Alcorn Extension’s Summer Internship Program
The Alcorn State University Extension Program (ASUEP) is sponsoring its first summer internship program June 2 – July 31. The goal of the internship program is to provide the School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences (AREAS) students and others, an opportunity to support Extension programs and to help find the best talents to renew its workforce.
“Our goal is to support the students’ professional development and offer them the best opportunity to practice new knowledge and skills under the support of Extension professionals,” said program and organizational development director of Alcorn Extension Nolo Martinez.
This year, 11 students are assigned to the following Extension programs: Donald Smith Jr. and Jazmin White – 4-H Program; Jarian Redmond – Mississippi River Research Center; Joe Turner – agriculture; Andrewan Owen, Torri Hampton and Avian Brummell – Farmers Market; Kashield Shaw – Fitness First Studio; and Aquierra Anderson, Trena D. Billips and Tameria L. Rule – nutrition.
“This internship allows me to learn about Extension projects such as community gardening, and health and wellness programs,” said Joe Turner, who graduated from Alcorn in 2014 with a master's degree in agronomy. “Also, I get the opportunity to have hands-on experience in different aspects of agriculture. I especially enjoy assisting with the planning of the Vicksburg community garden.”
Kashield Shaw, a 2014 graduate of the Department of Biological Sciences and a former member of Alcorn’s track and field team, shared, “I am really enjoying my internship at Fitness First Studio where I show people different kinds of exercises and stretches, helping them to lose weight and build more muscles. I also participated in summer camps in Port Gibson and Natchez where I taught children to exercise properly.”
A junior majoring in nutrition and dietetics Tameria Rule shared, “During my internship I get to teach youths about the importance of healthy eating and proper nutrition. I also explain to them how to incorporate physical fitness into their lives.” She added, “I enjoy participating in Extension activities and interacting with different people. I am also learning a lot about work ethics.”
The summer internship program has a selected group of supervisors that includes Extension specialists and educators Dr. Mattie Rasco, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education (EFNEP)/nutrition specialist/assistant, Jarita Frazier-King, EFNEP educator/nutrition, Ira Martin, EFNEP educator/nutrition, Valerie Wright, family and consumer science educator, Dr. Jairo Diaz, director of Mississippi River Research Center, Dr. Cortney Harris, extension associate/ Community Resource Development (CRD), Shirley Middleton, AREAS 4-H youth educator, Ralph Arrington, agricultural educator, and Helen Brooks, marketing coordinator.
“It is expected that each student intern will complete a final report that describes contributions made during the internship, lessons learned and recommendations for our Extension educational programs,” Rasco said.
For more information, contact Dr. Rasco at (601) 877-6128 or [email protected].
