Internship Grants

Good Better Best

This summer I got the amazing opportunity to work for an EdTech startup as the Lead Financial analyst. I worked closely with the CEO of Good Better Best to transform a mission-inspired foundation into a platform with the potential to target and disrupt the K12 Socio-Emotional EdTech landscape. Driven by the mission to provide a new way for kids to develop nonacademic skills such as communication, confidence, and personal growth, Good Better Best is building a community of mentors to affect change in underprivileged communities across the US. My role allowed me to network with investors and build out the company’s financial growth projections and targets to ultimately push the company beyond the pre-seed funding round. I was able to discuss with various Venture Capitalists and other entrepreneurs about the value we would provide to communities as well as the EdTech industry. I am thankful for the chance to not only further explore the operational side of finance, but also help families and communities find light and positivity in a period of great economic and social distress. I thank the Winston Center for affording me the chance to do good for others and grow as a socially conscious business leader.

Chris Whipple '22

Managing for Social Impact and Public Good Interdisciplinary Program 

This summer I worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Lourdes German, the co-director for the Managing for Social Impact and the Public Good interdisciplinary minor program. In my role I did research on several organizations including the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC). The DBEDC is considered a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) nonprofit which differs from a traditional nonprofit organization. A traditional nonprofit organization receives its funds through fundraisers and donors, whereas a CDFI nonprofit receives funds not only from donors and fundraisers but from the government as well. The DBEDC whose mission is to give those in the Dorchester area more resources and opportunities, was established in 1979 by four residents voicing their concerns about the financial disinvestments, the crime tension, the shortage of affordable housing, and many other issues that resided in their community. Professor German and I held an interview with one of the heads of the organization, Mr. Perry Newman, to learn more about the organization and ways Boston College can partner with them. I have always wanted to start my own nonprofit helping the homeless and after my conversation with Mr. Newman I was inspired to seek future volunteer positions with the organization. Although the DBEDC does not necessarily focus on the homeless it is a great place for me to get an understanding of how nonprofits work. I learned so much about the challenges they face, their accomplishments and how to spot the difference of both nonprofits and CDFI nonprofits. I am very grateful for this internship which has inspired and helped me towards the path of creating my own nonprofit one day.

Stencia Bastien'23

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts

This summer I served as a Program Services Intern in the Enrollment Department at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts. In my intern role, I interviewed volunteer candidates using extensive behavioral protocols and I participated in virtual visits with families seeking a Big Sister or Big Brother mentor. Following these interviews, I wrote a detailed assessment for each volunteer candidate that was used to ensure the Big candidates aligned with the program’s mission before they were paired with a Little in the Greater Boston Area. In addition to my daily responsibilities, I was tasked with giving an hour-long final presentation to the BBBSEM agency at the end of the 13-week internship, detailing the extensive research I had compiled regarding the efficacy of virtual youth mentoring. This Lunch & Learn presentation, formatted like a TedTalk, offered empirically-based recommendations for BBBSEM as they plan to incorporate virtual youth mentoring into their existing and new matches in the wake of COVID-19. Through the internship, I gained valuable insight into the metrics and conversations involved in making safe and meaningful mentor matches within a wonderful non-profit agency and I grew more skilled in technical writing and public speaking. In my future career as a clinical psychologist, I will utilize the interview techniques, clinical note-taking style, and rapport-building skills I developed this summer. 

Cayley Bliss'21

Moore International Law PLLC

This summer I interned for an international law firm based in New York—Moore International Law PLLC. The firm specializes in corporate and patent law, and so I conducted most of my time on a more high profile case between our client and a corporation based in the Middle East. I worked in a research and development role which demanded skills in critical thinking and analysis. I found and assessed annual financial reports for the defendant company and its subsidiaries to look for evidence in proving our case. Whether that be numbers that looked out of place, loopholes in SEC reporting-procedures, or tracing holdings of various kinds of assets—a lot of my role was about shaping a hypothesis, testing it out by finding evidence, and based off that evidence, circling back to reshape my hypothesis again. I would then assemble relevant accounting procedures, corporate transactions, and joint ventures into visual representations and written memorandums independently and presented to senior management as evidence for clients. Overall, reflecting on this experience, I find that I work best on projects that are completely personable and allow me to insert some creative problem solving strategies. While I would have liked to be in the office, I developed equally valuable skills in taking responsibility to truly own my work and leadership in going out of my way to initiative feedback. I hope to translate these enhanced ownership, leadership, and creative problem solving skills—as well as experience assessing financial records and accounting statements—when collaborating with teams in similar industries in the future.

Catherine Levine'22

New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice 

This summer I was granted the opportunity to intern remotely at the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice which is a coalition of organizations that creates and achieves policies in New Jersey to welcome and support immigrants. I took part in a lot of the communications aspect of the organization and became familiar with the importance of education and awareness for immigrants. I specifically worked on two of the organization’s campaigns. In the Fair and Welcoming Campaign, I conducted research on the process of the passing of an assembly bill in California which prohibited private prisons as the organization would like to do the same in New Jersey. With the Let’s Drive NJ Campaign, I created graphics and resource guides with information regarding the availability of driver’s licenses for all people regardless of immigration status. I created a resource guide with steps to take and also sat in on calls discussing issues of documentation and privacy. Additionally, I spent time working on a resource guide for the Movement for Black Lives. In this resource guide, I included protests going on as well as anti-racism resources and information for undocumented people attending protests. During this internship process, I had the opportunity to see the inside workings of immigrant rights policy advocacy. Although the work I did felt small in comparison to their big strides, I recognized how each project I undertook contributed greatly to the Alliance’s workings to push policies and work towards a more humane society.

Ivana Wijedasa '23

City of Boston Environmental Department 

This summer I worked for the City of Boston Environmental Department as a Zero Waste Intern. Even though my internship was fully remote, I was involved in many interesting projects relevant to the current health situation in the world. I researched the safety of reusable bags, masks and gloves during COVID-19, communicated key findings to the Boston Public Health Commission and created signage to educate residents and the business community. In addition, I researched green procurement practices in MA to amend the City of Boston’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) executive order and guidelines. I presented the EPP research and suggested improvements for the future to the Environmental Department Commissioner and 30 staff members. Lastly, I reviewed the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan and provided recommendations to the City of Boston Environmental Department in preparation for public comment. I plan to implement more zero waste practices into my daily life and share my knowledge with family and friends. I am grateful for the amount of time and attention each member of the team spent with me which made this experience both productive and enjoyable. My passion for sustainability has grown and I plan to continue social impact work after graduation.

Catherine Zona '21

International House (Charlotte, NC)

This summer, I interned at International House, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to immigrants and refugees in Charlotte, NC. International House offers education programs as well as legal assistance through their Ginter Immigration Law Clinic, and I was fortunate to work in the law clinic as an intern. I worked alongside the immigration attorneys there and assisted them with legal documents, directly administering client files that were sent to US Immigration offices. I learned how to receive new client intakes and spent a lot of time interacting with immigrants and refugees who came into the office. I also learned a lot about how a nonprofit functions. After graduation, I plan to work in some type of nonprofit or service organization before attending law school, and I’m extremely appreciative that interning at International House allowed me to experience a nonprofit organization as well as a law office. Before my experience at International House, I did not know a lot about the specifics of a lawyer’s job. I ended the summer with a greater understanding of the state of immigration in the US and with more knowledge of the daily life of an immigration attorney, which has made me more confident in my plans for the future. I am so grateful for my experience at International House and I’m especially grateful to the Winston Center for making my time there possible.

Mary Catherine Cremens '21

The Adovates for Human Rights (Minneapolis, MN)

I spent the summer of 2019 as an intern at The Advocates for Human Rights, a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that aims to uphold the principles of human rights laid out in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Advocates does a variety of international human rights work, from lobbying countries during the Universal Periodic Review to evaluating the efficacy of legal systems in responding to violence against women. Specifically, I worked with the Refugee & Immigrant Program, whose work centered on immigration and labor trafficking. The Refugee & Immigrant Program supports asylum seekers from around the world by providing them with volunteer legal representation. As an intern, I was the first point of contact between our organization and immigrants seeking asylum in the United States. Through my interviews with asylum seekers, I was humbled by the persecution and trauma that has brought so many to the US. Even more powerful, though, was the awe I felt at the resilience and persistence of our clients. In addition to supporting our case work, I answered calls to the National Asylum Help Line, an experience that continuously revealed to me the importance of speaking the native language of those you wish to support. I was also able to speak with detainees in Minnesota’s largest ICE detention facility and observe an individual hearing in Federal Immigration Court, staggering experiences that I continue to contemplate. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to work with The Advocates for Human Rights thanks to the support of the Winston Center. 

Emma Kane '21

Charles River Watershed Association (Boston, MA)

This past summer I was given the amazing opportunity to intern with the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), a nonprofit organization with the goal of protecting and enhancing the Charles River through science, advocacy, and the law. The CRWA is one of the oldest and prominent watershed organizations that was, and still is, at the forefront of improving the water quality of the Charles during the mid 20th century and on. This commitment is still seen today, as the organization has helped keep the Charles clean with the collaboration of the surrounding towns in the watershed and the city of Boston. My position with the CRWA was as a watershed science intern. My time with the organization was split between field and office work. My fieldwork consisted of the flagging, cyanobacteria, and water chestnut removal programs. The flagging program was used to determine whether the water was safe to boat or swim in. For field work, I would sometimes join another staff member who runs our water chestnut removal program. This program helps educate about the invasive European water chestnut and its negative impact on the Charles while also providing volunteer groups the chance to kayak on the Charles and remove the invasive species. This internship has provided me invaluable research and field work experience, while also giving me a glimpse into the law and advocacy side of environmental protection and conservation. Although I am more orientated towards the science aspect of the environment, interning with the CRWA has made me realize the importance of public policy and law when involved with conservation.

James Fernandes '20

Office of Senator Patrick O'Connor (Boston, MA)

This summer, thanks to the assistance of the Winston Center, I was able to fulfill a long-standing dream of mine by working in the Massachusetts State Senate. As a resident of Massachusetts my entire life, working for State Senator Patrick O’Connor (Plymouth-Norfolk) has been a dream come true. I’ve been able to interact with constituents from my own town and see their legislative ideas acted upon. This is truly one of the most rewarding aspects of public service because it has given me the opportunity to be involved in the complex dynamics of state politics – something I am eager to pursue going forward. Senator O’Connor has truly become a role model to me. He emulates someone who is fiercely passionate about his community and someone who is willing to work tirelessly to see the interests of his constituents pursued. I’ve loved working for the Commonwealth and am even more passionate for fighting for the needs of my local town, district, and the people who need representation on Beacon Hill. I’ve truly loved my time there and hope to return the following summer or after I graduate. 

Steven LeGere '21

Office of the New Jersey Attorney General, Financial Crimes Unit (Whippany, NJ)

As an intern for the Financial Crimes unit within the Division of Criminal Justice at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, I worked closely with several detectives and deputy attorney generals. I was granted the opportunity to look through several cases that the Financial Crimes unit had completed in the past in order to see what methods they used to reach a conviction. After reading some case examples my advisor and I collectively chose which cases the unit would be working on for the upcoming months. I also got to work through some of the evidence for a money laundering case that the unit was working on, which consisted of analyzing bank statements to determine which transactions were suspicious. Not only did I help the detectives from my unit, but I also was granted the opportunity to shadow one of the deputy attorney generals and help her prepare for court. This consisted of writing plea memos and other documents for several facial scrub cases. Additionally, I was able to attend court with her and listen in on a witness prep for a trial. The internship program also organized several field trips and presentations from the Director of the Criminal Justice Department and the Attorney General himself for further learning and experience. Some of the field trips consisted of a tour of the Regional Operations Intelligence Center, a Firearms Simulator Training, and a tour of the New Jersey State Police DNA Laboratories and Ballistics Unit. Overall my internship taught me how important teamwork is in order to have the best shot at a conviction for a criminal case. All of the detectives and attorneys would work together to gather evidence and bounce ideas off of one another in order to reach the best verdict possible. Due to this I learned how important it is to never be afraid to ask questions or for help when you need it. My summer experience at the Attorney General’s Office also helped to develop my passion for working towards justice while making sure that everyone is given the opportunity to be innocent until proven guilty.

Brittany Shortall '20

Big Brothers Big Sisters (Boston, MA)

This summer I was granted the opportunity to work as an enrollment intern at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay, a non-profit organization that pairs children in the greater Boston area with a positive adult mentor. The program uses the outline of positive youth development researcher pioneered by Dr. Jacqueline Lerner of the Lynch School of Education- to increase the Little’s confidence, compassion, curiosity, caring, character, and social and emotional competence. This was an especially salient part of the organization for me, as I have studied these concepts from Dr. Lerner as an applied psychology student in the Lynch School and felt incredibly fortunate to be able to implement them in a real life context. In my work as an enrollment intern, I conducted hour and a half long interviews with potential Big’s, eventually taking ownership over the whole interview which explored different aspects of the potential Big’s life and communication styles. I was also able to accompany my supervisor on home visits, where we interviewed potential Little’s and their families to ascertain whether or not they were a good fit for the program, which was an incredibly humbling experience where I was privileged enough to hear the stories and adversities of families living all over the Greater Boston area. This summer gave me the idea that it is possible to impart change in ways that might not alter overarching systems of inequality, but that will still make a difference in the lives of individuals, which is surely a step in the right direction. I am so incredibly fortunate that I was granted this learning opportunity through the generosity of the Winston Center.

Sheridan Miller '20

Sakhi for South Asian Women (New York, NY)

This summer I had the privilege of joining the team at Sakhi for South Asian Women, a non-profit organization based in Manhattan that supports survivors of gender-based violence from the South Asian diaspora. I worked primarily in the realm of mental health, with a hand in both the behind-the-scenes operations of the organization and direct interactions with survivors. I was placed in the Direct Services department, which branches into Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Counseling. My work was project-based under my supervisor, a counselor at Sakhi, but also varied depending on her day-to-day needs. My largest project was making a comprehensive and culturally competent mental health resource guide, which I created as a ~20 page book with South Asian-specific resources ranging from health providers to social media accounts. I worked on this resource guide essentially for the entire span of the internship–with several smaller projects in between–and established partnerships with many of the organizations listed as resources. One of my other projects was creating new intake forms, which need to be filled out whenever Sakhi has a new client or internally refers a client to a different department. After going through trauma training, my focus was on making these forms trauma-informed, such that the questions would be thorough but not triggering. I was also able to form relationships with clients while working together on applications for higher education and access to ESL classes. I hope to pursue a career in medicine, and my internship has led to my growing interest in women’s health, primarily with immigrant and first generation women. Many thanks to the Winston Center for supporting my internship and allowing me the opportunity to explore non-profit work.

Leena Rijhwani '20

US Commerical Service (Shanghai, China)

This past summer, I was given the great opportunity to intern for the U.S. Commercial Service in Shanghai, China. The U.S. Commercial Service in China, part of the International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce, is charged with helping American businesses export goods and services to China. I was able to participate in this internship at a really unique time, in which the U.S. and China were engaged in a trade conflict. Throughout my 10-week internship, my day-to-day duties varied. I had a role in numerous projects, including both independent and collaborative work as well as event management. I assisted with student briefings, assisted officers in attending events such as TOEFL Seminar, served on a panel to share my experience working in the Commercial Service, and attended the CES Asia Trade show and helped represent the office. I also helped create a China Industries News Tracker that was distributed to other government offices throughout China. The highlight for me was representing my office in a meeting between a company and the Consul General. From this experience, I was able to learn a lot about the China market and how foreign companies operate in China and was able to get a firsthand look at international trade and business. I am thankful for the Winston Center’s support in helping me take part in this opportunity and helping me learn more about international business. This was a truly unique experience that I will keep with me throughout my personal and professional career.

Ariana Farsai  '20

Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic (Cambridge, MA)

Prior to my experience at the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic (HIRC), I did not fully understand the complex nature of immigration law. I applied for the internship at HIRC because I was drawn to its mission to “advocate for immigrant justice through clinical education, legal representation, litigation, and community outreach.” At HIRC, I was given the unique opportunity to work with law students, distinguished attorneys, social workers, and migrants from a number of different countries and backgrounds. Among other projects, I worked closely on an asylum case that will appear before an immigration judge this fall. I was responsible for interpreting between Spanish and English during interviews, as well as posing some of my own interview questions. I worked directly on the asylum-seeker's affidavit (a personal declaration submitted to the court) and conducted country condition research in English and Spanish for the filing. In addition to learning about the work that goes on at a public interest law office and about immigration law and procedure, I also gained insight about the real-life implications that laws have on the marginalized community of undocumented migrants. Working directly with clients opened my eyes to the particularly traumatizing nature of their experiences and how that trauma is exacerbated here in the U.S. through both societal and legal factors.

Mariana Ferreria '21

Wellington Bird Rehabilitation Trust (Wellington, New Zealand)

This past summer, I was granted the opportunity to work in and travel throughout New Zealand, an invaluable experience which beyond exceeded my expectations. For three months, I learned how to diagnose, medicate, treat, and care for a variety of sick or injured endemic and domesticated birds as a rehabilitation intern at Wellington Bird Rehabilitation Trust. I also learned about how the sanctuary interacts with the public and the SPCA to provide the unique and comprehensive care that they are able to provide as a nonprofit organization. My favorite job was the care of the endangered Brown Teal/Pāteke, of which WBRT has a successful captive breeding program. In addition to this work, I conducted research about unprotected and introduced wildlife species to assist in coordinating future releases of wild birds. One of the most interesting things I learned was the importance of good leadership at an environmental charity. Cleanliness was a top priority which ensured the wellbeing of both the animals and people. Additionally, creative and ambitious steps would always be taken to help an injured animal or to find a good home for a rehabilitated bird. My coworkers were utterly compassionate, treating all birds regardless of their “value” to society. It was often the case that an injured gull or rosella (wild birds) which would otherwise be euthanized by the SPCA was brought in to WBRT, where any attempt would be made to save the animal. As a result, WBRT reflects the high value of individual life of wildlife to the public. It was enlightening to be immersed in a culture that realizes the value and beauty of their surroundings, which clearly reflected on the happiness and health of the population. I’m very thankful to the Winston Center for the opportunity to learn so much both in my field and about the environment and culture of New Zealand.

Hayley Kunkle '20

FAC and HRIP Clinics at Suffolk Law School (Boston, MA)

This summer I was fortunate enough to have worked under the guidance of two lawyers in the FAC and HRIP clinics at Suffolk Law School. In the HRIP clinic, I was able to practice advocacy work on behalf of an indigenous group in Brazil whose land rights, particularly under the principle of “free, prior, and informed consent,” are continuously violated by their president and his agribusiness allies. I co-wrote an update memo to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in which we outlined the necessity for Early Warning Measures and Urgent Action Procedures in relation to Brazil. This experience was valuable because I was able to research international human rights violations and learn how to communicate effectively with international human rights bodies to inform and affect justice. I also was given opportunities in editing self-representation guides for local tribal courts, and learned how to write effective and efficient briefs in order to build a case on behalf of a tribal islander community in Colombia whose voices were ignored in a territorial and maritime dispute decision by the ICJ. In the FAC clinic, my experience was fascinating and frustrating. Our clinic largely tackles domestic violence cases, so I continuously witnessed the legal twilight zone domestic violence survivors face in the court room and realized the need for the family legal system to be re-trained and revised. My experience was nothing short of purposeful and formative, and I extend my deepest gratitude to the Winston Center for affording me this chance. It has affirmed my passion for pursuing a career in human rights law, and I am excited to continue my research with the FAC lawyer this fall. My desire in working towards a publicly demanding exposition of important societal needs and moralities, as prescribed by the law, has never been stronger.

Mckenna Madden ’20

Boston Mayor's Office of Recovery Services (Boston, MA)

This past summer, I had the pleasure of being a part of the Boston Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services as an intern. Over my ten-week internship, I learned so much about the inner workings of government, the logistics of public health implementation and the communication skills necessary for a public-facing office. As an intern with the Office of Recovery Services, I assisted with various tasks including graphic design work for the City of Boston, policy planning meetings with multiple city departments, answering constituent concern letters, and working on a restorative justice initiative Project STEP Renew. Through the initiative Project STEP Renew I was fortunate enough to assist returning citizens in the process of resume creation, navigating city job websites, technology literacy and general needs such as access to Charlie Cards to be able to navigate the City of Boston. I was also fortunate to be able to attend several City meetings about the planning of the groundbreaking Long Island Recovery Campus. I was able to observe how much intense collaboration and coordination is required to get such an initiative off the ground and put into practice. This entire internship experience taught me how critical collaboration, communication, and ingenuity are in the workplace, particularly in the field of social services. The recovery services team I worked with placed an emphasis on strong communication through informal meetings as well as carving out more formal space when necessary to make sure that all of the goals of the Office were aligned. The Office of Recovery Services is much more than just direct service implementation, the Office also works in community overdose prevention, youth prevention strategies, advocacy around an end to stigma around substance use and citywide strategic goals around substance use and recovery.

Clare Ryan '20

Gateway South Asia (Kathmandu, India)

I spent this past summer in both India and Nepal partnering with local organizations and the local church. The communities that I interned with opened my eyes to how central the topics of justice, unity, and restoration are in God’s heart for the world. The opportunity to develop deep relationships with these groups has allowed me to better understand how to serve in a way that is both ethical and sustainable. As part of my internship, I also helped host volunteers as they came to join these organizations and serve alongside us. Leading these individuals was wonderful and stretching. One of my roles was to help introduce the volunteers to the culture and customs of the city that we were in. This was done by heightening their awareness, understanding, communication skills and overall cultural competency. With this foundation, service could be done in an increasingly loving and honoring manner. While consistently growing in my own cultural competency, this process taught me about the importance of humility in service, leadership, and life. This internship has also taught me a significant amount about intercultural and interreligious dialogue, which is of immeasurable importance. As a result of this summer, I have become a more conscious, compassionate, and loving global citizen. I now have a greater vision for pursuing a career advocating for Human Rights. Whether domestic or abroad, I plan to build upon this zeal for justice and for seeing the love of God bring light to places where there was once darkness.

Morgan Schade '21

Impilo Phambili Public Health Internship Program (South Africa)

I was afforded the extraordinary opportunity to travel to Cape Town, South Africa, and participate in the Impilo Phambili Community Projects and Internship Programme. My involvement in this program focused on public health, and allowed me to take on a leadership role to design projects suited to the specific needs of the NGOs that I was partnering with. The unique history of South African apartheid and the legal termination of this segregation in 1994 contributed to the distinct context of my experience, as I noticed social implications of apartheid are still very much evident. I worked closely with SHAWCO, a University of Cape Town student-run nonprofit community outreach organization, at their nightly clinics in various townships in surrounding areas of Cape Town. I conducted research to assist SHAWCO in improving patient flow and attempting to bridge the gap between its private complimentary clinics and the public healthcare facilities sparsely available to the working residents of the townships. In addition to examining patient flow, I was exposed firsthand to the major differences in healthcare services and accessibility among different areas in South Africa and also between South Africa and the United States. The contrast in treatment among the residents of the townships, refugees, and those living in wealthy neighborhoods was striking. Moreover, I partnered with two NGOs that provide assimilation services to refugees, United Family and Cape Town Refugee Centre. United Family organized the World Refugee Day event held at the Civic Centre in Cape Town. My attendance at this event showed me various accounts of harsh realities that are present in the lives of refugees in the form of narratives, song, and dialogue, and also information about various services available to these resilient individuals. At Cape Town Refugee Centre, I worked closely with the social worker to assist high school refugee students who were striving to achieve a tertiary education. The intense drive of these young students was astounding, and we provided them with counseling and access to additional resources to help fund their endeavors. I am extremely thankful for the Winston Center’s support in this venture to further expand my global knowledge of the oppressive barriers that many face, and to work toward creating a just world through this remarkable experience.

Meghan Bennett ’20

White House Internship (DC)

This past summer, I had the honor of being part of the White House Internship Program. In the program, I was assigned to the National Economic Council (NEC). It was an absolutely incredible 10-week experience—I learned so much, and made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. As an intern with the NEC, I assisted with a variety of tasks, including conducting research, writing memos, and providing logistical support for officials and their guests within the focus area of technology, telecommunication, and cybersecurity. By sitting in on meetings and working with individuals at the NEC, I was able to gain a firsthand understanding of the process by which goals are accomplished at the White House. I was continuously struck by the level of dedication and patriotism displayed in the everyday work of those in the administration. Another highlight of the internship program was a speaker series which included presentations by several high-level members of the administration. These individuals spoke to the interns about their careers and offered advice. The NEC interns in particular had the incredible opportunity to meet NEC Director Larry Kudlow. Mr. Kudlow was very generous with his time and invited the NEC interns to lunch, during which he shared his insights regarding both work and life. This internship was a very unique and formative experience, and from it, I grew both professionally and personally. I learned more about working in the public sector and experienced collaboration in a team environment. After college, I hope to take the experience I gained in the public sector last summer and use it to improve my work in a public accounting firm. In the long term, I hope to use it to work either in the government or at a nonprofit organization.

Daisy Cherian ’20

Norfolk District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit (MA)

As an intern for the Special Victims Unit in the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, I worked closely with the director of the unit, specially trained assistant district attorneys, and victim witness advocates. I co-managed the daily intake of reports of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and disabled person abuse. I was fortunate to work closely with the victim witness advocate for disability abuse cases and completed various projects for her, including creating and maintaining a master list of her case files. Additionally, the Internship Program organized weekly field trips and seminars for further learning and experience. We had intimate and informative presentations by members of the State Police Homicide and Drug Units. The presentation by the state troopers from the Drug Unit was particularly interesting and exciting for me as I have been a research assistant in a Boston College psychology lab studying the opiate epidemic for several years. However, my internship experience taught me far more than the logistics of the law. As an administrative support for numerous assistant district attorneys and victim witness advocates, I was fortunate to witness firsthand how crucial teamwork is for the prosecution of a criminal case. Even the most experienced lawyers in the office regularly traveled down the hallway to ask for advice or thoughts on a case they were working on, and each member of the team, whether it be the director, attorney, or advocate, is instrumental to ensure a successful outcome. This experience taught me to never be afraid to seek help or advice from other individuals while working on a project. Reading through hundreds of police reports and child services reports also showed me that unordinary crimes and situations constantly affect seemingly “ordinary” people. Even though I already strive always to be open-minded, I will continue to do so more fervently because you never truly know what someone has gone through or will go through. I am even more dedicated now to becoming a lawyer so that I may be an advocate for anyone whose voice demands and needs to be heard.

Elizabeth Coughlin ’20

Americares Foundation, Inc. (CT)

Last summer, I had the opportunity to take part in an internship program at Americares Foundation, Inc., a global health nonprofit deeply involved in disaster relief efforts and community health promotion programs both domestically and globally. As a pre-law student and public health minor, working in the legal department of a health non-profit was the perfect fit for me last summer. I was able to learn about how a nonprofit operates while also gaining a deeper understanding of the legal requirements and regulations necessary for the operation of such an organization. I learned that without the legal department, none of Americares’ efforts would be possible. As part of the legal department, I assisted in drafting and editing contracts, organizing various permits and legal documents, creating a short presentation about some of the international permitting Americares does to be presented to headquarters staff at the weekly staff meeting, and assisted in the licensing applications for wholesale drug distribution and charitable organization operation within states across the country. Additionally, all of the interns took part in a group project that took place throughout the summer. Our task was to research and compile recommendations for an international disaster preparedness toolkit for local health clinics, so that they are better able to prepare themselves in case of emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, fires, droughts, or armed conflict. This internship helped me to make the decision to apply to law school this fall. I realized that I am passionate about health, and through my interest in law and supporting skillset, I believe that pursuing a career in a field such as health law would allow me to promote health while helping others. My experience at Americares provided me with invaluable tools in teamwork, organization, communication, and confidence in myself as a future professional. I plan to use these skills as I pursue my legal education in the coming year.

Kaylie Daniels ’19

Global Ties U.S. (DC)

As a recipient of a summer internship grant from the Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics, I had a positive and enriching experience interning at Global Ties U.S. in Washington, DC. I worked as the Public Diplomacy and Exchange Intern and was able to learn a lot about the work of Global Ties in relation to the US State Department as well as dip my toes into nonprofit management in general. I conducted preliminary research to contribute to the writing of grant proposals for exchange programming. I compiled a background guide on the World's Fair for distribution to a national network of members after a consortium including Global Ties was chosen to host the US pavilion at Expo 2020 in the United Arab Emirates. I created and assembled administrative materials for international exchange participants while streamlining material creation processes that will make the transition for the next intern much smoother than it had been for me. I also chaired an all-company staff meeting to facilitate clear and efficient communication between teams. I am grateful for the support I received from the Winston Center that made my summer internship possible.

Mary Grace Mitchell ’20

Boston Children’s Hospital (MA)

Last summer, I was given the opportunity to work as a Pediatric Epilepsy Clinical Research Intern at the Loddenkemper Research Laboratory. As a summer intern at Boston Children’s Hospital, I assisted in patient clinical chart review, data management, and data entry. Along with the research assistants, I was able to interact with patients and their families and inform them of the lab’s research as well as introduce them to new developments, including a mobile application used to document seizure activity. I was also able to participate in epilepsy conferences and shadow opportunities at Boston Children’s Hospital. At the beginning of the summer, my goal was to work in a clinical research setting in order to explore the fields of medicine and research, and their interconnection. The Loddenkemper Research Lab provided me with the perfect opportunity to learn more about clinical research, and allowed me to hone skills including collaborating with others and effectively communicating research projects to patients and their families. These interactions allowed me to witness firsthand the effects that this research has had on the epilepsy community, and the impact it will have in the future. My hope for the future is to attend graduate school to become a physician’s assistant, and I believe that this internship allowed me to take many steps forward in reaching that goal. I received my first exposure to the research side of medicine, and have spoken with many people about their experiences and what led them to their current career path. I am confident that the skills I have learned last summer will translate well into my future career, and I am more enthusiastic than ever about taking the next steps toward that goal.

Sarah Ryan ’20

Governor’s Internship Program (MA)

Last summer, I had the opportunity to be a part of Governor Baker’s Internship Program. I spent half of my time working at the State House in the Executive Office for Lieutenant Governor Polito and the other half working at the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI). Working in both of these offices was a unique experience that gave me a multidimensional understanding of state government. As an intern in the Executive Office, I was able to get an inside look into the major policies that the Baker administration is pushing, attend important State House events, such as the meetings of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and the Governor's reception for the prime minister of Portugal, and assist staff with the logistics and coordination of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s busy schedules. At the state house, the interns also participated in an Intern Speaker Series Program, where we got the opportunity to hear from influential members of the Governor’s team each week. My favorite speaker was our final one—Governor Charlie Baker—as we got the opportunity to tell him a little bit more about the specific projects we had been working on for him. He also gave us great advice that I will always remember as I move forward in my career. During the other half of the week at MOITI, I had the opportunity to combine my passion for international affairs and economics. My main responsibility at MOITI was creating recommendation documents for the Governor on some of Massachusetts’s largest international trading partners. I also got the opportunity to prepare official proclamations that Governor Baker would present during international cultural celebrations in Massachusetts. Although I do not plan to enter politics after I graduate, my internship with the Governor’s Office and MOITI allowed me to gain a newfound appreciation for the work that the Baker-Polito administration has done for the residents of Massachusetts. Being able to witness firsthand their effective leadership styles has allowed me to develop new leadership skills of my own that will be useful in any future career.

Julia Sandquist ’20

Asociación Argentina de Cultura Inglesa (Argentina)

Education and the arts are two of the most powerful tools for promoting inclusivity, empowerment, and cultural understanding; working with the Asociación Argentina de Cultura Inglesa (AACI) in Buenos Aires confirmed and strengthened this belief for me. This 90-year-old nonprofit dedicated to education and culture has a long history of supporting the arts, from providing rehearsal and performance spaces for theatre groups to counting iconic Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges among its former professors. One of the most significant projects I contributed to during my time with AACI was leading the launch of a biweekly arts newsletter to bring attention to the diverse range of genres and unique blend of influences that form the arts scene of Buenos Aires. Additionally, I assisted in planning and managing an annual conference of directors of Latin American language institutes held this year in Argentina in mid-July. Participating in the planning of the conference allowed me to observe interesting conversations among the directors about, for example, changing models of teaching, incorporating technology into learning, and improving offerings in terms of inclusivity and resources for students with special needs. Because the environment and population are vastly different between, for example, Brazil and Mexico, I was given the opportunity to learn about many different challenges facing educators throughout this region of the world. The increased foreign language fluency and communications experience I gained during my time with AACI will have an invaluable impact going forward as I explore my passion for helping to foster cross-cultural communication, acceptance, and respect across borders through promoting education and the arts.

Sarah Santoro ’20

Moolchand Hospital (India)

Last summer, I had the opportunity to investigate the clinical administration of the ketogenic diet at Moolchand Hospital in South Delhi. During June and July, I worked in the Ayurveda, Oncology, and Operation Theater departments to gain a comprehensive overview of local cancer management and treatment programs. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. I was particularly interested in the dietary treatments used to manage and treat benign or malignant tumors. Although I expected to be observing clinical administration of the diet in order to learn how the translation of our basic research might be improved, I gained far more knowledge regarding the implementation barriers to successful administration. In contrast to administrative barriers, however, I observed no conflicts between the doctors from different departments. Rather, they seemed to work in synergy to provide the best care. I observed that a patient's financial background was always a main consideration. When I asked why this so important, I learned that the doctors were concerned with the notion of financial toxicity. I was drawn to the values reflected in this concern and found it such a refreshing change from the norms of the American healthcare system. Separately from the administration of the ketogenic diet, I had the opportunity to assist neurosurgeon Dr. Mukherjee in his visit to communities in rural India. Traveling nearly 200 km outside of Delhi, he would visit three hospitals over the course of a single day and see over 80 patients. These patients would bring in scans and present new symptoms to Dr. Mukherjee and he would quickly evaluate their situation and provide advice and/or medication. He did all of this work for free and, though it took time away from his profitable work, he felt a strong desire and calling to help these communities that were lacking basic necessities. This was an absolutely incredible experience.

Evey Satterfield ’20

Samhita Social Ventures (India)

Last summer, I interned at Samhita Social Ventures, a social enterprise devoted to corporate social responsibility (CSR) consulting for corporations in India. Samhita acts as an intermediary between nonprofits and the corporate world, helping businesses become more impactful and ethical by assisting with CSR strategy, nonprofit partner identification, impact assessment, employee engagement, creating flagship corporate social responsibility programs, and organizing high-impact social platforms that engage with several stakeholders. Because Samhita is right at the intersection of the social and corporate sectors, this internship was an immense opportunity for me to see how these two sectors can collaborate to create high impact. During my time at Samhita, I primarily worked for the project management team, which was responsible for end-to-end management of projects, including pre-sales and implementation. This allowed me to see the wide range of social intervention and CSR activities. Because of this opportunity to learn about both the corporate and social sector throughout my internship, last summer was an immense learning experience. I plan to implement what I have learned at Samhita by using this experience to guide me in my post-graduate career choices. As I work toward graduation this year, I am continually reflecting on how I can use my experience and skills to choose a career path that allows me to create a positive impact. Samhita enabled me to grasp the wide range of avenues where one can pursue social change, and introduced me to a new avenue of creating meaningful impact. In the past, I thought choosing a career geared toward social change meant working in direct impact or within the nonprofit sector. However, Samhita showed me that corporations have an immense power to create positive impact through CSR activities. In the long term, I plan on implementing what I have learned at Samhita to pursue my own socially responsible and sustainable social enterprise. My personal passion is working with individuals with developmental disabilities, and I hope to one day start a social enterprise that creates employment for this population. My internship at Samhita will help me work toward this goal because being situated in a growing company showed me many of the components necessary to start a new business.

Kelly Stone ’19

Physicians for Human Rights (MA)

I am grateful to have had the summer interning at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), an incredible organization that works to secure justice for survivors of human rights abuses through the use of forensic and scientific evidence. At PHR, I supported the Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones team. This team helps provide a variety of multisectoral training for medical professionals, law enforcement, and legal professionals to better support survivors of gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Iraq. During my time at PHR, I gained an enormous amount of knowledge about international and human rights law, implementing culturally competent training in different country settings and producing materials to support that training, and gained important insight about best practices when working in teams. I had the opportunity to produce an executive summary detailing the armed conflict in Colombia, which was used as comprehensive background for project expansion, and worked on a companion guide for physicians to reference to when filling out medical certificate forms used in future training and monthly security updates.Thanks to the support of the Winston Center and my team at PHR, I gained invaluable insight on ethical leadership and helping others both in the workspace and in an international context in order to work toward a moral, ethical, fair, and just world.

Kaitlyn Wilson ’20

Political development in conflict zones, United Nations

I served as the Political Development Intern on the Middle East and West Asia Desk of the Department of Political Affairs Department at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. My specific assignment was Yemen. As an Intern in the Political Affairs Department, I conducted political analysis of key conflict zones in the country, creating reports for the Secretary General's Office as well as other high level officials in the UN. I worked closely with colleagues to monitor and assess global political developments in order to detect potential crisis and solutions in the country. My time at the UN challenged me to think outside of my comfort zone. As the only American on my team I learned the nuances of international cooperation on a small scale. I was challenged to think from other perspectives and pay attention to cultural differences in workplace interactions.

Molly Davis, MCAS '18

Heights Article

Empowering Women, Cord Siruvani

I secured a GlobeMed’s Grassroots Onsite Work (GROW) internship to work with CORD Siruvani, a social work/public health nonprofit located in Tamil Nadu, India. My time there was spent in the field, shadowing the CORD community workers on Mahila Mandal visits. Mahila Mandals are women empowerment groups that seek to provide women with economic options, through micro financing and self-generated income projects, as well as a space in which they can support each other. I also had the opportunity to see the tangible outcomes of the BC GlobeMed-CORD Siruvani partnership through visiting different sites around Tamil Nadu. Our main partnership projects have been focused on improving the current waste segregation system as well as public health ventures. Through visiting these project sites and listening to the concerns of the CORD community workers and the Tamil Nadu citizens, we were able to see how our projects could be improved on.

Sierra Dennehy, MCAS '18

Social entrepreneurship, Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub

The Flywheel website promises a belief in the “power of social enterprises to make communities stronger.” I worked on the Welcome Project, a joint boutique/kitchen in the heart of Camp Washington. I was immersed in conversations, phone calls, workshops, and research to build out a business plan for this enterprise that would employ the local refugee population. I was inspired by the Welcome Project team, who had a clear vision and passion for building a sustainable venture that would support and enhance the Camp Washington area. I heard this same passion in the voices of social entrepreneurs who came to the “Business Model Canvas for the Social Entrepreneur” Workshop. I had never been surrounded with people who had this passion for community development, but also a drive to develop a high quality service or product to meet market demands. The entrepreneurs that I interacted with and worked beside accelerated my interest in entrepreneurship. The experience left me believing in the power of social enterprises to make communities stronger.

Phil McHugh, CSOM ’20

Domestic violence and the law, Queens District Attorney Office

In the Domestic Violence Bureau at the Queens District Attorney’s Office in New York, I was able to work alongside an Assistant District Attorney and learned the ins and outs of the courthouse. I learned how to initiate first contact with victims, meet with the police officers who responded to the scene, and later interview the victims themselves. I was also able to stand in the well of the courtroom and watch the outcome of the case unfold. The DA office also works closely with the non-profit Safe Horizons to ensure that the victims were able to obtain counseling and services outside of the legal assistance that we provided. Many victims I worked with had extremely inspiring stories that have shaped how I see and interact with the world. Being able to see the legal process through this lens and how it is possible to work through division barriers has led me to see the law in a multidimensional sense, and to understand that it is so much more than what happens in the courtroom.

Samantha Schneider, MCAS '18

Heights Article

Class of 2014 Projects

EAGLES TAKE ACTION

Eagles Take Action is a day of service geared towards first year students built around the idea of introducing them to community service at BC and showing them the meaning of leading a life of service. With this project, we aimed to present new students to the Jesuit core value of “men and women for others” and Jenks Leadership Program’s emphasis on servant leadership. We partnered with organizations such as JumpStart, Haley House, Edison School, and Boys & Girls Club Dorchester, all of which have preexisting relationships with BC groups. By selecting this diverse group of organizations, we were able to cater to the individual interests of each volunteer and provide them a more meaningful experience. These tailored service opportunities offer a comfortable and friendly environment to foster community and build friendships outside the BC sphere. We ended the day with a panel of students with diverse backgrounds in service, on and off campus, who were able to provide insights about their experiences on volunteering and community building. Although small in its maiden year, we hope that the project will continue to develop and have a long lasting impact on all participants for years to come.

HYGIENE FOR THE HOMELESS

Our group aims to make a donation of hygiene products to the Woods Mullen homeless shelter in Boston. The shelter is run by Friends of Boston Homeless (FOBH), a non-profit organization that supports solution-oriented programs to help the homeless move beyond shelters to lead independent lives. The purpose of our service project stems from every member’s aspiration to help the homeless community in Boston since a large proportion of that community is made up of teenagers and young adults our age. We identified that Boston's homeless shelters were lacking in hygiene products, and this concerned us the most since hygiene plays such a large role in health and quality of life. Therefore, we decided to fund raise and buy the products under the mentality of promoting the health and wellbeing of the Boston homeless community. We pride ourselves in our transparency philosophy when we fundraise, where each of our donors understands what type of hygiene products can and will be bought with each donation. In addition to the donation of hygiene products, we also hope to develop a lasting charitable partnership between FOBH and Boston College.

RECYCLEMANIA

Our project is to promote sustainability on campus. To do this, we designed a two-pronged campaign centered around Recyclemania, a five-week-long nation-wide competition between colleges and universities to achieve the highest recycling rate. The first component of our project was a promotional campaign that aimed to utilize social media as well as more traditional publicizing methods to increase awareness of and participation in Recyclemania at BC. To do this, we created a Facebook group in which we posted our weekly rankings in the competition, held a poster design competition and posted the winning poster on campus and online, got articles published in The Heights and The Gavel, and held an Instagram "Caught Green-handed" competition. The second component was an event in The Mods. We replaced the tops of the recycling bins with new blue tops, and had passerby sign the inside of the tops to "leave their mark" on BC, and provided information about recycling at BC as well as food, reusable water bottles, and Recyclemania pins.

VOICES OF THE VOICELESS

The goal of our Jenks project was to raise awareness about the homelessness population of Boston and highlight the human dignity that every person possesses. To do this, we hosted an event, called "Voice of the Voiceless," in the Murray Function Room on March 26th with 2 formerly homeless individuals from the Faces of Homelessness Speakers Bureau, Peter and Tia. Peter spoke about his experience of living at Father Bill's shelter in Quincy for 7 years while Tia spoke of her trials being bounced around among shelters with her 2 young children. The event was well attended and featured a robust question and answer period in which students were able to interact and converse with the two speakers.