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Moynihan Student Internship Spotlight: Celebrating Our Interns' Summer Journeys
October 2, 2024
With the fall semester now in full swing, we’re excited to reflect on and celebrate the remarkable summer internships of our fellows. This article showcases the experiences of six Moynihan interns who devoted their summer to meaningful public service roles across various city offices. Their journeys not only honed their professional skills but also made a significant impact on their communities.
Miguel Arias, Brooklyn Borough President's Office
Kicking off our spotlight is Miguel Arias, who spent his summer interning at the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office. Miguel played a vital role in constituent affairs, acting as a bridge between residents of Brooklyn and city agencies. He tackled various issues, notably coordinating communication between City Hall and the Parks Department to expedite resolutions for concerns like a complaint about dead trees.
Moreover, Miguel engaged in community outreach events, resonating with the energy and diversity of Brooklyn. He described his experience at local parades, stating, “I personally loved the energy and joy that we bring to the parades and the emotions that the people had during them. It was truly amazing to bring people and cultures together.”
A huge thank you to the Brooklyn Borough President's Office and Deanna Foote for hosting Miguel as an intern!

Pamela Bernal Gonzalez, The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
We shine a light on Pamela Bernal Gonzalez, who had an impactful time interning at The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. Pamela reflected, “My internship experience allowed me to grow as an individual and provided me with experience that will assist me when applying to law school.”
Her responsibilities included assisting constituents across Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan with the IDNYC application process, emphasizing her commitment to advocacy for underserved communities. She expressed the importance of these interactions, noting, “This internship gave me the opportunity to communicate with constituents and become a resource to many communities that lack assistance from New York City.”
Thank you to The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and supervisor Ledia Dobi for fostering such a valuable experience!
Yuhlani Patterson, Manhattan Borough President’s Office
We are excited to feature Yuhlani Patterson, who interned at the Manhattan Borough President’s Office. Yuhlani immersed herself in public service, gaining firsthand knowledge of community engagement and activism.
"My internship experience was fantastic because it exposed me to an important aspect of public service: on-the-ground activism," Yuhlani shared. Among her highlights was a private tour of City Hall and participation in the Hudson Sailing Company project, which focuses on revitalizing the Hudson River's ecosystem.
We extend our gratitude to the Manhattan Borough President’s Office for nurturing Yuhlani’s professional growth.

Fadia Faiza, NYC Health + Hospitals
Next, we spotlight Fadia Faiza, who interned at NYC Health + Hospitals within the Institute for Diseases and Disaster Management. Fadia noted, “This internship definitely exceeded my expectations,” highlighting her extensive learning in emergency management practices, including outbreak prevention and control measures.
Fadia's experience provided vital insights into public health, making it a wonderful stepping stone into her career in the field.
Thank you to Priya Dhagat and NYC Health + Hospitals for offering Fadia such a robust learning experience!

Soné Hege-Cornell and Driana Ureña, The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
As we conclude our spotlight, we are excited to feature Soné Hege-Cornell and Driana Ureña, who spent their summer internships enriching the work at The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Driana emphasized the tremendous networking opportunities provided by the Moynihan Center fellowship, describing her role in case briefing and updating federal policies. She said, “My work involved updating federal policies for dissemination to MOIA, attending meetings, and compiling notes and readouts.”
Soné shared gratitude for the mentorship received from supervisor Enrique Chavira, stating, “He dedicated time from his busy schedule to meet with Driana and me. His guidance was invaluable.”
A heartfelt thank you to Enrique for his exceptional support and to the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs for fostering a learning environment for these talented interns.
