Ella Burrows recently joined our community economic development team as a summer Intern through the Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth program. Ella embodies the energy, optimism, vision, and drive typical of our western Kansas youth, and we are proud to introduce her to you.  

My name is Ella Burrows, and yesterday, May 28, 2025, was my first day as an intern at Nex-Tech! This summer, I will be serving as a Community Development Intern through the Nex-Generation Round-Up for Youth, Inc. internship program. I recently graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a certificate in Legal Studies. My decision to study political science was driven by a desire to understand and address the social structures and policies contributing to the decline of our rural communities. I grew up in the very rural community of Satanta, Kansas, and have experienced firsthand what it’s like to lack access to broadband services.

My passion for community development and bridging the rural-urban divide was ignited in the summer of 2019, when I was selected to attend the Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. It feels like a full-circle moment to now be working as an intern for a telecommunications company six years later! I am truly excited to gain valuable insights into the telecommunications industry while supporting rural and local communities like my own. My first day consisted of onboarding sessions, general information, and introductions. I particularly enjoyed researching the grants and funding opportunities available to local businesses, communities, and nonprofit organizations.

My passion for community development and bridging the rural-urban divide was ignited in the summer of 2019, when I was selected to attend the Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

I’m eager to learn more about the administration of programs such as the Revolving Loan Fund and to celebrate the successes of our local communities through the Smart Rural Communities recognition program. This fall, I will begin my legal education at Washburn University School of Law, where I plan to complete a Rural Law Certificate and gain the skills necessary to meet the evolving needs of rural communities. This internship will allow me to connect with stakeholders and community members to better understand the unique challenges facing Western Kansas. I am confident that the experiences and insights I gain through this internship will serve me well as I return to Western Kansas to begin my career as an attorney.