Presidential Interns
Congratulations to fourth-year Sociology majors Mia Brown, Niloufar Dodangeh, and Perla Vitela who have been selected as interns in President Sullivan's office for the Spring semester 2013!
We are proud that President Sullivan chose to continue the program of student internships in the President's office with the Sociology Department. The interns will use the skills that they have learned in Sociology courses in the practical operations of a large formal organization such as the University of Virginia. President Sullivan also wants to use her interactions with the interns as a window on student life.
Mia Brown
Mia Brown is from Alexandria, Virginia and graduated from T.C. Williams High School. She is a Sociology and American Studies major and is thrilled to have the opportunity to intern in the President's Office this Spring. At UVA Mia is involved in Dance Marathon, a student-run philanthropy on-grounds that raises money for UVA Children's Hospital. She also was involved with the Young Women's Leadership Program and enjoys her job of giving swim lessons to children. Last spring she loved life on Semester at Sea and had the incredible experience of traveling around the world and visiting 11 different countries. Next year, she hopes to continue on to graduate school to receive a Master's degree in Macro Social Work.
Niloufar Dodangeh
I am a fourth year student double majoring in psychology and sociology. I am originally from Tehran, Iran. After spending a few years in Europe and graduating from an international boarding school in Switzerland, I moved to the United States to continue my education here at the University of Virginia and to learn about the American culture. I feel very much at home at UVa. And I am extremely thrilled to be the first international student to intern in President Sullivan’s office.
In my first year, I was involved in University Mediation Services. For a semester, I was a member of the Association Council as well. In my third year, I spent three months working at Professor Joe Allen’s lab at UVa’s Psychology Department as a Research Assistant. I held the same position for another eleven months at Professor Sophie Trawalter’s Social Cognition and Behavior Lab. And this year for a semester I assisted algebra teachers at Charlottesville High School through the Day in the Life Program.
After graduating in May, I will be taking a gap year to gain some work experience. After the gap year, however, I hope to go back to school and receive a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
Perla Vitela
I am a 4th year double major in Sociology and Foreign Affairs. I grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia but I was born in Michoacán, Mexico. I still have family in Mexico and I visit my small hometown frequently. At UVA, I have been a part of the Distinguished Majors Program for Sociology, for which I completed a thesis on Hispanic immigrants’ attitudes towards county-level immigration laws in Prince William County, Virginia. I currently live in the Casa Bolívar, UVA’s Spanish-language dormitory, through which I have been involved in organizing Hispanic academic, cultural, and social events for community members. For the Presidential Internship, my research interests include a focus on racial and ethnic minorities and low-income people’s perspectives on issues surrounding the UVA and Charlottesville communities.
For more information on President Teresa Sullivan, view the President's webpage.
