Two students from Old Dominion University are among the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s (SCHEV) Top 50 Virginia Interns.
Selected from 121 nominees, Jeremiah Lawrence, a senior from Portsmouth studying information technology, and Gabriella Blake Gonzalez, a senior from Norfolk studying marine biology and political and legal studies, were recognized as standout interns for their initiative, leadership and results at their respective employers.
Both students were celebrated during a ceremony on Virginia Intern Day in Richmond.
“These interns are not just participating, they’re excelling,” said Alisha Bazemore, Ed.D, assistant director of innovative work-based learning initiatives at SCHEV. “They bring fresh ideas, a strong work ethic and real impact to their roles, demonstrating the value of investing in Virginia’s next generation of talent.”
Jeremiah was highlighted for his role as an information technology support intern with the Franklin Group Companies during Summer 2025. In that role, he developed informational guides for employees and integrated new software tools to help the company’s workflow.
“He is goal-oriented, resourceful and flexible, and he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get the job done,” said Katina Barnes, assistant director of Monarch Internship & Co-Op Office. “He does not allow challenges to discourage him. Instead, he is persistent, seeks out opportunities to learn and is committed to gaining the experiences and skills necessary to position himself for long-term career success.”
Jeremiah, who has held several other internships, including ones with Volunteer Hampton Roads and the Portsmouth Schools Foundation, said these opportunities give him an advantage entering the workforce.
“It makes my experience more competitive, because it’s not just IT-related,” he said. “I have non-profit experience on my resume, I have real estate and other things that make it more than just IT. Especially now, it’s important to have experience in different areas.”
Gabriella was recognized for her Summer 2025 internship with Nauticus that was supported by the University’s $5 million Mellon Foundation grant, which launched the Monarch Humanities Internship Academy.
In her role as an Education Discovery intern, she taught STEM programming to all ages at the museum. Gabriella said the internship supported her career goals in environmental conservation, which she hopes to pursue either as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard or by earning a law degree and pursuing a career in environmental law. Before Nauticus, Gabriella interned with the Norfolk Public Library, where she supported children’s educational programming.
“Since she arrived at Old Dominion University, she has been intent on getting the most from her educational experience,” said Michael Thompson, Ph.D., assistant director of the Monarch Humanities Internship Academy.
Through their inclusion on this prestigious list, Jeremiah and Gabriella represent Old Dominion University’s commitment to internship opportunities for every student, so they can gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in the workforce after graduation.
Jeremiah and Gabriella's recognition reflects the University’s commitment to expanding experiential learning opportunities that allow students to apply what they learn in the classroom, build professional networks and develop skills that prepare them for life after graduation.