(Posted April 3, 2018)

Photo: Sarah Rohrer '20 

Photo: Sarah Rohrer '20 

Huntingdon, Pa. – Emily Parker, a senior at Juniata College pursuing a degree in religious studies, has been awarded a Student of the Year award, in the liberal arts category, from the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Employers (PennACE). Originally from Clinton, New Jersey, Parker received the award because of her internship at the Pachaysana Institute in Ecuador.

“Juniata helped me to secure my internship by connecting me with the Pachaysana Institute's Rehearsing Change program,” Parker says. “The College has a special relationship with Pachaysana, as we were one of three schools to send students to the Institute’s Rehearsing Change pilot semester.”

Parker’s internship took her to Ecuador, where she worked with social activist groups to advocate for indigenous peoples’ rights in small rainforest communities. Her internship was self-guided and open-ended, drawing heavily on the Spanish skills she learned from her studies at Juniata and a semester abroad in Ecuador’s Universidad San Francisco de Quito.

The service component of Emily’s internship was integral to her award.

“Find an organization that aligns with your values and you’ll find people doing the things you want to do,” says Parker.

“Juniata helped me to secure my internship by connecting me with the Pachaysana Institute's Rehearsing Change program,” Emily Parker says. “The College has a special relationship with Pachaysana, as we were one of three schools to send students to the Institute’s Rehearsing Change pilot semester.”

Sponsorship from the Juniata Alumni Internship Fund was instrumental in covering her living costs while she worked in Ecuador.

PennACE’s Student of the Year awards are given to four students each year who complete exceptional internships. Consideration for an award requires an application process drawing on statements from students, faculty and community organizers. Winners receive $250 and a certificate of recognition of their achievement.

 

--Written by Zachary Hesse ’18--

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.