This summer, MBRT’s intern team brought fresh ideas, energy, and heart to everything they touched. From leading workshops at MBRT’s NextGen NextLevel student leadership and summer bridge conference, guiding rising high school seniors through College Bootcamp, supporting summer camps, to participating in MBRT-led Summer of Service activates in their communities, our interns showed what it means to lead with purpose.
Many of our interns have been part of the MBRT family for years—first as high school students in the Next Generation Scholars program, and now as MBRT program alumni pursuing degrees at Maryland colleges and universities. Their work this summer included a special group project: imagining the future of MBRT student-facing programming to ensure we continue to meet students where they are, every step of the way.
Here’s what they had to say about their experience:
“Working with MBRT this summer has been such a full-circle and deeply personal experience. I still remember attending College Bootcamp as a student, nervous, unsure, and full of questions—and now, I’ve had the chance to be on the other side, creating the very materials and support I once relied on. Whether it was organizing slides, making folders, or facilitating intern meetings, I felt the weight and the heart behind it all. The Summer of Service events, especially our weekly visits to the community food pantry, gave me a chance to reconnect with my hometown in a new, meaningful way. I’m leaving with a full heart, so much hope, and a big smile knowing I got to be part of something that once helped me.”
“Working with MBRT coordinators, staff, and interns has been nothing short of enlightening and empowering! Everyone is truly seen and heard. As interns, we were able to create a vision and share it with everyone confidently. Everyone belongs in this space! The best part was the NGNL conference where we navigated and learned together—even in the hot sun and rain. We all started this journey as middle or high school students and now get to serve as interns. It’s truly a family.”
“This summer with MBRT has been an incredible learning experience. I gained hands-on insight into career pathways and real-world applications of STEM, while also building skills in communication, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. One of my favorite moments was taking the students on career exploration tours and seeing them learn about the behind-the-scenes jobs they did not know about beforehand. I’m leaving this program feeling more inspired and more certain about my future in STEM.”
“Being an intern for MBRT was truly one of the best things that happened to me this summer. This position allowed me to share my ideas, my thoughts, my voice. My partner (Rip) and I shared tools to make students successful young adults. It was great to be among such wonderful people. I can testify this is the first time I liked being a team player for the whole time. My teammates are such wonderful, intelligent, kind ladies. If one had an inconvenience, someone would jump right in, and the staff were always welcoming and supportive. It was an unforgettable experience!”
“In my second year with MBRT, I've grown both as a person and as a professional. This program has taught me valuable logistical skills that I never realized were so important, especially considering I want to go into the Sports Medicine field. I've also gained a deeper understanding of mentorship and the power of collaboration. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and the connections I’ve made. It’s something I’ll carry with me throughout my journey. And shout out to my Program Specialist, Ms. Wittman! Thanks for an awesome summer full of laughs and Starbucks meetups.”
These voices tell a story of growth, giving back, and building community. We are proud of what they have achieved and excited to see the ways they will continue to shape Maryland’s future and leaders and engaged citizens.
