Creating High-Impact Experiences for NMU Students
When we reflect on our time in college, there’s often one experience that stands out—something meaningful, memorable and even life-changing. It might be the professor who challenged us to reach our full potential, a student organization that inspired us to give back, the roommate who became a lifelong friend, or the internship that changed the trajectory of our career.
When we reflect on our time in college, there’s often one experience that stands out—something meaningful, memorable and even life-changing. It might be the professor who challenged us to reach our full potential, a student organization that inspired us to give back, the roommate who became a lifelong friend, or the internship that changed the trajectory of our career.
For Steve Latus ’78 BA, a retired public relations consultant and current NMU Foundation Board of Trustees member, and his wife, Ruth Stevens, it was the opportunities beyond the classroom that defined their college experience and helped prepare them for career success. Their strong belief in the value of high-impact practices inspired them to establish the College of Arts and Sciences Internship Endowment at Northern Michigan University, providing students with opportunities to pursue transformative experiences they may not have otherwise been able to access.
“My wife and I know first-hand how much impact an internship can have on a student’s career,” said Latus, a speech communication and English graduate. “Both of us landed our first post-graduation jobs as a result of invaluable non-classroom experiences.”
“It feels good to give back to the school that gave so much to me as a student. I’m proud to be a Wildcat, and supporting NMU is one way for me to tangibly show my pride.”
Established in 2023, the endowment helps make internships financially accessible to students, furthering their academic excellence and competitiveness in the workforce.
Ryann Pitts, a senior and pre-med student at NMU, was one of two 2026 recipients and is currently working in Peru to learn more about medicine and people of other cultures.
“It has been incredible to recognize the differences in healthcare systems and be able to add to the Peruvian healthcare system wherever I can help,” said Pitts. “The medical staff and locals have been absolutely amazing, and I have already learned so much about not only medical procedures, but also how to connect with others.”
With support from the endowment, Pitts volunteers at a local hospital, observing and assisting doctors and other medical professionals. She and other volunteers also lead daily clinics that provide education and hands-on support to community members with medical needs, including podiatry, hygiene, dental care and reproductive care.
“I would not have been able to have this experience without this generous support, and I am so thankful for this opportunity,” said Pitts.
“The support that NMU donors have given me is incredible. It means so much that they are willing to support my future and that they believe in students like me.”
Hosanna Brindle, the second 2026 recipient of the internship funding, begins her internship at the end of June. Brindle will be working full-time with Dr. De Oliveira in the Department of Molecular Biology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, participating in advanced microscopy and zebrafish innate immunity research.
She will be using high-powered, high-tech microscopes to watch in real time how baby zebrafish's "first responder" immune cells fight off infections. Like Pitts, Brindle’s experience reflects the impact these opportunities can have on students — providing hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge with future career goals while expanding their perspectives beyond campus.
“Internships can give students an edge in entering the job market, make them more employable, and help them build a professional network,” said Latus. “An internship can also provide an enlightened perspective on what they’re studying back in the classroom. I believe taking an internship is a ‘no-lose’ proposition. If you take an internship and love it, that’s awesome. But if you take an internship and discover that your perfect career field is not so perfect, you’ve learned something quite valuable that enables you to chart a new course.”
Latus credits NMU for some of his most valuable experiences as a student and believes it’s unlikely he would have had the same experiences at a larger school.
“It feels good to give back to the school that gave so much to me as a student,” he added. “I’m proud to be a Wildcat, and supporting NMU is one way for me to tangibly show my pride.”