Eight college-educated young women this summer will discover and discern the relationship between rural communities and renewable energy through the study of perceptions and perspectives of renewable energy projects in rural communities.
The Radiant Rays, the Center for Energy Education Empowering Youth in Energy summer interns, have returned to pursue a new summer clean energy research project.
In hybrid format this year, the cohort includes young women from multiple states who seek a range of educational pathways.
Four participants are veteran Radiant Rays from the initial summer 2022 cohort.
Halifax County Early College graduates Machiya Arrington and Jaslyn McKinney, in addition to Mikayla Watson, Roanoke Rapids Early College graduate, and Anyah Brown, Northwest Halifax High School graduate, have rejoined C4EE’s summer program to champion clean energy to improve their communities as college students.
Arrington, a current NC Central University business administration student, plans to sharpen her research and real estate skills to more accurately determine rural community land values for renewable energy initiatives like solar farms.
McKinney, who is studying environmental sustainability at UNC-Greensboro, wants to become a savvy researcher to contribute robust energy policy ideas when working with community partners.
Brown, now on staff with the town of Princeville, wants to become a better researcher to confidently navigate solid renewable energy options within her community and sharpen her public speaking skills.
Watson, a UNC-Pembroke student, is committed to expanding her understanding and foothold of advocacy.
The other student interns include Comyra Weeks, Beaufort Community College student from Washington County; UNC-G student from Roanoke Rapids NyAsia Dawson wants to sharpen her research skills; Chasity Brandy, NC Central information technology student from New Jersey, wants to study how digital tools fit into the renewable energy landscape.
Ruby Bickel, a student from the South Bend campus of Indiana University, seeks to learn how to cultivate community outreach and develop public speaking skills within the internship program.
On August 1 the team of interns will present their research findings at a symposium that will be held at C4EE’s main campus.
Their formal presentation will be accompanied by energy industry experts regarding the correlation between rural communities and renewable energy.
They will also have a platform to present their research at C4EE’s annual SolarFEST on October 2.
“The internship creates a platform of opportunities that have helped my professional and personal development of these young women,” said Mozine Lowe, C4EE’s executive director. “Clean energy careers are plentiful and they provide an economic boost to workforce development options for rural communities. They are ready to commit to a cleaner, more equitable future to improve future generation”
