SUNY New Paltz College of Liberal Arts and Sciences awards summer internship scholarships

NEW PALTZ – The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the State University of New York at New Paltz has selected three recipients to receive its new summer internship scholarships. Two recipients, Auburn Heller and Christine Deya, will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Alexander Moser will receive a $500 scholarship.

The College created the new scholarship program to support low-paying or unpaid summer internships for its students. Selections were based on a student’s grade point average, the quality of the internship, and the relevance of the internship to the student’s academic major and educational goals and future career.

Heller, who is majoring in communication disorders with a minor in deaf studies, will be interning at the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Conn. The internship will allow her to utilize her sign language skills as she participates in classroom activities with deaf children and teachers. “Before you graduate, it is so important to get as much experience in the ‘real world’ (often in the form of internships) for future employers and graduate school applications,” said Heller. “It is incredible that this scholarship exists to help students like me, who want experience but do not have the financial means to take off a season of working,” she added. Heller has an overall grade point average of 3.7 with a 3.78 in her major. She lives in Campbell Hall, N.Y.

Deya, who is majoring in psychology and sociology, will be interning with COMPEER, Inc. in Rochester, N.Y. She will be working to build a support network for veterans, connecting them with mentors and support services in the community. “I am so thankful that I have been chosen for this award and am extremely grateful for the generous contribution for an unpaid summer internship,” said Deya. “I’m especially appreciative of having a little help paying for transportation costs to and from the internship this summer,” she added. Deya has a grade point average of 3.5. She lives in Fairport, N.Y.

Moser is a creative writing major who is also pursuing two minors – one in Spanish film and one in video studies. He will be interning for his second summer at Marvel Comics in Manhattan. Moser has a 3.5 grade point average and resides in Hewlett, N.Y.

The summer internship scholarship program is made possible by contributions to the College of LA & S’ Dean’s Fund from members of its advisory board, other alumni, and friends of the College.