Gilbert’s Native American Management Internship gives college students an inside look at careers in municipal government.  

The program partners with tribal communities and Native students to provide experience in areas such as policy, public safety, community resources and operations. 

Gilbert has two current interns: Erica Kleinman and Rose Starlin Jacket. Both shared their perspectives on education, culture and career goals. 

Erica Kleinman 

College: Northern Arizona University 

Major: Biology 

Expected graduation: May 2026 

Tribal affiliation: Navajo Nation 

What career goals are you excited about? 

 “I’m pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biology at Northern Arizona University, building on associate degrees in life sciences and liberal arts from Tohono O’odham Community College. My grandmothers always emphasized education. My grandma Ruth would tell us ‘T’áá hwó’ ají t’éego’ when encouraging us to work hard in school. I’m excited to combine biological science with traditional ecological knowledge to address climate issues and promote sustainability in Native communities.” 

How do you hope to use what you learn here in your future work or community? 

“As someone who has lived between the city and Indigenous communities—spending childhood summers on the Navajo Reservation and now spending time on the Rincon Reservation—I understand how important it is to bring scientific knowledge back to our communities in accessible ways. Whether through research, policy work or community education, I want to ensure that Native voices and traditional ecological knowledge are involved in conversations about environmental protection and climate adaptation.” 

How has your background shaped who you are today? 

“Growing up between Diné and Luiseño traditions, with roots in the Payómkawichum (Rincon Band of Luiseño people) and Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle People), gave me a deep appreciation for different Indigenous perspectives. My grandmothers were the backbone of our families. Grandma Ruth taught us about Hózhó—living in balance and harmony—while weaving, gardening and instilling language and culture. Grandma Myra kept us connected through powwows, dance classes and her open-door policy for anyone who needed a home. 

"They were single Native mothers who demonstrated incredible resilience and resourcefulness. Their emphasis on being respectful, responsible and resourceful, and always speaking up for us and others, guides everything I do. Now as a married mother of three sons, I understand even more deeply the strength it took for them to raise families while preserving our culture. Their legacy drives my commitment to education, community service and environmental stewardship.” 

Who’s the best cook in your family and what do they make? 

“Grandma Ruth, without question. She made the best tortillas and frybread, the kind that would fill the house with warmth and that unmistakable smell of home. She knew how to butcher too. Those early mornings waking up to the scent of her coffee was our alarm clock. Even when there was very little money left after food and bills, she always made sure we had what we needed, and her cooking was a huge part of how she showed love and kept us connected to our heritage. Those simple meals around her table weren’t just about food—they were about family, culture and the lesson that sometimes all we have is each other, and that’s enough.” 

Rose Starlin Jacket 

College: Arizona State University 

Major: English (linguistics), minor in American Indian Studies, TESOL certification 

Expected graduation: May 2026 

Tribal affiliations: Navajo Nation, Hopi and Ute 

Hometown: Shiprock, New Mexico 

What motivated you to join the Native American Management Internship? 

“I joined the Native American Management Internship because I wanted to challenge myself and step into a space where I could grow, learn and make my communities proud. When I read the internship description, I felt something in me say this is where I need to be. I wanted to learn how decisions are made in a town setting, how leadership actually works behind the scenes and how Indigenous people can show up in places where we’re rarely seen. I kept thinking about how this experience could help me walk farther in my education journey, in my career and in the future I picture for myself. Joining NAMI was my way of saying I’m ready to stand in these rooms, to learn what I need to learn and to represent my people with care and honesty.” 

What have you learned during your time with Gilbert so far? 

“My time with Gilbert has taught me what leadership really looks like. I’ve learned that it’s not only about the big moments. It shows up in how people treat each other, how they support one another and how they carry themselves even on the hard days. I’ve learned how to take data and make meaning out of it, how to manage projects from start to finish and how to communicate in ways that bring people together. I’ve learned how to be confident in rooms where I used to be nervous. And I’ve learned that I belong in these spaces. Every week has taught me something new about professionalism, character and growth. These lessons will stay with me long after this internship ends.” 

How do you hope to use what you learn here in your future work or community? 

“What I’m learning here is something I want to carry far. I want to take these skills with me when I teach English abroad, so I can represent myself and my communities with pride. I want to share who I am as a Navajo, Hopi and Ute woman and create spaces where students in other countries can learn about Native communities through real stories and real experiences. 

“And one day, I hope to come home to my rez and support our governance. I want to bring back everything I’ve learned about leadership, communication and program work, and use it to lift up the people who raised me. This internship is giving me tools I can use anywhere I go, whether it’s across the world or right back home where my story began.” 

How has your background shaped who you are today? 

“My background shaped every step I take. Being Navajo, Hopi and Ute taught me about responsibility, kinship and the kind of strength that grows from surviving things people never see. I carry my grandparents’ teachings, even though they are no longer here with me. I carry all the memories of moving, all the moments where I had to start over and all the times I pushed through because I wanted a better life for myself. My culture reminds me to walk in beauty, to honor the people who came before me and to move forward in a way that stays true to who I am. Everything I do today, every opportunity I chase, every classroom I walk into, comes from that foundation. My background built me, and it continues to guide the future I’m creating for myself and my communities.” 

Gilbert officials said the internship program aims to strengthen relationships with tribal communities while preparing students for leadership roles.  

Those interested in more information about the Native American Management Internship can visit gilbertaz.gov/NAMI.