Explore
Academics
Marist Explore Program
The Explore Program is on hold during the 2021 fall semester. If you are an alum or parent who would like to be a part of opportunities for students within the program such as mentoring or internships, contact Marist President Larry Tucker ’79.
Marist High School’s Explore Program was established to provide unique opportunities for students to consider careers through mentorship, special events, and professional resources. It allows students unsure of a future career the chance to learn from seasoned professionals about a variety of industries, while affording students who have a career goal in mind the opportunity to delve deeper into the industry, attain insider knowledge and gain invaluable professional experience while in high school.
Contact

Opportunities
Students in the program have access to industry leaders from a variety of professions, the opportunity to attend cultural and political events, access to internship and research opportunities.
This program helps set Marist students apart from peers, as it differentiates them from the typical college applicant. Explore Program graduates are uniquely prepared for college and eventually, professional life.
Explore Internships, Shadowing, and more
The Explore Program connects students with cultural, college, and career interests outside of the classroom. Whether through internships with Marist alumni, programs at local universities, volunteer experiences, or job experiences, Marist Explore students gain authentic, hands-on experiences.
Check out past placements and participants below in addition to other local programs that might be of interest to Marist students!
Many of these programs have applications that open in January or February each year. While some are paid positions, other are volunteer positions or cost money to attend. See what might be a fit for you!

Art
- Jada Milazzo ’20
Business
Citadel Internship with Gerald Beeson ’90
- Martha Kowalski ’18, Jack Luzzo ’19, and Zachary Stack ’20
University of Iowa Tippie College of Business Gateway Program
- Elizabeth Lopez ’19
Indiana University Young Women’s Institute
- Victoria Georgelos ’20
Southwest Airlines Internship – In-flight Operations
- Mary Cortesi ’20
Chicago Summer Business Institute
Dentistry
Interning & Shadowing at Floss and Co.
- Katie Giltmier ’20, Elizabeth Lopez ’19, Katie Mather ’19, Gracie Oswald ’19, Caitlin Ryan ’19, and Miranda Fehsel ’20
Engineering
Fire Suppression Engineering at Shambaugh & Son with Kyle Gansel ’00
- Eddie Stifter ’19
Purdue STEP (Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects)
- Grace Hollowell ’20
Summer Academy for Math & Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University
- Kaylah Goodloe ’20
Journalism
Also see Mr. Gonzcy for more information!
University of Iowa Summer Journalism Institute
- Emma Brown ’19 & Jenna Fessler ’19
Indiana University High School Journalism Institute
- Jenna Fessler ’19, Carolyn Yusa ’19, Grace Molenhouse ’21, and Isabella Schreck ’21
Law
Internship with Cancer Triage with Kirk Hartley, parent of two Marist alumni
- Kat Balchunas ’20
Illinois Tech Pre-law Institute
- Kat Balchunas ’20
UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute
- Miles Griffin ’19
Worth Township Peer Jury
- Erin Murphy ’19
Leadership / Scholars Programs
Miami of Ohio Summer Scholars Program
- Melanie Scurek ’20
National Youth Leadership Forums
- Katie Reilly ’19 – NYLF Law & CSI Summer 2018
- Tyler Murray ’20 – NYLF Medicine at UCLA Summer 2019
Military / Law Enforcement
Medicine & Medical Research
DNA Residency at the Field Museum
College Bound Research Program at Argonne
- Becca Valek ’17 & Jacob Mozdzen ’18
Chicago EYES (Educators and Youth Enjoy Science) on Cancer at University of Chicago
Biology Research at Lewis University with Dr. Jerry Kavouras ’90
- Valeria Pavalonis ’18, Jacob Mozdzen ’18, Sean Giltmier ’19, Shayna Garla ’20, and William Tegge ’20
Pharmacy Internship with MMP through alum David Doubek ’87
- Jalon Jones ’19 & Ashley Drag ’20
Pharmacy Program at Wisconsin Madison
- Jalon Jones ’19
- Ashley Drag ’20
Texas Tech Clark Scholars Program
Indiana University Optometry: I can see clearly now… Program
- Mikayla Carey ’20
Indiana University Summer Enrichment Biology Program
Augustana College: The Amazing Brain
Rush Camp Neuro
Rush Camp Cardio
Certified Nursing Assistant Programs:
– Chicago Pulse (16 & older)
- Lina Murphy ’19, Rosemary Enright ’19, Anna Nawara ’19, Maria DiCristina ’19, and Cara Lundy ’19
– Moraine Valley (17 & older)
Hospital Volunteering: Many of our students volunteer at local hospitals. A few recent students are listed below.
- Christ Hospital – Jalon Jones ’19 & Jenna Solcani ’19
- Palos – George Madaras ’19, Kat Balchunas ’20, Brianna DiCristina ’20, Mary Cortesi ’20, and Isabella Schreck ’21
- Lurie Children’s – Vivian Martinez ’20
Technology
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
- Rita Jennings ’20
Google Computer Science Summer Institute
The Game, Cinema, & Animation Summer Academy
- James Kavanaugh ’19
Illinois Tech Computational Science Program
Veterinary Medicine / Animal Science
Something Fishy, Inc. Internship with alum Romney Cirillo ’04 designing curriculum to accompany their Mobile Aquatic Therapy units
- Bri Brown ’20
Anti-Cruelty Mentoring Program
- Andrea Martinez ’19
Holistic Riding Equestrian Therapy
- Emma Bunda ’19
4H Illini Summer Academy – Veterinary Medicine
- Thomas Giltmier ’21
Lincoln Park Zoo Opportunities
- Bri Brown ’20
- Nolan Borkovec ’19
World Languages
Lewis University – StarTalk Program
- Sofia Lopez ’19 (Chinese), Jennifer Vazquez ’20 (Russian), & Nicholas Blanchard ’20 (Russian)
Indiana University – Business is Global Program (Arabic, Mandarin, & Turkish)
By no means is this an exhaustive list! Did you do a program or internship that you would recommend? Are you looking for something not on this list? Please come by the Explore Office.
For more information on Marist High School’s Explore Program follow @MHSExplore on Twitter.