SITC Placement: Strategies for Youth | Fall 2019

UMass Dartmouth | Crime and Justice Major, Class of 2020
Passionate about justice and community empowerment, Danielle came to Semester in the City during the fall of her junior year with aspirations of pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Strategies for Youth | Research Assistant Fellow
Matched at Strategies for Youth, a law enforcement training organization dedicated to improving police/youth interactions, Danielle had the chance to put her passion into practice. She played a key role in securing law enforcement training contracts and actively engaged in outreach and reporting efforts, specifically researching federal policies and news articles regarding youth exposure to chemical sprays.

Benefits Coordinator at Hampshire Sheriff's Department Community Justice Support Center | Since 2023
Danielle's journey didn't end with the internship; it marked the beginning of her evolution into a seasoned professional, attending events and providing remote assistance to Strategies for Youth post-internship. She continues her justice work now as a Benefits Coordinator in Northampton, helping justice-involved individuals receive the services and resources they deserve.

“Semester in the City taught me more than I could have ever learned in a classroom…It taught me the importance of higher impact learning and made me want to make it more available to a broader range of students.”

SITC Placement: Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative | Fall 2022

Wheaton College, Business Management & Political Science Major | Class of 2023
Before coming to Boston, Agathe had already deeply explored her passion for addressing educational disparities, especially for girls and women in developing nations, having returned to her home country of Zimbabwe to volunteer at a refugee camp as a peer mentor for other first-year first-generation students. With aspirations of starting her own nonprofit one day, Semester in the City was a perfect opportunity for Agathe to get hands-on experience, mentorship, and a chance to make a real difference.

Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative | Resource Development Fellow
Agathe interned at Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI), an organization that revitalizes the Dudley Street neighborhood, a historically marginalized area, through comprehensive community-driven initiatives. As a Resource Development Fellow, Agathe got hands-on experience in fundraising, accounting and project management, particularly around creating and developing an individual giving plan that included an annual appeal. She worked closely with the Director of Development to create an individual giving plan, focusing on an annual appeal, and engaged with the board's fundraising committee to involve residents in the process.

Watson Fellow | Since 2023
In 2023, Agathe was awarded the prestigious Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. She decided to travel to Rwanda, Kenya, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and Colombia to explore issues related to trauma and healing, and how people find hope on a more individualized level. Agathe has also remained close to CFSI as a student ambassador and still has her own vision of running a nonprofit in the future.

“Sometimes we come up with a plan and expect it to go a certain way, and maybe we do not want to change ourselves and be uncomfortable…for the past 15 weeks I have learned how beautiful it can be to come out of our comfort zone, make new friends and connections.”

SITC Placement: Louis D. Brown Peace Institute | Spring 2022

Bridgewater State University, Politic Science Major | Class of 2022
Passionate about public policy and deeply connected to his Haitian roots, MarcCawley has long been an advocate for immigration issues, volunteering for Haitian American politician Jean Bradley Derenoncourt's city council campaign and previously interning with the Coalition for Social Justice before joining Semester in the City.

Louis D. Brown Peace Institute | Network and Policy Fellow
MarcCawley was able to apply his passion for political science and social justice as a Network and Policy Fellow at The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI), an organization that serves as a center of healing, teaching, and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss. MarcCawley’s work focused on developing a Speakers Bureau Toolkit for members of the Survivors of Homicide Victims Network. Under the mentorship of the Policy/Network Manager, MarcCawley collaborated with the Training Coordinator to create a guide for survivors, covering a wide range of topics including advocating for public policy and starting non-profits.

Community Outreach Coordinator at Louis D. Brown Peace Institute | Since 2023
At his Showcase speech, MarcCawley credited SITC with showing him he "could be a good professional” and not just a good student. Feeling "emboldened" by his internship, he organized a series of talks for his church knowing he could effectively facilitate discussions and help both sides. Since graduating from Bridgewater, MarcCawley has continued his work with LDBPI as a Community Outreach Coordinator.

“Through this internship experience, I have gained a broader perspective on how to view life.”

SITC Placement: 826 Boston | Fall 2021

UMass Amherst, History Major | Class of 2023
Dominic had long exhibited a deep commitment to social justice and equity, particularly regarding racial injustice and educational inequality, having participated in BLM protests and organizing a rally against injustice in his home community. Hoping to explore a career in education, he was a perfect match for 826 Boston.

826 Boston, J.E. Burke High School | Writer's Room Coordinator Fellow
As a Writer’s Room Fellow at Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Dominic could explore his passion for education, becoming a key part of a writing and publishing organization dedicated to empowering traditionally underserved students to find their voices. Dominic led the creation and sustainability of an after-school club, focusing on outreach initiatives and tracking progress towards maintaining student engagement.

History Teacher at The Springfield Renaissance School | Since 2023
Dominic now works as a full-time History teacher at The Springfield Renaissance School, where he is proud to represent positive visibility as a male teacher of color. Ultimately aspiring to be an administrator in an urban school district, Dominic hopes to implement systems and policies rooted in equity and restorative care to empower underserved communities.

“I look back at Semester in the City and my work with 826 Boston as the real beginning of my professional journey…It gave me my wings, it gave my footing, it gave me the ability to imagine what was possible and to question my own internal doubts and fears of success.”

SITC Placement: Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education | Fall 2021

University of Vermont, Psychology Major | Class of 2022
Originally from Barnstable, MA, Eliza grew up actively engaged in various charitable initiatives through her involvement in Girl Scouts, fostering in her a deep desire to support children and families facing homelessness.

Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education | Mentoring Program Fellow
As a Mentoring Program Fellow at the Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs, Eliza designed and implemented a brand new mentorship program, providing valuable opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop skills through paid internships. Eliza’s mentor, Rhoda Bernard, praised her exemplary work and offered Eliza a full-time position at the Berklee Institute after graduation: “Eliza's work in our team and among our diverse student community has been exemplary. She is sensitive, thoughtful, and very effective with all constituents. Eliza has been a terrific addition to our team.”

Administrative Assistant at Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs | Since 2022
Since graduating UVM, Eliza has continued her work with Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education as an Administrative Assistant, and in 2024, she was awarded the esteemed Ripples of Hope Fellowship, which recognizes her extraordinary commitment to social justice. This July, Eliza will travel to South Africa (with another SITC alum, Paul Semedo) to exchange ideas and build connections with other young social innovators.

“I am thinking back to the girl I was starting this program. She would probably be crying right now; proud that she could make it, do it, when she originally doubted herself.”

SITC Placement: FamilyAid | Spring 2020

University of New Hampshire, Business Administration & Management and Operations | Class of 2022
As a business major aspiring to lead his own social mission organization one day, Masami came to SITC interested in the intersection of social change and traditional business. Masami embraced the opportunity to be challenged professionally and found a perfect match at FamilyAid Boston, where he could explore his interests in health and human services and strategic leadership.

FamilyAid Boston | Strategic Projects Associate Fellow
As a Strategic Projects Associate, Masami drove transformational change at FamilyAid, working alongside the President and executive team to navigate funding shifts, engage stakeholders, and drive implementation. From evaluating novel program models to orchestrating high-impact initiatives like the Annual Homeless Assessment and Winter Walk, Masami’s work was dynamic and impactful.

Strategic Projects Manager at FamilyAid Boston | Since 2020
Masami continued as a part-time staff member for FamilyAid Boston throughout his senior year at UNH, and after graduation, he accepted a full time job as Strategic Projects Coordinator. Reporting to their President and leading on systems-mapping projects with key local and state officials, Masami continued to help bridge the gaps in the family homelessness system in Boston. Now, as Strategic Projects Manager, Masami works in tandem with executive leadership to implement core strategic initiatives, as well as oversee CHIME, a multi-year, cross-system initiative focused on improving services and access to them for children experiencing homelessness. Since doing our program, Masami has served as a mentor for change agents as part of UNH’s Changemaker Fellowship program and is interested in serving as a mentor for Semester in the City Fellows at FamilyAid Boston.

“I got so much more out of SITC than an education and like-minded peers. The network you create in addition to the professional development is unique. Through my host site, I met and worked alongside numerous executives and city officials. These connections will stay with you as you work to get to where you want to be.”

SITC Placement: The Petey Greene Program | Spring 2017

University of New Hampshire, Women's Studies | Class of 2019
With experience in social innovation at the UNH chapter of Oxfam America, Emma came to SITC with a passion for addressing social challenges like homelessness and poverty, especially as they intersect with women’s issues. She found a perfect match at The Petey Greene Program, where she could explore her aspirations of working in nonprofit administration while supporting and mentoring incarcerated individuals.

The Petey Green Program | Social Innovation Fellow
At The Petey Greene Program, Emma supported Salesforce data entry, social media marketing efforts, and research on prisons and other criminal justice/education organizations for potential partnerships. She also tutored two times per week at The Roslindale county jail and the Middlesex state prison, supporting incarcerated individuals in improving their educational outcomes, reducing recidivism, and successfully reintegrating into society post-release. During her Showcase speech, Emma spoke about her profound experience reading Of Mice and Men with a young incarcerated individual, Derek, noting that their conversations were “some of the most meaningful, emotional and unforgettable conversations” that she’d ever had in her life.

Strategic Projects Manager at FamilyAid Boston | Since 2020
After graduating, Emma joined Fathers’ Uplift where she helped provide counseling, mentorship and other resources to fathers building strong relationships with their children. At Fathers’ Uplift, Emma was a mentor to other Semester in the City Fellows before starting a position as a Strategy & Policy Manager at Partners In Democracy, an organization that promotes civic engagement, democratic participation, and inclusive governance.

“Semester in the city helped me not only realize my passion for prison reform, but also helped me to realize that although change can happen on the direct service level, significant change happens on the policy level.”

SITC Placement: Leading Cities | Spring 2020

Clark University, Geography, City/Urban, Community/Regional Planning | Class of 2021
Sarah joined SITC hoping to gain practical experience in her area of study and explore her aspirations of working in local government post-graduation. While working with her hometown’s Economic and Community Development Director before joining SITC, Sarah loved working to enhance the city through both public city events and through managing businesses.

Leading Cities | Program Assistant Fellow
As a Program Assistant Fellow, Sarah worked on engaging and building a thriving alumni network, conducting market and program design research, and contributing to the development of the organization’s Smart City startup competition, AcceliCITY. She spearheaded designing the AcceliCITY curriculum based on feedback, expanded city participation, and enhanced social media strategies as part of the organization's rebranding efforts.

Associate Planner at Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission| Since 2021
Sarah continued her work with Leading Cities during the Summer after her internship, expanding on her work managing events and marketing, enhancing AcceliCITY, and leading a rebrand for Leading Cities’ website with a partner in Portugal to make it more accessible. Since graduating from Clark, Sarah has continued her work with local government at the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission as an Associate Planner. Reflecting on her fellowship, Sarah noted that Leading Cities gave her a “unique look into innovation that includes the entire ecosystem of government that you can’t find in any other organization. There is a holistic learning of how an organization works as well as how governments communicate with each other and how the founders of startups think.”

"Leading Cities and my mentor, Mike Lake, taught me the value of having a good mentor and how taking the time out of the work day to connect with your colleagues... I now have the confidence at my current internship to ask my supervisors for assistance and take time out of my work schedule to create connections…I feel more comfortable in the office and more confident that I know what kind of team I am looking for in my future career."

SITC Placement: Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) | Spring 2021

University of Vermont, Environmental Science | Class of 2023
With aspirations of a career in environmental journalism and passionate about myriad issues including the environment, racial justice, and gender equality, Semester in the City was a perfect opportunity for Grace to learn from experienced professionals while making meaningful contributions to challenging social issues.

Communities Responding to Extreme Weather | CREW Fellow
At Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW), Grace organized a DEI-centered workshop for the climate resilience hubs program, facilitating discussions and providing tools for equitable community preparation for extreme weather events. Her event provided a platform for informational talks and collaborative discussions on building community resilience with an emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. In addition to the workshops, Grace created a toolkit to help individuals address and assess social vulnerability in their communities.

Program Director & Administrative Assistant at Zeno Mountain Farm | Since 2023
After graduating from SITC, Grace continued her environmental justice work, and since 2023, she has worked as a Program Director & Administrative Assistant at Zeno Mountain Farm, a non-profit centered on creating inclusive spaces for individuals with and without disabilities to create community through artistic and recreational activities. Grace reflected on her time at SITC as an incredible learning experience: “I've built so many skills as well as just confidence in myself through this program because it really was a trial by fire, but I got put to the test and got to prove to myself as well, which was really awesome!”

“[SITC] was kind of exactly what I was looking for this semester. I needed away from that campus typical classroom lifestyle...Having other people relying on you. Having the team aspect. Also having a mission to your work is really, really, awesome!”

SITC Placement: Boston Legal Services | Spring 2022

Wheaton College, Political Science & Government and History | Class of 2023
Paul came to SITC ready to extend his passion for service in his hometown to other communities in need. As a longtime leader of his church youth group in New Bedfrod, Paul had actively engaged in community service and raised awareness about social causes like suicide and homelessness.

Greater Boston Legal Services | Pro Bono Program Fellow
As a Pro Bono Program Fellow at Greater Boston Legal Services, Paul helped provide free legal assistance to low-income families, focusing on securing basic necessities of life for vulnerable populations. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Paul's virtual internship didn't hinder him from making impactful connections. His drive and dedication caught the attention of Superior Court Judge Raffi Yessayen, who offered Paul a summer internship on the spot. Paul's story exemplifies the transformative experiences that can arise when excellent students with outstanding initiative get the opportunity to be in the right place at the right time.

Support Clerk at Anderson & Kreiger LLP | Since 2023
Paul has continued to pursue a career in law since graduating from the program, including holding an internship in the office of Judge Raffi Yessayen and now working as a Support Clerk at Anderson & Kreiger LLP. In early 2024, Paul, along with another SITC alum, Eliza Shaughnessy, was awarded the esteemed Ripples of Hope Fellowship, which recognizes his contributions to social change. This July, he and Eliza will travel to South Africa to exchange ideas and build connections with other young social innovators.

“The main takeaway is that I was not limited to what life gave me, but in fact, I could create, enhance, and sustain the life I want to live for myself and for my family.”