Released: August 30, 2024
Delaware County recently hosted its first-ever Internship Culmination Ceremony, celebrating the conclusion of the 2024 Summer Internship Program. The event brought together County leadership, department heads, and representatives from the Delaware County Community College and the Be Proud Foundation to honor the 84 summer interns.
The internships, which began in May and lasted 9 to 11 weeks, provided students with hands-on experience across 16 different departments, including Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Court Services, and the District Attorney’s Office. Interns engaged in meaningful projects and gained valuable insights into county government.
The ceremony, featuring presentations by interns from each department, highlighted their accomplishments and the skills they developed over the summer. County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, Vice Chair Richard Womack, Council Member Christine Reuther, and other leaders offered words of wisdom and encouragement, expressing pride in the interns’ contributions.
“This year’s internship program was a tremendous success, providing valuable opportunities for both the interns and the County,” said Delaware County Chief Human Resources Officer, Christine Keck. She praised her team, led by Assistant Director of Talent Management, Charnee Washington, Recruiter Brianna Buggey, and members of the HR Team for ensuring the program’s success. “The team’s hard work and commitment ensured that this expanded internship program ran smoothly from start to finish, and this culmination ceremony has truly highlighted the positive impact these interns have had on our community.”
“The internship program provided us with a unique perspective on the Judicial System and cemented my desire to work on litigation,” said Jose Mesen, Intern for the District Attorney’s Office, reflecting on his experience. Mekhi Fields, Intern for the Budget Department, shared, “This internship allowed me to practice my leadership skills as well as my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and gave me a better outlook of the workplace.”
County staff expressed gratitude for the interns’ fresh perspectives and the inspiration they brought. Dr. Monica Taylor noted, “We had an amazing group of interns this year. We tried to give them a glimpse of how we interact with the public and our stakeholders, so they really had a chance to see a lot.” Register of Wills Vincent Rongione added, “We take professional development very seriously. Interns provide a fresh perspective and give us an opportunity to showcase government, to give back, and to pay it forward.”
Parks and Recreation Director Anne Stauffer echoed Register Rongione when reflecting on her time as an intern for local government, noting her own internship “created a passion about local government in me, so I’ve been happy to pay that forward and provide meaningful experiences for our interns this summer.”
The Summer Internship Program was more than just work experience; it was a gateway for aspiring professionals to apply academic learning in practical environments, build connections, and enhance core competencies.
Delaware County Council extends its thanks to all 84 interns and commends CHRO Keck and County leadership for managing a successful program and organizing a memorable culmination ceremony. Looking ahead, the County hopes to expand the program to include even more departments in the future.
Watch highlights from the ceremony here: