Internships, Arts, and Advocacy: Gavin Ripka’s community-based learning experience
Image: Gavin Ripka is a Global Studies, Chinese Studies, and Hispanic Studies triple major, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at PLU. (PLU Photo / Sy Bean)
By Britt Board
Assistant Director of Communications
With a triple major, multiple internships, three study away trips, and lots of participation in campus life, Gavin Ripka ’25 is soaking up as many experiences as he can at PLU.
We caught up with Ripka to learn more about his most recent internship experience with Tacoma Arts Live in spring of 2024. Check out what Ripka has to say about why his internship experience was important – for his future and the local community.
What are you majoring in?
My majors are Chinese, Hispanic & Latino Studies, and Global Studies.
How did this internship come about?
I heard about this opportunity from my professor, Emily Davidson, who’s the chair of Global and Cultural Studies. She said the internship might be a good option for both my capstone project and to further investigate the possibility of becoming an educator post-graduation.
What did you do for your internship?
I helped out by doing research that could be used in Tacoma Arts Live’s grant applications. The purpose of this internship was to do research that provided evidence of the benefits of arts education, especially for children in schools that have a large Latinx student body. I looked at studies that centered around arts education in Latinx communities and combined that with my own observations of the baile folklórico dance program at Roosevelt Elementary in Tacoma. In a nutshell, I was helping Tacoma Arts Live secure funds to support their services in schools, particularly for Latinx students.
How does the internship connect to your major and educational goals?
This internship gave me additional experience in the education field and allowed me to see into the world of grant writing as public advocacy work. These are both career paths I’m considering post-graduation.
What were the big things you learned during this internship?
One of the major takeaways from this experience was a deeper understanding of just how important arts programs are for students in early learning and K-12 education.
There’s such a heavy focus given to math and sciences, arts are often not prioritized.
“The Internship Fund award was extremely helpful for covering transportation costs, as driving to the site from PLU and then back home to Orting took a lot of fuel. This stipend really helped with that.”
What do you think was the most meaningful part of your experience as an intern with Tacoma Arts Live?
Seeing the students grow from start to finish. In the beginning, the students didn’t think they could learn the dances at all. But then I got to witness the pride in their eyes as they danced during their end-of-year performance. We helped the students learn something that is not only crucial for dance, but also for life: if you keep on putting effort into something, it will come to fruition.
Can you tell us anything else that came out of this internship?
Professor Davidson shared that my internship trail-blazed additional opportunities for other Lutes to work in the arts as a part of their capstone projects. I think this was just further proof that capstones don’t have to be traditional essays. You can do something more experience-based.
Why do you think interning is valuable?
Interning has been critical to help guide my decisions on what I will do post-graduation. With internships, it’s possible to experience these positions without having to commit to something for years only to find out that you don’t like it. Plus, it’s a great experience.
What do you love about PLU?
In a word: flexibility. Being a Lute has allowed me to take advantage of so many experiences and opportunities that have only been possible with the help of a talented and supportive faculty. They have given me opportunities and encouraged me to take advantage of my time at PLU.
