Goodspeed Intern Welcome Message
Katie Zentgraf
Stephen S. Goodspeed Intern
2022-2023
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs welcomes Katie Zentgraf!
Hello! My name is Katie Zentgraf (she/her/hers) and I am honored to be this year’s Stephen S. Goodspeed intern. I am a first-generation college student from Lake Elsinore, CA. It has always been a dream of mine to go to a four year university such as the University of California, Santa Barbara and I am grateful to have had support growing up to come here and pursue my dreams. I am currently a third year student majoring in Psychological and Brain Science and minoring in Applied Psychology. After I graduate from UCSB I plan to attend graduate school and I can’t wait to see what opportunities the Stephen S. Goodspeed internship will bring as I consider and navigate career paths in Student Affairs.
After spending my first year of college remotely, I felt a great desire to get involved on campus and apply myself in different communities to make the most out of my time at UCSB. One way I have stayed involved has been by working for Residential and Community Living as a Resident Assistant on campus. I am currently in my second year working as a Resident Assistant in Santa Cruz Hall where I have been able to work with hundreds of students on a daily basis to build community and help them transition into the college environment. This year I am working on the First Year Residential Experience floor which is a Living and Learning Community designated for incoming students where, for many, this is their first time away from home, taking on new responsibilities. I love being able to guide my residents, get them connected to campus resources and show them an inclusive space where they can explore their identity and interests. This opportunity has taught me the importance of community and creating an environment where students of all backgrounds feel they belong and can flourish. In addition, I am also involved on campus as a member of this year’s NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program cohort (NUFP). NUFP is a mentorship program for underrepresented students who are interested in pursuing a career in Student Affairs and Higher Education. This program has given me opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to have, including attending conferences and meeting professionals in the field who have taught me to explore my interests and take different opportunities in my community. I am so grateful to hold these roles on campus and make an impact.
UCSB has given me so many opportunities in my short time here and I want to take this opportunity to advocate for student belonging and success which, from my lived experiences, I have learned the utmost importance of. I am honored to be working in this position, as the Stephen S. Goodspeed intern, where I aim to reach and make a positive impact on our diverse student population and ensure everyone has the resources to feel welcome and seen as a Gaucho.
About the Stephen S. Goodspeed Internship
The Goodspeed Internship was created by the alumni association in honor of Dr. Stephen S. Goodspeed. Dr. Goodspeed was a distinguished Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs, and professor of Political Science at UC Santa Barbara. After 32 years as a teacher, nearly 20 years of which was also devoted to administrative leadership, Stephen S. Goodspeed retired in 1978, and UC Santa Barbara Alumni dedicated this internship in his honor.
The Goodspeed internship is designed to give one student each year the opportunity to gain experience in higher education administration while developing organizational and leadership skills. The intern has the unique opportunity to learn about the internal operations of the Division of Student Affairs, from planning and policy-making to the workings of specific units within the division. The Goodspeed intern has the opportunity to collaborate with, and learn from, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and other senior administrators. Some students have used the internship as a platform to organize various campus events and activities, while others have used it as an opportunity for professional development and/or graduate school planning.
For more information, visit the Goodspeed Internship website.