The Office of Career Development and Academic Advising is pleased to announce the student recipients of the Internship Travel Fund Program. Experiential education, including internships, is an integral part of a Stetson education and through generous alumni and organizational donations, the Career Development and Academic Advising office is able to offer funding, awarded on top of a student’s financial aid package, in support of their summer experiences. This year nine students were awarded funding totaling $9,000.

The Karen Schmitt Roberts Career Development Travel Fund, sponsored by Stetson’s Alumni Association Board of Directors, provides need-based travel scholarships for student interns.  The scholarships will provide funds for all or part of a student’s travel expenses, or other aspects of an experiential education opportunity the committee deems appropriate, enabling the student to participate in an experience that might not otherwise be possible. This year’s recipients, Catherine Thuruthiyil, left, and Kevin Berstler, right, are pictured with Karen Schmitt Roberts ’80, center. They were recognized, along with Amy Umlah, a third recipient, during the Alumni Board meeting in late April: 

• Kevin Berstler: junior, Spanish, La Esperanza Granada in Granada, Nicaragua
• Catherine Thuruthiyil: junior, biology of Global Health, Cambio Creativo in Colon, Republic of Panama
• Amy Umlah: junior, flute performance, British Isles Music Festival at Ardingly College in West Sussex, England.

Bank of America once again honored Stetson with a grant to support students in their pursuits for on-the-job experiences and completion of their post-secondary education. This year’s recipients are:

• Joseph Palermo: junior, digital arts-sound, Endstation Theater Company, Sweet Briar, VA
• Chan’tia Vasquez: sophomore, psychology, Sigma Alpha Sigma, Davenport, FL
• Haywood Dunston: junior, digital arts, Interharmony Festival, Sulzbach-Rosenberg Bavaria, Germany
• Alicja Duda: junior, political science, Council on Hemispheric Affairs, Washington, DC
• Kristen Pavlic: senior, vocal performance, Sulzbach-Rosenberg International Music Festival, Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany
• Ashley Nunez: sophomore, vocal performance, Interharmony Music Festival, Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany.

In addition to these award winners, two students were selected as recipients for the Becker Professional Educational Scholarship and the Boulevard Tire Center Internship. The Becker Scholarship, awarded to one student, assists in meeting the financial obligations of preparing to pass the CPA exam by covering 50% of the enrollment fees for the Becker CPA preparation course. This year’s recipient is Samantha Riggs: senior, accounting.

The Boulevard Tire Center Summer Internship Program offers college students from Volusia County the opportunity to work in a professional setting while learning from an industry-leading corporation in the Volusia County area. This year’s recipient is Jacob Mondelli: junior, management.

Congratulations to all of the recipients. We wish you much success as you pursue your summer endeavors!

by Robin Kazmarek, associate director

Office of Career Development and Academic Advising