EMPOWERING FUTURES
The Impact of Connections
The Impact of Connections
Our Programs
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
When students graduate from MKA, they have a clear understanding of who they are and a vision for their future as confident adults, thoughtful citizens, and ethical leaders.
One of the intentional ways MKA supports this development is by providing students with opportunities to engage with professionals from diverse backgrounds, helping them connect their interests to real-world experiences.
MKA’s May Term Internship Program and Interactive Career Speaker Series are two initiatives that link current students with alumni, parents, and community members. By bridging academic pursuits with practical applications, MKA ensures that students leave equipped with the confidence, perspective, and tools necessary to navigate their futures with purpose and integrity. Mentors and speakers also benefit from forming meaningful connections with our students, fostering a rewarding and enriching relationship with our school.
Kofi has been a joy to work with, writing news summaries, designing and analyzing a survey, conducting research, and doing interviews. I’ve given him opportunities that will allow him to use the skills he’s learned at school and gain a glimpse of the world of international relations and public diplomacy. Kofi has been actively engaged and a bright light for my colleagues and me. He’s inquisitive and thoughtful and gives me hope for the future.
— Paige Cottingham-Streater ’79
Executive Director,
What is MKA’s May Term Internship Program?
May Term is a dynamic capstone project for seniors, giving them the chance to gain real-world experience in an area of personal interest during the month of May.
These projects and internships are as diverse as our students, ranging from hands-on internships to short-term shadowing experiences.
May Term is designed to be flexible and accessible, allowing students to explore their passions in meaningful ways, whether in person or remotely, through formal placements or creative collaborations.
This program empowers our seniors to take their first steps into the professional world, guided by mentors who inspire and support them.
What is MKA’s Interactive Career Speaker Series (ICSS)?
ICSS is a program that actively engages MKA alumni in inspiring and empowering MKA students to become the change agents of tomorrow.
Speakers inspire MKA high school students to more deeply contemplate their future career paths and inspire a strong ethical foundation within them for their university experiences.
Spanning multiple industries and functional verticals, the speaker series is intended to highlight the foundational skills and expertise essential to success in their roles as ethical leaders as well as the challenges and sacrifices one can expect along the journey.
Speakers can attend in person or virtually during club/class/assembly periods and on an as-needed basis for Monday Meetings.
AT A GLANCE
Impact over the last two years...
120
Individuals generously shared their time and expertise to speak with our students through the ICSS program.
75
Seniors participated in the May Term Internship Program, gaining real-world experience.
The number of different industries that have participated in the May Term Internship Program.
Our Programs A HEARTFELT
THANKS
We are deeply grateful to the professionals who generously provided enriching opportunities for MKA’s senior students through the May Term Internship Program.
In the last two years, one-third of each senior class has participated in May Term, a signature program that offers invaluable opportunities to develop real-world problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, communication skills, and adaptability.
Your mentorship makes a lasting impact— thank you for helping our students step confidently into the future.
"I have been privileged to spend many hours in the office with Dr. Ballem and his partner Dr. Rainville. During these office hours, I have learned the importance of engaging with patients on a person-to-person level.
Dr. Ballem feels it is important to crush the power dynamic between doctors and patients, by making sure he is sitting down at the patient’s eye level while listening to their needs and concerns.”
— Ava Moore ’24
“
Celebrating Our Guest Speakers
Thank you to the 120 incredible individuals who donated their time and talent to speak with our students in classes, clubs, and meetings.
From inspiring personal stories to sharing professional expertise, your contributions enrich our students’ educational journeys in immeasurable ways.
Whether in-person or remote, your involvement fuels curiosity, ambition, innovation, and growth within our school community.
Inviting
speakers to campus cultivates a culture of entrepreneurship while fostering innovation and collaboration among students, faculty, parents, and alumni. These opportunities enable students to hone interpersonal skills, explore creative business ideas, craft business plans and presentations, and gain insights into emerging industries where they aspire to build their futures. With the support of the MKA community, students can even take steps toward establishing their own companies.
Dilan Lalla ’25
Our Programs
GET INVOLVED
Experience the satisfaction of knowing you’ve played a part in someone’s personal or professional journey by sharing your knowledge and experience with an MKA student.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has participated in these two programs and helped us create these meaningful opportunities for our students.
If you would like to host a senior May Term intern or share your expertise as a guest speaker, we’d love to hear from you!
To get involved in our programs please reach out to Associate Director of Alumni Engagement Madison Kilduff at mkilduff@mka.org.
Remote opportunities are available, and we’re always looking to expand our network of extraordinary mentors and speakers.
Together, let’s continue to empower the next generation of leaders!
