

“I gained confidence presenting in front of experts in my field and the experience deepened my understanding of the multifaceted mechanisms that drive community action,” says Parra, who attended the seminar during his internship with the Council of Europe’s Biomedical Division in the spring of 2025. “It was a really unique opportunity and one of many insightful experiences I had.”

Witnessing History in Europe

Another: In June, Parra sat in on a landmark event at which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an accord with the Council of Europe to establish a special tribunal to try top officials responsible for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During his remarks at the event, Zelenskyy called for unity across Europe and the U.S. and urged leaders to uphold global democracy and the rule of law.

During his internship, from May through late June, Parra worked on public engagement and policy communication, creating fact sheets simplifying complex issues such as the role of artificial intelligence in health care, human rights in mental health care and the Oviedo Convention—a 1997 treaty on human rights in biomedicine.

He also participated in policy workshops and meetings with experts from across Europe on issues including psychiatric care and substance use disorders, gaining firsthand experience in building policy based on complex local contexts.

“A key skill I developed was writing for a non-scientific audience, condensing dense expert reviews into digestible facts,” he says. “This clarity proved essential in making policy resources accessible and engaging to the public.”

Building Policy and Communication Skills

The internship was one of several study abroad experiences Parra embraced during his five years at Syracuse. It proved especially transformative, showing him that global health is more than a coordinated effort; it is fundamentally rooted in the strength and unity of community.

“You can’t really deliver health care services to somebody without knowing their background and how to tailor it to them,” says Parra, who now resides in Queens, New York, and works as a mental health specialist for Lodestar Children’s Services, serves as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserves and is a member of the New York Army National Guard Military Funeral Honor Guard.

“The MPH [master of public health] program develops a multitude of cross-disciplinary skills and values that have shaped my perspective as a public health professional and provides me with a road map to continue to learn and grow my knowledge in the field.”

One of Parra’s favorite courses was Substance Use and Mental Health. Professor often asked students to lead weekly sessions based on their own evidence and case studies. The resulting discussions, according to Parra, were “thought-provoking” and shaped his view of mental health “across different cultures, traditions and global contexts.”

As an undergraduate, Parra was honored with the Public Health Leadership Scholar Award. He served as a career ambassador, a resident advisor, an honors peer mentor and a global ambassador. He was a member of Syracuse’s Army ROTC and served as a cadet in the New York Army National Guard.

He was supported by an internship award through the University’s , and by the Patricia and Melvin Stith Graduate Student Fund established to support military-connected graduate students enrolled full time at Syracuse and participating in the University’s .

Through his studies, internship and extensive global network, Parra learned that collaboration, trust and openness are the cornerstones of effective public health policy and human rights.

“My internship with the Council of Europe made it clear that developing human rights-centered policies requires a deep commitment to iterative feedback and adaptation,” he says. “The best policy work results from respectful debate, careful consideration of diverse viewpoints, and the humility to adjust ideas in response to real-world needs.”

Story by Catherine Scott

When graduated from the University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in sport management from the , legalized sports gambling in the United States was limited to two states: Nevada and New Jersey.

But since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that prevents the federal government from dictating how states manage sports betting, the industry has undergone a rapid and extraordinary expansion. Some form of sports gambling is now legal in 39 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and the betting market in 2025 is estimated to reach nearly $20 billion in the U.S. and $111 billion globally, according to .

After starting his career in sports sponsorships and then working outside of sports, Weiss put his entrepreneurial spirit and skills to work by creating a company that is now shaping the future of the booming sports gambling industry. Weiss is CEO and founder of (the M.V.P is for Make Vegas Pay), a Fort Lauderdale-based business that provides expert advice and education services for sports bettors.

“A lot of people love sports, and they love betting on games, but they work day jobs and they don’t really have the time to do the research,” Weiss says. “So the idea was for us to be that guiding hand for them.”

As M.V.P continues to grow, Weiss has reconnected with his Syracuse roots. He joined , a network of donors who share a common goal of supporting the University’s highest priorities. Following conversations with Falk College Director of Development , Weiss joined the , a group of the college’s most committed and influential young alumni.

Weiss is also helping to cultivate the next generation of sports betting experts. He’s in his second year of hosting Falk College students who are handling a variety of roles.

Sport analytics major Jared Weber ’26 is interested in a career in sports gambling and says he’s gaining a wealth of industry knowledge.

“My experience at M.V.P has helped me build a deep understanding of how to identify and create advantages over sportsbooks and thereby make myself a valuable candidate for jobs in the future,” Weber says. “I’m incredibly grateful to Simon for giving me the platform to learn so much about the betting space and helping other students learn along the way.”

Sport management major Lindsay Dorman ’27 also wants to work in what has been a male-dominated sports gambling industry. She says Weiss has given her jobs and introduced her to people that have increased her confidence and made her more motivated to work in the field.

“He’s taught me so much about the industry while giving me the freedom to take initiative and grow creatively,” Dorman says. “I’m really grateful for his mentorship and this experience is making me even more motivated to make an impact in this space.”

Íű±ŹĂĆ students are helping local manufacturers cut their energy costs while meeting environmental goals—and getting real-world engineering experience in the process.

Since 2001, 130 students in the (ITAC) have completed 477 site visits, saving companies nearly $54 million (an average of $66,000 annually) through a program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

“These students develop valuable technical skills that set them apart and builds on what they’re learning in the classroom. And they leave knowing how to answer the real-world problems they will face in their careers,” says , assistant teaching professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the .

The ITAC’s goal is to help each business cut their energy use by at least 10%, which Anderson says is achievable through practical, straightforward suggestions.

“I’ve learned more about the engineering and manufacturing opportunities that are out there, and about some real-world engineering applications,” says Riehen Walsh ’27, a mechanical engineering major in ECS. “This has helped me improve my leadership and project management skills through this hands-on experience.”

Studying the Energy Trends of Clients

Students begin by analyzing a company’s energy/utility bills and energy usage before conducting site visits. Once on site, they walk around and figure out where energy is being wasted, from heat escaping through windows, air conditioning systems working too hard or compressed air leaking from equipment.

The future energy engineers share quick ideas that same day, then spend the next two months putting together a detailed report full of money-saving suggestions tailored to that specific company. Some recommendations are simple, like negotiating better rates with the electric company, getting rid of unnecessary fees or adjusting air pressure settings. Others involve bigger changes, like replacing old equipment that could save energy for years.

Anderson says most companies end up using about half of the suggestions they receive.

“A lot of times these manufacturers might not even realize some of the benefits that are out there for them. Doing assessments for all kinds of manufacturers is beneficial because it gives us these different experiences,” says Ian Hawkins ’25, G’26, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and will finish a master’s degree in engineering management in the spring.

Exceeding Expectations While Making a Difference

After touring Lotte Biologics—a biopharmaceutical production facility in East Syracuse—ITAC students made a series of recommendations, including:

• Getting back the sales tax they’re paying on their electric and gas bills;
• Adding better insulation around their boilers and switching to LED lights;
• Stopping steam from escaping by finding leaks and checking valves; and
• Fixing air leaks in their compressed air systems.

These simple fixes made a big difference in how much energy the company used, says Felix Hernandez, Lotte Biologics’ manager of integrated facilities management.

“The student interns brought a fresh and dynamic perspective to our facility. Their enthusiasm and dedication were evident in their approach to data collection and analysis, and the quality of their work reflected a high level of academic and practical competence,” Hernandez says.

Cultivating Valuable Life Skills

Becoming an ITAC intern is a year-long commitment. Students usually apply in the fall semester of their sophomore year, get trained in the spring and start visiting companies as interns the following summer. Interns put in about 30 hours a week during the summer and 10 hours a week when classes are in session.

Students work as a team, improving their research skills while building confidence to present their ideas to a room full of company employees—sometimes including the CEO.

The skills ITAC interns develop, like leadership, teamwork, preparation, communication and problem-solving, give them a real advantage when they graduate and start their careers.

“What I learned in the classroom can affect companies in the real world. Applying those lessons to help these manufacturers is so gratifying,” says Brielle May ’26, a chemical engineering student.

Justy Carruthers ’25 was so impressed with the sport management program in the that she moved across the country from San Diego to enroll here.

But after just one day in her first sport management class, she was ready to fly back to the West Coast.

Carruthers met with her instructor, Associate Professor , following the class and told her, “I don’t think this is meant for me.” When Pauline asked why, Carruthers said, “Because all of the boys in the class are spitting out facts left and right and I have no idea what they’re talking about.”

But Pauline, who worked in collegiate athletics before joining Íű±ŹĂĆ, saw the same potential in Carruthers that Syracuse football coach would see two years later. Pauline encouraged Carruthers to keep an open mind and understand that she didn’t need to know stats, she needed to display “grit and hustle.”

“She came up to me after every single class and really made her presence known and to work in football, you have to have that presence, right?” Pauline says. “You have to be passionate and motivated and not afraid to speak up. That’s what has set her apart all along.”

With the help of Pauline’s professional network, Carruthers spent two years as an intern with the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch, and the Crunch helped her land a summer internship with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. She was working as an intern for the Syracuse football team when Brown was hired in November 2023, and 10 months later, Brown appointed Carruthers as the youngest director of on-campus recruiting at a Power 4 school–and she was just starting her senior year.

Thanks to a whirlwind recruiting class that Brown assembled and Carruthers helped procure, the 2024 Orange enjoyed one of the greatest seasons in program history with a 10-3 record and three wins over top-25 teams.

“She’s a major part of our program, and the success we had our first year, we wouldn’t have had it without her,” Brown says. “We wouldn’t be where we are in the recruiting rankings without Justy.”

‘From 0 to 100’

So, how did Carruthers get from being a student intern to this integral role? , who supervises Carruthers as Syracuse’s senior athletic director for football operations, says Carruthers personifies Brown’s culture of D.A.R.T.: She is Detailed, Accountable, Relentless and Tough.

“It’s not the easiest world to work in, college athletics, and especially Power 4 football (made up of the most influential conferences),” says Kelly, who joined Brown’s staff in March 2024. “But she’s got a confidence about her that really stuck out to me. And she’s been an asset to us ever since I’ve been here.”

When Brown was hired, recruiting “went from 0 to 100,” Carruthers says, and she and another Falk College intern, Cami Pasqualoni ’24, put their recruiting ideas in a binder for Brown to consider and eventually implement.

“It was nuts,” Carruthers says, “but it taught me so much about myself because our coaches would call me at 1 or 2 in the morning and say, ‘I need a kid here by 8 a.m.,’ and I’d have to figure that one out.”

One of those recruits was quarterback Kyle McCord, who was transferring from Ohio State. Carruthers received a call from the player personnel department at around 2:30 a.m. saying that Kyle McCord’s father was on the phone and they needed to get McCord here as soon as possible.

Carruthers made all the arrangements for his visit, including a last-minute change after his initial flight was grounded. McCord eventually chose Syracuse, and he set a Syracuse record and led the NCAA with 4,779 passing yards.

‘Works Itself Out’

Following Syracuse’s win over Georgia Tech last September, Brown offered Carruthers the full-time job as director of on-campus recruiting and then called her parents to make sure they were comfortable with their daughter working full-time while completing her degree. Carruthers didn’t accept the job at first because she was concerned about juggling work and academics, but in the end she decided—much like she did after her first class as a first-year student—to embrace the challenge.

“I flooded my schedule in my freshman and sophomore years and I’m so happy I did because my junior and senior years were a little bit lighter,” Carruthers says. “And with the teachers I had like (Associate Teaching Professor) , they gave me so much support and grace in the classroom.”

Carruthers’ day-to-day duties depend on the time of year as the on-campus recruiting calendar varies throughout the year. But recruits can attend games at any time, and Carruthers plans all aspects of their visits, from flights to rental cars to hotels and even monitoring traffic patterns to ensure they arrive to campus on time. Brown says Carruthers is the most organized person he knows, and he says a recruit’s visit “just always works itself out the right way.”

It’s remarkable to think that Carruthers, who as a first-year student wasn’t sure if she could cut it at Syracuse, is now an integral part of what college football experts call one of the most efficient recruiting machines in the country. Football is a results-oriented business, and Brown clearly favors Carruthers’ results over her age.

“I think this has been something that’s not only shaped me but also shaped the program,” Carruthers says. “A lot of our coaches say they learn something new from me every day. They always say, ‘I want my daughter to be like you when she’s older because they joke that I don’t put up with anything.’”

Networking. Building skills. Analyzing data. Solving problems.

Competitive summer internships can help students fine-tune their interests and discover their career ambitions in ways that complement their classroom learning.

Three current students—Nadin Prabhu ’27, Gustavo Madero ’26 and Nola Roberts ’27—discuss the valuable lessons they learned on the job and how they feel energized to pursue their professional goals.

Nadin Prabhu ’27

Prabhu is a junior majoring in information management and technology in the and finance in the .

Prabhu is passionate about the financial services industry. After graduating, he wants to build a career that allows him to “work at the intersection of finance, strategy and technology, eventually taking on roles that involve solving complex business problems, advising clients and driving impactful results in the financial space.”

Company: IMA Financial Group, a company that specializes in insurance brokerage and private wealth management. Prabhu worked in the Boston, Massachusetts-based office, focusing primarily on employee benefits.

Responsibilities: As a generalist intern, Prabhu rotated across different divisions, tracking financial revenue, collaborating with the sales and communications teams and working alongside benefits analysts. “I gained a comprehensive view of how different teams work together to deliver client value.”

Most important lessons learned: “The importance of genuinely connecting with people. When you’re truly interested in others and bring authenticity to your interactions, it goes a long way in building trust and fostering collaboration. Who you are as a person matters just as much as the technical skills you bring to the table.”

Most valuable piece of advice: “Always bring your best because client relationships need to be earned and maintained. Early in your career, be the first one to make coffee and the last one to leave the office. That’s about showing initiative, humility and a strong work ethic. Every professional experience can equip you with skills and insights that make you better prepared for the future.”

Gustavo A. Madero ’26

Madero is a senior majoring in public relations in the and political science in the .

Once Madero graduates, he plans to enroll in law school, with a goal of becoming an attorney who potentially focuses on immigration law, “where I can use both my profession and my skills to assist my community and help families solve their issues.”

Company: Just Legal, a Tokyo-based legal recruitment and search firm that connects legal professionals with opportunities in various environments.

Responsibilities: Helped with administrative tasks like cleaning and sorting their database and writing blog posts for the website. Madero also accompanied his boss to meetings with law firms and met with potential job candidates. “I learned firsthand what life was like as an attorney in Tokyo and how the Tokyo job market worked.”

Most important lessons learned: “Headhunters know exactly what law firms are looking for in candidates and they help candidates get ready for their interviews. Now, when it is my turn to interview, I understand what sets people apart and what skills I should start developing. I also learned more about the day-to-day life of an attorney. This experience was an eye-opening and valuable learning experience that only solidified my career decision.”

Most valuable piece of advice: “Your reputation is everything. Whatever you do in life, always carry yourself with professionalism and respect. Never burn a bridge, since you never know what direction life might take you.”

Nola Roberts ’27

Roberts is a junior studying public relations in the Newhouse School and political science in the Maxwell School.

After graduating, Roberts plans to work at a public relations agency that represents law firms, attorneys and/or health care agencies. Once she earns a law degree, Roberts wants to pursue a career in either intellectual property or entertainment law. She says her summer internship “helped me build the fundamental public relations skills that will be needed in future roles.”

Company: Rosen Group PR is a public relations and communications agency based in New York City that provides counsel and campaigns for media relations, thought leadership, special events, social media, strategic consulting and policy advocacy.

Responsibilities: Roberts worked on three main accounts—First National Bank of Omaha, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and Shanken Communications—while contributing to other client projects, including work for individual authors, nonprofits and creative agencies. Roberts participated in client meetings, wrote and tracked coverage reports, drafted media pitches, contacted journalists, built targeted media lists, prepared award submissions and researched business and media trends.

Most important lessons learned: “I learned how to work in a fast-paced public relations environment and had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the media world. I gained incredible hands-on experience in the field and fundamental skills I’ll carry with me into future roles. I also learned the importance of building trusted client relationships and collaborative relationships with my team members.”

Most valuable piece of advice: “The importance of communication. Teams simply cannot function efficiently without proper communication on projects to meet deadlines. Maintaining strong, open communication with clients is crucial, as their needs are the top priority.”

This summer, a group of high school students from the Syracuse City School District (SCSD) had the opportunity to get a head start on their futures with a paid internship at Íű±ŹĂĆ, where they gained hands-on experience in various fields by working across campus as part of the summer internship program.

Summer interns are selected from a pool of candidates and placed in campus positions aligned with their desired career pathway. Each of the five SCSD high schools—Nottingham, Henninger, Corcoran, ITC and PSLA—were involved this year, with representation from the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, as well as students eligible for the Say Yes to Education scholarship program.

Interns spent their summer working closely with professionals at the University and learned more about the careers they hope to pursue. Aside from experiential learning, they also had the opportunity to start building their professional networks and connecting with the campus community.

Quindell Williams, workforce development coach in the SCSD’s CTE program, praised the summer internship program, saying, “The partnership between SCSD Career and Technical Education and Íű±ŹĂĆ is one that not only makes perfect sense, but one that we hope to continue to nurture as our CTE programs grow and expand. The program allows our students to engage with professionals, gain hands-on work experience and earn money in the process. Opportunities like this are what CTE is all about—preparing our students for success in the workforce!”

Now in its fifth year, the summer internship program has led to successful outcomes for participants. Students who participated in the program have a near-100% graduation rate. Many of these students graduated with their high school diploma and successfully transitioned into their career field well-equipped with skills and experience from the summer program.

Others developed the desire to attend Íű±ŹĂĆ after graduation and have accomplished that goal. There are currently summer internship program alumni studying in the , , and , with even more interns who completed the program in 2025 and are excited to return to campus as students—all starting with their summer internship opportunity.

The program’s positive impact is not limited only to the young people who participate. Hosting departments across campus are happy to get to share their experience and expertise with passionate students who are eager to learn.

Holliday Moore, news and public affairs director at , says, “Over the years in the news profession, academic and coaching arenas, I’ve noticed that many high schoolers begin developing their dreams and ambitions well before they enter high school, and some don’t. I strongly believe that it’s important we show them the opportunities and choices ahead of them before they enter college. Ryan [Sojewicz, a media communications CTE student from ITC High School] is one of those developing students whose curiosity is ignited. We enjoyed having him on staff and showing him how the news industry at an NPR affiliate gets it done. I am looking forward to him hitting the ground running wherever his ambition takes him. We hope it’s here at WAER!”

Story by Paige Altman

After completing an “Intro to Artificial Intelligence (AI)” course in the (ECS), Emma Bellai ’25 was eager to apply everything she learned in class to her internship with Verizon. Joining the Global Network and Technology team as an AI intern, the timing was perfect, as the AI boom in recent years opened exciting opportunities for exploration in this field.

“One class is all it takes to make the difference and that’s what happened to me,” says Bellai, a computer science student.

In just 10 weeks, Bellai explored how prompt engineering and personas are used in AI chatbots and her background in AI research was a huge help. Prompt engineering involves writing instructions that guide AI chatbots to respond to questions or complete tasks. Personas guide the chatbot’s tone of voice or the way the chatbot speaks. Using specific personas are a great way to make AI chatbots sound more human, which helps personalize their responses.

“The chatbot would talk differently to a CEO than it would to a software engineer,” says Bellai. “The main focus of my work was seeing how to optimize personas for different people. To see the results of my work and having an application on the website that I worked on was very rewarding.”

A typical day at the office involved researching the latest developments in AI, preparing presentations on new concepts she was learning and communicating with her team and personal mentor. Interns were encouraged to engage with others in the company through coffee chats, and Bellai had the opportunity to speak with many employees, including senior leadership and the CEO.

“They wanted to hear from young voices and AI applications from my perspective,” says Bellai. “I got to speak with the CEO at least two or three times, which is great because I feel like at other companies, you don’t get that opportunity.”

Interning with Verizon connected Bellai with the company’s extensive network of professionals, including Íű±ŹĂĆ alumni. She also had an opportunity to share her experiences and insights during a live stream to the entire company. Bellai’s hard work and enthusiasm for her role paid off, as she was offered a full-time position and will return to Verizon after graduation.

“If you have a really great professor that makes you genuinely care about the topic you’re learning about, it can make such a big difference down the line,” says Bellai. “ECS gave me the confidence to go into the internship and I felt like I was put in a good position to thrive.”

With climate change and severe weather expected to intensify in the coming years, developing strategies for a resilient food supply is crucial.

This involves understanding and developing crops that can withstand pathogens that cause diseases, one of the key areas of  at the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S). Combining biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, economics, business and engineering, the biotechnology program is helping find practical solutions to solving the challenges facing our food supply, global health and the environment.

A&S students like Isaac Arnold ’26 are already finding numerous opportunities to address these important questions.

Making an Early Contribution

Arnold, originally from Halifax, a small city in Nova Scotia, Canada, had never heard of biotechnology before coming to Syracuse. Initially declaring as a biochemistry major, Arnold was intrigued by the cutting-edge aspect of biotech and its broad, practical applications after learning about the field of biotechnology from his biology professor and now mentor, .

Since joining Professor Raina’s lab, Arnold recently co-authored a study in the journal , which explored how a set of genes (GATA21 and GATA22) are involved in regulating pathogen defense response in a plant called Arabidopsis.

“Humans share much of their genome with plants, which is why a lot of research done in the plant biology sphere is also relevant medically,” says Arnold. “We study the effects of epigenetic modifications, which are essentially reversible changes to regulate gene expression. Our research focuses on disease resistance—specifically, identifying which genes in plants regulate resistance to disease, and understanding the trade-offs involved.”

In their recent publication, the team found that GATA21 and GATA22 proteins positively regulate defense against fungal pathogens while acting antagonistically against bacterial pathogens. By understanding the mechanisms regulating these processes, researchers can develop strategies for producing crop plants with enhanced resistance against pathogens.

A key contribution by Arnold to this study stems from his long-standing interest in computer coding. In addition to assisting with the scientific research and publication writing, he developed image analysis software used during the study.

“It was inspiring to work closely with such a smart and driven team. They taught me everything I needed to know, helping me understand exactly how to utilize my skill set,” he says. “I gained a lot of great mentors through this, made tons of connections and it was just an overall amazing experience.”

Raina, professor and executive director of the biotechnology program and co-author on the study, says that Arnold’s efforts have significantly enhanced the research output of his lab.

“In addition to making some very interesting scientific observations, Isaac’s coding enabled us to rapidly analyze large datasets,” says Raina. “His work not only contributed to our most recent publication but will also be instrumental in analyzing data for several upcoming manuscripts. Isaac is an incredibly intelligent, creative and resourceful student who consistently thinks outside the box.”

Finding Purpose at Pfizer

Beyond his research contributions at Syracuse, Arnold has enhanced his career readiness through internship and entrepreneurial opportunities tailored for biotechnology students. In the summer of 2024, he applied for and secured a position at Pfizer’s New York City office, working in the medical affairs department within the emerging markets sector—regions where Pfizer aims to expand its market presence.

“Being from a small city like Halifax, it was a great experience spending my summer living in Manhattan,” he says.

One of the aspects of the biotechnology major that excited Arnold was the opportunity to make a tangible difference to world health. To that end, his favorite project at Pfizer involved working with the Accord team to deliver much-needed vaccines to people in developing countries at cost (meaning without profit to Pfizer).

Leveraging his computer science expertise, he developed a database that integrates epidemiological publications (having to do with how diseases spread) from major sites into Pfizer’s internal system. This database can sort information by country or disease based on prompts and provide relevant details about the side effects of certain diseases, including considerations for patients with conditions like hemophilia or immunocompromised states.

“For a lot of the countries where there’s not a lot of publications, it’ll give you information from countries with similar demographics. I used a language model to summarize all the main facts into slide decks on command, so if you want South Sudan publications, you type in South Sudan COVID-19 immunocompromised and it would list the most recent and relevant epidemiological data through this database,” says Arnold.

Building on the success of that project, he also created an intern slide deck for Pfizer to provide new interns with essential tools and resources during their onboarding process.

“Being able to create those connections at a major company is unreal,” says Arnold. “Once they see that you care about what you’re doing and that you work hard, people really start to respect you.”

Leveraging his connections at Pfizer, Arnold arranged for a company representative to attend the biotechnology conference at Íű±ŹĂĆ on April 5. At the conference, industry leaders networked with students and shared insights into the latest advancements in biotechnology, innovative therapies and industry trends.

Swimming With the Funding ‘Sharks’

Pushing the boundaries of science and technology to lead to better health outcomes is a hallmark of the biotechnology field. Arnold and a group of his friends at Syracuse have created a platform for students to promote their biotechnology innovations on the world stage.

The group recently founded , a startup incubator at the University aiming to bring together students from diverse fields to launch a new biotech startup each year and compete at the  in Paris, which is attended by over 200 venture capital firms.

“Every single year we’ll pick a different project and work with students through all aspects from initial development, brainstorming, idea creation, to the actual wet bench science, which is pretty cutting-edge,” says Arnold.

While he can’t talk specifics about the products currently in development, due to confidentiality, he says they have some interesting projects in the medical device and genetics spheres. The goal of this initiative is to create a marketable biotechnology product that could be sold or introduced to the market. This prototype would be showcased at the iGem competition, where biotechnology projects are presented, primarily serving as a platform for investors. If a venture capital firm sees potential in the prototype, they might purchase the idea and scale it up to a market level.

“This initiative could create jobs for students and potentially lead to the formation of a new company,” says Arnold. “It offers significant opportunities both for career advancement and gaining real-life work experience.”

A Busy Schedule Paves the Way for Medical School

Arnold’s schedule, filled with internships, 22-credit semesters, research, startups and some hockey during his free time, sets the stage for his next ambition: tackling the challenges of medical school. What drives him? Passion.

“I truly love the work,” he says. “I love helping people. I love developing cutting edge technology and working on things that are super interesting and have real-life implications that can make the world a better place.”

By getting used to a busy schedule now, he anticipates managing the demands of medical school while continuing biotechnology entrepreneurial ventures.

“This is my way of unwinding. It’s how I take my mind off school,” he says. “I’ll always be deeply involved in the biotech industry, no matter where I end up. I love the research and the opportunities it can create for people.”

Erica Kiduko G’25, who grew up in Tanzania, decided to use her 2023-24 to help further her research and promote education around gender-based violence through a nonprofit in the country.

Kiduko, who is pursuing a master’s degree in Pan-African studies in the , was doing her thesis research on the status of women in Tanzania and a National Plan of Action to help prevent violence against women when she decided to expand her work through a Clements Internship.

“I was working on a project that is my passion, and I applied for an internship that captured my goals and my passions,” Kiduko says.

The Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Awards are now open for juniors, seniors and graduate students of any major who seek to further their career development through undertaking self-obtained unique internship opportunities. The award provides students with financial assistance to help in the pursuit of their unique professional goals.

The award typically provides students with $1,500-$6,000 to assist with internship-related travel, accommodations, required materials or living expenses.

Kiduko was working on a thesis titled “Reckoning an Icon: Exploring Scholarship and Activism of [Kenyan professor] MÄ©cere GÄ©thae MĆ©go,” where she explored the ongoing imbalance women in Tanzania face and why, despite the implementation of the National Plan of Action, many women were still experiencing physical violence.

The action plan focuses on protecting the rights of women and girls, preventing such violent acts from occurring in the future and providing relief to help violence victims recover, but Kiduko says many of the citizens are unaware of the plan and many of the laws in place to protect these girls and women aren’t strict enough.

Wanting to connect and enhance the research in her thesis with a hands-on summer internship, Kiduko turned to the Clements Internship Award to study the effectiveness of the National Plan of Action through a self-secured internship with the Global Peace Foundation, which was one of the organizations involved in launching the National Plan of Action.

As a program officer, Kiduko worked on the Global Peace Foundation’s Uniting to End Violence Against Women in Football [soccer] initiative, which focused on both resolving issues of gender-based violence in women’s soccer and changing the societal norms and behaviors that often prevent victims of violence from reporting these incidents. Kiduko worked with soccer players ages 16 to 25.

“The initiative was trying to promote women’s empowerment by preventing gender-based violence while creating a safe environment for everyone to play their sport,” Kiduko says.

Kiduko helped run workshops where she and her fellow program officers would provide consultations to determine how much they understood about the prevalence and risks of violence while also equipping them with the knowledge of how to proceed should they witness an attack. One of the culminating projects was the release of an app where the players could anonymously report incidents of violence, whether they were the victims or the witnesses to an attack.

“It can be really hard for these players to report these incidents. Soccer could be their entire life and they’re afraid of being taken off the team for reporting an attack,” Kiduko says.

How will Kiduko apply the critical lessons learned through her internship and apply them to her work once she graduates from Íű±ŹĂĆ?

“Once I graduate, I still plan on exploring this community-driven approach to solving the important issue of gender violence. Now, I can conceptualize the different types of activism, from political and humanitarian activism, and I’m so grateful to have received the Clements Internship Award,” Kiduko says.

Applying for the 2024-25 Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award

This year’s application process closes on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. In addition to being responsible for self-securing internships, students interested in applying are also required to include their internship proposal, including outlining the purpose and goals of the internship and how this relates to their educational and career objectives. Interested students also need to secure a faculty or staff sponsor letter by the application deadline. Visit the for complete details.

For sport management major Livia McQuade ’25, the path from the to Paris for the Paralympic Games went like this:

After learning about an internship opportunity with the (OSG) on the Careers webpage, McQuade reached out to Internship Placement Coordinator for more information. OSG is a management and marketing agency that provides top sponsorship opportunities and marketing strategies for Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Through Perez, McQuade learned that recent sport management graduates Elena Randolph ’24 and Jacob Bennett ’24 strongly endorsed OSG after both had interviewed with the organization and Bennett worked there as an athlete relations intern. From there, McQuade discovered that OSG’s Director of Athlete Relations ’16 was a sport management alumna and “connecting with her jumpstarted this experience from the first interview all the way to the Paralympics,” McQuade says.

“I preach that the Falk College is better known as the ‘College of Opportunity’ and this internship is the purest reflection of that,” McQuade says.

Thanks to her Falk connections and stellar academic background, McQuade spent this past summer with OSG in Loveland, Colorado. McQuade, the executive vice president of the in the Falk College and co-chair of the club’s 2024 , says she wants to work with the Olympic and Paralympic Movement following graduation and this internship has been an invaluable step in that process.

We asked McQuade to describe her experience working for OSG at the Paralympic Games in Paris and here’s what she wrote:

“Over the summer and into this fall semester, I have been an athlete relations intern with Olympus Sports Group. I worked under OSG Founder and President and former U.S. speed skater Ian Beck and Íű±ŹĂĆ alumna Jessica Leonard, and much of my internship was centered around the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Through the summer months and while four of our Olympic swimmers were competing in Paris, I worked on the backend reviewing and supporting contract negotiations for athlete partnerships, preparing athletes’ speaking outlines, updating athlete websites and project managing the upcoming book release for one of our most prominent athletes (Jessica Long).

“At the beginning of September, I took a hiatus from my classes in Falk to attend the Paralympics with OSG’s incredible leadership team and nine of our competing athletes. Our roles on the ground in Paris were largely dedicated to celebrating our athletes at their events; we cheered for Jessica Long in para swimming, Sarah Adam and Joe Delagrave in wheelchair rugby, Noah Malone and Susannah Scaroni in para track and field, Dennis Connors and Jamie Whitmore in para-cycling and Steve Serio and Trey Jenifer in wheelchair basketball. All while proudly decked out in USA apparel!

“All other responsibilities centered around any of our athletes’ media or speaking appearances. This included trips to Team USA House, Bridgestone House and Toyota House, as well as a luncheon with Bank of America and International Paralympic Committee Board members. Of all the places and moments we witnessed, the one that sticks with me the most is attending para swimming: Seeing the notorious Olympic/Paralympic-sized pool, being in a packed arena, and just being in that atmosphere was an ‘I made it’ moment for me.

“I am incredibly grateful and fortunate to work with Ian and Jessica at OSG. For the remainder of the fall semester, I am continuing to work with OSG in a limited role with the addition of our newly hired intern and capstonee sport management major (and Syracuse track and field hurdler) Kirstyn Schechter ’25. While Kirstyn takes over the responsibilities I held this summer, I will focus mostly on coordinating media opportunities and schedules for the release of Jessica Long’s new book, “,” set to publish on Oct. 1!”

Interested in a career in the sport industry? Visit the webpage to learn more about academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities.

This summer, ten student veterans from the University community secured internships across the country—opportunities that are often out of reach for post-traditional students. With support from the (OVMA) Internship Award, these veterans gained hands-on experience that will enhance their post-graduation career prospects.

The OVMA created this award to remove barriers that often prevent student veterans from accessing internships, one of the most effective pathways to post-graduation employment. The award, which is needs-based, covers the cost of one internship credit hour, travel and living expenses, or both, with a maximum award of $5,000 per student. It’s part of the ongoing efforts by Íű±ŹĂĆ to support student veterans and ensure their success in the job market.

“Student veterans often face the difficult choice between pursuing full-time summer studies or finding seasonal work to meet their financial needs,” says Jennifer Pluta, director of Veterans Career Services with the OVMA. “It’s challenging to focus on securing internships when financial concerns are pressing. Since its launch, the Internship Award has successfully helped 24 of our student veterans gain valuable job experience, giving them a significant advantage in the job market.”

According to the University’s , more than 650,000 veterans nationwide are currently pursuing higher education, often with one primary goal in mind: finding employment afterward. While veterans highlight finding employment after their military transition as a top priority, connecting with employers can sometimes be challenging. Initiatives like the OVMA’s Internship Award are crucial in bridging this gap, providing student veterans with opportunities to gain practical experience and build networks that will support their career goals.

At Syracuse, students across all schools, colleges and degree levels have access to resources that help them find and secure internships in their chosen fields. However, student veterans, who often juggle complex schedules, family commitments and financial responsibilities, can find it particularly challenging to participate in internships. The OVMA’s Internship Award helps alleviate these challenges by providing financial support, enabling student veterans to focus on gaining valuable professional experience without the added burden of financial strain.

“Since its start, the internship award program has grown tremendously, providing invaluable opportunities for our student veterans to gain real-world experience and advance their careers,” says Ron Novack, OVMA’s executive director. “We are committed to expanding this program even further, reaching more student veterans and building strong partnerships with organizations that recognize and value the exceptional skills and dedication that veterans bring to the workforce.”

This year, military-connected students secured internships across a diverse range of industries, with many gaining experience in government agencies and tech companies. From working on policy initiatives and supporting service members through government roles to contributing to innovative projects in the tech sector, these students gained invaluable experience that will serve them well in their future careers.

Read more about three of the recipients and their unique experiences below.

Laurie N. Coffey G’25, U.S. Navy Veteran

Laurie N. Coffey, a U.S. Navy veteran with over 20 years of service, is now a second-year law student in the . This summer, she interned with the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, where she gained valuable experience in public service law. Unlike the previous summer, when financial demands led her to take a highly paid corporate internship, this year was different.

“Receiving the scholarship allowed me to take a position that was unpaid and in public service,” Coffey says. “Having a family, mortgage, and going to school has financial demands that pushed me into a highly paid corporate internship last summer. The scholarship allowed me to pursue something more aligned with my passions and hopes to work in the advocacy arena.”

Curtis Cline ’25, U.S. Army Veteran

Curtis Cline, a senior majoring in aerospace engineering at the , is a U.S. Army veteran who completed three combat tours. During his service, he held such roles as crew chief, overhaul maintenance technician and downed aircraft recovery program manager. This summer, he interned at the Griffiss Institute, where he immersed himself in collaborative aerospace research.

“A lesson I gained during my internship is the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Working alongside experts in various fields, I learned how to effectively communicate complex ideas, integrate diverse perspectives and contribute to a collaborative research environment,” Cline says. “This experience has equipped me with enhanced problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of how different disciplines converge in aerospace research.”

Marriler Wilson G’25, U.S. Air Force Veteran

Marriler Wilson is a graduate student in the , pursuing a master’s in public administration and international relations.  Willson served in the Air Force National Guard, focusing on security forces and base defense, while also serving as a traffic enforcer with the New York Police Department. This summer, Wilson interned at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in the Office of Congressional Public Affairs.

“One particularly memorable experience occurred on the second day of my internship when I had the unique opportunity to visit Capitol Hill. I observed a general counsel from my congressional and public affairs unit articulate the significance of MCC’s work,” says Wilson. “The counsel eloquently explained how MCC’s mission aligns with the interests of both political parties and how the corporation’s initiatives serve as a vital conduit for international cooperation and development.”

The OVMA Internship Award application period is open from September to May 31. For more details and to apply, visit . For more details about the award, reach out to Jennifer Pluta at jrpluta@syr.edu.

Story by Lissette Caceres