The Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) is proud to welcome eight exceptional student interns this summer to part-time, paid roles across the state. These talented young leaders—from high school students to rising college seniors—bring a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives to MBRT’s work.
Our interns will support program delivery, outreach, logistics, and communication in their individual counties and regions, while also stepping into a special collaborative assignment: contributing to the development of MBRT’s 2026 2029 strategic plan. Their insights, creativity, and lived experience as Maryland students will ensure that student voice is at the heart of MBRT’s mission, vision and strategic goals.
MEET THE INTERNS
Zy’Aye Bell, from Dorchester County, is a rising sophomore on the nursing track at the University of Maryland, College Park. A proud graduate of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, Zy’Aye aspires to become a Nurse Practitioner, beginning her career in emergency care before transitioning into pediatrics or neonatal nursing. As a Program Support Intern working with MBRT’s Dorchester County Next Generation Scholars specialist, she’s eager to support alumni and graduating students as they navigate their next steps, while also building her professional network.
Amaya Carroll, a rising senior at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), is majoring in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Environmental and Sustainability Engineering. Amaya is serving as MBRT’s STEM Summer Intern in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools and the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development. She aspires to create solutions that protect the environment and believes in the importance of making STEM learning engaging and accessible for all students.
From Cambridge, Maryland, Rip Cornish is a rising junior at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in Business Marketing. As MBRT’s Strategic Initiatives Intern, Rip is passionate about public speaking, mental health advocacy, and empowering low-income and first-generation students—like himself—to navigate college and career pathways. His long-term goal is to enter the business sector while continuing to advocate for educational equity and youth leadership.
Also supporting students this summer is Lupe Duarte, a rising sophomore at the University of Maryland, double majoring in International Business and Government & Politics. A Salisbury native and first-generation college student, Guadalupe is serving as the MBRT Program Support intern at Kent County High School. Her career goals include working in immigration policy or becoming an immigration attorney, and she’s excited to engage students while deepening her understanding of public education systems.
Korbin McKenzie, a rising senior at Fort Hill High School and student at Allegany College of Maryland, is part of the Pathways in Technology Early College (P-TECH) program. He will graduate next year with both a high school diploma and an associate degree in cybersecurity. Korbin plans to continue his studies at Frostburg State University and eventually pursue a career in cybersecurity engineering. His discipline, shaped by years of sports and academic commitment, makes him a strong addition to MBRT’s team in Western Maryland.
Odette Pierre, born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is now a senior at Salisbury University majoring in Psychology, with minors in French and Fraud & Forensic Accounting. A Wicomico High School graduate, Odette brings a unique global perspective to her MBRT Program Support Intern role at her Alma Mater. She aims to become a clinical psychologist and hopes to use her multilingual skills and cross-disciplinary training to better serve diverse communities.
Kayla Ross, a recent Fort Hill High School graduate now attending Allegany College of Maryland, is pursuing a degree in Human Services. Originally from Baltimore, Kayla has lived in several communities across the state and brings resilience, academic excellence, and a love of learning to her role of MBRT Jr. Program Support intern in Allegany County. Her long-term goal is to find a meaningful and fulfilling career in the helping professions, where she can make a positive impact while continuing her education.
Representing Caroline County, Taryn Waters returns for a second summer as an MBRT Program Support Intern at Colonel Richardson and North Caroline High School. A junior at the University of Maryland, College Park, Taryn is majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in Health Humanities and Medicine. Her career goal is to become an athletic trainer in a high school or collegiate setting, combining her love for sports and mentorship with a deep commitment to student health and well-being.
From delivering workshops and engaging with peers to crafting thoughtful strategies and developing their own leadership potential, MBRT’s 2025 summer interns are making their mark in meaningful ways. We are thrilled to have them on board, and we can’t wait to see how their voices, ideas, and perspectives will drive MBRT forward.
Stay tuned throughout the summer as we spotlight these remarkable interns and share updates on their journey, insights, and contributions to our work.
