Meet Bridge Michigan’s interns for the summer of 2025
- Bridge Michigan will be a training ground for three aspiring journalists this summer
- It is the seventh year Bridge has offered internships
- The goal: nurturing the next generation of great Michigan journalists
Three young journalists are joining Bridge Michigan for the summer.
This is the seventh year Bridge has offered summer internships. Past interns have gone on to work for the New York Times, USA Today, MLive, the Petoskey News-Review and WKAR, as well as Harvard Law School and a Fulbright scholarship. Former intern Asha Lewis is now Bridge’s full-time digital marketing associate.
“Bridge’s mission is to help make Michigan a better state, and growing the next generation of great journalists is vital to that cause,” said Joel Kurth, Bridge Michigan executive editor for impact. “We’re thrilled to welcome these talented young journalists to our newsroom.”
Emilio Perez Ibarguen is from Naperville, Ill., and will be a senior at Michigan State University. He is majoring in social relations and policy.
“Journalism fascinates me for its ability to inform the public, tell stories that wouldn’t be heard otherwise and hold power accountable,” Perez Ibarguen said. “In a time where people’s faith in our public and private institutions is declining, I want to be a part of responsible journalism that people can look to for the truth.”
Perez Ibarguen is reporting on the Michigan environment through mid August.
“I’m incredibly interested in learning the nuances and expertise that come with beat reporting,” he said. “Above all else, I hope to walk away from my experience at Bridge with a fire lit under me to pursue journalism in the future.”
Related:
- Bridge expansion continues with hiring of two reporters, membership director
- Bridge Michigan reporters named Journalists of the Year in repeat win
- Bridge wins 15 Michigan Press Association awards, including public service honor
Astrid Code will be a senior at the University of Michigan. The Portage resident is majoring in English and Arts & Ideas.
“I’m pursuing a career in journalism because I believe in the importance of telling people’s stories,” Code said. “Journalism gives me the opportunity to engage with my community and cover the issues that are important to them so individuals can have access to reliable, accurate information.”
Code will report on a variety of subjects as a general assignment reporter through July.
“As a native Michigander, I’m excited for the opportunity to cover stories around Michigan this summer and to work with Bridge’s incredible staff,” she said. “I hope to get experience reporting on a large variety of topics and challenge myself to improve and learn as much as I can.”
Josh Boland is a recent graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology. The Ann Arbor native studied photojournalism at the New York school.
“Recording crucial moments in history is what inspires me,” Boland said. “Learning more about different communities and providing a reliable and trustworthy service to those communities is incredibly important to me.”
Boland will be Bridge’s first photojournalism intern and will travel the state illustrating articles written by staffers through mid August.
“I hope to explore new communities and expand on my experiences while working with incredible reporters to tell meaningful stories,” he said.
See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:
- “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
- “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
- “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.
If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!