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Students whose lives you are changing skidmore.edu/summerexperiencefund
For 12 years, Skidmore’s Summer Experience Fund donors have provided hundreds of high-need students the opportunity to create paths for themselves that otherwise would not exist. The year 2020 has challenged our students to become more adaptable, more resilient and more creative than they have ever imagined. Previously secured internship opportunities vanished as companies shut down amid the growing uncertainty around COVID-19. In April, 243 applicants were informed that their internships would need to be conducted remotely or they could not be funded. Within weeks, 113 students eagerly shaped new experiences that would take them to places all over the world virtually to do things that changed their lives and the world they inhabit. They were able to benefit from these experiences while also staying safe in their own homes. Some of the extraordinary experiences funded this year included health care advocacy for our most marginalized communities, water conservation efforts, work to address food insecurity, support for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, the tutoring of high school students in Zambia, help for refugees through the Economic Empowerment Department of the International Rescue Committee, the creation of an online presence for the Brain Resource Center and policy research for the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center. All of us at Skidmore join our dedicated donors in celebrating these students, whose work has impacted so many others in so many important ways during this challenging time.
Kim Crabbe Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Career Development Center
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JULIAN TUSHABE ’22 SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK
Management and business and theater double major. Independent project internship: The Remote Affection Mode short film
My summer experience was spent turning a screenplay I wrote into a full-length feature film, which I directed. It starred professional actors, current Skidmore theater students and alumni. This production gave all the students involved experience working with professionals. My film explores how social distancing affects various relationships. I used the funding to purchase the equipment necessary for production. This experience has been truly transformative. I had been completely reliant on getting all my experience through the Theater Department. But in creating and producing my own work with professionals, I’ve learned that I’m capable of making my own opportunities and also how to be successful doing so. I’ve been able to work with award-winning actors and have formed relationships that I believe will last a lifetime.
“ None of this would have been possible had I not received the funding and support from donors. This enabled me to compensate actors and acquire the equipment I needed to make it all happen.”
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ALEX LEWIS ’23 WALLKILL, NEW YORK
Major not yet declared. Summer intern, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
This summer, I co-authored a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the relationship between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes. I collaborated with fellow Skidmore student Sophia Zhang ’21 and together, we worked with Skidmore Board of Trustee member, Jonathan Brestoff Parker ’08 from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. We scanned through more than 2,000 studies on databases like PubMed, to find the papers that we would use for our review. We examined papers that stratified on body mass index in different outcomes for COVID-19. We found that obese patients have worse outcomes in these categories: hospital admission, development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, intensive care unit admission, required invasive mechanical ventilation, severity of the disease and mortality.
“ It was amazing to go through the process of writing this paper. I gained so much experience in scientific research. I have learned so much and will apply these skills to my future in medicine. I would like to thank donors for making this opportunity possible.”
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CHLOE FAEHNDRICH ’23 ITHACA, NEW YORK
Environmental studies and sciences and Spanish double major. Honors forum minor. Summer intern, Richardson Lab in Applied Microbiology at Cornell University.
My internship focused on the harmful algal blooms (HABs) issue in the Finger Lakes, more specifically at Cayuga, Canandaigua and Seneca lakes. My work included research, field work, education and outreach. I collected water samples from four sites on Cayuga Lake and delivered them to the Richardson Lab in Applied Microbiology at Cornell University and to our collaborators. I was responsible for all aspects of sample collection, from planning to storage. I learned how to use new equipment, such as a subsurface sampler, a sediment sampler and a Wi-Fi microscope. I am now more familiar with all the preparation that goes into making field work a success. As a future scientist, learning how to communicate to the public is very important, and I gained a lot of experience in this area. It was exciting to be part of a team that is working to find solutions to such a critical environmental issue.
“ My summer experience provided an opportunity to collaborate with other researchers and students in my field of interest. I am so grateful for this experience and all that I learned.”
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ANNA MADISON DAVIS ’22 WATERBURY, VERMONT
History and classics double major. SEE-Beyond, archival intern at Lund, a non-profit organization that helps children and families.
I spent my summer researching, developing and implementing an archival system for a small nonprofit organization in my hometown and worked with documents and artifacts dating back to the 1800s. It was incredibly interesting and rewarding for me, as a history major, to be responsible for building an archival system for all of the organization’s records. I also worked with the communications department to promote its mission in Vermont. The education I have received from Skidmore has allowed me to explore beyond the boundaries of the classroom. It was fascinating to be doing hands-on learning and applying my knowledge from the classroom toward this work. The Skidmore community is not limited to the campus; I felt supported while away.
“ I cannot express the gratitude I feel toward the donors who have made my summer experience possible. Your support has helped me further my education and let me explore future career paths.”
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ALEXA SKLAR ’22 NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Biology major. SEE-Beyond, intern at the Brain Resource Center in Manhattan.
This summer, I interned remotely at the Brain Resource Center (BRC) in Manhattan. The BRC specializes in brain training by combining neuroscience and psychology into a customized program for each client. They also help clients with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, Alzheimer’s, PTSD, brain injuries and more. I worked on projects to improve the BRC online presence and reach, as the office was closed due to COVID-19. We relaunched the website to include recent research. I wrote research articles on the benefits of neurofeedback for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Phantom Limb Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder and more. I also created more interactive social media posts and a newsletter that focuses on tips for improving your mental health as we go back to school and work this fall. As a pre-med student, this internship made me even more sure that I want to enter the medical field. I got to witness firsthand the positive impact the BRC had on the mental and physical health of the patients. It was incredible, and has inspired me to continue pursuing medicine as my career.
“ I am so grateful to Skidmore donors for donating to my summer experience. I hope one day I can do the same for a Skidmore student.”
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ISAAC MARKMAN ’22 GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
American studies major and Latin American and Latinx studies minor. SEE-Beyond, interpreter at Queer Detainee Empowerment Project.
I received the SEE-Beyond Award for my internship at the Queer Detainee Empowerment Project (QDEP). QDEP is a nonprofit organization that assists queer and HIV-positive folks who have recently been released from immigration detention centers by securing structural, health/wellness, educational, legal and emotional support and services. As a Spanish speaker, I was able to translate and complete applications for government support, such as Medicaid and monthly cash assistance. As someone who is passionate about immigration reform, I benefited from what this internship taught me about immigration law.
“ I am so thankful that Skidmore made it possible for me to gain experience in a field that I plan to pursue without giving up the opportunity to also maintain a job over the summer.”
su m m e r ex pe r ie nce fund
Field Notes
A. A custom laptop attachment used for remote filming constructed by Julian Tushabe ’22. B. Isaac Markman ’22 works on applications submitted through the Queer Detainee Empowerment Project. C. An example list of research papers for systematic literature review. D. Historical documents pulled for the Lund archival project by Anna Madison Davis ’22. E. Brain mapping (qEEG) test equipment used for assessments at the Brain Resource Center. F. Chloe Faehndrich ’23 collects water samples from a Cayuga Lake site.
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G. Emmy award-winning actor, Nikolay Moss, and the associate director, Bianca Thompson ’19, discuss scenes from The Remote Affection Mode.
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To learn more about these students visit: W WW. S KI D MO RE . E D U /S U MME RE X PE RIEN C EFU N D
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