Hive Summer Internships Grantees

In the past, we’ve had students work in teams on design projects with real-world and on-campus partners during the Hive Summer Fellowship program (see last year’s story about our partnership with the Draper Center and the city of Pomona linked here), but this year we’re introducing something new. The Hive is experimenting with supporting four 5C students who have been awarded innovation and design internships with companies and organizations out in the world, who need additional funding for living, travel, food, and other miscellaneous expenses. Stay tuned later this summer to learn more from them about their internship experiences with their partner companies, their personal and professional growth, and the envisioned real-world impact of their work.

• Mira Shah (Pitzer ’27) will be doing an internship with Priya Living, a modern senior living community designed for the “third stage of life,” a vibrant, purpose-driven period often experienced by people over 55. It blends bold design, cultural connection, and independent living with flexible stays and inclusive programming.
• Zo Pancoast (Scripps ’25) will be doing an internship with The Better Lab, a health design research organization that uses human-centered design to improve healthcare systems, services, and experiences.
• Elizabeth Ortega (Pomona ’27) will be doing an internship with the Green Jobs Board, a specialized career platform focused on the climate, sustainability, and environmental sectors.
• Amanda Oluwatosin Adaeze Eric (Pomona ’25) will be undertaking an internship with Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) in Nairobi, Kenya, a global nonprofit organization that combines design and community development to create “productive public spaces”: well-designed, community-led projects addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges.