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The Helene and Grant Wilson Center's Funded Summer Internship Program was launched in 2009 and funds up to 10 ������ý students in full-time summer internships with New York social enterprises and nonprofit organizations each year.

The goal of the internship is two-fold: To offer experiential learning and income for students interested in careers in the nonprofit/social impact sector, and to offer bright, highly motivated, mentored students in service for nonprofits. Internships must provide hands-on, substantive opportunities for students to make a meaningful contribution to the work of the organization.

Summer 2026 Internships

Eligibility

• Students must be currently enrolled at Pace and graduating from ������ý, December 2026 or later.
• Students across all majors (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible, International students are also encouraged to apply.
• Students should share an interest in human services and/or social enterprise.
• Interns make a 280 hour commitment, working full-time (35hrs/week for 8 weeks), compensated at $20/hour.

How Pace Students Can Apply

Postings of our funded summer internship positions will be published in spring 2026, applications and resume submissions will only be accepted via Handshake search: "Wilson Ctr. Funded". In addition to an updated resume, applicants must submit a thoughtfully written cover letter tailored to suit the internship you are applying for. Please visit to learn more about how to become "resume-ready" on Handshake and read about our recent cohort of 2025 summer interns, below.

Xavier Allen '26
Environmental Educator, Hudson River Park Trust
BS in Information Systems, Seidenberg School of CSIS

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Xavier, a senior at ������ý’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, spent his summer interning with Hudson River Park Trust as an Environmental Educator Intern. With a strong passion for the environment, Xavier brought his background in both technology and environmental studies to one of New York City’s most dynamic urban parks.

Xavier’s days varied widely—from leading inquiry-based programs like Nature Explorers and Shoreline Ecology for school groups, to engaging the public in Big City Fishing and Discovery Tank demonstrations. He also developed an interactive “nature station” for Pier 51, focused on water quality, where children learned about brackish water, salinity, and river ecology through matching games and hands-on experiments. These experiences highlighted his ability to connect with young learners and reinforced his interest in combining education, data, and technology in service of environmental research.

Rachel Swanson, his supervisor at Hudson River Park Trust, praised Xavier’s “positive can-do attitude,” noting that he consistently volunteered to take on new challenges and brought an energetic, engaging presence to both education and science tasks. She described him as “a natural” when working with children and commended his receptiveness to feedback and eagerness to learn, especially in areas like classroom management and tailoring lessons to different age groups. His initiative, reliability, and collaborative spirit made him a valuable addition to the seasonal education team.

Through this internship, Xavier gained confidence in public speaking, professional communication, and curriculum development. Supported by extensive training and mentorship, he stepped into leadership roles and discovered new career possibilities at the intersection of environmental stewardship, research, and technology policy. He credits this experience with not only affirming his academic path but also broadening his vision for future opportunities in law, technology, and environmental advocacy.

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Amanda-Francesca Bordei '27
Government & Community Relations Intern, Port Authority of NY & NJ
BA in Political Science, Dyson College of Arts & Sciences

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Amanda, an undergraduate student in ������ý’s Dyson College of Arts & Sciences, spent her summer interning with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey as their Government and Community Relations Intern. Marking our program’s first placement at this dynamic government agency, this exciting internship provided Amanda with a plethora of experience and opportunity. Working under the guidance of her supervisor, Ophelia, Amanda contributed to key projects that supported the agency’s outreach, communications, and intergovernmental affairs efforts.

Among her projects, Amanda created an automated Microsoft Forms tool to track interactions with elected officials, helped organize major public events such as the JFK Airport Poster Contest and the ADA 35th Anniversary celebration and developed a government and community relations “swag kit” to support Port Authority’s presence at community engagement opportunities and events. Amanda also collaborated on the proposal of an innovative intern-led project that will harness the power of AI. By centralizing access to information across agencies, chatbots can be used to improve and streamline internal and public-facing communications.

Amanda’s internship experience was further enriched by facility tours and on-site assessments across Port Authority’s airports and facilities, providing her with a comprehensive view of the agency’s operations. She credits the support and mentorship she received—particularly from her supervisor—with helping her refine her career path, which now includes a strong interest in law, public policy, and government service. Amanda’s time at the Port Authority deepened her understanding of community-centered work and public infrastructure, and she has been offered to stay on in her role at the organization for the remainder of the summer beyond her internship commitment.

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Rajni Jaiswal '25
Summer Program Assistant, Trust for Public Land
MPA, Government Track, Dyson College of Arts & Sciences

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This summer, Rajni Jaiswal, a Master of Public Administration student at ������ý’s Dyson College of Arts & Sciences, served as a Program Assistant Intern with the Trust for Public Land’s Community Schoolyard Program. Dedicated to transforming under-resourced schoolyards into vibrant public spaces, the program has revitalized hundreds of sites across New York City.

Rajni’s internship blended research, fieldwork, and team collaboration. She updated and verified TPL’s database of potential playground sites, researching jointly operated parks and Department of Education properties to identify and prioritize locations for future renovations. Using Google Maps analysis and TPL’s “composite need” scoring system, she produced data-driven recommendations that directly informed the team’s strategic planning.

In the field, Rajni visited sites across all five boroughs, documenting current conditions and meeting with community stakeholders. She also worked closely with her colleagues to execute numerous stewardship activities—mulching, weeding, and tending to gardens and green infrastructure. This experience deepened her understanding of how TPL’s programs engage with communities to maintain and enhance public spaces.

Her supervisors praised her professionalism, initiative, and adaptability, noting her willingness to take on unfamiliar assignments and her receptiveness to feedback. A highlight of her summer was completing a review of 16 jointly operated playgrounds, creating detailed site descriptions that became a key input for TPL’s strategic plan. Rajni valued TPL’s collaborative culture, where senior leaders worked shoulder-to-shoulder with field staff. Coming from a more hierarchical work environment in India, she appreciated the inclusiveness and shared commitment of her team and their willingness to serve the public. Rajni leaves the internship with sharpened GIS and Excel skills, an expanded network, and a deeper appreciation for the intersection of urban planning, public policy, and community engagement—insights she plans to carry into her career in the nonprofit and government sectors.

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Chloe Hammill '28
Public Programs & Communications Intern, Printed Matter, Inc.
BA in Women’s & Gender Studies and Peace & Justice Studies, Dyson College of Arts & Sciences

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Chloé, a Women’s and Gender Studies major at ������ý planning to double major in Peace and Justice Studies, spent her summer interning with Printed Matter, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the dissemination and appreciation of artists’ books and publications. As part of the Programming team, Chloé contributed to a variety of projects supporting upcoming exhibitions, events, and community engagement efforts, including an exhibition focused on the gay rights movement in New York and Argentina.

Throughout the internship, Chloé conducted outreach and archival research, drafted content for public-facing materials, assisted with communications to supporters and media outlets, and helped maintain the organization’s website and event listings. Her background in computer science proved especially valuable as she supported technical projects and streamlined internal systems, including organizing press contacts and optimizing spreadsheets used for mass communications. The open-office environment provided opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration, which Chloé embraced. Weekly staff meetings also allowed her to share updates and develop confidence in a professional setting. This experience solidified Chloé’s interest in mission-driven work at the intersection of publishing, culture, and social justice, affirming both her academic focus and future career direction.

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Madeline Hecht '27
Summer Program Associate, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
BA in Communications & Media Studies, Dyson College of Arts & Sciences

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Madeline, a Dyson College of Arts & Sciences student pursuing a degree in Journalism, spent her summer interning at the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) as their Summer Associate. NFTE is a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people from under-resourced communities with the skills and mindset to succeed in business and in life. Working closely with her supervisors, Madeline contributed to both the daily operations of NFTE’s summer BizCamps and to larger storytelling projects that highlighted the impact of the program.

Among her responsibilities, Madeline supported the smooth operation of NFTE’s Bizcamps including the behind the scenes logistics necessary for a successful outcome. She helped manage scheduling, identifying supplies and classroom activities, while also assisting with the coordination of a culminating business pitch competition. She played a key role in ensuring that student voices were heard, even designing voting forms that allowed peers and teachers to fairly evaluate business plans. Additionally, Madeline embraced her journalistic background by interviewing finalists from NFTE’s Mid-Atlantic competition, transcribing and shaping their stories into one-page profiles to be shared with the organization’s national audience.

Beyond these projects, Madeline participated in team meetings and connected with NFTE’s development and communications staff, including the Director of National Communications, who shared valuable professional insights and industry contacts. These experiences not only gave Madeline exposure to the inner workings of a national nonprofit but also affirmed her interest in journalism by allowing her to apply her interviewing, writing, and editing skills in a real-world context. Madeline describes her internship as transformative, offering clarity about her professional path while deepening her appreciation for the power of education and entrepreneurship to change lives. She credits her supervisors for designing projects that were both meaningful to her and impactful for NFTE, and she leaves the experience with stronger communication skills, confidence in her professional writing, and a renewed passion for nonprofit storytelling.

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Brandon Mejia '27
BioBus Junior Scientist: Research and Teaching, BioBus Inc.
BA in Political Science, Dyson College of Arts & Sciences

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This summer, Brandon, a first-generation Political Science major at ������ý’s Dyson College of Arts & Sciences, served as a Junior Scientist: Research and Teaching Intern with BioBus, a nonprofit that inspires and empowers students—particularly those historically excluded from science—to discover, explore, and pursue scientific careers.

As a Junior Scientist, Elian co-led a team of high school mentees in designing and executing an original research project on Rain Gardens—green infrastructure that helps prevent flooding and improve water quality. After consulting with BioBus community partners, Elian and his co-mentor, along with their team of mentees, developed the project from the ground up, researching soil compositions, mapping rain garden locations in NYC, and constructing small-scale experimental gardens to test water absorption rates. They also created a public survey to assess community awareness of rain gardens’ benefits.

Elian’s role went far beyond technical research, through his internship he devoted time to mentoring high school interns, guiding them through experimental design, fieldwork, and presentation preparation—all in English, his second language. His supervisors noted remarkable growth in his confidence, communication, and leadership, particularly in navigating professional interactions in English and taking initiative in group settings. He also surprised his peers with his practical skills—using power tools to help the team construct the rain gardens—earning admiration from both interns and staff.

According to BioBus, college interns like Elian play a pivotal “teach-the-teacher” role, amplifying the organization’s impact by enabling a small staff to engage nearly two dozen high school students in authentic research each summer. For Elian, this internship experience has greatly informed his future career path while deepening his understanding of environmental issues, community-based problem solving, and the power of mentorship.

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Jillian Perticone '26
Teaching Intern, GO Project
BA in Political Science / MPA in Public Administration, Dyson College of Arts & Sciences

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Jillian, a Dyson College of Arts & Sciences student pursuing a combined degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration, spent her summer interning as a Teaching Intern with Go Project, an education-focused nonprofit that provides academic enrichment and social-emotional support to students in New York City. Her placement gave her a unique perspective on nonprofit operations and programming, blending classroom instruction with organizational management.

Jillian’s responsibilities evolved over the course of the summer, beginning with clerical and organizational work as the Go Project transitioned its internal systems. She later took on more direct student engagement as the Teaching Assistant for a third-grade classroom, where she supported literacy, math, and enrichment activities throughout the day. She also led the “Young Inventors” program, guiding students through hands-on projects like building and testing bridges, combining STEM learning with creativity and problem solving.

Beyond her teaching role, the internship provided Jillian with valuable professional insights. While she enjoyed the classroom environment, her experience clarified her long-term goal of focusing on nonprofit management and organizational leadership rather than direct instruction. She credits the mentorship and support she received from her supervisors and colleagues with affirming her skills in leadership, teamwork, and communication, while also reinforcing the value of adaptability in a fast-paced nonprofit setting.

For Jillian, the internship was not only an opportunity to apply what she has studied in the classroom but also a chance to see firsthand how nonprofits operate and make an impact at the community level. She describes her experience at Go Project as both affirming and transformative, providing clarity about her future career path in nonprofit management and public service.

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Arvind Raghunathan ’25
Research Associate Technician, Billion Oyster Project
MS in Accounting, Lubin School of Business

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Arvind, a first-year graduate student at the Lubin School of Business pursuing his master’s degree in Accounting, spent his summer interning with the Billion Oyster Project (BOP) as their Finance & Administration Research Associate Technician. BOP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring oyster reefs to New York Harbor through environmental education, public engagement, and hands-on conservation efforts.

Throughout his internship, Arvind contributed meaningfully to the organization’s Finance and Operations team, supporting office management, event preparation, and executing numerous internal financial processes. His responsibilities also included managing ferry reservations for corporate groups, camps and external partners coming to work with Billion Oyster Project on Governor’s Island. Additionally, he assisted with public-facing events like City of Water Day and the organization’s open exhibit space at Pier 101 supporting public education efforts. Agata, his supervisor, praised his professionalism, initiative, and willingness to step up in fast-paced, high-pressure moments—highlighting his ability to problem-solve independently.

Arvind demonstrated exceptional growth over the course of his internship, growing more confident, proactive, and collaborative. He was recognized for his strong communication skills, reliable follow-through, and positive energy that contributed to the team culture. His final research project, which compared the economic value of oyster filtration to traditional water filtration systems, reflected his ability to merge data-driven analysis with environmental impact. The internship helped Arvind refine his career goals, inspiring him to pursue future finance roles at mission-driven organizations with a greater social and environmental impact. His experience at BOP left him feeling more empowered and deeply connected to the broader mission of sustainability and equity.

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Pranav Vignesh Prakash '26
Digital Media and Marketing Intern, Hudson River Park Friends
MS in Social Media & Mobile Marketing, Lubin School of Business

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Pranav, a first-year graduate student at the Lubin School of Business pursuing his master’s degree in Social Media and Mobile Marketing, spent the summer interning with Hudson River Park Trust as their Digital Media and Marketing Intern. Hudson River Park is a dynamic public space and environmental sanctuary spanning over 5 miles that provides recreation, education, and conservation along Manhattan’s Hudson River waterfront to New York City residents and visitors, alike.

Throughout his internship, Pranav worked closely with his supervisor, Julie, to produce digital content aligned with the park’s ecological and brand awareness goals. She praised his adaptability, the high polish of his deliverables, and his ability to ideate and revise content to meet the brand’s tone and audience. Among his projects, his proudest accomplishment was developing a series of social media reels for “Crab Week,” a campaign designed to raise awareness about endangered crab species and promote the park’s environmental mission. His supervisor noted Pranav’s work on this project and described him as a integral colleague whose contribution significantly elevated the team’s output. Through this internship opportunity, Pranav strengthened his video production, editing, and marketing skills using platforms like Premiere Pro, CapCut, and Photoshop, and credits the experience with reaffirming his career goal to pursue a career in digital and social marketing. His time at the Park deepened his appreciation for the role public green spaces play in both environmental and community health, and he concluded his internship more confident, capable, and inspired.

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Zillah Tafirenyika ’25
Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Center for Employment Opportunities
MBA in Business Analytics, Lubin School of Business

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Zillah, a graduate student with a background in Human Resources and Business Analytics, spent her summer interning at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) as a Talent Acquisition Coordinator. CEO is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing employment services to individuals who have recently returned home from incarceration, fostering economic mobility and community reintegration.

Throughout her internship, Zillah gained hands-on experience in the recruitment and hiring process, supporting every stage of candidate engagement—from application review to phone screenings and interview coordination. Working closely with hiring managers and recruiters across departments, she utilized the applicant tracking system Greenhouse to manage workflows and ensure a seamless hiring process. Zillah quickly transitioned from training and shadowing to independently managing responsibilities, including conducting candidate outreach, scheduling, and administering mass hiring events.

Zillah credits this internship with deepening her understanding of the nonprofit sector, particularly the importance of mission alignment in hiring practices. Her supervisor praised her initiative, professionalism, and strong communication skills, especially as she began to work independently and provide coverage for multiple team members. Zillah also found the experience valuable in reaffirming her passion for service-oriented work and in preparing her for her future goals, including launching her own nonprofit. She emerged from the experience more confident, organized, and empowered—ready to lead with purpose and compassion.

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Past Summer Funded Internships

• 2020 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2019 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2018 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2017 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2016 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2015 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2014 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2013 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2012 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2011 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2010 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
• 2009 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)

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