This summer, we had the pleasure of welcoming Raina to MWA as our summer intern. A Mechanical Engineering student at Oregon State, Raina brought curiosity and a collaborative spirit to every project she worked on. Thank you, Raina, for spending your summer learning with us!
During her time with us, Raina explored modeling and rendering tools such as Revit, Enscape, and Lumion, supported grant applications and research for pursuits, and developed SOPs and guides to strengthen communication across the firm. Her amazing work will continue to be an asset to MWA after she returns to college this fall.
When reflecting on her internship, Raina gained valuable knowledge about the grant process, the design of public projects, AI applications in the office, and the many tools architects use to bring ideas to life. With Lunch & Learns and site visits, she enjoyed seeing how sketches evolve into built spaces. She shared that, “Shadowing meetings and joining site visits gave me insight into the design process; it’s an incredibly rewarding experience to witness concepts and sketches evolve into our built environment.”
Her favorite part of MWA? “I absolutely LOVE the work environment and culture at MWA. Everyone is so welcoming, understanding, and ready to help, and I’ve been able to grow in many ways because of it. I have to admit, I’m also a big fan of Fluffy Friday. Everyone’s pets are so cute.🐱”
“Raina has a gift for empathy, which is paired with an honest curiosity about people and ideas. She brought her talents to MWA this summer right when we needed them most for our evolving internal standards. From communications to AI to grant funding research, I would welcome Raina back in 2026. Raina’s insatiable curiosity will serve her well in her next three years at Oregon State University.”
–Jean von Bargen Root, Principal & Director of Sustainability
Raina hopes that her experience at MWA will help broaden her perspective. As an aspiring polymath who loves the intersection of art and science, she wants to develop a diverse skillset. She says, “The knowledge and experience I’ve gained at MWA will help me approach issues with a well-rounded perspective. To supplement my hobbies, I hope to use Revit to design miniature homes. ”
We’re grateful for Raina’s hard work this summer and look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish next!
“It’s been great to have Raina in the office this summer. She has been a great addition to the team. I appreciate her adaptability and readiness to take on a variety of tasks with a positive attitude!”
–Madeline Phillips, Designer
