Student Involvement
Summer 2014 Graduate Intern Program
Lorelly Solano, a Ph.D. student from the College of Arts & Sciences, was hired to assist Dr. Jules Bruck, Landscape Architect with UD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, during summer 2014. Hailing from Costa Rica with a background in horticulture and sustainable design, Lorelly was intimately involved in producing the project report titled, Plans and Proposal for Broad Creek Greenway and Waterfront Redevelopment in Laurel, Delaware. Lorelly participated in the formal presentation of this report and the conceptual design/plans to the Laurel Redevelopment Corporation in mid-September 2014.
http://www.scc.udel.edu/laurel-redevelopment
Summer 2013 Graduate Intern Program
A different approach was adopted in summer 2013 by hiring a graduate student from the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment. Marisa van Hoeven, a Master’s student, became involved with numerous projects and activities, including assisting the Sussex Economic Development Action Committee and providing support services for the public engagement process for the Chesapeake Watershed Implementation Plan in Laurel, DE. In addition, she completed a land use/land cover validation exercise for the update of the City of Lewes’ Comprehensive Plan.
Summer 2012 Undergraduate Intern Program
Stephen Thorp, an undergraduate intern from the College of Arts & Sciences and a native of Lewes, DE, was employed by UD’s Sustainable Coastal Communities Initiative. His primary responsibility was to complete Phase I of the Working Waterfronts Initiative. This included:
- Identify Delaware’s working waterfronts; collect data and information from secondary sources.
- Develop a comprehensive profile of the study communities, including an inventory of both the current and historical engagement in fishing and other commercial water-dependent activities in these communities.
- Develop a set of socioeconomic criteria for assessment.
Stephen’s work was presented to SCCI’s leadership following his 10-week term of employment.
Summer 2010 Undergraduate Intern Program
Three summer undergraduate interns were employed with UDs Sustainable Coastal Communities (SCC) Program. Kathryn Gaasch – VA Tech student majoring in Environmental Science, Michael Katz – U of DE student majoring in Biological Sciences, and David Marsan – U of DE student, majoring in Biochemistry. The students assisted with a regional planning workshop held on the Lewes campus in June 2010, they produced a draft report on “Sustainable Development in Coastal Sussex County, DE”, developed an inventory of local businesses in the Cape Sub-Region study area, and the updated photo files of Sussex County coastal communities. Each student indicated they had a valuable learning experience and want to be kept informed of ongoing issues related to Delaware’s coastal communities in the future.
Summer 2009 Undergraduate Intern Program
Three summer undergraduate interns research, developed and wrote and issue booklet Green Infrastructure: How do we Pave the Way? The discussion guide offers several alternatives on how to pursue a green infrastructure policy. It also expands on State Resource Areas. The issue guide follows the successful format used in the development of pollution control strategies in numerous watersheds throughout Delaware. By participating in the Sustainable Coastal Communities program the interns gained a better understanding of the issues and concerns facing communities in Southern Delaware.
Assessing Regional Land Use Needs in Sussex County
Two UD, College of Earth, Ocean and Environment marine policy graduate students received support to review Sussex County towns’ and the county’s comprehensive plans to identify common issues and concerns that communities identify. Recommended actions from this needs assessment will be used to determine what projects the university can undertake on a regional scale to help communities solve problems and issues.