Presidential Interns
Congratulations to fourth-year Sociology majors Ari Dimas, Aubrey Harrington, and Alexis Smith who have been selected as interns in President Sullivan's office for the Spring semester 2012!
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.
Ari Dimas
Ari Dimas is a Fourth Year from Chesapeake, Virginia, whose studies dually focus on Philosophy and Sociology. His interests arose in his first semester in Charlottesville, during which he took introductory courses in both disciplines. His favorite class was Professor Rae Blumberg’s Sociology of Development, which inspired him to pursue development work in the future.
Ari’s primary commitment at U.Va. is to the Varsity Soccer program. As a student-athlete, he has largely concentrated on uniting the student-athlete lifestyle with non-athlete culture. He has worked toward this aim by using a variety of extracurricular activities to advocate for greater student-athlete engagement and representation in mainstream U.Va. culture. He sees the University as an arena of opportunity for all students and cherishes the opportunities that have come his way.
Ari enjoys lounging on the Lawn and discovering all things U.Va.-related. He insists that there is no greater feeling of pride than that of wearing the V-Sabre and representing his fellow Wahoos on the field. He will graduate in May but plans to return next year for a final season of soccer while pursuing graduate work.
Aubrey Harrington
Aubrey, a fourth-year Sociology and Psychology double major, was thrilled to receive the opportunity to intern in President Sullivan’s office this spring. Having spent the last twelve years living in Charlottesville with her family, she has always viewed the University as a second home. However, to have the chance to see its inner workings has proven to be an especially rewarding and eye-opening experience for her.
Aubrey spent this past summer in Dublin, Ireland interning for a charity organization named Jobcare that aims to alleviate unemployment in Dublin through Employment Preparation Courses, a professional JobNet program, and the tools and staff of its Resource Room. Inspired by her time at Jobcare, Aubrey hopes to create a research project with the help of President Sullivan that would implement a similar program at the University as a way of further connecting the Charlottesville and University communities.
Aubrey is the youngest of four children and will be the first person in her immediate and extended family to graduate from a four year university. After graduation in May, Aubrey hopes to attend graduate school to receive a Master’s Degree in Social Work and to pursue a career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Alexis Smith
Alexis Smith is a 2008 graduate of James River High School in Midlothian, Virginia. Now a fourth year at the University of Virginia, she is pursuing a B.A. in both Sociology and English. During her undergraduate career, Alexis played two semesters of club rugby, worked for a summer at UVA Conference Services, and spent a semester studying abroad in St. Andrews, Scotland. Alexis is very dedicated to community service and has spent much of her time involved in a co-ed community service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, of which she is currently president. Through the work of Alpha Phi Omega, she has been very involved in various organizations in the Charlottesville community, including Books Behind Bars, the Martha Jefferson House, and the SPCA, as well as service projects to aid Horses as Healers and Meals on Wheels. Furthering her commitment to and interest in service, Alexis will spend the next year in Philadelphia, PA working for an Americorps program called City Year, which focuses on reducing the student dropout rate in city schools.
For more information on President Teresa Sullivan, view the President's webpage.
