Fueling Student Success: Meet the 2026 Ignite Fellows
Hands on learning through internships continue to be one of the most powerful ways for our students to connect classroom learning with real-world experience. Thanks to the Ignite Fellowship, more Dolphins each year are able to pursue these opportunities without worrying about financial stress. Whether supporting housing, meals, or lost wages, the fellowship makes it possible for students to focus on learning, growing, and making an impact.
This summer, our newest Ignite Fellows put that support into action. From bold project leadership to industry networking to medical research, see how this year’s students made the most of their fellowship opportunity.
Get Inspired by This Year's Fellowship Recipients
“Supported by the Ignite Fellowship, my nine-week sales internship at Gallagher in Latham, NY, allowed me to master real-world client communication, resilience, and business strategy beyond the classroom. Easing the financial burden of my daily commute enabled me to focus entirely on my growth—ultimately resulting in a full-time job offer with Gallagher following my graduation.” – Grace DeNisio
“Interning as a Revenue Intern at Pyramid Management Group gave me a hands-on, practical education in commercial real estate operations—from daily strategic team meetings to analyzing revenue streams and leasing processes. Easing the financial strain through the Ignite Fellowship allowed me to fully immerse myself in the fast-paced industry and discover a strong passion for the field.” – Cameron Lukasik
“Interning at Ascend Legal Solutions in Arusha, Tanzania, gave me direct insight into international legal systems—from drafting business registration and tax documents to observing court trials firsthand. Navigating a new country and connecting with global advocacy professionals helped me build adaptability, confirming my passion for pursuing a career in international law and diplomacy.” – Sophia Massaroni
“Working at Modovolo gave me real experience—it’s a figure-it-out-or-fail environment. From building 3D-printable drones that keep soldiers out of harm’s way to working in the field with Green Berets during live-fire exercises, this high-pressure startup journey was made possible by the Ignite Fellowship.” – Reese Richter
“Working in a research lab on how macrophages can better restrict HIV-1 showed me what scientific discovery looks like day to day—requiring patience, teamwork, and problem-solving. A major highlight was contributing to a project that became a published paper with my name listed as an author, an experience that deepened my passion for research as I work toward attending medical school.” – Lauren Letourneau
“Interning with Africa Unite in Cape Town deepened my passion for international human rights through community advocacy, research, and cultural unity. A standout experience was helping organize and photograph the Africa Day celebration at the Castle of Good Hope—and even connecting with the Embassy of Madagascar to represent my home country—showing me that meaningful change begins by listening to communities and working alongside them.” – Mialisoa Randria
“Interning in the Marketing Department at Philadelphia Insurance Companies gave me direct insight into the industry through agency visits and presenting a summer-long project to executives at our home office. Living in Boston and connecting with colleagues across the country made this experience exceptionally rewarding, boosting both my professional growth and personal confidence.” – Kiera Langston
“Interning at Brown & Brown in New Jersey expanded my technical knowledge of the excess and surplus industry while teaching me a critical lesson on professional growth: capability provides substance, but charisma gives it passage. Navigating this dynamic gave me a newfound vision, transforming a challenging experience into invaluable character development for my future career.” – Gerardo Gomez
“Volunteering with the Nuluka Foundation in Colombia gave me hands-on teaching experience across public, private, and academy settings—from pre-K pupils to adult learners. Beyond building classroom management skills and language fluency, immersing myself in local communities deepened my understanding of how education and grassroots initiatives drive sustainable international development.” – Ella Fernando
“Interning in Human Resources at Interlochen Center for the Arts allowed me to blend my HR major with my passion for dance. From onboarding over 1,000 summer employees to leading a successful sourcing project for a music librarian, I gained hands-on experience across every area of HR—confirming my goal to one day launch my own HR consulting firm for small businesses.” – Jalynn Guido
“Supported by the Gottstein Science Fellowship, I spent my summer in Dr. Amon’s lab investigating potential ALS treatments using a C. elegans model. Finding statistically significant therapeutic results allowed me to co-author an upcoming manuscript and lay the groundwork for my honors thesis—an experience that cemented my passion for drug development as I pursue a PharmD in pharmacology.” – Chloe Callahan-Brittain
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