Alf Museum Launches Community College Internship program

The Alf Museum will welcome four interns and two mentors from area colleges and universities on June 27 for its first-ever ACCESS Paleo SoCal internship program, which introduces students to the world of paleontology.

ACCESS Paleo SoCal was created in collaboration with the University of California Museum of Paleontology as an independently operated branch of the UCMP’s Advancing Community College Education and Student Success (ACCESS) in paleontology program. The Alf Museum program is funded by the Davis B. Jones Foundation.

At Webb, students from area community colleges will learn basic skills and best practices in fossil preparation, curation, research and science communication over seven weeks. Their mentors, who are graduate students at area universities, will guide the community college students while also learning about mentoring.

The program features weekly trips to other science institutions and universities, where students will connect with professionals and learn about potential career paths.

Students in both roles will work 21 hours a week.

“We are excited to be a part of an initiative that will provide new access to careers in paleontology for students who might otherwise not get the opportunity,” said Gabriel-Philip Santos, the museum’s collections manager and outreach coordinator. “And we have a wonderful group of students joining us.”

The inaugural class of interns and mentors includes:

• Josina Montes, Riverside City College
• Alexa Nguyen, Cypress College
• Nathan Orozco, Chaffey College
• Braden Griffen, Cypress College
• Ashley Torres, CSU Los Angeles, B.A., anthropology, pursuing an M.A. in bio-archaeology
• Reggie Sauls, CSU San Bernardino, a former stagehand turned geologist

The internships conclude Aug. 11. The Alf Museum will offer continued support through check-ins and other networking opportunities.