Kathryn Buzik ’26 recognized as one of Virginia’s top 50 interns

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership recently selected Kathryn Buzik ’26 as one of the 2026 Top 50 Interns in Virginia. 

Buzik, who is double majoring in marketing and business administration, was recognized for her work in the workforce development office at Carilion Clinic. This award was introduced this year to shine a light on emerging talent and future leaders across the commonwealth who are making a difference in their fields and communities. 

“Kathryn is an excellent intern—insightful beyond her years, highly organized and consistently contributing meaningful value to our work. She is a pleasure to collaborate with and brings a thoughtful, intelligent approach to everything we do together,” said Tara Wiedeman, senior director of human resources at Carilion.  

In her role as a workforce development intern, Buzik works with schools and community partners to expand programs and bring more students into the health field. She is a liaison for the Carilion Scholars program, through which Roanoke College students receive exclusive opportunities for hands-on, paid internships in Carilion's facilities. The program is just one way the college is working to provide experiential learning opportunities for all Maroons, which is part of the strategic plan, “Imagine Roanoke.”

“I feel incredibly honored to receive this recognition. Knowing that it comes from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and highlights students from across the entire state makes it especially meaningful to me,” she said. “More than anything, it makes me really grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to learn and grow through this internship.”  

Buzik said she gained professional experience in collaborating with teams, managing multiple projects at once and clearly communicating her ideas when working with partners and other organizations. Her mentors and colleagues at Carilion invested a lot of time and effort into her development, she said.  

“They trusted me with meaningful projects and encouraged me to learn and grow along the way, which made this internship truly special. I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to work alongside people who are so passionate about supporting students and making a positive impact in the community,” she said.  

She added, “Being recognized for this opportunity feels like a reflection of the support system that helped me get here.” 

As a first-generation college student and first-generation American, sharing this moment with her parents has meant a lot to Buzik. 

“They have always supported me and encouraged me to work hard, so being able to tell them about this recognition and make them proud is something that is really special to me,” she said.