Forward Janesville is excited to welcome our newest intern, May Myint Mo Zaw, whose internship is made possible through a scholarship from the Whiton House Educational Fund.

May is a rising junior at Beloit College, where she is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Quantitative Economics. Originally from Yangon, Myanmar, May came to Wisconsin seeking an immersive liberal arts education that would allow her to explore her wide-ranging academic interests.

Her passion for community-driven change is what drew her to Forward Janesville. 

“I believe local initiatives are the most impactful way to drive lasting and meaningful change within a community, especially when it comes to environmental policies,” she explains. 

May's initial work will include working on an important project within our Government Relations Council that involves our child care initiative, and you will see her at events like our Business After Five -- the next of which is set for Oct. 9 at Macco's Floor Covering Center.

At Beloit, she has been conducting research with Professor Gregory Koutnik, comparing industrial agriculture and local agriculture models. Her findings reinforce her belief that local systems help strengthen economies and build resilient communities.

May brings a strong skill set in writing and storytelling—whether through research papers, articles, or reports—and is eager to use those talents to support Forward Janesville’s mission. 

“Throughout my internship, I hope to further develop my ability to inform, engage, and inspire people toward positive change,” she says.

Please join us in welcoming May to the Forward Janesville team! And if you are interested in an intern from Beloit College or our other local educational partners, reach out to [email protected] and we'll connect you!