As most of you know, we interns spent Tuesday and Wednesday at UMD for our campus visit. The visit was really interesting to me—I loved getting to see some of the labs in the College of Agriculture and having the chance to meet my fellow interns.
Learning more about it here was really exciting, and I can’t wait to share what I learned with them. I also really liked learning about their Learning Community Garden—especially their creative water system. It gave me new ideas for water conservation and garden planning..
I also thought the fermentation lab was really cool, and I’m excited to see what new developments come from their work in the future.
One of my favorite parts was visiting the aquaponics lab, especially since I’m currently helping lead an aquaponics activity for 4-H kids in my county. Learning more about it here was really exciting, and I’m looking forward to bringing that knowledge back to share with them.
We also got to tour the greenhouse, and I was amazed by how beautiful the ornamental peppers were.
I also really enjoyed spending time with some of the other interns. Working and learning alongside them made the experience even more meaningful. We shared ideas, supported each other, and had fun—especially during hands-on activities
I also thought the “Poop” lab was super cool—I learned so much about how waste can be used in sustainable and innovative ways. It really showed me how science and creativity can solve real-world problems..
What inspired me most was learning that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about influence, empathy, and service. The workshops with Antonio Silas and Myles Alexander helped shift my mindset and deepen my understanding of leadership. I now see myself as a servant and transformational leader. I aspire to support and uplift others, lead with integrity, and help connect people’s work to a greater purpose. These workshops reminded me that leadership is not about control, but about creating space for others to thrive.
One thing I can practice during my internship is intentional listening. By actively listening to my team, mentors, and community members, I can better understand their needs, build stronger relationships, and make more thoughtful decisions. This will help me grow as a servant leader and create a supportive, inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
The biggest takeaway from my experience at UMD is that it opened my eyes to new possibilities. It made me realize that there are other paths I might want to explore in the future, and it encouraged me to think more deeply about what I truly want to do with my life.
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