We bid adieux to our summer interns, who brought such fine energy, ideas, and spirit to their work and to our organization. We wish them the best as they continue on with their studies and building better worlds wherever they go.
NICOLE GIANG
“I can trace most of my reverence for the environment back to the Cleveland Metroparks and the memories I’ve made along the Lake Erie coastline.”
I’m Nicole–a rising sophomore in Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan. Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, I was fortunate enough to grow up next to a phenomenal city-wide park system: the Cleveland Metroparks. I can trace most of my reverence for the environment back to the Cleveland Metroparks and the memories I’ve made along the Lake Erie coastline.
The Cleveland Metroparks thrive on accessibility and foster an incredibly strong, inclusive community. I hope to cultivate the same environment in other communities so that future generations around the Great Lakes can have the same sense of community and care I grew up with. I’m incredibly excited to join Groundwork this summer and support a thriving, resilient, and sustainable community in Northern Michigan by delving into the policy around energy development, advocating for solar initiatives, and helping educate residents on clean energy.
I want to ensure individuals have access to a healthy environment, convenient resources, and infrastructure policies that work for them. I know my experiences with Groundwork over the next two months will allow me to learn the foundations of what it takes to create a strong community across the Great Lakes, whether in Northern Michigan, Ohio, or beyond.
FIONA MOODRA
“The outdoors has always offered me a moment of calm in an otherwise chaotic world, grounding me and providing perspective.”
My name is Fiona, and I’m excited to intern at Groundwork this summer, supporting initiatives across the Climate & Energy and Food & Farming teams. I’m a rising Junior at Haverford College, majoring in Economics and minoring in Anthropology. I was drawn to Groundwork because of its range of programs, statewide reach, and strong reputation within the community.
My family cultivated my passion for food as we raised animals and maintained a backyard garden. They always prioritized nutritious, sustainable, and locally sourced food. Naturally, equitable access to healthful food became a passion. As an economics major, I am looking forward to supporting the Building Resilient Communities program as it combines my passion for food access with sustainable economic principles.
As for the Climate & Energy team, I grew up hiking, riding my bike on the TART trail, and building snowmen complete with a scarf and carrot nose. The outdoors has always offered me a moment of calm in an otherwise chaotic world, grounding me and providing perspective. These memories and experiences have driven my passion to protect the natural world and support communal connections between people and their resources.
JORGE CRUZ
“My eagerness to always ask, “How can I help?” and “we can do better” has led me to join this fellowship.”
My name is Jorge Cruz, and I was born in Mexico City. I spent only a few months there before my family decided to move north and eventually landed in Phoenix, Arizona, where I lived most of my life. I have called Traverse City home for the past six years with my wife and six beautiful children (two of whom are in college).
When I moved to Michigan, I took a step back from the education world and jumped into water resources management, which led me to recently complete my associate degree at Northwestern Michigan College in the Freshwater Studies Program. There, I was able to focus on the treatment and processing of water in both the private and public sectors. This is what led me to become a Water and Wastewater Operator for the Grand Traverse County Department of Public Works. My eagerness to always ask, “How can I help?” and “we can do better” has led me to join this fellowship so that I can bring the best of myself and support the goals and objectives you all have.
I strongly believe in leaving this place better than we found it so future generations can enjoy it as we have.
WAVE SPENCE
“I have been fortunate to have consistent access to fresh, nutritious food, and I hope to make that same opportunity more accessible to others through my work while supporting our farmers.”
My name is Wave Spence, and I was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan. This summer, I am interning with Groundwork on the Food & Farming team, where I am working with the Teaching Kitchen and Culinary Medicine program. I am also a rising senior at Michigan State University studying biology with a minor in Spanish language and culture.
I wanted to get involved with Groundwork this summer because of the meaningful impact it has on communities across Michigan and its unique program within the Teaching Kitchen. Growing up in northern Michigan, I learned the importance of knowing where my food comes from and supporting local, sustainable agriculture. I have been fortunate to have consistent access to fresh, nutritious food, and I hope to make that same opportunity more accessible to others through my work while supporting our farmers. I am excited to be part of the team and look forward to learning more about Groundwork this summer.
