While many have spent time analyzing data, conducting research, and writing reports, those weren't the topics they chose to talk about. Instead, a lot of the students recalled conversations—with fishermen, families experiencing homelessness, young writers, immigrants, election officials, musicians, and conservationists.
Across dozens of internships in communities throughout the state, students said the most meaningful moments for them involved listening, collaborating, and learning from community members.
The forty-two interns represented three fellowship programs at Bowdoin. Ten received Bowdoin Public Service fellowships to work in municipal or state government. Twenty received Maine Community Fellowships or Denning Fellowships through the McKeen Center, and twelve had Environmental Studies fellowships—including the Kappa Psi Upsilon, Poppy, and Hayes Fellowships—to support environmental nonprofits across Maine.
Here's a sampling of comments students made at the event. Below are the complete collection of student posters.
Annie Allen ’27, Tree Street Youth, Lewiston, youth-centered programming: “A lot of the kids are coming with so many different and unique experiences. Getting to see how they carry these with them every day was moving, and taught me a lot about empathy and understanding.”
Jamila Ahmadova, ’28, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Portland, immigration legal services: “The moments I’ll remember the most are meeting with clients, hearing their stories, and being able to offer all the compassion and support I could during difficult times.”
Olivia Farag ’29, Greater Portland Family Promise, support for families experiencing homelessness: “The most meaningful part of my summer was getting to know the families and hearing their stories. It's been an incredible summer filled with learning, laughter, and meaningful connections.“
Miles Palmer, ’27, Greater Portland Council of Governments, support for municipal governments: “I’ll remember the moment when I began to understand the lived experience behind the data I was looking at.”
Oliver Brenner-Bates ’27, Natural Resouces Council of Maine, environmental advocacy: “What stood out for me this summer was a visit to an offshore wind turbine in Castine operated by the University of Maine. It's a model of the wind turbines that will hopefully one day be built, and a reminder that even faced with significant setbacks, especially at the federal level, the work of conservation and green energy continues at the state and local levels.”
Sumaya Abdulle, ’28, Maine's Department of the Secretary of State, Augusta: “I was fortunate that the primary election happened during my internship and I was able to see ranked-choice voting happening, and the efforts by officials to make sure we had a transparent election process.”
Catcher Kemmerer ’28, Town of Harpswell: “In a time when we’re seeing an elevated distrust of institutions, whether they’re academic or public institutions, I learned how important it is to meet people where they're at, especially in your communications. It’s been a really special summer.”
Lorenzo Shields, ’29, Maine Coast Fishermen's Association, Brunswick, fisheries advocacy : “What I’ll remember most is working with and talking to different commercial fishermen and hearing their stories.”
Khalil Wilkinson, ’28, Bicycle Coalition of Maine, Portland, bicycle transportation advocacy: “I worked with a group of fourteen-year-olds who created a traffic calming installation in their neighborhood. It was cool to see how passionate the students were about having an opportunity to change the way they experience a neighborhood, and it was really meaningful for me to help facilitate their mission.”
Josefina Consuela ’27 Maya Tokioka ’27, Manomet Conservation Sciences, environmental research and protection: “One of my takeaways was...how conservation goals connect communities—shown through Manomet’s partnerships with other nonprofit organizations and with fishermen—and how important it is to build connections with people of different backgrounds to make change.”
Linda Palmer ’29, The Telling Room, Portland, writing programs for youth: “I’ll never forget how much kids will open up to you when they realize you care and want to hear their stories.”
Fiona Zheng ’29, Preble Street, Portland, housing and support services: “This experience showed me how crucial it is to take the time to listen to listen to people's experiences before we decide what is best for them.”
Hazel Sheahan, ’28, Merrymeeting Gleaners, providing food security: “One thing that will stick with me is the power of having community backing. While there is a small team of staff, there are many volunteers.”
Oscar Gonzalez, ’28, Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, Brunswick, providing food security: “One of the bigger highlights was the compassion I’ve seen from MCHPP staff and volunteers.”
Ellie Saksena ’27, City of Bath's Department of Sustainability, overseeing housing, flooding and zoning: “One of the highlights of the summer for me was finding a bunch of people actually really interested in housing, flooding and zoning!”
Laura Souza, ’27, Equal Measure Arts, Portland, making professional studio recordings accessible: “The most memorable experience this summer was seeing the community come together to empower musicians to share their stories.”
Ariana Lehrer ’28, ArtVan, mobile art program: “One of the things I’ve learned is the importance of showing up for your community.”
Bowdoin Public Service Fellowships
Environmental Studies Fellowships
Maine Community and Denning Fellowships
