Students Learn Outdoors for Novel Intern Co-op

Published: August 28, 2015 | Author: Thomas Ybarra | Read Time: 2 minutes

Every year the Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative (IIC) places Southern Utah University students in internships partnered with 13 federal and state parks, and Indian reservations around southern Utah and Arizona. More than 250 students were placed in internships in the 2015-year.

Celebrating the end of another successful internship season, several interns presented what they learned in their various internship categories and several won $1,000 scholarships.  Among those winners was Chantel Henrie, SUU secondary education major for her project with Bryce Canyon National Park’s Department of Visitor Services. 

Henrie created and organized educational and fun activities for children visitors of Bryce Canyon to motivate the kids in becoming future public land leaders and expand their love for the national and state parks, which Henrie stated was her motivation to take this internship.   

Henrie said, “I absolutely loved my experience and seeing kids from all over the world, I loved changing their experience for the better.”

The integration of Henrie’s academic studies and her internship had obvious integration with what she hopes to do with her degree after graduation, but for many students involved with the IIC, it may not be a blatant relationship but all skills learned during their summer as interns will help with life after graduation, according to Nate Heyborne, 2015 IIC intern.

Heyborne, senior biology major, love the outdoors inspired him to apply for the internship and stated that “it was the best thing I’ve ever done.” For Heyborne he spent his summer tracking and studying hawks and other large birds in Dixie Forest around Cedar City, Utah.

While Heyborne plans to study optometry after graduation he says he’s learned so much and took away many skills from his research of birds; such as concentration, organization, and to remain passionate for what you love.

Brian Raper, IIC partnership director said, “I want to thank all of our interns. I was impressed by all their hard work this summer.”

The IIC has been able to partner with the following organization since it’s creation, which include: Bureau of Land Management’s Color Country District, Arizona Strip District and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument; National Park Service’s Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Pipe Spring National Monument, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and Great Basin National Park; U.S. Forest Service’s Dixie National Forest and Kaibab National Forest; Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah; and Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians; Bureau of Indian Affairs Southern Paiute Agency; Natural Resources  Conservation Services’ Cedar City Office; Utah Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation – Southwest Region, and Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands – Southwest Region. 

---

Contact Information:

435-586-5400
Contact the Office of Marketing Communication