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SSI - Summer Student Internship Program:
Summer Student Internship Spotlight

Featured Summer Student Intern: Ari van Schilfgaarde
Intern with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla

Ari van Schilfgaarde hails from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, where he is working on a BA of Physics-Environmental Studies. He has worked on many projects in the field of water and renewable energy during previous internships and undergraduate opportunities. However, this summer he found himself climbing a 180 foot radio tower on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, near Mission Oregon, to collect air data.

Ari was selected by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservations (CTUIR) Department of Science and Engineering. As an intern at CTUIR Ari has worked to update the tribes Emissions Inventory, gather ambient air data, and research the feasibility of wind power on the reservation. He has worked to build relations with the local industries and local people. According to John Cox, Director of the Air Quality at CTUIR, Ari has become "part of the family" very quickly due to his out going and energetic nature.

John Cox and Glen Gehring, CTUIR Air Quality Specialist, have worked with Ari on numerous projects and served as mentors for this internship. Of this mentoring relationship Ari commented, "I am extremely grateful for the chance to work with such a dedicated and supportive group of people doing things that I really care about." Mentoring is a big part of all ITEP internships and projects. Good mentoring is a proven tool to build capacity in people and communities.

In speaking of Ari's accomplishments at CTUIR, John Cox has only one word to say, "Remarkable." When asked to elaborate, John went on to explain that Ari has skills both technical and interpersonal that he doesn't see in many seasoned professionals. John also commented that Ari has "spoiled" them when it comes to interns. ITEP and the people at the CTUIR Department of Science and Engineering would like to thank Ari van Schilfgaarde for his dedicated service.