Title III STEM LTS proposes a STEM Internship Program within the College of Agriculture, Life, and Physical Sciences (ALPS), to provide an environment to help retain students interested in STEM careers, while encouraging the growth of faculty-student relationships and a personalized education in potential STEM careers.
The goal of this program is to provide an environment to help retain students interested in STEM careers, while encouraging the growth of faculty-student relationships and more in-depth education of potential STEM careers. This opportunity will allow students to learn what kind of skills and training would be most beneficial to those interested in the STEM career field. The goal is to give students opportunities to work with STEM faculty and explore special interests within the students’ chosen degree plan as to better prepare for STEM careers, while developing communication skills, specialized knowledge, and hands-on experience.
Title III STEM LTS proposes a STEM Internship Program within the College of Agriculture, Life, and Physical Sciences (ALPS), to provide an environment to help retain students interested in STEM careers, while encouraging the growth of faculty-student relationships and a personalized education in potential STEM careers.
The goal of this program is to provide an environment to help retain students interested in STEM careers, while encouraging the growth of faculty-student relationships and more in-depth education of potential STEM careers. This opportunity will allow students to learn what kind of skills and training would be most beneficial to those interested in the STEM career field. The goal is to give students opportunities to work with STEM faculty and explore special interests within the students’ chosen degree plan as to better prepare for STEM careers, while developing communication skills, specialized knowledge, and hands-on experience.
Meet our Interns
Kilian McDonald-Boyer
James F. Scudday Vertebrate Digitization Intern
Mentor: Dr. Thor Larson
Kilian is a Junior at SRSU studying Biology with a minor in Natural History.
From Azle, Texas, Kilian was in the top ten percent of her high school graduating class. She gained experience with animals and plants by participating in FFA and livestock shows.
During the 2022-2023 academic school year, she made the Dean’s list for both semesters and was awarded the Outstanding Student award in Introductory Chemistry. She is currently active in the SRSU Student Government Association serving as the Vice President and is also serving as the TSUS Student Advisory Board Parliamentarian. Her hobbies include painting, working out, baking, and being outside.
Bella Stimpson
Thin Section Technician
Mentor: Dr. Jesse Kelsch
Bella is a is a junior at SRSU studying Geology with a minor in Art.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Bella enjoys painting and making ceramic pieces. She was awarded the Julius Dasch Undergraduate Student of the Year Award for 2024-2025, and has made the Dean’s list for six semesters at SRSU.
Dominique Portillo
Academic Technology Intern
Mentor: Dominick Percoco
Dominique is a senior at SRSU studying Computer Science with a concentration in Industrial Technology/Cyber Security. Originally from Alpine, Texas, Dominique is also a mom of two beautiful children and a licensed CNA who previously attended Howard College.
Dominique works locally as a nurse aid and is a homebody who enjoys being able to spend time with her children and walking around the local parks. Dominique has previously made the Dean’s list at SRSU and loves going to the gym and being involved with her church.
John Polster
Greenhouse Intern
Mentors: Kelsey Wogan
John is a junior at SRSU seeking a degree in Natural Resource Management.
From Hamilton, Texas, he enjoys fishing, hunting, and doing anything outdoors. He shot his first deer at seven years old, and since then, he hasn’t been able to stay out of the woods. He has always loved wildlife and hunted every season he could. When it came to school, the lack of wildlife classes led him to join the Wildlife team as a freshman until his senior year. His team qualified for state every year, and this experience introduced him to plants.
He attended SRSU because of the diverse wildlife and has fallen in love with this region since then.
Sebastian Whitten
Industrial Technology Intern - Industrial Technology
Mentor: Keith Nixon
Sebastian (Bash) is a junior at SRSU pursuing a degree in Industrial Technology.
Bash received the Dean’s List Award and graduated with her associate’s degree from North Central Texas prior to attending SRSU. She was a member of the National Honors Society in high school in her hometown, Halton City. She moved to the Big Bend area in 2023 to take a year off school and is now attending SRSU to study Industrial Technology.
Bash has a one-year-old Malinois mix puppy named Penny. She also sells jewelry and wall art through her online Etsy shop. She loves being with her family and enjoys working on her passions.
Aubrey Nall
Paleontology Intern - Geology
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Shiller
Aubrey is a junior at SRSU pursuing a degree in Geology.
From Odessa, Texas, Aubrey graduated from Odessa High School in 2023 before attending SRSU. She spends most of her free time hiking, crocheting, or at the gym. Her favorite color is red and her favorite dinosaur is the Tricerotops. Paleontology is one of her passions and she’s super excited to be an intern in the STEM Internship Program.
Cole Payne
Environmental Science & GIS Analyst - Rio Grande Joint Venture, Lobo Explore Internship Program
Mentor: Jeff Bennett, Rio Grande Joint Venture
Cole is a Junior studying Geology with an interest in ground water hydrology at SRSU.
Originally from Pleasanton, Texas, Cole graduated from Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio, Texas. He enjoys hard labor and learning skills to further his understanding of the world around him.
Cole aspires to become a Hydrologist to make water cheap, accessible and sustainable for the growing Texas population.