A Summer of Opportunity

From Los Angeles to Virginia, students were around the country over the summer completing internships and gaining real-world experience in their chosen fields.

Behind The Badge

Daniela Hernandez, a dedicated senior double majoring in criminal justice and psychology, returned to her hometown of Los Angeles and completed a transformative summer internship with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Through this opportunity, she gained an insider’s perspective on the workings of a police department and realized a dream she has had for years.

“As long as I can remember I wanted to help people and make a difference in someone’s day. When I started looking at career paths, I saw that police officers have more opportunities to help people,” said Hernandez. “As I looked into it more, I discovered this was the right choice for me, and this internship only secured that decision.”

Her passion for law enforcement and commitment to making a difference in her community was evident throughout her internship, where she actively engaged in various aspects of police work, from participating in simulated scenarios to observing field operations and going on ride-alongs. There were times when she and other officers were met with unkind gestures and derogatory slurs. She was even cautioned to pack her own lunch in case restaurant workers with unfavorable views of law enforcement were tempted to tamper with her food.

“An LAPD sergeant gave me some good advice to deal with the disrespect we encountered on the job. He encouraged me to find the good in every day and show people the human behind the uniform,” said Hernandez. “When I become a police officer, I will interact with people and show them I’m not someone to be afraid of, but I am there to help and protect people.”

Hernandez chose UPIKE for the family atmosphere and serves as president of the Student Government Association (SGA), and vice president of the Criminal Justice Honor Society, all while maintaining her practice and game schedule on the women’s volleyball team. Her leadership in SGA and teamwork on the court mirror her dedication to collaboration and effective communication in her chosen field of study. She seamlessly balances her academic pursuits with her athletic commitment, preparing her for a future in law enforcement.

“This experience made me want to be in law enforcement even more. And even though it was rough at times, I still want to be a police officer in a city because it’s a faster pace and that fits with what I’m comfortable with,” said Hernandez.

If I know that I can help one person, that makes up for the hundred others who may dislike me because Iʼm in a uniform. I want to help the ones who can’t help themselves.

Hernandez credits criminal justice professors Tim Roberts ’02, Ph.D., and Justin Hazelwood, M.S., for believing in her, encouraging her to apply for the internship and helping her through every step of the process.

“My professors have been nothing short of amazing and supportive,” said Hernandez. “Even now, they are continuing to help me apply for the police academy and get right mentally and physically so that I can pass with flying colors. They want to see me succeed and they are making sure they do everything in their power for that to happen.”

By Amy Charles, MBA ’23

Buzzing Ambition

Daniel Flores, a sophomore biology major with a passion for nature, was awarded a prestigious research fellowship at Blandy Experimental Farms in Winchester, Va., through the National Science Foundation. During this 11-week summer program, he immersed himself into the fascinating world of the common eastern bumble bee, a social insect and essential pollinator for various flowers, fruit and vegetable crops.

At Blandy Experimental Farms, Flores’ research focused on the effects of providing a supplemental nectar, made of glucose, fructose and sucrose, to the bees and analyzing how it influences their performance in hive tasks such as protecting the brood, guarding the hive, regulating the internal hive temperature and gathering food sources.

“Bees have a hierarchy of tasks to complete in the hive, so I wondered how providing them with nectar would affect their workload,” said Flores. “If the bees didn’t have to visit so many flowers to get nectar, would they spend more time on other hive tasks?”

The idea for this research topic began while observing bumble bees interacting with his motherʼs hummingbird feeder. What started as a curiosity quickly transformed into the desire to understand more about these vital pollinators.

Flores meticulously monitored the bee colonies, recording data on their feeding habits and the overall hive dynamics. His findings suggest that the supplemental nectar may indeed positively impact bumble bee colonies.

“The data showed that the bees spent more time tending to other duties in the hive instead of foraging for nectar,” said Flores. “Itʼs fascinating how simply providing extra nectar can ripple through the entire hiveʼs functionality.”

Looking ahead, Flores envisions himself pursuing a masterʼs degree in entomology and eventually earning a Ph.D. in pollination biology, where he can concentrate his studies on unraveling the mysteries of pollinator behavior, ecological dynamics and conservation efforts. Regardless of where his future leads, the welcoming environment of UPIKE and the mountains of Eastern Kentucky have made an impression on the Texas native.

Ever since I moved to Appalachia, these mountains have had my heart,” said Flores. “I will probably never leave this part of the country.

By Amy Charles, MBA ’23

Sparking Opportunities

Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, Panasonic is a global leader in the electronics industry. The company manufactures a wide range of products, including consumer electronics, appliances and automotive components. Providing students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a large manufacturing setting, Panasonic offers an internship program to students from universities across the country.

Focused on various projects related to the mega-plant, three University of Pikeville students majoring in information technology management and one recent MBA graduate gained valuable experience in project management, information technology and business through an internship at Panasonic’s battery facility in Sparks, Nev. They were tasked with working in the “gigafactory” that provides batteries to Teslaʼs automotive division. “This internship has been a great opportunity for me to learn how information technology works inside a large manufacturing facility,” said junior Dalton Cure.

This internship was a transformative experience that allowed me to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application,” said junior Alejandro Rodriguez. “It was not just a job, but a journey of growth, learning and discovery. It meant more than just a resume booster; it was a stepping stone toward my future career. I am grateful for the knowledge, mentorship and memories I will carry throughout my professional journey.

Working alongside Panasonic technicians and project managers, who provided handson training and guidance, students also came to understand the importance of a healthy culture within the plant.

“My summer internship was an incredible time of growth. I got to do incredible work with incredible people and explore the West Coast while doing so,” said junior Jaxen Smith. “I am truly thankful to the Coleman College of Business for making me aware of this opportunity and helping give me a summer I will never forget.”

“My projects during the internship were focused on culture building within the facility. The Panasonic team was very helpful,” said Rebecca Diamond ’22, MBA ’23. “It has been an honor working with some of the brightest minds across the globe.”

By Burton Webb, Ph.D.