RLPS Welcomes Interns – Summer 2017

This summer, we are excited to have six interns, representing five different universities, in three different departments.  

Alex Kiehl (furthest to left)

Major: Architectural Design and Historic Preservation
Temple University

  Alex has always been interested in both math and the arts, which led to her interest in architecture. Once she took time off campus, to explore Philadelphia’s aged architecture she decided to add historic preservation to her degree.

  While at Temple, Alex is the AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) treasurer and she is the peer mentor to a small group of freshmen architecture students. After Temple, she plans on becoming a licensed architect with the preference to work at a firm.  Alex also aspires to work as a professor at some point, in the hopes to teach studio classes.

  Away from academics, Alex ‘s favorite food is fried calamari.  She enjoys listening to a variety of music but she tries to steer clear of jazz and country.  Alex loves to travel, and typically enjoys going on day trips and exploring her surroundings.

  This is Alex’s first summer at RLPS and she is excited for the experience.  Welcome, Alex!

Andrew Davis (third from the right)

Major: Building Science and Sustainable Design
Penn College of Technology & University of Maryland

  When Andrew was younger, he had a vision of designing his own house or his parents house.  As his life developed, Andrew became more interested in building design. 

  Andrew just graduated on May 13th and is now pursuing his Masters of Architecture this coming fall.  While he was obtaining his undergrad at Penn Tech, he was the treasurer of AIAS his 3rd year, he was a club member of USGBC (United States Green Building Council) Students for 3 years and his final year he was the Vice President of USGBC.  This coming fall, at University of Maryland, Andrew will be a teaching assistant.

  Whether it be a round of golf or sailing on his grandfather’s boat, Andrew has a huge passion for the outdoors.   Andrew also is musically gifted, he plays the drums and he occasionally sings. 

  Andrew’s goal is to be a licensed architect in several states while being a designer.  His long term goal would be opening up his own architectural firm or partnering with an existing firm. 

  Andrew interned at RLPS last summer and this past winter break, and we are happy to have him back again this summer!

Madelyn Holliday (second to the right)

Major: Interior Design
Viginia Tech

  Madelyn has always had an interest in design, even as a child.  She took many art  and design  classes throughout high school.  Since people spend the majority of their time indoors, Madelyn decided to select interior design, so she can enhance living spaces and quality of life using colors and materials.

  At Virginia Tech Madelyn has fully immersed herself in student life.  She is in IDEAS (Interior Designers for Education and Sustainability club) where interior design firms and manufacturers’ representatives come in and present their projects.

  Madelyn has also taken Greek life under her belt and is in a sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, where she is on the Relay for Life team and she is on the design/decoration committee. Madelyn is planning on running the Hokie half marathon at Virginia Tech, this September. 

  As of now, Madelyn sees herself working at a design firm in a large city post graduation.   She hopes to design commercial and retail interiors.  

  Welcome Madelyn, we are happy to have you as a returning intern!

Marlene Sharp (third from the left)

Major: Architecture
Penn State University

  While Marlene was going through school, her favorite subjects were math and art.  She selected architecture as a major so her skills and interests would benefit others.

  Outside of the studio, Marlene is involved in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, AIAS, Schreyer Honors College, and she enjoys being part of Penn State’s dance marathon known as THON.

  On top of her many involvements in college, Marlene enjoys drawing, reading, golfing, baking and watching Japanese Animation.  Marlene favors Asian cuisine and after spending a semester in Italy she has come to love gelato too.  Coldplay is Marlene’s all-time favorite artist to listen to; other than Coldplay she enjoys popular songs on the radio.

  Marlene not only wants to become a licensed architect, but she also strives to earn an MBA.

  This is Marlene’s second summer at RLPS.  She hopes to discover her true passions  in architecture, while gaining invaluable experience from her mentors at RLPS.

McKenna Achenbach (second to the left)

Major: Marketing w/Minor in Public Relations
Alvernia University

  McKenna has always been interested in the motives behind the actions of her peers, she loves the arts and she values creativity.  Those three interests led her to marketing and communications.

  At Alvernia, McKenna is the President of AMA (American Marketing Association).  During the fall, McKenna is on Alvernia’s volleyball team.  She is also actively involved in taking a service learning course each semester.  McKenna loves service learning courses because she gets hands on experience while giving back to the local community.

  When McKenna is not busy at college she enjoys kayaking, reading self-help books, having bonfires, listening to any genre of music, working out, and playing with her labradoodle, Noodles.

  Mckenna aspires to work as an in-house marketer for 10 to 15 years.  Then she would like to do marketing for a college or university and slowly start teaching courses all while gaining her doctorate, ultimately becoming a full time professor.

  This is our Marketing department’s first intern and it is McKenna’s first summer with RLPS. Welcome!

Mieke Kissick (furthest to the right)

Major: Architecture
Penn State University

  While Mieke was growing up, she always loved building things with her father.  Mieke’s experience with her father compelled her to look into architecture, and it quickly became a good fit.

  At Penn State Mieke stays very busy.  This past year she was the  treasurer of Penn State’s AIAS chapter, she was also a part of AIAS for THON, and a member of SEED (Students for Environmentally Enlightened Design).  On top of that, Mieke is a teaching assistant for a freshmen drawing class.

  Away from academics, Mieke enjoys playing the guitar or ukulele and she likes taking time to knit. When it comes to her music preference, Mieke is currently hooked on Ed Sheeran and her favorite food is pierogis but they have to be homemade. Mieke tries to stay active, she played soccer throughout high school, so once she got to college, she decided to join intramural teams for both soccer and volleyball.

  Mieke is trying to fully immerse herself in the culture at RLPS, this is her second summer interning with us.  We are happy to have her back!