August 19, 2025 — Confidence. Clarity. Connection. Words that describe just a few benefits Marist students gain during the Marie and Rupert Tarver Summer Internship Program. The summer-long community improvement internship empowers students to learn beyond the classroom and gives them valuable experiential learning opportunities at local nonprofits.

Ten Tarver interns uplifted the local community in more ways than one this summer, hiking miles to collect data for conservation efforts, building bridges through bilingual advocacy, and improving community access to food, education, and essential resources. 

The Tarver Internship Program
Open to any major, students in the program work under the mentorship of Marist faculty and Dr. Melissa Gaeke, Director of Marist’s Center for Civic Engagement.

“The Tarver Internship helps students learn more about themselves and what they want for their future,” said Dr. Melissa Gaeke. “They connect meaningfully with community partners, step outside of their comfort zones, and build networks that lead to career and graduate school opportunities.”

The power of civic engagement was evident at the end-of-summer Tarver presentations, where students reflected on their growth, celebrated each other’s efforts, and shared how they connected with the Hudson Valley through meaningful and strategic work. Learn more about their impact below.

Fueling Food Security and Social Equity

Ivory Unga '26 (far right) working with other Dutchess Outreach members to provide free produce to the community. Photo courtesy of Ivory Unga. 

Ivory Unga '26 a double major in Philosophy and Political Science, worked with Dutchess Outreach during her Tarver internship, where she learned about ethical and culturally aware food procurement, helped count and organize 9,000 pounds of food, built an emergency food provider website from scratch, and “traded” apples for stories while distributing free produce at local farm stands.

“I felt seen during my Tarver experience because the organization showed me that my work would be important and intentional,” said Ivory. “I learned that the nonprofit sector is definitely the place for me because I know now that I want to work somewhere smaller and more human-centered.”

“We’re so grateful for Ivory’s hard work, bright energy, and unwavering commitment to our mission,” said Dutchess Outreach Executive Director, Renee Fillette. “We’re incredibly proud of all her accomplishments and honored to be part of her journey.”

Building Bridges through Bilingual Advocacy

From left to right: Samantha Romero Rodriguez, IT Coordinator at Casa Comunitaria de Recursos, Rep. Pat Ryan, Jacob Gresens '26, and Casa Comunitaria de Recursos Founder Gabriela Vega-Matthews. Photo courtesy of Jacob Gresens. 

Jacob Gresens '26, a double major in Political Science and Spanish, played a key role in outreach and advocacy efforts as a bilingual translator for Casa Comunitaria de Recursos. Whether creating educational videos, helping coordinate “Know Your Rights” events, or speaking live on Radio Kingston’s La Voz, he worked to support and share resources for the Hispanic and immigrant community in Poughkeepsie. His experience offered real-world applications of class concepts about civic engagement, while also deepening his Spanish language skills and professional network for future career opportunities.

"Interning at Casa Comunitaria de Recursos allowed me to practice my Spanish in real, unscripted conversations and see firsthand how the class concept of interorganizational collaboration plays out in real life,” said Jacob. “The experience helped me become more self-sufficient, connect with local leaders and elected officials, and build meaningful bridges by meeting people where they are.”

Fieldwork for the Future

Kristen Fitzgibbon ’26 measuring water levels of a vernal pool for Scenic Hudson. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist University.

Kristen Fitzgibbon '26, an Environmental Science major, worked with Scenic Hudson, the Hudson Valley’s largest environmental organization, widely credited with launching the modern grassroots environmental movement. Her main project included collecting data from vernal pools, which are temporary wetlands essential for amphibian breeding and local ecosystems. She hiked through forests several days a week to vernal pool field sites, combining rigorous fieldwork with strategic conservation science.

“A key takeaway from this experience was realizing how much I enjoy both fieldwork and data analysis, and that I want to keep working in the environmental nonprofit space,” said Kristen. “Part of the reason I enjoyed it so much was because everyone at Scenic Hudson is truly dedicated to their work and wants to enact positive change in the environment. Not only did I gain technical skills, but I got to explore and learn about all of the work Scenic Hudson does amidst the climate crisis.”

“Kristen was an invaluable addition to our team this summer,” said Alex Wolf, Scenic Hudson Conservation Scientist. “She collected data that we would not have otherwise had the capacity to collect, helping us learn more about how our local habitats are responding to a changing climate, including hotter summers and increasingly unpredictable rains.”

Meaningful Mentorship in Action

Aidan Parascando '26 (center) organizing a game for the Marist Liberty Partnerships Program students in the Cabaret. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist University.

Aidan Parascando '26, a double major in English and Games and Emerging Media, interned with the Marist Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP). LPP provides comprehensive services to meet the academic, social, emotional, and career needs of at-risk students.

"Working with LPP involved more than just trying to keep students on track academically with tutoring; it meant ensuring that their basic needs were being met, showing up for them after hours, and ultimately building mutual trust," said Aidan. "In enriching their experiences outside of the classroom, I felt like I was making the most difference." 

"Aidan has been an incredible asset to the Marist Liberty Partnerships Program this summer," said Crystal Parkhurst, Director of the Marist Liberty Partnerships Program. "His energy, creativity, and dedication have enhanced our summer programs, and his contributions will have a lasting impact on the young people we serve."

Finding Purpose with Pride

Lizbeth Santos-Cruz '27 (left, holding sign) working at the Poughkeepsie Pride Parade with Dutchess County Pride Center. Photo by Lexi Rossi '24/Marist University. 

Tarver intern Lizbeth Santos-Cruz ’27 is a Political Science and Global Studies double major. Over the summer, Lizbeth worked with the Dutchess County Pride Center, an organization that helps support, educate, and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

“My Tarver internship with the Dutchess County Pride Center was an emotionally powerful experience that allowed me to support the Poughkeepsie LGBTQ+ community and connect with the local area after spending my first year studying abroad in Ireland,” said Lizbeth. “Before this, I hadn’t had a formal internship—just waitressing and retail—and I felt unsure about my major and career path. The experience gave me more clarity, taught me how to support underrepresented groups, and expanded my social circles through networking.”

Helping Hands Uplift Communities

Tarver intern Hannah Epstein '26 helps run a diaper drive with United Way. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist University.

Hannah Epstein '26, a Communication major, gained hands-on experience supporting initiatives at United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, a nonprofit focused on improving health, education, and financial stability across the region. Hannah facilitated outreach and collection efforts for the organization's annual Diaper Drive, which collected over 85,000 diapers. She also created promotional marketing materials and supported community engagement and fundraising.

“This internship confirmed my passion for mission-driven work and gave me the opportunity to learn from an incredible, women-led organization,” said Hannah. “Working across departments, I saw how a global nonprofit with a strong local focus connects people to essential resources like housing, food, and mental health support through programs like the 211 hotline and our Essential Needs Supply Hub.”

Interested in applying to the Tarver internship Program? Email Dr. Melissa Gaeke.