UA and Rillito Park Foundation Partner on Internship Program

College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences’ students interested in the preservation, enhancement, and sustainable economic development of Pima County’s historic resources will soon have the opportunity to intern with the Rillito Park Foundation. Through a significant new partnership with CALES, the Rillito Park Foundation will provide 30 internship opportunities ranging from business to animal care to facility operations. 

On Tuesday, November 27, 2018, the two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to cement the agreement. At the signing ceremony Richard Elias, chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors; Jaye Wells, president of the Rillito Park Foundation; and Shane Burgess, UA vice president for agriculture, life and veterinary sciences, and Cooperative Extension highlighted the significance of this MOU to the southern Arizona community and University of Arizona students. 

According to Lee Dueringer, interim director of the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences Career Center, the internship program will allow university students to participate in a variety of real-life, career-enhancing experiences with the foundation. Student jobs will include positions in focus areas including the farmers market, sustainability, management, retailing, hospitality, food & beverage service, veterinary care, animal training, grooming, broadcasting, handicapping, video production, simulcasting, public and community relations, event management, entertainment, marketing, advertising, social media, publishing, sponsorship, sales, operations, security, parking, admissions and more.

The internship program was conceptualized by Burgess and was shepherded through the process of final recognition by Ed Ackerley of Ackerley Advertising, a faculty member at the Eller College of Management and an ex-officio Board Member of the Rillito Park Foundation.

The Rillito Park Foundation’s mission is to enhance Rillito Park through a variety of economic development activities, including southern Arizona’s largest farmers market, and to sustainably revitalize a historic community landmark which includes The Jelks Stud Farm and Jelks House, Museum of the Western Horse and Rider and Pima County Parks. The facility also hosts field sports and soccer, special events, concerts, community kitchen and the historic race track.

Rillito Park Foundation has an agreement with Pima County through 2021.