Fall 2025 Beal Scholars Application
The Beal Scholars Internship Program is a mentored experience for MSU undergraduate students from any discipline. Scholars work with mentors, garden staff, and partners across campus and the community to implement a chosen project that aims to benefit the garden by contributing to our mission and annual goals.
Mission: Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum illuminates the interconnectedness of people, plants, and place through learning, research, and stewardship.
Schedule: August 25 – December 15, 2025
Primary Location: Olds Hall
Hours available: 15-29 hours/week
Pay: $15/hour
Job Posting: August 7, 2025
Application Closes: August 25, 2025 at 7:00am
Interviews and Decision: August 25 – 29, 2025
Start Date: Week of September 2, 2025
For questions: Maeve Bassett, Education Director, at basset63@msu.edu
Project Descriptions:
Social Media Project (Beal Botanical Garden & MSU Herbarium)
Support public engagement through social media with both the Beal Botanical Garden and MSU Herbarium in this joint internship placement. This scholar will support awareness of events, programs, and initiatives; develop engaging educational series; attend events to share engagement; and other social media driven initiatives. This placement requires on-site work in Olds Hall, Beal Botanical Garden, and the Herbarium (Plant Biology building).
Desired skills: Social media management, public engagement, graphic design, copy editing
Arboretum Mapping Project
Working with the Arboretum and Invasive Species Coordinator, this scholar will support mapping of the MSU campus arboretum. Tasks may include: rectifying data from CAD into GIS, representation of arboretum in new IrisBG database, mapping arboretum, and supporting invasive species management.
Desired skills: Michigan ecology/native plants, GIS, database management, mapping
Gateway to Nature Project
Are you passionate about connecting people to nature? We seek a student who can create activities in the garden that will encourage visitors to engage more fully with nature in other places. This opportunity is available for those passionate about the intersection of nature, wellbeing, and place, and who are committed to making a tangible impact through inclusive, place-aware activities.
Desired skills: Communication, community engagement, public education
Indigenous Connections Project
Beal Botanical Garden is honoring the garden's legacy as we rewild our landscape to restore native ecosystems and remain stewards of the land. As part of this work, we are committed to honoring the knowledge, rights, and histories of Indigenous Peoples while fostering meaningful relationships. We're seeking someone who can incorporate Indigenous culture and ways of knowing into our messaging, our environment, and our programming.
Desired skills: Working with Indigenous communities, languages