Learning by Doing

Written by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation staff

How do the students of today learn skills that will assist them in becoming responsible, involved community leaders of tomorrow? Through internships that explore the world of non-profit work.

In the past few years, 5 Healthy Towns Foundation has been fortunate to partner with some passionate, creative, smart students who are eager to learn and contribute; and more often than not, staff here at 5HF learn alongside them.

This past year, we hosted two Board Fellows from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, focused on strategic planning and board member onboarding; An Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Nutrition and Dietetics student, focused on Farm to School activities, Farm to Table event planning, and nutrition education; and an EMU undergrad devoting his senior capstone project to coordinating a teen event in our community.

Real work experience is now the norm in many college programs. Each intern brought expertise and a new perspective that was very useful to 5HF’s mission. We are grateful to host student internships from the amazing universities and community colleges in our area.

Riya Cherian, Dual-degree MBA and MPP candidate

In the past few years, 5 Healthy Towns Foundation has been fortunate to partner with some passionate, creative, smart students who are eager to learn and contribute; and more often than not, staff here at 5HF learn alongside them.

This past year, we hosted two Board Fellows from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, focused on strategic planning and board member onboarding; An Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Nutrition and Dietetics student, focused on Farm to School activities, Farm to Table event planning, and nutrition education; and an EMU undergrad devoting his senior capstone project to coordinating a teen event in our community.My thoughts and perspectives on wellness have evolved significantly over the last three years since moving to the United States for my graduate studies. I come from a country where the notion of mental health and mental well-being is still in its infancy and largely constrained to urban areas. Emotional wellness and psychological safety are often dismissed, especially in workplaces, and as a result, resources to address these aspects of well-being remain underdeveloped in most educational and professional spaces. I recall a particularly unpleasant incident when a trained medical practitioner dismissed concerns about mental well-being as a mere lack of emotional grit and resilience.

Studying at the University of Michigan, I am amazed by the wellness resources available and how deeply they are institutionalized. I have reflected on how institutions back home could learn from and adapt similar approaches. In my home country, non-profits are at the forefront of bridging this gap through awareness-building and advocacy. I see tremendous potential to translate this work, especially within educational institutions, and was particularly excited to learn about the efforts of the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation through Ross Business + Impact. The experience has challenged me to think beyond binaries and given me a deeper understanding of how to ground community work in meaningful collaboration.

Rachel Strodel, R.D.

I was drawn to wellness nonprofit work because of a deep desire to contribute to the well-being of others and create positive change in communities. It's a way to

combine my passion for nutrition, exercise, and helping others with meaningful, impactful work that can create lasting change. 

During my time at 5 Healthy Towns, I had the opportunity to utilize my nutrition background through many programs such as the Farm to School Program, Farm to Table Event, and nutrition education at the Farmer's Markets. Now as a Registered Dietitian, I get to utilize the skills I gained by applying them to my day-to-day job, such as helping with a middle school/medical resident culinary class, providing education and counseling to individual patients, and working with a team to provide the best possible care to others. Continuing to educate patients on lifestyle changes through nutrition, exercise, avoiding risky substances, and social connectedness will always be an approach I live by and will take with me throughout my journey.

Jonathon Klaiber, MBA candidate

Health and wellness have always been an intrinsic part of who I am as a person. When I moved to Ann Arbor from outside of the state, I was not quite sure how to best get involved with some of the impactful work going on in the community. I was very fortunate to learn about the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Board Fellows program that connects graduate students with local non-profits. Through this program, I became acquainted with the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation and immediately knew that this was the perfect way to contribute to meaningful initiatives in an area that I am extremely passionate about.

Over the past few months, I have had the chance to work on a project focused on helping 5 Healthy Towns measure the extraordinary impact it has on the community. As I reflect on my experience with 5 Healthy Towns so far, I have to admit that it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had since starting graduate school. I’ve learned so much about the non-profit sector while developing my strategic thinking skills with input from staff and board members. As my short tenure with 5 Healthy Towns winds to an end I am confident that my experience will help me in all my future endeavors. I feel more prepared to serve on the board of non-profit organizations and have a significantly better understanding of how effective strategic planning can help make a lasting difference in the community. 

Dominic Trobaugh

My learning objective in my communications curriculum project was to increase my awareness about marketing and event planning fora community teen activity. 5HF was a perfect fit for my goals. This opportunity gave me some independence to design a creative approach to reaching teens and increase attendance at this annual event. I work part-time at the Chelsea Wellness Center, and after graduation, I hope to find a position where I can apply my communications skills in a marketing or development department in health care or in the private sector.