Introducing Our Summer 2008 Interns

“Our summer 2008 interns have had a huge impact on College Mentors.  Projects focused on program strengthening, fundraising, public relations, and service expansion will have lasting impact on the organization,” said Amanda Koushyar, vp of programming.


DAPHNE DUNCAN

Daphne Duncan of Grace College joined the headquarters staff for another summer of interning. As a Programming Associate Intern, her responsibilities included updating and creating web documents and training materials for chapters, and creating and revising activity sheets.

Daphne came across the College Mentors for Kids program in spring 2007 after her dad, an elementary school principal, was approached about starting the Mentor Program at his school in Winona Lake, Ind. She founded the Grace College Chapter and served as president last year. 

I absolutely have a passion for working with kids. I especially love to work with children that may need extra attention and love.”

Currently, she is pursuing an Elementary Education degree with a minor in Spanish and hopes to one day teach in an inner-city school.

NATALIE CIAMBRONE

Natalie Ciambrone recently concluded her six month internship with College Mentors for Kids as a Programming Associate Intern. Her work consisted of designing and compiling the resources that will be used for the launch of College Connection this fall. She also worked on four grant proposals, one in which was granted to the organization for $5,000 by the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation.

Natalie continued her spring internship into the summer because she found her projects to be substantive, unlike the stereotypical “copy and coffee” internships.  She also liked working for an organization that had such a unique Mentor Program, specifically bringing children onto campus and early exposure to higher education.

Natalie heard of the College Mentors internship through her honors program, Management Fellows, at DePauw University. She will be starting her senior year this fall, graduating May 2009 with a degree in Economics.

Post graduation, Natalie will either be attending graduate school to earn her MBA or she will begin working in a professional field.


LINDSAY BURNETT

In the midst of finding her dream career, Lindsay Burnett came across an opening for a summer Development Associate Internship at College Mentors for Kids on Idealist.org. Her work load has consisted of grant writing, writing investor reports, sorting survey data and making Health & Wellness and Science & Technology activities.

Lindsay joined the College Mentors team because she likes the population of children our organization serves because the program can truly make a difference in their lives. “I love working with children because they can do extraordinary things that you would never expect from them.”

Lindsay graduated from Ball State University in 2006 with a degree in psychology.  She is currently looking for a position in a nonprofit or child-serving organization.

 CHRISTY GELBACK

As a work study student last semester, Christy Gelback decided to continue her time at College Mentors for Kids headquarters. This summer she worked as a part time Development Associate Intern, working on individual donor research, grant writing, writing investor reports, updating Etapestry, and compiling information for the Alumni Association. Christy will be working as a work study team leader this coming year, working on the silent auction part of Inspire 2009.

Christy is eternally grateful for the individuals in her life who have helped her get to where she is today. “Everyone needs someone to encourage them to reach their goals. College Mentors provides a great opportunity for youth to connect with college students who help them to do this [realize and achieve their dream].”

In May 2009, Christy will be graduating from IUPUI with a degree in Public Affairs: Management. Her future plans are still in the works, but she knows that she will follow her passion, providing disadvantaged youth and adults with the resources necessary to improve their quality of life.

ELIZABETH STANULA

Elizabeth Stanula joined College Mentors for Kids headquarters this summer as a PR/Programming Associate Intern. Her work load consisted of revising both the internal and external Crisis Plan, creating Science & Technology activites,, updating web site content, writing news highlights and writing a grant.

Elizabeth's three-year-affiliation with the Illinois State University Chapter led her to Indianapolis for a summer of interning to learn the ins and outs of nonprofit as well as new ideas that she could bring back to her own chapter.

This fall, Elizabeth will be a senior, finishing her degree in Public Relations and graduating in May 2009. Upon graduation, she hopes to work in the PR/Media Department of a children’s hospital.

“I want to give hope to kids. I want them to feel like they have endless possibilities; it is important for them to see beyond inhibitions.”