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S U M M E R X P E R I E N C F U N D
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Students whose lives you are changing skidmore.edu/summerexperiencefund
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ince the inception of the Summer Experience Fund (SEF) in 2009, over 1,000 Skidmore students have received donor-funded awards to accept unpaid summer experiences. These opportunities have enhanced their skills, expanded upon what they have learned in the classroom, and contributed to countless communities, all without the burden of having to support themselves while doing unpaid work.
C O O R D I N AT O R ’ S U P DAT E
In some ways, 2021 saw a return to “normal” conditions for Skidmore’s award recipients. International travel was once again allowed, and many employers opened their offices back up to students. However, the effects of COVID-19 have lingered, and some students worked remotely or had other restrictions placed upon their experiences. Nevertheless, the 128 SEF award recipients in 2021 undertook a variety of inspiring projects. Students assisted at a honeybee sanctuary in Maui, composed marketing plans for a real estate technology start-up, created and taught a dance curriculum for individuals with disabilities, researched the genetic basis of obesity in mice, and developed a menstrual education program for girls in Sierra Leone. Skidmore students gave their time, knowledge, and skills to communities around the world. From these experiences, they learned critical life lessons, found new career directions, and built upon their classroom teachings. We are tremendously proud of these students and grateful to you for making these experiences possible for them.
Amy Mangiaracina Coordinator, Summer Experience Fund
SKIDMORE S U M M E R E X P E R I E N C E F U N D
HANNAH CHARITY ’22 NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA
English major and classics minor SEE-Beyond, magazine intern at Silverpen Productions and intern at Film Forum
Because of your support, I pursued two internships this summer, working for both the Film Forum in Manhattan and Silverpen Productions in Saratoga Springs. I am grateful to Skidmore’s donors and the Career Development Center for providing me with these brilliant experiences. During my Silverpen Productions internship, I learned the importance of time management because I was tasked with remote work. I interviewed founders of nonprofit organizations and wrote copious articles. At my Film Forum internship, I had the privilege of working with kind and committed coworkers who answered my questions and helped me learn about the industry. I developed a keen eye for ensuring that films were ready for the audience in the technological screenings.
“ All of this would not have been possible without your kind contribution. I had a wonderful experience because of the Summer Experience Fund, and I hope future recipients will be able to pursue their dream internships.”
SKIDMORE S U M M E R E X P E R I E N C E F U N D
LUKE WEBER ’23 MORAGA, CALIFORNIA
English and environmental science double major Summer intern, assistant to documentary filmmaker Dave Publow.
I spent my summer working on a documentary film about a hazardous waste incinerator located within yards of a low-income community-housing complex called Saratoga Sites, near Albany, New York. Each week I went to the rallies outside Congressman Paul Tonko’s office and interviewed people, then edited my footage into a 10-minute segment that aired Thursdays during the Hudson Mohawk Magazine radio show, produced by Sanctuary for Independent Media. There is something about working directly with others who are passionate about protecting the environment that you just don’t get in a classroom. The work I did this summer was not for a grade, but it helped the people at Saratoga Sites.
“ Because of your support, I participated in one of the best experiences of my life. I discovered my love for telling and amplifying stories. Thank you for your generosity.”
SKIDMORE S U M M E R E X P E R I E N C E F U N D
USHNA SAEED ’22 ORANGE, MASSACHUSETTS
Health and human physiological sciences major Summer intern, public health at the Arthritis Foundation
This summer, I was a public health intern at the Arthritis Foundation in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Arthritis Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to prevent, cure, and advocate for individuals who have arthritis. I helped plan the summer children’s event, Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Fun Day. I invited rheumatologists, pediatricians, and physical therapists to join a JA Fun Day panel and create relationships with the Foundation. I was also in charge of logistics for the day. The whole event was a big hit! I also worked on a new service initiative, Arthritis at Work. I reached out to human resources and health and wellness departments at companies in North Carolina to encourage them to offer this service to their employees. I also worked with local senior centers to ensure Foundation materials were available at these locations. Driving to different locations as part of my internship allowed me to explore Charlotte — it became one of my favorite things to do!
“ I learned so much this summer, and this position has allowed me to figure out what I have in mind for my future endeavors.”
SKIDMORE S U M M E R E X P E R I E N C E F U N D
NOAH FRYOU ’23
LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Political science major and biology and chemistry double minor Summer intern, Saxena Lab research, Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital
Your support allowed me to explore my career interests at the Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. I worked as an intern in a research lab led by Jaqueline Lane, Ph.D., where I had the opportunity to collaborate and contribute to many studies. The focus of the Lane Lab is on the genetic factors of the human circadian rhythm and sleep disturbances. I learned about both subjects and expanded my interest in genetics and sleep science. I had the opportunity to collaborate and contribute to research being done at Monash University in Australia, University of Freiburg, the Broad Institute, and many more institutions around the world. We used the United Kingdom biobank to analyze large numbers of patient files with genetic and exome data to identify markers and genetic similarities between disorders.
“ The skills and networks that I gained this summer will help me in my future academic, professional, and personal endeavors. Thank you for your gracious donation to Skidmore’s Summer Experience Fund.”
SKIDMORE S U M M E R E X P E R I E N C E F U N D
AMELIA SCHUSTER ’22 ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
Political science and theater double major Summer intern, City of Saratoga Springs Planning Department
I am grateful for the experience I had this summer. I worked on many different projects with the Saratoga Springs Planning Department, including policy research on different localities for possible initiatives, historical research, and much more. Local government, while not as flashy as Washington, D.C. think-tanks or federal agencies, puts you up close and personal with the nitty gritty of local policy and municipal code, which I found enjoyable. Working for the city of Saratoga Springs, I had an opportunity to do more engaging work than I might have had with an organization in Washington, D.C. I’m so glad I considered a local opportunity! This experience provided insight into what career or path I may want to take in the future.
“ My experience demonstrates what is so great about the SEF; you get the opportunity to explore before you go out into the workforce.”
SKIDMORE S U M M E R E X P E R I E N C E F U N D
JUSTIN ADAMS ’23 BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Management and business and Spanish double major SEE-Beyond, program assistant with Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York
This summer, I worked with Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York for the 2021 Summer Enrichment Academy program. I am an alumnus of the program, which provides opportunities and resources for underserved youth with the potential for academic and professional growth. I worked with a group of disenfranchised Black and Afro-Latiné students in Brooklyn to prepare them for the school year and their college experience. Our organization’s focus was on developing these young professionals holistically and preparing them for college and the application process. Working with these students was a pleasure. Providing them with an experience they may not have otherwise had access to was empowering. As someone who has experienced this before, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a contact for these students. You have provided this opportunity to an organization often stretched thin on resources due to the scope of its mission and programming.
“ Working with these scholars allowed me to serve them in a way that no one else can. It is important to see a face that looks like yours and hear a voice that speaks like you do, in the languages that you do. I am proud of my scholars and know they’ll be successful.”
ZEN The Summer Experience Fund is part of the Zankel Experience Network (ZEN). ZEN was established in 2020 by Jimmy Zankel ’92 and Pia Scala-Zankel ’92 to encourage the support of like-minded donors who hope to expand Skidmore’s commitment to experiential learning, including the Summer Experience Fund, Faculty Student Summer Research, and a new Mentoring Program. To learn more, visit: skidmore.edu/summerexperiencefund