Wheaton News

This summer, Wheaton students will gain essential career skills, build their professional networks and enjoy amazing learning experiences at sites throughout the country and around the world with support from internship funding.

Projects include on-site research into the effects of drought on rainforests in Australia, working at a development bank in Rwanda, rallying U.S. voters in advance of the November election and shadowing health professionals in private practices, clinics and hospitals around the world.

These opportunities highlight the college’s commitment to experiential learning—a commitment that was formalized recently with the Wheaton Edge. This institutional guarantee promises that, starting with the Class of 2019, every student will have the chance to receive funding for an internship, research job, volunteer position or other hands-on learning experience before their senior year.

Here’s a look at some of the 2016 Wheaton-funded opportunities:

Davis International Fellows

Established by Diana Davis Spencer ’60 with funds from the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation, the Davis International Fellows Program provides students with a $5,000 stipend to cover the costs of an unpaid, international internship, volunteer opportunity or independent research project.

Alinafe Chanza ’17, an international relations major from Malawi, will work as a marketing intern at The Good Agency Asia in Shanghai.

Ben Christopher ’17, a neuroscience major from Northampton, Mass., will be volunteering and shadowing doctors in the Dominican Republic through the Gap Medics organization.

Gavriel Cohn ’17, from West Hartford, Conn., a double major in biology and Hispanic studies, will participate in Child Family Health International’s Global Health Program, “Community Medicine: From Rainforest to Coast,” in Guayaquil and Puyo, Ecuador.

Emma Garcelon ’18, a studio art major from Portland, Maine, will volunteer at the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, supporting efforts to care for rescued and retired elephants and other wildlife.

Hannah Gasperoni ’17, a biochemistry major from Hampton, N.H., will intern at a variety of clinical sites throughout northern India through the global health education program Child Family Health International.

Madeline Groen ’18, from Seattle, Wash., a double major in psychology and Hispanic studies, will intern at Sinamune, an organization providing art and music therapy to children and young adults with intellectual disabilities in Quito, Ecuador.

Jordana Joy ’17, from Bowdoin, Maine, a double major in English and women’s and gender studies, will intern at Fighting Words, a Dublin, Ireland-based organization that provides free creative writing tutoring for children, students and young adults.

Haley Knight ’17, a neuroscience major from Pawtucket, R.I., will work as a research officer in the Glycotherapeutic Laboratory at the Institute of Medical Biology in Singapore.

Alyssa Russell ’17, from Marlborough, Mass., a double major in English and American studies, will conduct independent research on Sigmund Freud’s representation of female subjectivity at archives in Vienna and London and by enrolling in a week-long course on Freudian psychoanalysis at Sigmund Freud University in Vienna.

Jessica Ryabin ’17, a biochemistry major from Natick, Mass., will work as a research intern at James Cook University’s Cairn campus and at the Daintree Rainforest Observatory in Australia, focusing on the impacts of drought on a tropical rainforest.

Will Sweet ’17, a biology major from Sharon, Mass., will conduct research with Duke University’s Organization for Tropical Studies and South African National Parks at Kruger National Park in South Africa and Lubombo Conservancy in Swaziland.

Porter Cleveland Fellows

The Porter Cleveland Fellows Program provides funding for community-based summer internship and volunteer experiences in Cleveland, Ohio. Students receive a $3,500 stipend plus paid housing at Case Western Reserve University. The program was established in 2005 in honor of Nancy Lyon Porter ’43.

Julia Daniels ’17, an African, African American, diaspora studies major from New York, N.Y., will intern at Newbridge Cleveland Center for Arts and Technology, helping with advertising and recruitment.

Danielle Dickinson ’17, from New Hartford, Conn., a double major in women’s and gender studies and political science, will work as a research intern with the National Initiative on Mixed Income Communities at Case Western Reserve University.

Gabrielle Maginn ’17, from San Diego, Calif., a double major in women’s and gender studies and political science, will work as a field intern at Equality Ohio Education Fund, helping to raising awareness of the importance of LGBTQ+ issues and rights.

Olivia Milne ’18, a political science major from Marstons Mills, Mass., will intern at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

Wheaton Fellows

Supported with gifts from numerous benefactors, the Wheaton Fellows Program helps undergraduates pursue meaningful experiences both domestic and abroad that connect back to their academic or career interests. Students receive a $3,000 stipend for experiences that run from six to eight weeks over the summer.

Kelvin Kweku Ampem-Darko ’17, a neuroscience major from Bronx, N.Y. and Ghana, will work as a Humanity in Action Fellow in Copenhagen, Denmark. During this intensive, five-week program, he will conduct research among the local population, learn about the legislative process for seeking reform and asylum for immigrant communities and develop an action plan for future social justice endeavors.

Tenzing Andrugtsang ’18, a business and management major from New York, N.Y., will intern at Delek Hospital, a Tibetan-established hospital in Dharamsala, India that provides health care services to low income patients and exiled Tibetan community members.

Aileen Archambault ’18, a psychology major from Pittsfield, Mass., will shadow a psychologist at the Pittsfield-based Pediatric Development Center, which provides therapeutic services and developmental support for children and their families.

Amanda Banegas ’17, from New York, N.Y., a double major in psychology and African, African American, diaspora studies, will work as a research assistant at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, exploring the role of stereotype in black crime and at various levels of the justice system.

Emily Berk ’17, a sociology major from South Royalton, Vt., will work as a research assistant at Tufts University School of Medicine, surveying people at risk for or living with hepatitis C and HIV.

Giovanna Bishop ’17, an environmental science major from Portland, Ore., will work as an assistant in the Zooplankton Ecology research lab at Oregon State University.

Emily Bodell ’17, a biology major from Hope Valley, R.I., will intern at the Napatree Point Conservation Area in Watch Hill, R.I., assisting with beach patrolling, educational programs, biodiversity surveys, invertebrate and macroalgae sampling, water quality monitoring and recording beach erosion.

David Bowen ’17, a neuroscience major from Cumberland, R.I., will intern as an exercise specialist for Marathon Physical Therapy in Norton, Mass., assisting professional staff with patient care and administrative duties.

Zachariah Brown ’17, a psychology major from North Haven, Conn., will conduct research on anxiety at the Yale Child Study Center at Yale University.

Rochelle Clarke ’18, a neuroscience major from Bronx, N.Y., will participate in Child Family Health International’s Introduction to Traditional Medicine clinical immersion program in three cities in India.

Caroline Costa ’17, from East Lyme, Conn., a double major in international relations and Hispanic studies, will intern with the American-Turkish Council in Washington, D.C.

Alivia Cross ’19, a theatre and dance studies major from Searsport, Maine, will work as a stage manager for Cold Comfort Theater in Belfast, Maine.

Eleanor Denison ’17, an anthropology major from Andover, Mass., will intern at Sawmill Herb Farm and Abundance Farm, a Jewish food justice farm and outdoor classroom, in Northampton, Mass.

Zeke DeWitt ’18, from Barrington, R.I., a double major in history and political science, will intern at the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission, assisting with the review and archiving of documents related to properties listed on the Register of Historic Places.

Aleza Epstein ’18, a business and management major from Amherst, N.Y., will participate in the STRIVE College Intern Program as a group leader in Pisaq, Peru. She will be teaching art, education and physical education, tutoring primary students in English, leading athletic workshops and contributing in other ways to the local community.

Shahd Fahoum ’18, from Israel, a double major in anthropology and political science, will intern with Aswat, an organization in Haifa, Israel that works on matters regarding LGBTQ+ rights and social equity in Israel.

Breanna Fedor ’18, from Lutherville-Timonium, Md., a double major in psychology and German, will work as a clinician assistant at the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Behavioral Management Clinic in Columbia, Md.

Jovon Ferguson ’18, a political science major from Brooklyn, N.Y., will intern with Brooklyn Boatworks, a nonprofit organization that provides inner city youth with the chance to learn how to build and sail a boat.

Alex Gafford ’17, from St. Louis, Mo., a double major in economics and psychology, will be working in the behavioral economics research lab at Washington University, focusing on choice and decision-making in animals and humans.

Laura Galib ’19, a biology major from Pittsfield, Mass., will participate in the student observation program at Williamstown Physical Therapy in Williamstown, Mass.

Sarah Gould ’17, from Boxford, Mass., a double major in psychology and English, will work as a research assistant, focusing on sexual assault prevention, at Rhode Island Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry.

Samuel Hickson ’17, from Kennebunk, Maine, a double major in Hispanic studies and theatre and dance studies, will work as an office intern with ImprovBoston in Cambridge, Mass.

Hailey Kohler ’18, a business and management major from Flemington, N.J., will intern at the Nurture Nature Center in Easton, Pa.

Evan Laferriere ’19, an undeclared major from Attleboro, Mass., will intern with the Lexomics Research Group at Wheaton College.

Stephanie Langlois ’17, a biology major from Barrington, R.I., will intern with the Newport Hospital Lyme Disease Clinic, a multidisciplinary center dedicated to the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, in Newport, R.I.

Nicholas Liotta ’17, a political science major from Flushing, N.Y., will intern with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

Rowan Lowell ’17, an English major from Woburn, Mass., will work as a data management intern at North and South Rivers Watershed Association in Norwell, Mass.

Emory Manguilli ’17, from Durham, Conn., a double major in psychology and education, will intern at rKids Inc., working to update their after-school curriculum, help develop a model support system for college-age adoptees and other projects.

Maria Matrango ’18, a psychology major from West Yarmouth, Mass., will shadow an endoscopy surgeon at the Cape and Islands Endoscopy Center in Hyannis, Mass.

Linnea Mayfield ’17, a biology major from Estonia, will work as a marine mammal education and research intern at the New England Aquarium in Boston.

Cynthia Mercedes ’17, a neuroscience major from New York, N.Y., will volunteer with Child Family Health International’s Introduction to Traditional Medicine program in Dehra Dun, India. She will observe health professionals working in urban and rural areas as they treat patients with both western and traditional, holistic approaches to medicine.

Katie Merin ’17, from Wayne, Pa., a double major in mathematics and computer science, will intern in the information technology department of InterChange in Provo, Utah.

Luis Molina ’17, from Los Angeles, a double major in anthropology and public health, will conduct an independent research study on health disparities in the community of Salvador, Brazil.

Kimberly Nestor ’17, a neuroscience major from Guyana, will work as a research assistant, focusing on sexual assault prevention, at Rhode Island Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry.

Jake Newberry ’17, a biology major from Warwick, R.I., will intern at West Bay Orthopedics in Smithfield, R.I., assisting with in-office surgeries, evaluation of patients and providing other support.

Sierra Nolf ’18, a psychology major from Marstons Mills, Mass., will shadow case managers at Arc of Cape Code, a nonprofit agency that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Amalia Quesada Nylen ’17, from Malden, Mass., a double major in English and Hispanic studies, will work as a program intern at the Social Innovation Forum in Boston, where she will interact with nonprofit innovators, business leaders and others in the social innovation field.

Ian Opaluch ’17, and economics major from Pawtucket, R.I., will intern at MassChallenge Inc. in Boston, supporting the work of several entrepreneurs through social media, audio/video projects and in other ways.

Kathleen Orechia ’18, a bioinformatics major from Foxboro, Mass., will intern in the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Clinical and Translational Informatics Department in Boston.

Amoolya Palaksha ’17, a chemistry major from India, will work as a research intern in the Boston College Chemistry Department.

Janaira Ramirez ’18, from New York, N.Y., a double major in political science and women’s and gender studies, will work as a civic engagement intern for the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, helping to mobilize Latino voters for the upcoming presidential election.

Rachel Richardson ’19, from Rowe, Mass., a double major in political science and Hispanic studies, will intern as a student paralegal with the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office in Worcester, Mass.

Andres Ripley ’18, a biology major from Sharon, Mass., will volunteer at Borderland State Park in Easton, Mass., assisting with park beautification, trail maintenance, programming and visitor education.

Rodney Rugamba ’19, a business and management major from Kigali City, Rwanda, will intern with Atlas Mara/Rwanda Development Bank in his hometown, working in various areas including credit policy, commercial, personal and institutional banking, credit risk management, domestic operations and general resource management.

Zara Salmon ’18, from Bethany, Conn., a double major in political science and creative writing, will intern with the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System Public Affairs Office.

Holly Salois ’19, an undeclared major from Sandown, N.H., will work as a student intern at the Child Advocacy Center of Rockingham County in Portsmouth, N.H.

Deki Selden ’17, an economics major from Bhutan, will work as a budget intern at New York City Housing Preservation and Development.

Ao “Kevin” Shi ’17, a biochemistry major from China, will work as a research intern at the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, La.

Emerson Sistare ’17, a religion major from Dublin, N.H., will work as a studio education intern at the Burlington City Arts Center in Burlington, Vt.

Rebecca Smith ’17, a neuroscience major from Groton, N.H., will work as a human resources intern at New England Aquarium in Boston.

Nathan Steele ’17, a business and management major from Norton, Mass., will intern as a customer service representative at Pegasus3 Worldwide Logistics LLC, a Foxboro, Mass., company that manages international transportation.

Anna Strock ’17, a neuroscience major from Centerville, Mass., will work as a research assistant at the Tufts University School of Medicine, in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine.

Alex Sugarman ’17, a neuroscience major from Concord, Mass., will work as a research assistant at the Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory.

Ashley Tsegai ’19, from Bronx, N.Y., a double major in political science and economics, will intern with Democrats for Education Reform, a political reform cooperative based in Brooklyn.

Jillian Valerio ’17, a historical linguistics major from New Haven, Conn., will work as a research assistant with Lesley University Professor of English Mary Dockray-Miller, on a project that explores writings from the Middle Ages about the lives of female saints.

Margaret Walton ’17, from Phillipston, Mass., a double major in studio art and creative writing, will intern with the Chair City Community Art Center in Gardner, Mass., working on a community art/oral history project.

James Wegener ’18, a history major from Falmouth, Maine, will work as an environmental education intern with the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center in Scarborough, Maine.

Brynn Werner ’17, a psychology major from Westport, Conn., will intern with DOROT, a nonprofit agency that supports and serves the elderly, in New York, N.Y.

Katharine Wilkinson ’17, a sociology major from Exeter, N.H., will work as a newsroom intern at Providence TV news station WRPI.

Cheng “Moses” Zhang ’18, from Beijing, China, a double major in mathematics and computer science, will be working with Wheaton Professor of Mathematics Shelly Leibowitz to explore an open math problem known as the “Pancake Problem,” dating back to the 1970s.

Raymond Zhang ’17, a biochemistry major from Chapel Hill, N.C., will conduct independent research into the role of methylmercury in breast cancer progression, working in the lab with Wheaton Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry Hilary Gaudet.

Abe Ziner ’17, a strategic geography major from Deer Isle, Maine, will intern with The Cohen Group, a consulting firm based in in Washington, D.C., working alongside influential leaders in the fields of democracy, international development and defense.

Rachael Zipper ’19, a neuroscience major from Salem, Mass., will intern with a physical therapist at All Care Visiting Nurses Association.