The Intern Leadership Edition

by Kayla Machen - June 2, 2025

Welcome to the Experiential Scholars Program Internship Blog!

This space highlights the work and experiences of undergraduate students participating in the Experiential Scholars Program Internship with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Over nine weeks, interns work alongside extension mentors on real-world projects in community development, agriculture, health, and conservation. Follow along as they share stories, insights, and lessons learned while making a difference across Arkansas.

Follow along each week as our interns share their experiences, insights and leadership growth in action. From hands-on learning to real-world impact, this is their journey—one step at a time. 

Meet the Interns

This summer, our interns are placed across various program areas, each contributing their unique skills and energy to extension work throughout Arkansas.

Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS)

• Grayce Nelson – University of Central Arkansas. Major: Dietetics, Nutrition, & Family Sciences 

• Anaiya Smith – University of Central Arkansas. Major: Dietetics, Nutrition, & Family Sciences

 Rural & Community Development (RCD)

• Mason Mabry –University of Arkansas. Major: Environmental, Soil and Water Science/Political Science, Minor: Urban Planning 

• Myah Hudson – University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Major: Science, Agricultural Business

• Jacob Easley – University of Arkansas. Major: Science in Agriculture

Water & Soil Conservation (WSC)

• Gwen Keith-Powell – University of Arkansas. Major: Science in Agriculture

• Aidan Russell – University of Arkansas. Major: Biological Engineering

• Kennedy Chapman – University of Arkansas. Major: Environmental, Soil, and Water Science

Week 1 Anaiya’s First Impressions

Anaiya Smith is already making the most of her internship experience with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. From field demonstrations to youth programming, this intern's experience is beginning to reveal how extension work helps communities thrive.

“I expect this experience to teach me that strong extension work is based on service, clear communication, and building trust,” she shared.

With future plans to work in dietetics and nutrition, Smith said she sees this internship as a chance to grow not just professionally, but personally—as a listener, learner and leader.

Week 2 Grayce’s Culinary Discovery

Grayce Nelson's second week was packed with hands-on experiences in food and nutrition education. She spent time shadowing Quad, a program associate in Culinary and Food Safety, who also happens to be a registered dietitian—a future career goal of Nelson's.

After attending a meeting with two University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' dietitians who specialize in culinary medicine, Nelson toured a cooking demo studio, helped revise a pressure-cooking cookbook, and even made strawberry vanilla jam using an electric water bath canner. This intern got a great insight on culinary nutrition

“I learned the term mise en place—it means having everything in place before you start cooking and I learned that sugar helps preserve the jam by preventing bacteria growth," she said.

Wrapping Up This Week

From nutrition education to leadership development and hands-on learning, our interns are already making an impact—and being impacted in return. As they continue their journeys across the state, we’ll be sharing more of their reflections, skills gained, and the relationships they’re building.

Stay tuned each week for more updates!