Biology and education major combats food insecurity in urban areas 

Britza Ruiz ’27, a biology and education major with a pathway in sustainability at The College of Wooster, interned at Evanston Grows, a collective that combats food insecurity.  They were able to work at small urban farms performing various tasks, such as supporting administrative needs, in order to increase food access and health equity. Citing the community-oriented nature of their work, Ruiz noted their communication and interpersonal skills as one of their main areas of improvement throughout their internship. 

“It was truly an amazing experience that I don’t see myself forgetting about anytime soon. I am forever grateful to have been able to take this opportunity without having to worry about the financial strain thanks to the APEX Fellowship.”
—Britza Ruiz ’27 

FINDING OPPORTUNITIES 

Ruiz: I learned about my internship opportunity by reaching out to the current farm manager at Evanston Grows on LinkedIn. The position was a great fit for me since my passions for sustainable agriculture and community-based work are tied into the mission of the collective which works to expand food sovereignty by building local food systems. 

LESSONS LEARNED 

Ruiz: Having to know how to adjust my mannerisms and ways of communicating is something I will forever carry with me. Especially since, as my career progresses, I will continue having to interact with all different types of people, so it is good to know how to deal with and communicate with them. 

GUIDANCE FOR GROWTH 

Ruiz: My fellowship mentor was Professor Elizabeth Schiltz, the Chair of South Asian Studies. She supported me by giving me good feedback on all my activity logs and reflections. She was also considerate and understanding when I needed an extension during some super busy weeks. 

EXPANDED PERSPECTIVE 

Ruiz: This internship reinforced my passion for nonprofit and community related work. It inspired me to continue towards a job related to environmental justice. I really enjoyed being able to interact with a wide variety of people, whether they were volunteers on the farm or regulars at the farmstands. I got to meet people from 4 to 85 years old from all different walks of life, so it was interesting to get to know those who would attend regularly and to build a relationship with them as time progressed. Being surrounded with like-minded people and getting to converse with my coworkers and supervisors showed me that people have been fighting for a more just and sustainable world longer than I have been alive.  

Posted in Experiential Learning on August 6, 2025.