At Dunaway, interns do far more than observe – they contribute and collaborate. Guided by purpose and connected by shared values, they grow professionally while bringing fresh energy to every task. This summer, 41 interns channeled that momentum into the Dunaway Zoo Intern Project – a unique, multidisciplinary initiative spanning all disciplines, including Planning + Landscape Architecture, Survey, Traffic Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering, and Environmental.

My name is Ava Culver, and as a marketing intern, I had the opportunity to observe the entire process – from early working sessions to final presentations. I am excited to share a glimpse of that experience with you.

Project Overview

The project centered on a real-world challenge: designing improvements for the Midland Zoo. Interns from all eight offices formed two teams, each with three groups focused on distinct areas: the Entry, Demonstration Area, and Hub. From kickoff, they received deliverables, timelines, and site information, mirroring a real client experience. Weeks of collaboration culminated in presentations to Dunaway staff and Midland Zoo executives, who provided feedback on each team’s concepts.

“One of the most inspiring parts of mentoring was seeing how each team approached the same site with distinct perspectives,” recalled Landscape Architect Maddy Shay, PLA, ASLA. “They asked thoughtful questions, challenged assumptions, and brought fresh creativity – a reminder that great design can take many paths. Both teams approached it differently yet delivered equally impressive, well-resolved results.”

Project Goals

The Dunaway Zoo presentation pushed the boundaries of creativity and collaboration. Through this experience, interns exemplified Dunaway’s core values:

  • Honesty & Integrity: Interns built strong relationships across lines of business by fostering transparency and trust in every interaction.
  • Respect: Collaborating across departments, they cultivated mutual respect while tackling shared responsibilities and learning from one another.
  • Responsiveness & Attitude of Service: With a team-first mindset and open communication, interns remained adaptable and responsive – showcasing an attitude of service while balancing project deadlines and this initiative through effective time management.
  • Sense of Urgency & Technical Excellence: Focused and driven, each team met deadlines with precision, delivering final presentations that reflected a high standard of technical excellence.

With clear goals, interns adopted Dunaway standards and best practices to execute and deliver meaningful impact across all LOBs.

Professional Growth

Designed to challenge and support professional growth, the Midland Zoo project also encouraged interns to step into leadership roles. As Intern Oscar Rios explains, “During the final presentation, we had a plethora of comments and questions that pressed us to prepare for future ways in which we can defend and create a more robust programming experience, which allowed us to not only be on the receiving end of a creating process but also allowed us to think ahead as visionary leaders.”

“

During the final presentation, we had a plethora of comments and questions, which allowed us to not only be on the receiving end of a creating process but also allowed us to think ahead as visionary leaders.

”
Oscar Rios, 2025 Intern
Team Collaboration

As with many initiatives, collaboration played a pivotal role in the success of the Dunaway Zoo. “As a mentor, I was impressed by how swiftly the interns embraced the project’s design coordination,” explains Nathan Ferguson. “They promptly developed individual design schemes and collaborated to create a cohesive final design that surpassed expectations.” Through working sessions, clear deadlines, shared resources, and aligned responsibilities, a unified “One Heart” culture emerged.

“The project brought excitement to the teams while challenging them to collaborate across lines of business and gain a deeper understanding of how we coordinate real-world projects,” explains Senior Landscape Designer, Kourtney Gomez, PLA, ASLA. “As a mentor, it was inspiring to watch each team persevere – not only through the unique design challenges of the zoo project but also through the teamwork and communication it took to bring their ideas together.”

“

It was my first time working on such a highly collaborative project with so many moving parts – seeing it all come together on the final day made it incredibly worthwhile.

 

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Yashna Singhania, 2025 Intern
Presentations

After weeks of planning and collaboration, each team had the chance to present its final designs to a panel of over 100 professionals. The creativity, thoughtfulness, and skills demonstrated in each presentation reflected the dedication and effort poured into the project. “Presenting to the panel felt like a rewarding culmination of all the hard work from the past few weeks,” reflected Intern Yashna Singhania. “It was my first time working on such a highly collaborative project with so many moving parts – seeing it all come together on the final day made it incredibly worthwhile.”

Make a Difference With Us

The Dunaway Zoo project reflects our internship experience: innovation, teamwork, and leadership. At every step, interns are challenged to work creatively, collaboratively, and lead with purpose. Named one of the Top 100 Internship Programs in the nation, Dunaway offers a dynamic and rewarding environment for growth. If you are seeking a challenging and rewarding internship, look for Dunaway at a career fair near you this fall!