This summer, the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) welcomes a diverse group of interns who are eager to make a difference in the lives of high school students across the state. Each intern brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and passions to MBRT and are united by their dedication to giving back to Maryland high school students. They are all alumni of MBRT’s Next Generation Scholars program!
Five of these alumni will be serving their districts as Program Support Interns. In this role, students will work closely with their Next Generation Scholars (NGS) Program Specialist, assisting with the coordination and implementation of student programs, including End of Year celebrations, Summer of Service events, College Bootcamp, and the NextGen NextLevel Leadership Conference. Additionally, the interns will collaborate with their peers to redesign and build MBRT’s Alumni Program, which continues to support program graduates as they embark on their college journey and enter the workforce.
Samantha Edson hails from Salisbury, and is currently studying at Stevenson University, set to graduate in 2027. With a love for performing arts and a knack for expressing creativity through writing and drawing, Samantha embodies a vibrant spirit eager to contribute. Inspired by MBRT’s impact on her own college readiness, Samantha joins as a Program Support Intern in Wicomico County. She hopes to refine her teamwork skills and gain insights into college and work-life dynamics through her time with MBRT this summer.
From Cambridge, Sa’Mara Spriggs is pursuing her education at Morgan State University, with graduation expected in 2026. Sa’Mara was drawn to MBRT’s internship program by opportunity to serve as a mentor and guide for others seeking educational opportunities and support through MBRT’s programming. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, modeling, and community service.
Taryn Waters joins MBRT this summer as the Program Support Intern serving Caroline County. Calling Federalsburg home, Taryn is eager to give back. “MRBT had a significant impact on my college education and preparation, and I hope to do the same for future college students.” She hopes to learn how different events are planned and executed and gain a deeper understanding of why the Next Generation Scholars program is so important. She recently completed her first year as a student at the University of Maryland, where she is on track to graduate in 2027.
Supporting students and programming in Allegany County is Malakai Webb, who is heading into his senior year at Davis and Elkins College. Being an alum of the Next Generation Scholar program drives his passion for this internship, hoping to learn more about reaching out to benefit others in a positive manner. He says “[Next Generation Scholars] brought me joy throughout my high school career and helped me be prepared for college.”
Alycia Wilson, from Rock Hall, is serving as the Program Support intern in Kent County this summer. She is looking forward to refining her teamwork skills by learning how to better connect and collaborate with others while managing projects and boosting her problem-solving skills. Alycia is a member of the Class of 2027 at University of Maryland Baltimore County.
In addition to the Program Support Interns, MBRT welcomed a new Student Ambassador Intern this month. Alana Fithian-Wilson, currently entering her junior year at Towson University, will lead the MBRT’s Student Ambassadors throughout the summer as they work through their summer projects while managing early preparations for Industry Day, slated for September 25, 2024. An alum of the Next Generation Scholars program in Kent County, Alana is pursuing a double-major in Political Science and Foreign Language, with a concentration in Spanish and a minor in International Studies.
