CoSEE expands internship program with largest cohort to date

CoSEE’s internship program continues to grow. This summer, the University of Washington Bothell’s Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement (CoSEE) welcomes its largest cohort to date: 22 interns working across five pathways, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Invasive Species, Native Plants, Environmental Education, and Social Media and Communications.

The expanded cohort creates more opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience while supporting CoSEE’s mission of promoting ecological literacy and sustainability through education, research, and community engagement. Interns will contribute to ongoing projects, develop new skills, and help advance initiatives at Saint Edward State Park and beyond.

Meet our summer 2026 interns

Environmental Education pathway

Olivia Grout is an Environmental Studies major, minoring in Public Policy at UW Seattle.
Cassandra Rose Humarang is a 2026 UW Bothell Graduate with a major in Mathematics.
Ramneek Sidhu is a double major in Psychology and Chemistry at UW Bothell.

Interns in the Environmental Education pathway help create inclusive learning experiences through storytelling, educational resource development, and public programming. Their work focuses on making environmental education accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

This summer, interns will help develop environmental education kits, continue work on the Adaptive Library Initiative, support the launch of a 3D-printed assistive technology program, and co-lead nature walks at Saint Edward State Park.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) pathway

Junki Nakamura is a Data Visualization major at UW Bothell.
Dan Nguyen graduated from UW Bothell in spring 2026 in Biology.
Kheira Oeffie is a Earth System Sciences major at UW Bothell.
Yulia Ouliankine is a Mathematics major at UW Bothell.
Tiana Palacay is a Conservation and Restoration Sciences major at UW Bothell.
Uranbileg Sarankhuu is an Environmental Studies major at UW Bothell.
Oliver Souliere is a UW Bothell graduate with a major in Data Visualization.

The GIS pathway introduces students to mapping, ecological monitoring, and restoration planning. Interns develop technical skills while supporting conservation and stewardship efforts.

Projects may include analyzing spatial data for restoration work, creating maps of invasive species and restoration sites, and collaborating with community partners to support environmental planning and decision-making.

Invasive Species pathway

Savannah Greenwalt is an Earth System Sciences major at UW Bothell.
Sarah Proestel is an Environmental Studies major at UW Seattle.
Daniel Rivera is a Computer Science & Software Engineering major at UW Bothell.

Interns in the Invasive Species pathway support efforts to protect and restore native ecosystems. Through fieldwork and community engagement, they help manage invasive species and contribute to long-term restoration goals.

Summer projects may include invasive plant removal, habitat restoration activities, and co-leading volunteer events with Washington State Parks and the Friends of Saint Edward State Park.

Native Plants pathway

Nic McCuistion is an Environmental Studies major at UW Bothell.
Maryam Siddiqui is a Bioresource Engineering major at UW Bothell.
Max Simpson is a Data Visualization major at UW Bothell.
Ruth Tesfaberhan is a Conservation and Restoration Sciences major at UW Bothell.
Ash Putzke is a double major in Earth Systems Science and Biology at UW Bothell.

The Native Plants pathway focuses on sustaining and expanding the Native Plant Learning Garden at Saint Edward State Park. Interns work alongside CoSEE staff, Washington State Parks, and community partners to maintain the garden and support public education about native plant conservation.

Projects may include watering and caring for native plantings, removing invasive weeds, and developing educational materials that help visitors learn about the role of native plants in local ecosystems.

Social Media and Communications pathway

Alice Guan is a Biology major at UW Seattle.
Arnav Jain is a Computer Science and Software Engineering major at UW Bothell.
Miles Lewis is a Media and Communication Studies major at UW Bothell.
JayJay Maclean is a Media and Communication Studies Major at UW Bothell.

Interns in the Social Media and Communications pathway help share CoSEE’s work through digital storytelling and outreach. By creating content for a variety of platforms, they help connect the community with ongoing projects and events.

Their work may include producing content for Instagram, TikTok, and other social media channels, as well as supporting newsletters, blog posts, photography, videography, and graphic design projects.

The impact of a growing program

A larger intern cohort increases CoSEE’s capacity to support existing programs while exploring new ideas. One project launching this summer is a 3D-printing initiative in the Environmental Education and Research Center classroom at Saint Edward State Park. The program will create accessible, 3D-printed resources for the Adaptive Library Initiative, expanding opportunities for inclusive environmental learning.

CoSEE is also continuing to grow its GIS pathway, giving more students the opportunity to develop mapping and data analysis skills while contributing to community-based ecological projects.

The program’s growth reflects the dedication of both students and staff. CoSEE’s ability to support 22 interns this summer is made possible through the leadership of Director Dr. Veronica Cassone McGowan, Program Manager Maddie Iem, and Program Assistant Kaylin Datwyler.

As the summer gets underway, interns will be contributing to restoration projects, educational programs, environmental monitoring, and community outreach efforts across the region. CoSEE is excited to welcome this year’s cohort and looks forward to seeing what they accomplish in the months ahead.