Celebrating a Meaningful First Year with Lapan College and Career Club
This past May 2025, we proudly wrapped up our first year in partnership with the Lapan College and Career Club (LC3)! Over the academic year, we’ve had the privilege of supporting six dynamic after-school programs: Soccer, Art, El Jardín (Gardening), Rock Band, Pet Therapy, and Robotics. From a successful field trip to the Reid Park Zoo to more than 30 weeks of consistent support, it’s been a year full of connection, creativity, and growth.
Our University of Arizona interns played a huge role in bringing energy and purpose to this partnership. From day one, they focused on building strong relationships and immersing themselves in LC3’s vibrant community. With guidance from the Zuckerman Family Center staff, the interns created a comprehensive End-of-Semester Report, which included interviews with Lapan staff to better understand LC3’s impact. This past Spring 2025 semester, each intern brought something unique to the table:
Ella Skov developed two wellness videos (see below) to support the emotional and mental well-being of Lapan students, providing valuable tools that can be used well beyond the semester.
Jordan Lund created a team-building activity manual with soccer drills designed to strengthen communication, build rapport, and help students develop both social and athletic skills.
Holly Neiss contributed her creative energy to help us put together the Spring 2025 newsletter, highlighting our center’s updates and accomplishments.
Through their work, our interns came to deeply admire the culture at Lapan. One intern shared, “I think that’s just how Lapan is as a whole—they’re just one big family.”
They also noticed something special about how the staff engages with students, “The staff’s ability to know every student on an individual level” stood out as a strength that sets Lapan apart.
Interns consistently expressed how impactful it was to see Lapan provide such a stable, supportive environment for students.
As one intern put it: “Just feeling seen is one of the biggest strengths that LC3 has for supporting that.”
Throughout the year, interns were especially moved by witnessing students’ growth in self-confidence—whether it was on the soccer field or in the pet therapy program. Their gratitude for being part of that transformation was clear.
As we close out our first year of collaboration, we look forward to continuing this impactful journey together. Here’s to more learning, more laughter, and more moments that make a difference.
Wellness Videos: