This summer, Ruby P.’28 took her learning beyond the classroom through four extraordinary internships, reinforcing her passion for public service and strengthening her long-term goal of pursuing a career in international relations, law, and counterterrorism. She participated in the Leadership Initiatives National Security & Diplomacy Internship at Georgetown University, as well as three internships with Helping Up Mission, Baltimore County District Court, and Baltimore City District Court through Maryvale’s Patricia J. Mitchell ’65 Leadership Institute.
Ruby began her summer tackling real-world global security challenges with military, diplomatic, and national security professionals through the Leadership Initiatives National Security & Diplomacy Internship at Georgetown University. She learned directly from Gina Bennett, a retired CIA counterterrorism expert and one of the nation’s most respected leaders in intelligence and national security.
Working alongside university partners in Nigeria, Ruby helped analyze political, economic, public health, and security issues directly impacting communities threatened by Boko Haram. Through this work, Ruby gained first-hand experience in conducting intelligence research, delivering security briefings, and developing strategic recommendations, which she and her team presented to national security professionals and representatives from the Embassy of Nigeria. Following this rewarding experience, Ruby will learn this fall whether her team’s proposals will be selected to receive funding and move toward implementation.
Ruby’s summer did not stop there. Through Maryvale’s Mitchell Leadership Institute, Ruby participated in three more internships with Helping Up Mission (HUM), Baltimore County District Court, and Baltimore City District Court with Judge Pastore. She began her week at HUM – a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of those suffering from addiction and poverty by harnessing the power of faith, science, and community – by shadowing Sky Woodward, Esq. Chief Administrative Officer. There, she received a tour of the men’s and women’s facilities and learned about the organization’s mission and the community it serves.
Ruby then spent three days at Baltimore County Circuit Court, where she shadowed Judge Robinson, and her experiences came full circle. During this experience, Ruby saw a woman come into the courtroom in handcuffs with charges of possession and domestic violence. The woman requested to be sent to the Helping Up Mission. According to her testimony, the woman had been attending Bible studies while incarcerated, and the judge felt that she would be a good candidate for HUM, giving Ruby a chance to see how HUM plays into the judiciary system.
Through these internships, Ruby gained a well-rounded view of how policy, justice, and community intersect. It is experiences like these that empower our students to think globally, lead boldly, and make a meaningful impact on the world.
