Junie Blaise
Rising Sophomore, Mount Holyoke College
Major/Minor: Prospective Art History Major & Film, Media, and Theater Minor
Role: Communications Intern
Major/Minor: Prospective Art History Major & Film, Media, and Theater Minor
Role: Communications Intern
What projects are you working on this summer?
I’m helping lead updates to our Civic Engagement Resource Database and the Project Pericles website, and I’m also creating content for the newsletter and a new social media plan. My work involves pulling compelling stories and quotes from our Periclean programs and helping translate that into engaging content that shows the impact of our work.
What’s your day-to-day like?
A lot of my time is spent combing through materials from our programs, such as evaluation forms, reports, and past communications, and identifying stories or data points that help tell the story of Project Pericles. Whether I’m drafting a newsletter item, flagging standout courses for the website, or creating a post for social media, I’m always thinking about how we represent and uplift the work happening across our network.What’s been the most meaningful part of your internship so far?
Honestly, it’s the sense of real contribution. I’ve had prior experiences before where I didn’t feel as connected to the team or the work. But here, I feel like what I’m doing actually matters to the organization. We’re a small team, so there’s an expectation (and an opportunity!) for me to really show up, share my ideas, and be part of conversations that shape the work. That’s exciting.Has this role changed how you think about civic engagement in higher education?
Definitely! Before this, I saw civic engagement as something that happened outside of school, like volunteering or activism that students did on their own. But here, I’ve learned how institutions can intentionally support and embed civic engagement into coursework, campus culture, and even national networks. I’m thinking more deeply now about how this work happens at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels.
I’m helping lead updates to our Civic Engagement Resource Database and the Project Pericles website, and I’m also creating content for the newsletter and a new social media plan. My work involves pulling compelling stories and quotes from our Periclean programs and helping translate that into engaging content that shows the impact of our work.
What’s your day-to-day like?
A lot of my time is spent combing through materials from our programs, such as evaluation forms, reports, and past communications, and identifying stories or data points that help tell the story of Project Pericles. Whether I’m drafting a newsletter item, flagging standout courses for the website, or creating a post for social media, I’m always thinking about how we represent and uplift the work happening across our network.What’s been the most meaningful part of your internship so far?
Honestly, it’s the sense of real contribution. I’ve had prior experiences before where I didn’t feel as connected to the team or the work. But here, I feel like what I’m doing actually matters to the organization. We’re a small team, so there’s an expectation (and an opportunity!) for me to really show up, share my ideas, and be part of conversations that shape the work. That’s exciting.Has this role changed how you think about civic engagement in higher education?
Definitely! Before this, I saw civic engagement as something that happened outside of school, like volunteering or activism that students did on their own. But here, I’ve learned how institutions can intentionally support and embed civic engagement into coursework, campus culture, and even national networks. I’m thinking more deeply now about how this work happens at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels.
stemic levels.
Nafees Abdullah
Rising Sophomore, Carleton College
Major/Minor: Prospective Computer Science and Political Science Double Major
Role: Impact and Evaluation Intern
Major/Minor: Prospective Computer Science and Political Science Double Major
Role: Impact and Evaluation Intern
Tell us about the work you’re doing this summer.
I’m developing best practices documents for how Project Pericles measures the impact of its programs. I’m also updating how we process data and helping create our first internal policy on the use of AI. It’s a mix of technical problem-solving and big-picture thinking, which I really enjoy.What does a typical day look like?
Each day is pretty hands-on. I might be writing up an evaluation framework, automating how we convert survey data into analyzable formats, or diving into research for the AI policy. There’s a strong learning curve, but I appreciate that I’m trusted with meaningful, organization-wide work. Things move fast here, and that keeps me engaged.How has this experience helped you grow?
Professionally, I’ve developed sharper time management and project planning skills. Working at this pace, with real deadlines and deliverables that others rely on, is a very different rhythm from school. Personally, I’ve realized how energizing it is to work in a space where my contributions are valued and where I get to collaborate closely with everyone on the team.
What’s been the biggest shift in how you view civic engagement?
I always saw civic engagement as something good but optional, something to fit in if you had the time. This experience has shown me how practical and essential it can be, especially for students. It’s not about doing everything, but about showing up in ways that build community and make a difference, even in small steps.
I’m developing best practices documents for how Project Pericles measures the impact of its programs. I’m also updating how we process data and helping create our first internal policy on the use of AI. It’s a mix of technical problem-solving and big-picture thinking, which I really enjoy.What does a typical day look like?
Each day is pretty hands-on. I might be writing up an evaluation framework, automating how we convert survey data into analyzable formats, or diving into research for the AI policy. There’s a strong learning curve, but I appreciate that I’m trusted with meaningful, organization-wide work. Things move fast here, and that keeps me engaged.How has this experience helped you grow?
Professionally, I’ve developed sharper time management and project planning skills. Working at this pace, with real deadlines and deliverables that others rely on, is a very different rhythm from school. Personally, I’ve realized how energizing it is to work in a space where my contributions are valued and where I get to collaborate closely with everyone on the team.
What’s been the biggest shift in how you view civic engagement?
I always saw civic engagement as something good but optional, something to fit in if you had the time. This experience has shown me how practical and essential it can be, especially for students. It’s not about doing everything, but about showing up in ways that build community and make a difference, even in small steps.