2024 HBCUI Intern
BIOGRAPHY
KaNya Turner, a Douglasville, Georgia native and graduate of Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Managerial Economics, served as a Park Planning Fellow with the National Park Service’s Midwest Regional Office through the HBCUI Internship Program in 2024. Following her undergraduate studies, she continued her academic journey by pursuing a Master of Public Health degree focused on Health Promotion and Behavior.
Throughout her time at Spelman College, KaNya was actively involved in numerous organizations and leadership initiatives, including the National Society of Leadership and Success, Sisters In Sync, the Pre-Alumnae Students Council, the Spelman Economics Club, Girls Going Global, SisterChef, and the Community Foundation for Financial Literacy. Her experiences strengthened her interests in community engagement, public service, communication, and organizational leadership.
During her internship, KaNya supported a variety of park planning projects focused on infrastructure improvements, visitor access, community engagement, and long-range planning efforts throughout the Midwest Region. She contributed to the John P. Parker House public engagement process in Ripley, Ohio, assisting with newsletter distribution, building assessments, public meeting logistics, and community outreach. She also supported the Niobrara River management reassessment effort, helping develop communication planning materials and facilitating workshops focused on evaluating current management practices.
Through her work, KaNya gained valuable experience in planning, stakeholder engagement, public communication, and project coordination. Her internship strengthened her ability to connect data, planning, and storytelling while contributing to projects that support the stewardship and accessibility of America’s public lands.
Education & Experience
Education
Spelman College
NPS SITE
Midwest Regional Office
POSITION
Park Planning Fellow (DHA)
DHA Research Assistant Oral Presentation – Career & Leadership Workshop
As part of the 2024 HBCUI Career and Leadership Workshop, KaNya Turner participated in the DHA Research Assistant Oral Presentations. During her presentation, she shared the projects and accomplishments completed during her internship with the Midwest Regional Office, highlighting park planning initiatives, public engagement efforts, and communication strategies that supported National Park Service planning objectives. The session provided an opportunity to discuss her work with Department of the Interior officials, National Park Service leaders, mentors, and fellow interns.
Meet The Intern - KaNya Turner
One of my big projects this summer was being a part of the John P Parker House Public Meeting. I was involved with newsletter distribution, the building assessment, and public meeting setup and Q&As in Ripley, OH. I also joined efforts in the Niobara River management reassessment. For this project I started NPS’ Communications Plan and facilitated a workshop that focused on reassessing current management practices
Testimonial
“After my time at the Midwest Regional Office (MWRO) came to an end, I had the honor to participate in a week long conference in Washington, D.C. where I represented the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship (HBCUI) program and SODAS Life Inc. Here, I was able to connect with other members of HBCUI, as well as other internship programs that the National Park Service.
I also presented a 12-minute presentation that covered my summer projects/experiences in front of The Department of Interior officials and more. I was given a certificate of completion, 2 recommendation/evaluation letters, and vast amounts of information regarding federal resumes. The accumulation of these forms cements my Direct Hiring Authority. I was also awarded a standout digital communication award. This conference was such an invaluable and enlightening look into what the National Park Service has to offer. I am so grateful to have met all the people that I did!” – KaNya Turner
INTERN HIGHLIGHTS
One of my big projects this summer was being a part of the John P Parker House Public Meeting. I was involved with newsletter distribution, the building assessment, and public meeting setup and Q&As in Ripley, OH. I also joined efforts in the Niobara River management reassessment. For this project I started NPS’ Communications Plan and facilitated a workshop that focused on reassessing current management practices.
Outstanding Intern Performance Award
KaNya Turner was recognized with the Outstanding Intern Performance Award, presented by Jamie Crispin of the National Park Service during the 2024 HBCUI Career and Leadership Workshop. The award recognized her exceptional contributions to park planning, community engagement, and communications initiatives throughout her internship with the Midwest Regional Office.
