2 minute read
Juma (left) with VtSBDC advisor Sarah Kearns (right)
VtSBDC is excited to welcome our 2026 summer intern, Juma Ephraim Elisama. This summer, Juma will support our advisors on a variety of projects, including helping businesses explore practical AI tools, assisting with the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont high-school program, and updating online resources and website content.
We’re thrilled to introduce Juma through this short Q-and-A:
Q. Tell us a little about your background.
A. My name is Juma Elisama, and I am a rising junior at Middlebury College majoring in Economics. Outside of school, I enjoy playing rugby and soccer, hiking, and listening to podcasts.
A. My name is Juma Elisama, and I am a rising junior at Middlebury College majoring in Economics. Outside of school, I enjoy playing rugby and soccer, hiking, and listening to podcasts.
I was born and raised in Kenya by South Sudanese parents. This is my fourth year living in the United States and my second in Vermont. Before attending Middlebury College, I spent two years at United World College in Las Vegas, New Mexico, an international boarding school whose mission is to make education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for a peaceful and sustainable future.
Q. What attracted you to a summer internship at VtSBDC?
A. Growing up in a South Sudanese family, I have seen firsthand the important role non-profit organizations play in strengthening communities. I want to contribute to that work while pursuing my interest in Entrepreneurship and Finance.
VtSBDC provides me the opportunity to learn from many small businesses across Vermont and to see how entrepreneurship can create meaningful economic and social impact. The organization’s mission of supporting small businesses aligns with my values and long-term goals. I am excited to learn more about the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the different resources available to current and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Q. What are you looking forward to about the experience?
A. Through this experience, I hope to deepen my understanding of entrepreneurship and gain practical insights to help me pursue my business aspirations. I am also eager to learn more about nonprofit organizations and see how I can get more involved, especially in the Vermont community.
I am also looking forward to strengthening my data analysis skills, expanding my understanding of AI, and learning how to use it ethically in both my academic work and future career.
We are thrilled to have Juma as part of our team this summer! We hope you have the opportunity to meet him during his eight-week internship.