AAPD Announces Students Who Will Participate in 2004
Microsoft-AAPD
Federal I.T. Internship Program
July, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mariana V. Nork
202-457-0046
Students to Serve Internships in Federal Agencies in Washington, DC
Washington, DC — The American Association of People with Disabilities
(AAPD), the nation’s largest cross-disability membership organization,
announces that fifteen students will participate in the 2004 Microsoft-AAPD
Federal I.T. Internship Program. This program is made possible by a major
grant from Microsoft Corporation, which is also the program’s founding
sponsor.
The Microsoft-AAPD Federal I.T. Internship
Program was launched in 2003,
and designed for college and university students with disabilities who are
interested in pursuing careers in information technology. Students participate
in an eleven-week paid internship at a federal agency in Washington, DC.
The goal of this program is to give college students with disabilities the
opportunity to participate in and benefit from highly sought-after federal
internships to which other students have long had access. The Microsoft-AAPD
Federal I.T. Internship Program also gives participants real-world work
experience, further enhances their employment opportunities and allows them
to hone their information technology skills, as well as enables them to
learn firsthand how political and regulatory processes work. Additionally
and by harnessing the talent that exists among college students with disabilities,
the Microsoft-AAPD Federal I.T. Internship Program aims to demonstrate to
public and private employers that students with disabilities are solid prospects
as members of the information technology work force.
“In pursuit of our mission of economic empowerment, AAPD seeks to
create opportunities for young people with disabilities to develop experience
that will help them compete for the jobs that will be available when they
graduate,” said Andrew J. Imparato, President and CEO of AAPD. “Thanks
to Microsoft, we have the ability to help college students learn valuable
information technology skills and help reinforce the important work being
undertaken by federal agencies to make their information technology infrastructures
fully accessible.” >
In 2004, internships are being awarded to the following students from locations
across the country, who have been selected on the basis of a written application
and personal interviews:
Richard Baer of Shoreline, Washington, is pursuing a degree in Computer
Information Systems, specializing in database management and design at Shoreline
Community College and anticipates graduating this fall. He has extensive
technology, and sought an internship that can enhance his database administration
or network administration skills. Richard has an inherent desire to provide
service to others, evidenced by his volunteer service for the Diversity
Committee of the Business Administration at Shoreline Community College.
Linda Bentley of Stetsonville, Wisconsin, will receive an Associates Degree,
Computer Information Specialist-Programmer/Analyst from Northcentral Technical
College in Wausau, Wisconsin, in December 2004. She hopes to use her degree
and technical skills to start a computer consulting business in her hometown
geared to support homeowners and small businesses. Linda sought an internship
that can provide her with hands-on experience to enhance her programming
skills.
Joseph Dinh of Chesapeake, Virginia is pursuing a Bachelor of Science
degree in Information System and Technology at Old Dominion University in
Norfolk, Virginia. Joseph hopes to use his career in information technology
to create programs designed for non-English speaking individuals with vision
impairments. He sees this internship as an opportunity to apply the lessons
he has learned in databases, programming, and networking in a real-world
environment, providing an important step toward achieving his goals of a
successful career and independent living.
Andrew Lamb of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, will receive a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Information Technology from the Rochester Institute of
Technology, Rochester, New York, in 2006. Technologically, he is will-versed
in both programming and website design, and has taught web design programs
to teenagers at a summer program at the University of Michigan. Andrew has
expressed an interest in computer security technology.
Min Li of West Henrietta, New York, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Information Technology at the Rochester Institute of Technology,
and anticipates graduating in 2005. He has very strong technical skills,
including system administration, website development, database administration
and programming. Min also has both networking and technology support experience.
He sought a hands-on internship to help him better define his information
technology career objectives.
Elizabeth Lord of East Logan, Utah, will receive a
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a concentration in Graphic Design from
Utah State University, Logan, Utah, in 2004. She has expertise in website
and graphic design development, and has shared her knowledge as a Teaching
Assistant in design classes at Utah State University. Liz also developed
a new website for the university’s
Disability Resource Center. She also has an interest in science, art and
history.
Deke McDonald of Chelan, Washington, is pursuing an
ITAM major with a specialization in Information Technology and an applied
minor in Computer Science at Central Washington University in Ellensburg,
Washington. He served as the Assistant Network Administrator for his high
school district, where he helped to solve both teachers’ and students’ hardware
and software programs. Deke sought an internship where he could expand
and further develop his skills in information technology.
Lisa McGarthwaite of Granite Falls, Minnesota, is a
double major at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, pursuing
a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts Degree
in Graphic Design; after a December 2005 graduation, she plans to pursue
a graduate degree in Human-Computer Interaction. Lisa, who has extensive
information technology experience and proficiency, is the recipient of
a National Science Foundation and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Grant. She sought an internship opportunity that can enhance her skills
in programming and graphic design.
Charles McLennan of Corpus Christi, Texas, attends Del Mar Community College
in Corpus Christi, Texas, and will receive his A.A.S. in Computer Information
Systems with a Microcomputers for Business Information Technology Specialization
in May 2004. He has experience in the assembly, configuring, trouble-shooting
and set up of personal computers and has also developed computer-training
aids in print and audio. Charles has also trained volunteers and staff at
the Corpus Christi Public Library and designed a website for a local grade
school.
Michael Mulcahy of Zionsville, Indiana, is pursuing
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at the University
of Arizona’s Eller
College of Business & Public Administration in Tucson, Arizona. He will
graduate in 2005. Michael holds various information technology certifications
and has particular expertise in the areas of network administration and
helpdesk support. He sought an internship in which he could gain hands-on
experience and also have an opportunity to apply some of this technical
knowledge that he has learned in a real-world environment, and to hear from
people who work in the field.
Heather Phagan of Rollo, Missouri, is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree
in Information Technology with a concentration in management from Pierce
College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and anticipates graduating in May
2005. She aspires to pursue a career as a computer and systems manager,
overseeing network operations and constructing business plans. Heather sought
a summer internship that would enable her to work in an information technology
department and gain experience that coincides with her information technology
knowledge and skills, and to also acquire practical hands-on experience
that is critical to finding a high-quality information technology job in
the future.
Clinton Squire George Robinson of Los Angeles, California, will receive
his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Organization and Leadership Development
from Biola University in La Mirada, California, in June 2004. He has experience
developing an information technology department at a non-profit community
college organization and possesses a strong background and interest in social
justice work. George participated in Net Day during the Clinton administration,
to rewire the Los Angeles public school system. He hopes that participation
in this internship will provide him the knowledge and resources that he
can later apply to empower inner-city kids and the disability community.
Brian Smith of Talladega, Alabama, is a student at the University of Alabama,
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and anticipates receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Business Administration in May 2005; he is majoring in E-commerce and
minoring in Computer Science. Brian has more than four years of experience
working with the Computer Technology Group at the University of Alabama
Business School, which has given him experience in equipment installation
and maintenance and technical support. He has a desire to learn more about
technological advances to benefit both business and society.
Cammie Vloedman of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, attends Northwestern Oklahoma
State University in Alva, Oklahoma, where she is majoring in E-commerce
and minoring in Animal Science. She has extensive experience in web development
and has won numerous awards, including the Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership
Conference Award in Visual Basic Programming (2003). Cammie effectively
balances a successful academic career, actively participates and leads several
extracurricular activities, and has her own business, CRV Creations, which
does web and ad design.
The American Association of People with
Disabilities (AAPD), the country’s
largest cross-disability membership organization, promotes the economic
and political empowerment of all children and adults with disabilities in
the U.S. AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of
people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters,
and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA).
For information regarding the Microsoft-AAPD
Federal I.T. Internship Program and other internship opportunities available through AAPD, contact AAPD
toll-free at 800-840-8844 (V/TTY) or by e-mail,
or visit the AAPD website
