Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University graduate Sarah Mihich was awarded Intern of the Year by the state's INTERNet program for her work with Art Spaces Inc. in Terre Haute.

Mihich, of Munster, graduated from Indiana State in 2013. She completed a bachelor's degree in recreation and sport management with a concentration in Youth Leadership. She earned a minor in art history, studio art and psychology, and also received certification from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

Mihich interned at Art Spaces for two-and-a-half years under the direction of Executive Director Mary Kramer. Among her many responsibilities, she managed the 2013 Year of the River newsletters, maintained the organization's two website and three Facebook pages and helped plan events.

She also secured a grant from Walmart to support a sculpture dedicated to songwriter and Terre Haute native Paul Dresser. The sculpture will be placed in his home in Fairbanks Park in June.

"It was easy to be a ‘great' intern for Art Spaces because my mentor and supervisor Mary Kramer was caring and thoughtful," Mihich said. "She challenged and pushed me by giving me opportunities to learn and trusting me to handle responsibilities for the organization."

Mihich said her internship at Art Spaces gave her an appreciation for the arts and how it gives "a better life for the environment by expressing the values of the community and creating a way for artists to express what is surrounding us."

INTERNet is a program created by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in 2001 that connects students to employers through internship opportunities.

Mihich said she learned more than how to simply be a good intern during her time at Art Spaces.

"Be passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic about the work you do," she said.

Photo: http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-VQVS6bJ/0/L/i-VQVS6bJ-3X.jpg - 2013 Indiana State University graduate and Indiana INTERNnet Intern of the Year Sarah Mihich (right) poses with David McKinnis, chairman of the board of Indiana INTERNnet, during the eighth annual IMPACT Awards luncheon Feb. 5, 2014.

Writer: Emily Sturgess, media relations assistant, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3773 or esturgess@sycamores.indstate.edu