Internship Career and Leadership Workshop 2025: Full Schedule

Welcome, interns, to the Career and Leadership Workshop!
This workshop is a key component of your internship program, offering a week-long opportunity to expand your knowledge of various career fields while honing your leadership skills. Throughout the week, you will join fellow interns in showcasing the outcomes of your summer projects through presentations.
You’ll also have the chance to connect with industry professionals through engaging panel discussions, skill-building sessions, and interactive activities. This workshop is designed to enrich your experience and evaluate the program’s impact—celebrating successes and identifying opportunities for future improvement.
We hope you make the most of your time in Washington, DC. Take advantage of this incredible networking opportunity, and don’t forget to have fun!

Click to meet the interns: HBCUI Mosaics internXL LHIP GOGA

You can see recorded Livestream Events via Microsoft Teams Links -
August 5, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST - NPS Internship Career and Leadership Workshop

August 6, 2:00-4:30 p.m. EST- Art Culture Presentations: LHIP/HBCUI

Captioning URL: https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=BIS-NPS-4781612

@NPSYouth #NPSYouth #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque #Internships #NationalParkService #NPS

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2:45pm EDT

HBCUI Breakout Session: HBCU Alumni Serving as Leaders in Federal Service- Exploring the NextGen of Careers in the Federal Government

Friday March 14, 2025 2:45pm - 4:30pm EDT

Rachel Carson Room

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Prepare to be captivated by an engaging discussion as the panelists draw upon their rich experiences and insights to explore the exceptional opportunities and challenges that HBCU graduates encounter when embarking on federal service careers. From navigating the intricacies of recruitment processes to making significant advancements within federal agencies, attendees will gain invaluable perspectives on how HBCU alumni are shaping the future of leadership in the federal government. Furthermore, this enlightening conversation will delve into the pathways available for the next generation of HBCU students and graduates to enter and thrive in federal careers, highlighting the utmost importance of diversity and inclusion in building a government workforce that truly represents its people.

Moderators

Deanna Hayden

Moderator, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, National Park Service Partnerships & Philanthropic Stewardship

Deanna Hayden is a third-year Ph.D. student at Howard University, specializing in Communication, Culture, and Media Studies. She is a Graduate Assistant to Nikole Hannah-Jones, Knight Chair in Race and Journalism, and creator of The 1619 Project. Additionally, Deanna is an HBCUI Communication... Read More →

Speakers

Dr. Elrand Denson

Acting Director of Lands, Minerals and Geology Management for the USDA Forest Service, US Forest Service

Elrand D. Denson started is his current position in August 2020. He oversees the Land Stewardship portfolio which encompasses Lands Special Uses to include: Wired and Wireless Communications, Renewable Energy, Electric Transmission, Oil & Gas Pipelines, Recreation Residence, Commercial... Read More →

Dr. Turkiya L. Lowe

Chief Historian and Deputy Federal Preservation Officer, National Park Service

Turkiya L. Lowe (2017 - present) is the Chief Historian of the National Park Service and Deputy Federal Preservation Officer. Prior to this position, Dr. Lowe served as the National Park Service Southeast Region (SER) Chief Historian and Chief of the SER Cultural Resource Research... Read More →

Dr. Benjamin "Ben" Tuggle

Director Science Applications, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Dr. Tuggles prominent career began in 1979 at the National Health Research Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Since then, he has held key leadership positions within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), including a wide variety of field experience and time in the agency&. Washington... Read More →

Friday March 14, 2025 2:45pm - 4:30pm EDT
Rachel Carson Room U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C St NW, Washington, DC 20240

Panel/Breakout Session

Host Organization NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Youth Programs Division

2:45pm EDT

LHIP Breakout Session: Career Pathways in the National Park Service: Latino Leadership Perspectives Panel

Friday March 14, 2025 2:45pm - 4:30pm EDT

Yates Auditorium

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Latino leaders in the National Park Service will discuss topics such as representation and diversity within the organization, the preservation of Latino cultural heritage sites, community engagement, career development, environmental justice, collaboration with Latino organizations, education and interpretation, challenges faced by Latino employees, and the future direction of the National Park Service. Through this discussion, they aim to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization and advance conservation goals for all communities.

Moderators

Sophia Grande

Digital Content Specialist, Moderator, National Park Foundation

Sophia Grande is a Digital Content Specialist at the National Park Foundation, where she manages the Foundation's multiple websites and implements digital content and strategies. Before joining the National Park Foundation, Sophia participated in the Latino Heritage Internship Program... Read More →

Speakers

Matt Montaño

Chief Information Officer, National Park Service

Matthew Montaño is the current Associate Director of Information Resources (Chief Information Officer) at the National Park Service. Matthew has held this position since January of 2022. Prior to their current role, they served as the Director of IT Modernization and Innovation at... Read More →

Raquel Montez

Deputy Superintendent of Shenandoah National Park, National Park Service

Alex Romero

Superintendent of Fire Island National Seashore, National Park Service

Romero has served as superintendent of George Washington Memorial Parkway, since 2013, where he has lead complex partner efforts, multi-million dollar projects, and planning efforts that included rehabilitation of historic areas, memorials and natural areas. His career has spanned... Read More →

Naomi Torres

Superintendent of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, National Park Service

Friday March 14, 2025 2:45pm - 4:30pm EDT
Yates Auditorium U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C St NW, Washington, DC 20240

Panel/Breakout Session

Host Organization NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Youth Programs Division