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Michael Hernandez interned for Pride in the Pews this summer.

Each summer, Divinity School students bring their academic training into new contexts, from museums and research centers to cultural institutions and nonprofits. Their internships highlight the many ways scholarship in religion connects with public life, cultural heritage, and pressing questions of our time.

This year, three students —Michael Hernandez (MDiv/MPP), Emma Yeager (MA), and Grace Rotermund (MA) — reflected on how their summer experiences shaped their research, skills, and career goals.

Exploring Sacred Spaces with Pride in the Pews

Michael Hernandez, a joint MDiv/MPP student, interned with Pride in the Pews, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ people of faith.

“Working at Pride in the Pews this summer has further encouraged me to pursue my thesis question this upcoming fall: what happens to churches when a congregation leaves? How do these once-sacred spaces get reimagined, repurposed, and reclaimed by the community?

My work this summer is rooted in place-making, a need that feels especially urgent in our current cultural moment. This fall, I am excited to bring that same curiosity and momentum to Swift Hall and the Martin Marty Center.”

Bridging Research and Public Audiences at ISAC

MA student Emma Yeager interned in the Education Department at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures

 (ISAC), where she developed a new thematic tour on religion in the ancient Near East. Scheduled for implementation this fall, the tour will offer groups new ways to engage ISAC’s collections.

“This project deepened my collaborative skills by working closely with museum docents and educators. It also strengthened my research and writing abilities as I crafted an engaging, historically grounded resource for groups interested in how ISAC's collections intersect with the world of the Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern religion.

A typical day might involve consulting with docents to assess their needs for the new tour, or visiting the galleries to take notes on artifacts such as an Assyrian royal stele. This experience confirmed my interest in work that bridges research with public engagement, especially in contexts where my efforts have a tangible and lasting impact.

The key takeaways I will bring back to Swift Hall this autumn include a sharpened ability to translate complex historical and theological material for a general audience, a greater appreciation for collaborative work, and a clearer vision of how my academic work can extend beyond the university.”

Expanding Horizons in Manuscript Studies

MA student Grace Rotermund interned at Les Enluminures, a Chicago-based gallery specializing in medieval manuscripts,

books of hours, and historic works of art. Her summer projects included preparing a virtual exhibition and an e-catalogue, as well as assisting with international art fairs and manuscript auctions.

“Working at Les Enluminures this summer has helped me recognize aspects of manuscript studies that I previously did not know existed and highlighted the importance of language studies. Everyone knows Latin and Ancient Greek reign supreme for rare books, but the industry is always in need of people with rarer language skills, such as Syriac or Aramaic.

This summer really set me on a great path career-wise. I expanded my network, gained familiarity with the business side of the art world, and added an e-catalogue and virtual exhibition to my portfolio. Curatorial work was something I knew I wanted to continue, and now I feel even more equipped to pursue it.

It truly is all about not being afraid to ask! Ask questions, ask for introductions, ask if things are possible. People really do want each other to succeed, but one has to bypass that fear of rejection first.”

Grace’s e-catalogue, Students and Masters, is available online through textmanuscripts.com, and her virtual exhibition On Sightlines: Seeing (and) Devotion in Medieval Illuminations will be released in October.

Looking Ahead

Whether in nonprofit organizations, museums, or the art world, Divinity School students utilized their summer internships to expand their skills, explore career paths, and engage their scholarship with broader publics. As they return to Swift Hall this autumn, they carry forward sharpened research abilities, deeper collaborative practices, and a renewed vision for the impact of their work.