Former FFE students find success as Tarver Interns

By Alice Adams

The academic achievements of our Red Foxes in Italy don’t end after they return to the States; in fact, they often soar.

Marist College is proud to honor this year’s set of students who were selected to participate in the competitive Marie and Rupert Tarver Internship Program. The program, geared toward those studying at the Poughkeepsie campus, focuses on connecting seven remarkable Red Foxes with nonprofit organizations. The Tarver interns spent eight weeks over the summer working with the organization to set in motion an initiative unique to the nonprofit’s mission.

Two of this year’s interns, Ting Fischer and Charshell Lipai, both set to graduate in 2025, are alumni of our very own Marist Italy Freshman Florence Experience. Even several years after their participation in the FFE program, they speak on the importance of that year in their educational journeys, and these two exemplify the frequent successes of those who participate in a global educational experience.

Ting worked with the Catholic Charities of New York, within their Friends of Seniors program, which provides transportation to local seniors who struggle to drive or find rides. Charshell worked with The Art Effect, which focuses on enabling young people to find freedom and expression through artistic methods.

Above: Ting Fischer speaks about her Tarver Internship experience. Photo by Benson Delaney, ’27, courtesy of the Marist College website.

What was the focus of your role in the internship and what were your day-to-day responsibilities?

Ting: The two main tasks that I was assigned was to create a Welcome Informational Packet for new volunteers and to call around 400 individuals about their interest and need for FOS services. My day-to-day responsibilities would either consist of creating my Welcome Informational Packet or going through a call list.

Charshell: The internship was a 9-5 hybrid schedule; half of my four-day work week was onsite, collecting content and marketing materials such as testimonials from current and graduating students and teachers. The other half was remote where I would make graphics and edit or add to the content calendar for the month. 

The internship is focused on partnering with nonprofit organizations to set up a project. Why were you interested in taking on a role at a nonprofit?

Ting: I have always wanted to work in the nonprofit realm after college. I have worked with nonprofits before and have always been passionate about being a part of a community whose only goal is to better society. For this nonprofit, I wanted to be able to create connections with the community that this nonprofit was focusing on – seniors. As compared to previous nonprofits where I worked in the background and shook hands with legislators, this program had a more hands-on and boots-on-the-ground approach.

Charshell: I was interested in taking a role at a nonprofit because my childhood and entire academic career always consisted of nonprofit work, specifically with Special Olympics and volunteer clubs at my school. It is very natural for me to want to apply my education directly to professional nonprofit work because I resonate with their missions and values and enjoy contributing my skills wherever necessary. 

Why is the mission of the specific nonprofit you worked with important to you?

What was the end goal/main project focus?

Ting: The end goal of my project was to grow the newly adopted Friends of Seniors program by expanding both the number of volunteers and customers. I created a Welcome Informational Packet for volunteers so that they may feel welcomed and ready to volunteer. I called the customers so that I could update the system and prioritize those who still need and want the service.

Charshell: The end goal was to maintain and provide my capabilities to continue the marketing efforts that were already happening. I was able to successfully induct all the YAEZ (Youth Arts Empowerment Zone) graduates into the alumni program and fill out the entire month of August with content ranging from spotlights, interviews, collaborations, portfolio showcasing day, events, Fall Art Institute enrollment recruitment and so much more!

“Poughkeepsie has such a strong community and a diverse amount of people who want to help and would benefit from the help of others.”

— Ting Fischer, ’25

What were your biggest takeaways from the experience?

Ting: My biggest takeaway from this experience is getting to know the local Poughkeepsie community and really value the place where I go to school. There is so much more to it than Marist. Poughkeepsie has such a strong community and a diverse amount of people who want to help and would benefit from the help of others.

Charshell: My biggest takeaway was experiencing and understanding the importance of art in places like Poughkeepsie, which needs it the most to continue to flourish. Professionally, I was proud to take all my education and experience and use it in an environment that truly needed it. 

How has the Freshman Florence Experience impacted your life as a student and soon-to-be graduate? What is the importance of an international education?

Ting: The FFE has impacted my life and the kind of life I want to pursue by influencing the type of nonprofit work that I want to do – working in an international nonprofit. It was also fundamental in motivating me to keep traveling and keep learning. Currently, I am looking at graduate schools abroad to further my education, hopefully in Humanitarian or International Relations work. Being part of the FFE program highlighted the importance of exposing oneself to other cultures besides your own and taking advantage of the opportunities presented to you. I am grateful for my time as an FFE student and wholeheartedly feel that it has shaped my outlook on the world and my goals in life.

“Since being in Poughkeepsie, I feel like my sense of individualism and independence is a lot stronger because of my experience in Italy.”

— Charshell Lipai, ’25

Charshell: The FFE really was an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world. I made very lasting friendships and memories. It truly feels like I was there just last month, and I can’t believe I’m already graduating – it’s happening way too fast! Since being in Poughkeepsie, I feel like my sense of individualism and independence is a lot stronger because of my experience in Italy. I grew a lot during my two years in Florence and carried the European mindset of pacing myself, not rushing into things and keeping an open eye for opportunities that come my way, because I never know where it’ll lead me. My education in Italy prepared me for the traditional college experience Marist offered and I’m glad I got the best of both worlds because I learned to acclimate and adapt rather seamlessly. Overall, I appreciate all that I’ve been taught during my time at Marist Italy and in Poughkeepsie.

These interviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Featured photo by Benson Delaney, Marist College ’27, and additional information by Anthony Proia and Bryan Terry, courtesy of the Marist College website.

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