Meet the NASPA Summer Interns

NASPA takes great pride in hiring a diverse group of undergraduate interns studying an array of topics at their institutions. In addition, NASPA also hires two graduate interns who are specifically studying in the field of Higher Education every summer. NASPA works to provide a plethora of projects and experiences for our interns that will help them to gain work experience, professional development and practical skills to succeed in the workplace. We believe in the work our students are doing and are excited to see what the summer has in store for the 2016 group! 

If you’re an undergraduate or graduate student looking for professional development opportunities, visit our student affairs undergraduate careers page, where we highlight professional development events and opportunities geared to help you launch your future career as a student affairs professional. These opportunities include links to The Placement Exchange (TPE), which helps connect student affairs professionals with open positions, along with programs that support traditionally underrepresented students, such as the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP).

“The expert in anything was once a beginner. Serving as a NASPA summer intern has provided the experience, resources and mentors to push me closer to the expert I always knew I could be.”

Briana Cresswell, NASPA Graduate Summer Intern

Briana Cresswell serves as one of the NASPA Graduate Summer interns, otherwise known as one of “The Bris.” Briana is a second year graduate student at the University of Central Arkansas where she studies College Student Personnel and Administration and serves in the department of Housing and Residence Life as the very first Residence Coordinator of Greek Village. For her undergraduate degree Briana attended Northern Kentucky University where she earned her Bachelors in Communication Studies. When Briana is taking a break from work or school she loves cheering on the Kentucky Wildcat basketball team, hiking and traveling!

Briana Stansbury, NASPA Graduate Summer Intern

Briana Stansbury serves as one of the NASPA Graduate Summer Interns, otherwise known as one of “The Bris.”. Briana is a second year graduate student at Lewis & Clark in Portland Oregon where she studies Student Affairs Administration and works as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Inclusion & Multicultural Engagement. Briana attended Pitzer College in Southern California where she earned her Bachelors in English/Gender & Feminist studies. In her free time, Briana likes to slackline, enjoy the outdoors and read feminist literature.

Emily Diaz-Melendez, Research and Policy Intern

Emily is a graduate student at the University of Texas at El Paso where she is studying Applied Statistics and Urban and Regional Planning. A native of Pennsylvania, she has experienced the effects of state policies on higher education, taking part in advocacy efforts related to funding. She accepted her position in the Research and Policy Institute at NASPA in order to experience some of the behind-the-scenes work necessary in higher education policy. She enjoys adventures around D.C. with her roommates to explore the excitement of Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s and to catch Pokemon in her spare time.

Jia Wen Zhu, NUFP Intern

Jia Wen Zhu serves as the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP) intern. Jia Wen recently graduated from State University of New York at Geneseo with a Bachelors in Communication. She has jumped into her graduate studies at George Washington University where she is pursuing her Masters in Higher Education Administration. She chose to intern at NASPA to become more involved in a professional association and to gain experience in a nontraditional student affairs setting. Jia Wen was also a part of the NUFP program which showed her what a professional organization does to support historically disenfranchised and underrepresented students. Her fun fact is that she met actor Channing Tatum while working at McDonald’s.

Justina Simmons, Communications and Marketing Intern

Justina Simmons serves as the communications and marketing intern at NASPA. Justina is a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park studying journalism with a concentration in general business. She hopes to land a career in public relations or marketing upon graduation. She hopes that the experience at NASPA will add some impressive and relevant experience to her resume, while jumpstarting her professional career. In her spare time she enjoys writing, shopping, and playing with her 5 year old Yorkshire Terrier.

Ronald Lamb, Accounting Intern

Ronald is an accounting intern who is entering his senior year at the University of Maryland University College. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Ronald chose to work at the NASPA because he wants to serve at a company that makes efforts to improve the well-being of college students. He believes that education, through institutes of higher learning, plays a critical role in the preparation of individuals for careers that will contribute to the economic and social growth of our country. A fun fact about Ronald is that he worked as a licensed barber for a number of years before going back to college.

Jinyeong An, Membership Intern

Jinyeong An serves as a NASPA membership intern. Jinyeong is a senior student majoring in Business Administration and Office Administration in Ewha Womans University (Seoul, Korea). She was looking for a fun site that is progressive and that values equality, and she found NASPA! She was impressed to find that all restrooms in the office are all-gender restrooms, and disposable utensils are rarely used. She loves being a part of NASPA! Fun fact, she is a certified cat lover and her hobby is to draw cats on sticky notes. There are a few cats on her desk already.

Emma Friedman, Educational Programs Intern

Emma Friedman serves as NASPA’s educational programs intern. Emma is a 20-year-old incoming junior at James Madison University. She majors in Media Arts and Design (SMAD), and minors in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication (WRTC) and Studio Art. Emma chose NASPA as her summer internship site because she was interested in interning at a company where she could further her communication-based skills and learn to work in a professional environment. She also found NASPA’s values to align with her own beliefs. Emma believes NASPA is a wonderful organization for students due to the college-friendly atmosphere of those who aim to unite student affairs professionals on our college campuses. Fun fact; she will be spending the coming fall semester 2016 abroad in London.

Brittany Roberts, Membership Intern

Brittany Roberts is a Sophomore at American University. She is enrolled in the Kogod School of Business and is majoring in Business and Entertainment. She picked NASPA as her internship site because she liked the location, the opportunity to do project based assignments, and the chance to interact with new people in an office setting. A fun fact about Brittany is that she can play three instruments: the piano, the violin, and the guitar.

Emilia Corea, Culture of Respect Communication Intern

Emilia Corea is the Culture of Respect communication intern. She wanted to intern with Culture of Respect because ending sexual violence on campuses is an important cause to her. Emilia will be starting her senior year at Christopher Newport University. She is a communication major with a minor in psychology. After graduation Emilia hopes to get a job in the DC area in PR or HR. Emilia also hopes to travel the world one day.

Kevin Kruger, Membership Intern

Kevin Kruger serves as NASPA’s membership intern. Kevin recently graduated from high school and will be attending college in the fall. Kevin has served as NASPA’s membership intern for the past two summers.