Imagine spending your summer doing meaningful work, backed by mentors and a group of peers who help you explore your future direction. That’s what eight Valparaiso University students got to experience this summer through the 2026 CAPS (Calling and Purpose in Society) Fellows program.
Now in its 13th year, Valpo’s CAPS Fellows program connects students to purpose-driven internships with nonprofit organizations in Northwest Indiana, Chicago, and beyond. Led by the University’s Institute for Leadership and Service, the program focuses on giving students an opportunity for service and reflection as they consider their calling after college.
“As we work to build lives for good at Valpo, CAPS is a chance to practice this in the real world,” says Kat Peters ’06, M.Ed, M.A., associate director with the Institute for Leadership and Service. “CAPS Fellows get to try out what a life working on a particular social challenge might look like. They get to see how nonprofit organizations actually work, making good things happen. They get to feel what it is like to work as a team while also honing their particular skills and passions.”
In addition to their summer internships, CAPS Fellows complete reflections both individually and as a group, and they write about their experience on the CAPS Fellows Blog. The program is designed to support students’ personal growth, as well as their professional development.
For Tyrell Frieson ’28, taking the time to reflect during his CAPS Fellow internship with the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago made it mean even more. “Reflection is deeply incorporated into the CAPS assignments. It encourages students to think intentionally about what they are learning, how they are growing, and how their internship experience connects to their future goals. This helped me a lot, especially with believing in my ability to continue my journey of pursuing higher education,” he says.
Grace Vaughn ’27 interned with nearby Camp Lakeside, an all-abilities summer camp for children, which she says helped her grow her patience, strengthen communication skills, and adapt to the needs of others. “I would recommend the CAPS program to other students to challenge themselves on who they think they are and the impact they are making on others,” she says. “Taking time to consciously reflect on your attitude and actions and how those affect and impact others is something I find increasingly important in our world today and is something CAPS has taught me to do in my personal and professional life.”
To learn about becoming a CAPS Fellow and getting involved with the Institute for Leadership and Service’s reflections, speaker series, service projects and trips, and more, visit valpo.edu/ilas.
Thank you to the 2026 CAPS Fellows for their thoughtful reflections and dedication to service this summer!
CAPS Fellows in Chicago
Tyrell Frieson ’28, Major: Social Work, Christ College Scholar
Organization: American Red Cross
Angel Johnson ’27, Major: Political Science
Organization: By The Hand Club for Kids
CAPS Fellows in Northwest Indiana
Sofia Gomez ’28, Major: Psychology
Organization: Compass International Family Center
Matthew Landrum ’27, Majors: Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics
Organization: Compass International Family Center
Aria Davis ’28, Major: Business Analytics
Organization: Shirley Heinze Land Trust
Grace Vaughn ’28, Major: Health Science
Organization: Camp Lakeside
Isabelle Byrt ’28, Major: Biology, Christ College Scholar
Organization: Save The Dunes
Armelle S. Ndemanou Dongmo ’27, Major: Nursing (not pictured)
Organization: Jacob’s Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation
CAPS Fellow in Washington State
Nickie Smar ’28, Majors: Environmental Science and Geography, Christ College Scholar
Organization: The Grünewald Guild
