Tow Foundation Public Service Interns

Providing funding and support to students completing unpaid or low-pay internships in public service.

About the Tow Foundation Public Service Interns

The Tow Foundation has provided remarkable support for internships in public service. Since 2016, more than 200 students have served as Public Service Interns with the Tow Foundation's support. Tow Foundation Public Service Interns have worked everywhere from New York City Council to offices in the US House of Representatives, PEN America, Bronx Defenders, The Children's Law Center, and many in between. Internships can take place in government, nonprofits, NGOs, and an array of other organizations. If students have questions about whether the organization in which they are interested in interning is eligible, they can email beyondbarnard@barnard.edu.

Applicants may design their own internship or apply to an existing internship program. A confirmed internship is not necessary prior to submission of an application.

Currently enrolled first-years, sophomores, and juniors are eligible for summer internships. All currently-enrolled students are eligible for academic semester internships.

Summer Internship Benefits & Expectations

Funding to support 10 weeks of full-time internship work (equivalent of 350 total hours) completed between the last day of Spring Semester finals and the first day of Fall Semester classes.
Presentation of work at the Summer Internship Programs Showcase in Fall Semester
Access to subsidized on-campus housing at Barnard
Access to Beyond Barnard’s programmatic internship support
Interns are expected to participate in an in-person internship experience

Academic Semester Benefits & Expectations

A stipend to support 65 hours of internship work completed during the semester
Access to Beyond Barnard’s programmatic internship support

Note that all requirements posted on this website are subject to change, and complete information is always shared with applicants and recipients. Questions can be directed to Beyond Barnard (beyondbarnard@barnard.edu).

Meet the 2024 Tow Public Service Interns

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Molly Alexander '25

Molly Alexander is a rising senior at Barnard College majoring in English and Human Rights. She will be graduating in 2025 and hopes to get a masters in Human Rights followed by a law degree. Her goal is to be a human rights lawyer and to advocate for those in need. She will be working in refugee resettlement with Catholic Charities Community Services NY.

Nicole Chang '25

Nicole Chang, originally from Brazil and Taiwan, is a Human Rights - Education major with a keen interest in international affairs. Nicole spent her summer working with The Tibet Fund, a non-profit organization committed to safeguarding and advancing Tibetan culture while enhancing the well-being of Tibetan communities across South Asia.

Tali Beckwith-Cohen '25

Tali Beckwith-Cohen is a history major and a coordinator with the Columbia Housing Equity Project. This summer, she will be interning at Broadway Community Inc, a homeless stabilization shelter in Morningside Heights.

Mahabuba Masud '26

Mahabuba Masud is passionate about pursuing public service work at the intersection of public health and advocacy. In her Tow Foundation Public Service internship, she will work on projects related to urban development and healthcare rights at the Office of Council Member Carmen De La Rosa

Sheza Sheikh '27

Sheza Sheikh is a first-year majoring in political science with a minor in human rights on the pre-law track. She is interested in family and immigration law, interning at The Bronx Defenders within their Family Defense Practice during the summer.

Sydney Johnson '25

Sydney Johnson is a rising senior majoring in Anthropology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies. This summer, she will serve as a Communications Intern at Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the world’s first HIV/AIDS service organization.

Rose O'Brien '25

Rose O'Brien is a student at Barnard College planning to graduate in 2025 with a major in Urban Studies with a Political Science Specialization. As part of the Tow Foundation Public Service Internship Program, Rose will be working with Sanctuary for Families to help survivors of gender violence gain legal support. Following graduation, Rose is interested in pursuing law school to continue work in the field of public interest law.

Amanda Cassel '25

Amanda Cassel is a rising senior interested in the environment and land use regulation. This summer, Amanda will be interning at Preservation of Affordable Housing within the legal department. POAH produces essential services such as housing, access to schooling and public transportation, and community-rooted resources that promote economic mobility.

Elise Penn '26

Elise Penn is an Economics major with a concentration in Human Rights. This summer, Elise is thrilled to join the Education Law Advocacy Project at SMRLS, where she’ll support the Project's mission of empowering families and ensuring that every child has access to equal educational opportunities.

Julia Rose French '26

Julia Rose French is a sophomore at Barnard studying Political Science and minoring in Spanish and Economics. This summer she will be interning at Congressman Adriano Espaillat's office (District 13) in Harlem, New York.

Kelsey Wu '27

Kelsey Wu is hoping to pursue a major in history or sociology on the pre-law track. Kelsey is excited to be a part of the Tow Foundation Public Service Interns 2024 cohort and is honored to receive the assistance of this program for her summer internship this year with the Beyond Earth Institute where she will be conducting research within the field of space policy.