From farm fields to film scores: How creative thought shaped students’ summer experiences

Benjamin RODIs ’25

Camp Stomping Ground   

Benjamin Rodis ’25, a music major and history minor, spent the summer working on the soundtrack for a documentary. 

Recommended by Associate Professor and MDOCS Director Adam Tinkle, Rodis contributed to a feature-length film about Camp Stomping Ground in Middle Grove, New York, about 15 minutes from Skidmore’s campus. He was deeply involved in composing much of the film's music, as well as recording and editing audio.

The experience allowed Rodis to apply his musical talents while also honing his skills in sound production and editing. 

“I’m excited about the unique musical style that’s emerging and can’t wait to see how the final film will come together.”

NataLIE BLACK ’26

Saratoga Springs Public Library 

Natalie Black ’26, a psychology major, made notable contributions through her internship with the West Side Oral Narrative Project (WSONP) in the Saratoga Room at Saratoga Springs Public Library. 
 
Black discovered the opportunity through the anthropology course Language and Culture, where she worked on transcribing interviews from the WSONP collection. Her enthusiasm for the project led her to Associate Professor of Anthropology Michael Ennis-McMillan, who encouraged her to pursue the internship and further engage with the collection. 
 
In the Saratoga Room, Black’s primary responsibilities included scanning physical items for digital access and creating detailed metadata files. The work required meticulous attention to detail and a forward-thinking approach to archival policies. “Archival policies are very specific and require a distinct way of thinking,” Black said. “You need to consider how the public might want to use the materials years or even decades in the future.”

 
Black enjoyed delving into the local history of Saratoga Springs, learning about the people who shaped it, and uncovering personal stories from the past. “One of the records that stood out to me was a tear-stained letter informing Mrs. DeRossi that her son Frank was killed during World War II. I was moved by the tragedy, even 80 years later.”  
 
She also enjoyed discovering lighter moments, such as an unpublished novel manuscript by a West Side resident about his Adirondack adventures. 
 
Through her work, Black gained a profound appreciation for the significance of preserving and sharing local history, as well as the intricate process involved in making these materials accessible for future generations.

MALCOLM ASH ’25

The Coop 

Malcolm Ash ’25, an environmental studies major with a sociology minor, enjoyed an internship at The Coop in Rupert, Vermont, this summer. He learned about the opportunity through Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Sciences Nurcan Atalan-Helicke while studying abroad in New Zealand. 
  
During the two-month internship, Ash worked with Visiting Assistant Professor of English Lori Soderlind, who envisions transforming The Coop, a 236-acre former sheep and dairy farm, into a creative haven for artists and a center for environmental education. 
  
Ash managed the property by mowing fields, removing invasive plants, and working with tools like chainsaws and tractors. One day, while riding an ATV on the property, he became stuck in a ditch. Unable to free the vehicle, Ash had to leave it behind and drive to downtown Rupert, the nearest place with an internet connection, to inform Professor Soderlind of the situation. 

  
She suggested pulling the ATV out using a tractor and chains. Throughout the ordeal, Professor Soderlind maintained a positive attitude, reinforcing an important lesson that Ash took to heart: one of the key responsibilities of farm work is finding the fun in fixing things when they inevitably go wrong. This experience helped Ash realize his own resourcefulness and deepened his appreciation for Professor Soderlind’s supportive approach, emphasizing that challenges are opportunities for growth and creativity. 
  
“I really appreciated that she welcomes failure and adversity as opportunities to grow rather than painting them as wholly negative experiences to be avoided,” he recalled. 
  
Through the internship, Ash also sought grants to support the renovation of historical buildings and the development of arts and education programs. 
  
In addition to The Coop, he contributed to the Merck Forest and Farmland Center, learning about sustainable farming practices and forging connections that benefit both organizations. In doing so, he engaged with the local community, attending events and consulting with local farmers to explore farm models applicable to The Coop.  

ARIANA COJOCARU ’26

Albany Medical Center

Ariana Cojocaru ’26, a neuroscience major, gained knowledge and skills through a research internship at Albany Medical Center, facilitated by the Health Professions Advising Council (HPAC) and the PURPOSE program.

At the Albany Medical Center lab, Cojocaru dove into a number of advanced lab techniques. Her research centers on C. elegans, a microscopic worm that serves as a model organism to explore calcium mechanisms and their role in cellular processes. This model is crucial for understanding fundamental biological questions and potentially developing therapeutic strategies.

“My biggest achievement thus far is successfully breeding and crossing different worm mutations into each other,” Cojocaru said. This meticulous process requires careful maintenance and is validated through Western Blot analysis. Cojocaru’s ability to navigate these complex procedures reflects her growing expertise and dedication to her research. 

 
The internship not only provided Cojocaru with practical lab experience but also reinforced her understanding of neuroscience research. Her hands-on work with C. elegans is advancing her knowledge in the field and preparing her for future academic and professional endeavors in neuroscience.

JULIA HESS ’26

Eleanor Voorhees Fine Art, Cross Pollination Gallery

Julia Hess ’26, a studio art and art history major, immersed herself in the logistical side of the art world this summer. Eager to understand the management of artist studios and galleries, Hess secured internships with Eleanor Voorhees of Eleanor Voorhees Fine Art and SiriOm Singh and Ayala Shimelman of Cross Pollination Gallery, both in Lambertville, New Jersey. 

Each day presented new challenges and tasks: making trips to hardware stores for supplies, rehanging artwork, preparing canvases for new creations, applying gold leaf to frames, greeting visitors, and meticulously organizing studio spaces. She also compiled detailed catalogs of past works, assisting with the preservation and presentation of the artists' portfolios. 

The work in managing the day-to-day operations of an art studio and gallery, including interacting with clients and grasping the business side of the art world, significantly deepened her appreciation for the field and aligned perfectly with her passion and long-term goals.

ADDIE OLIPHANT ’25

The Baywood Center 

Addie Oliphant ’25, a double major in psychology and philosophy, completed a clinical internship through a summer social work field experience course. Though she isn’t a social work major, Oliphant tailored the opportunity to fit her interests by securing a placement at The Baywood Center, a substance abuse clinic in Queensbury, New York.

Over the six-week internship, Oliphant transitioned from observing to actively participating in clinical tasks. She engaged in group and individual therapy sessions, conducted intake assessments, and accompanied clinicians to drug court and community outreach programs.

“In one of the groups I led, we discussed research on savoring positive emotions, which I had studied at Skidmore,” Oliphant said.

The internship offered her valuable insights into mental health care and substance abuse treatment, enhancing her understanding of client dynamics and therapeutic interventions. It reinforced her commitment to a career in clinical psychology and her passion for creating meaningful therapeutic relationships.

CAROLINE ETTINGER-DELONG ’26

GardenShare 

Caroline Ettinger-DeLong ’26, an environmental studies major with a minor in anthropology, made an impact through her internship with GardenShare in St. Lawrence County, New York. 

Hailing from a tight-knit rural community in northern New York, Ettinger-DeLong was motivated by GardenShare’s mission to enhance food security across St. Lawrence County. In her role as a farmers’ market ambassador, she managed the token system that allows customers to use SNAP/EBT, debit, and credit cards at local markets. She also educated shoppers about food assistance programs, assisted vendors with transactions, and handled marketing and promotional tasks for the organization. 

“I have had the opportunity to assist hundreds of food-insecure individuals in gaining better access to nutritious, affordable, and local food through farmers’ markets,” Ettinger-DeLong said. “Getting to see customers’ gratitude and relief as a result of GardenShare’s food assistance programs always makes my day, especially if they are first-time users.”

Several of the organization’s programs double the amount of money people have to spend at the market, making a significant difference for residents and farmers alike. 

The internship allowed Ettinger-DeLong to refine essential skills in social media management, grant writing, graphic design, and interpersonal communication. Her contributions not only supported local food security but also strengthened her commitment to environmental and food justice.

CONNOR LANGAN ’26

Lakes Region Mental Health Center 

Connor Langan ’26, a psychology major, embraced an enriching internship opportunity at Lakes Region Mental Health Center in Laconia, New Hampshire, heeding the advice of seniors in Skidmore’s Psychology Department. 

In his role as an intern, Langan shadowed clinicians and staff across various therapy and support programs. His daily schedule offered a dynamic experience, allowing him to observe different approaches and specialized services tailored to address patients’ critical needs.

The experience provided Langan with a deeper understanding of the impact that social and economic factors can have on mental health and treatment. He appreciated the ability to witness these challenges firsthand in a real-world setting. 

Langan’s internship not only enriched his professional skills but also deepened his connection to the community he aims to serve, shaping his perspective on mental health care and its broader implications.