2003 AAPD Internship Programs for College Students with Disabilities
April 2003Biographies Of The 2003 Microsoft-AAPD Federal Internship Program
for College Students with DisabilitiesAAPD is delighted to announce that the following students have been selected through a highly competitive national application process to participate in its first-annual federal agency internship program:
Jason Boston is pursuing Bachelors of Business Administration degree, majoring in Information Systems Operation Management, at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. Because his major is in the IT field, Jason, who is blind, believes that an internship of this nature will greatly benefit him, but also that a federal internship of this stature in the nation's capital will afford him the chance to gain real-world experience and thus help him in the process of finding a suitable place to begin his IT career.
Sherwin S. Chen attends Moorpark College in Moorpark, California, where he is studying Computer Networking/Engineering. Through participation in this internship program, he hopes to gain additional confidence, knowledge, skills and teamwork as an IT professional, and also anticipates being able to apply that new knowledge and put it into practice to enhance his skills. Sherwin, who has autism, sees this summer's internship participation as another path to his future IT career and to his independent living and full potential.
Jo Anna Fairchild attends Texas A&M University in College Park, Texas, where she is pursuing dual degrees in Exercise Physiology and Psychology. Jo Anna, who has Stargardt's, an early onset form of macular degeneration (her visual acuity is between visually impaired and legally blind), believes that participation in this internship will allow her to face her disability in a competitive arena, confront it with her employer, and find a mutually beneficial way to accomplish the goals, as well as that this experience will help to make her more confident about her future professional career in information technology. She looks forward to acquiring new skills and new technology and networking with a wide cadre of professional people.
Neal Meier attends the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, where he is pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a Classics Minor. By participating in this internship program, he believes that he will be provided the opportunity to much about working in a professional environment. Neal, who has Muscular Dystrophy, has worked on computers and computers issues from a very early age, and further believes that it is the challenge of the technically-minded person to teach technology to those less savvy and build applications and devices that are intuitive and useful to all. He further believes that because technology is evolving at a mind-bending pace, knowing what is going to be the "next big thing" is tremendously valuable, but more so, learning how to think like those who will use it is imperative, and that is the kind of solid foundation this internship can provide him.
Chris Nestrud is pursuing a BSBA Degree, Information Systems at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He wanted to participate in this internship program because he believes it will expand his organizational expertise, enable him to interact with a variety of people in a new environment and afford him the opportunity to gain valuable experience and insight not yet attained, thus leading to a future technology career. Chris, who is blind, also believes that he can positively influence his coworkers regarding people with disabilities and wishes to serve in the future as an ambassador for PWD and help change stereotypes.
Nwokoma O. Sampson attended California State University Northridge (CSUN), Northridge, California, and is currently a Computer Science major. Proud to be the first black deaf student to graduate with a degree in Computer Science from CSUN, he sees this internship as a means to expand upon the experience he gained in previous internships and on his general technology experience. He believes it will also afford him the chance to become familiar with the Federal Government working environment and possess the knowledge that will be an invaluable tool for his evaluation when applying for permanent Federal positions.
Arun Sankaran is a student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia, where he is double-majoring in Business Information Technology (with a concentration in Computer Based Decision Support Systems) and Economics. Through this internship, Arun, who has Cerebral Palsy, hopes to gains real-world experience in implementing solutions using information technology, and more experience in modeling and design techniques. He believes that internships such as this are vital components to the educational experience.
Jessie Amelia Shulman attends the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, where she is a Pre-Engineering and Dance dual major, and participating in a highly-competitive DO-IT Scholars Program (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) for students with disabilities. Through participation in this internship program, Jessie, who has a learning disability, expects to have mentors who can provide models for her professionals aspirations, to network and idea-share with other interns, to think about solutions to problems facing her generation, and to ultimately combine her passions for New Media, Science and Technology.
David Sylvester, who was the first disabled person to attend public school in Alameda, California, now attends Ohlone College in Fremont, California, where he is also a student employee of the Information Systems Department. By participating in this internship, David, who has Cerebral Palsy, hopes to gain more expertise in the IT field and decide in which direction in will go with his career, as well as put to use the practical skills he's learned in the classroom and put his communications skills to greater use as he learns a new environment and people learn how to relate to him and to his disability. He says that he not only demonstrates that PWD can achieve above their expectations, but also have greater capabilities to communication with other PWD.
Jose Luis Tejeda attends Cisco Network Academy in El Paso, Texas, whose career aspiration is to become a project manager. He sees participation in this internship program as a means for removing barriers to PWD, gaining invaluable experience as a project manager or a system analyst, as well as passing on this knowledge to others, thereby enriching both himself and his community and serving as a role model. Jose, who is blind, believes that he will be empowered via participation in this internship program this summer and that, through the interaction with national disability leaders, will open horizons to possibilities within himself.
AAPD is deeply appreciative to Microsoft for its very generous financial support of the Federal Internship Program.
2003 Congressional Internship Program
AAPD is pleased to announce that these talented college students with disabilities have been selected, through a competitive application and review process, to participate in its second annual Capitol Hill internship program:
Joanna Busch is a student at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, majoring in Sociology and anticipates receiving her degree May 2003. She has been a MEAD historian, been a member of the Honors Program at Gallaudet University and a Presidential's Cum Laude Scholar, and a summer Counselor at Camp Courageous of Iowa for four years. She is interested in health policy issues and disability policy issues, particularly as they affect people who live in rural and semi-rural communities in the U.S. Joanna, who is deaf, says that, "I want to see action, so later on when I am in graduate school and working toward my Ph.D. in Sociology, I can better focus my research so it is more applicable for institutions such as Congress." She plans to do her honors thesis on rural populations and healthcare.
Kristina Carrier, who has MS, is majoring in Political Science & Communications at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. A lifetime member of Phi Kappa Phi, she is a member as well of the National Association of Collegiate Scholars, Special Classical Concert Committee Capital City Communicators, American Association of University Women, International Communication Association, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, National MS Society and the Consortium for Idahoans for Disabilities. She has been a member of the Student Programs Board, was a presenter on abilities and disabilities during Martin Luther King Human Rights Week (1999), was honored by Governor Dick Kempthorned (2000), and holds multiple volunteer positions, to include with March of Dimes, Ronald McDonald House and the Women & Children Crisis Center.
Eugene (Gene) Hermanson attends the University of Montana in Billings, Montana, where he is majoring in finance and minoring in political science and anticipates graduating in May 2005. Gene, who is blind, is currently involved with the United Way Youth Board, Young Democrats, the Montana Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (Vice President), Key Club, National Honor Society, Alpha Lampda Delta Honor Society, and the Alliance for Disability and Students at the University of Montana. Among the awards he has received during college are University of Oklahoma President's List (for 4.0 GPA), University of Montana Dean's List (for 4.0 GPA), American Council for the Blind National Scholarships and Montana Association of the Blind Scholarships.
Sarah Kinneer is majoring in Special Education at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and plans to graduate in May 2005. Sarah, who has a learning disability, has been involved with many organizations during college, to include Leadership Safari, the ECLIPSE Leadership Development Program, the Great Lakes Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls Conference (Delegate), the Michigan Organization of Residence Hall Assemblies Conference (Delegate/Presenter) and the National Association of College and University Residence Halls Conference (Delegate/Program Presenter). Sarah's honors include President's List, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Society.
Norma J. Mejias is majoring in psychology at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina, and plans to graduate in 2005. She previously attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Norma, who has a physical disability, plans to pursue a law degree. She is a Benson Fellow at St. Andrews Presbyterian College (2002). During high school, she was Student President of the Physical Disabilities Department at Falls Church High School as well as a nominee for Exceptional Youth in Technology Award presented by Fairfax County Channel 21. Norma has been a volunteer with Virginia Regional Therapeutic Riding Center as an information liaison.
Shayla Parker attends Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. She anticipates graduating in 2005 with a Psychology degree, with a focus in social/legal and English/creative writing. Shayla, who is blind, is a member of the Stanford Disabled Students Union, Saugus Concert Choir, Youth Leadership Forum, California Girls' State (elected Lt. Governor) and Santa Clarita Youth in Government. She has been a National Merit Scholar, and received the Xerox Award for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities, the Centurion Academy of Pupil Recognition awards (in Spanish, European History and American History) and Girls' State Most Excellent Citizen.
Matt Seeley is a junior at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, and plans to graduate in 2005 with a Political Science degree. He previously attended Lehigh Carbon Community College, and plans to attend law school and pursue a profession in public service. Matt, who has a physical disability, completed an internship with PA State Representative Jennifer Mann (in her local district office).
AAPD extends its sincere appreciation to the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation and Independence Technology, a Johnson&Johnson company, for making this program possible.
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