Funded summer internships through the Wilson Center elevate students’ civic engagement experiences while assisting nonprofits in their community work.
Maxwell Ankani ’24
Public Administration
Learning, Empowerment and Adolescent Development Intern at BRAC USA, New York City
I am always learning more about the nonprofit sector and the impact BRAC USA and its partners are making on an international level. I appreciate the mentorship I received as I worked to execute projects and assignments in this internship.
About the internship: BRAC USA is an international nonprofit with the goal of empowering underdeveloped communities by providing them with scalable solutions and equipping them with skills and support to break free from poverty. As BRAC’s L.E.A.D. intern, Ankani prepared and presented a research project proposing potential solutions that could help mitigate childhood malnutrition in Uganda. He learned about the high level of food insecurity there and what neighboring countries with similar situations are doing to curb this human rights issue. Ankani’s findings led him to propose a school feeding program for children as a possible solution to the growing food crisis in Uganda.
Macy Alice Hayes ’25
Communication and Media Studies, Political Science
Park Development Intern at City Hall Park Conservancy, New York City
In my first week at CHPC, I attended the signing of new urban forest legislation. Being at City Hall and witnessing positive change for something I feel so passionate about—protecting and growing green spaces throughout our city—has been a real inspiration.
About the internship: As the Park Development intern, Hayes supported this nonprofit by working with a broad range of community members, prioritizing various project deliverables, managing and developing grant applications, and coordinating events for park visitors and the community. She helped develop a survey used to collect feedback from community stakeholders about ways in which the public space could be utilized. She also grew the park’s social media presence, tracking analytics and sharing metrics with CHPC’s leadership team to increase engagement and reach. Despite CHPC’s limited funding and resources, by partnering with other local nonprofit organizations they have increased their impact in the community.
Griffin Lalli ’24
Peace and Justice Studies, Political Science
Legal Intern at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
Working at NYLAG has given me the experience that many people don’t get until they’re in law school. I worked one-on-one with clients, helped draft legal documents, and so much more. I worked with an amazing team who, in eight weeks, taught me so much about foreclosure prevention, consumer law, and advocacy.
About the internship: NYLAG provides free legal services through grants and taxpayer money in areas of law such as elder, immigration, and employment law. As an intern, Lalli worked in NYLAG’s Consumer Protection Unit/Foreclosure Prevent Project. He met with potential clients, evaluated their needs for services, drafted answers, and liaised with a NYLAG attorney to relay legal advice. Once NYLAG took on a case, Lalli became the client’s main point of contact and worked closely with the assigned attorney, providing support with rules of evidence preparation, drafting legal notices to banks and courts, and conducting research.
