Duke in the Gardens Programs Assistant Internship

Timeline

2024

Description

Affiliated programs: Green Devils Intern Program and Duke in the Gardens programming through Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Summary

Duke in the Gardens programs are a series of three programs that aim to connect Duke audiences with nature, the land and community around them, and each other. This internship worked with Duke in the Gardens program leaders, primarily Kati Henderson, to support the facilitation of Duke in the Gardens programs, review program feedback to improve program structure, and implement promotional strategies. Program participants usually consist of classes, for which tours are requested by the professor, and student groups, who collectively choose to attend. Additionally, this internship supports miscellaneous Gardens Programs general outreach activities to the Duke community, as well as the larger Durham community and more, through diverse tabling events, festivals in the gardens, and sustainability education. 

Goals

1. Support the coordination of facilitated Duke in the Gardens programs, including the Grounding in the Gardens, Queer Ecologies, and Rooted Responses to Climate Change programs

2. Evaluate feedback data across Duke in the Gardens programs and work with Gardens leadership to identify program structure updates

3. Develop and implement a plan for promoting awareness of Duke in the Gardens programs among Duke audiences. This included creating an informative but eye-catching zine for tabling at BC Plaza and continued future program use.  

4. Support with additional Duke Gardens education and outreach programming/events, such as the 2025 Southeastern Sustainability Conference and Hanami Festival 

Experience and Learning Outcomes

This project was part of the year-long paid internship Green Devils program managed by the Office of Climate and Sustainability. Throughout this internship, the interns engaged in facilitating and planning Duke in the Gardens facilitated programs. After gaining some background and experience via shadowing Kati, they both led their first Grounding in the Gardens Tour for the Southeastern Sustainability Student Conference. Such program facilitation activities enabled them to gain a better understanding of Garden policies, local wildlife and fauna, the history and specificities of each garden section, land management practices, and community partners (e.g. Iglesia Emanuel Food Pantry). Behind the scenes, they supported assessment and program impact documentation, which resulted in deepening students' understandings of holistic and effective program management and organization.

Recommendations 

Future Duke in the Gardens Program Assistant(s) should know that this position is dynamic and constantly evolving. They should be ready to offer support for any Duke in the Gardens events, as new opportunities present themselves. Future interns should be willing to be flexible, amenable to assigned tasks/events and bring a creative and fun outlook to their facilitation and support of Gardens programming. As is, students report that "this position is well-developed and an amazing opportunity for any student interested in learning more about the Gardens and the amazing work they do day in and day out. "

Student Interns: Carmen Miller and Emely Arredondo

Intern Supervisor: Kati Henderson, University Partnerships & Community Engagement Program Coordinator, Sarah P. Duke Gardens