This year’s BU City Hall Summer Scholars on Boston City Hall Plaza, July 29, 2026: Zakariya Hussein (Questrom’27) (front row, from left), Harrison Tran (COM’27), Rebekah Davilmar (Sargent’28), Tayana Antoine (Sargent’27), and Kimberly Nguyen (Sargent’27); Joseph Gillis (CDS’27) (second row, from left), Alex Kwong (Questrom’27), Amanie Foster (CAS’28), and Nickayla Davis (CAS’27). Missing from the photo is Mariam Joumal (COM’28). Photos by Jake Belcher

Internship

These Terriers Just Got a Primer on What Makes Municipal Government Work

2026’s BU City Hall Summer Scholars reflect on a summer of service, learning, and community

This summer, 10 BU undergraduates—all Boston Public Schools alumni—had an opportunity to see up close what it’s like to work in municipal government. As 2026 BU City Hall Summer Scholars, they spent 10 weeks working for Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration, the Boston City Council, and other areas of city government that address issues ranging from public health and sustainability to tourism, transportation, neighborhood engagement, and constituent services.

The program, launched a decade ago and funded by BU’s Office of Government & Community Affairs, gives full-time rising juniors and seniors who are Thomas M. Menino Scholarship or Boston University Community Leader Scholars the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in municipal government, while serving the city where they once attended public school.

Here, this year’s City Hall Summer Scholars share what their internships involved, what they learned about serving Boston, and how the experience may shape their career ambitions.

Harrison Tran (COM’27)

Internship: Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment (TSE) department

My responsibilities included making graphics, writing copy, and recording and editing videos for social media. I also worked on general event planning tasks, such as setting up equipment and finding vendors to sell items at events. I was interested in interning at city hall because I have been involved in community organizing in Chinatown since high school. Working in community organizing across the entire city felt like a good next step. 

The biggest thing I learned was how to improvise and get things done under tight deadlines. One of TSE’s largest summer events was Mayor Wu’s community watch parties for the FIFA World Cup. Originally, there were only six planned, but due to the success of the first events, the mayor requested that nearly every game be shown. Things moved quickly, which forced me to be quick on my feet. I was surprised by how TSE’s events bring people together from all around the world. I always knew Boston was diverse, but I learned about the breadth of cultures that came together for the World Cup. 

This experience has definitely influenced my interest in a career in government. I have now seen the people the government serves, and I want to be a part of it.

Nickayla Davis (CAS’27)

Internship: Boston City Council President Liz Breadon’s office

I worked on a variety of legislative, policy, and administrative projects. My responsibilities included conducting policy research; drafting council meeting remarks, talking points, resolutions, and constituent correspondence; attending community meetings and public hearings; taking meeting notes; and assisting with filing and office operations. I also helped prepare recognitions honoring individuals and organizations for their contributions to the Boston community.

One of my most rewarding projects was researching transit systems in cities across the country to identify best practices to improve Boston’s public transportation system. I compared transportation planning strategies, reporting requirements, and implementation processes to support recommendations for building a more effective and accessible transit system for Boston residents.

I was interested in interning at city hall to better understand how local government operates and how decisions made by elected officials directly impact people’s daily lives. The best part of the experience was being trusted with meaningful projects that contributed to the work of the council president’s office and the communities it serves.

Although my long-term goal is to become a physician, this fellowship showed me how public policy and local government play an important role in improving the health and well-being of entire communities. It strengthened my communication, research, and problem-solving skills and gave me a greater appreciation for public service that I will carry with me throughout my future medical career.

Zakariya Hussein (Questrom’27)

Internship: Operations Cabinet

Walking into Boston City Hall each morning this summer, I never knew exactly what the day would bring. I was primarily responsible for creating a project playbook to help the Operations Cabinet plan for future purchasing and budgeting needs. I analyzed five years of financial data, categorized expenses by department and vendor, identified recurring goods and services, and developed projections for FY27. This project showed me how financial analysis can support better decision-making in government.

I also regularly covered the mayor’s office front desk, welcomed visitors, answered calls, directed constituents to the correct departments, and helped residents access city services. I supported office activities, photographed events, and participated in coffee chats with city leaders and employees. 

Some of my most memorable moments took place outside the office. I volunteered at the Fourth of July celebration activities for USA 250, the welcoming for the Tall Ships arrival to Boston Harbor, flag-raising ceremonies, and FIFA World Cup events. It was exciting to see the mayor at least twice a week and observe her interactions with staff, residents, and community leaders.

This fellowship taught me that public service requires collaboration, professionalism, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to helping others. Each task—from analyzing budgets to assisting constituents and supporting major events—helped me grow. 

Kimberly Nguyen (Sargent’27)

Internship: District 8 City Councilor Sharon Durkan’s office

I conducted policy research, drafted official correspondence, and managed the office’s social media. Among the highlights of my internship was preparing over 15 municipal resolutions and citations recognizing musicians Noah Kahan, Passion Pit, and Dermot Kennedy, as well as outstanding local businesses and organizations contributing to the city’s efforts to celebrate civic and cultural achievements.

After interning last year as a BU City Scholar Summer Fellow with the mayor’s Civic Organizing department, I was interested in returning this year to gain a deeper understanding about the legislative work that goes on at city hall. Although I have lived in Boston my entire life, these past three months gave me a new perspective on the city and a greater appreciation for the distinct character and needs of each neighborhood. 

One of the biggest surprises was how much of the city council’s work takes place outside of public hearings. Behind every item considered on the council floor are weeks worth of policy research, constituent communication, collaboration with city departments, and various drafts of legislation. 

The best part of this internship was interacting with politicians, city workers, and constituents. I’m grateful for the enthusiastic and supportive team that guided me through the different sides of civic work. 

Alex Kwong (Questrom’27)

Internship: Assessing department

I had numerous opportunities and assignments. I updated the department’s website to make it more user-friendly. Then, I got to go on residential inspections in Dorchester and East Boston, seeing how city assessors take their measurements and adjust home valuations. I also participated in a commercial inspection of a music studio in Dorchester, which was very fun to do. 

I was interested in interning at city hall because I had already done work for the city in high school—we completed tax returns for taxpayers across Boston. My internship with the assessing department was an excellent opportunity to see how the city runs and operates. I was most surprised by how welcoming and warm the staff were. 

The best part of the experience was going on the city inspections and chatting with homeowners about their properties. I had no idea how people-facing property inspections were. Through this internship, I learned just how critical the assessing department is to Boston’s foundation—over 77.6 percent of the city’s annual budget comes from property taxes. Seeing how that funding comes together was fascinating, and the formative experience solidified my interest in public service, boosted my professional confidence, and gave me a deep appreciation for the municipal machinery that keeps Boston running.

Rebekah Davilmar (Sargent’28)

Internship: Boston Public Health Commission

I interned with the Boston Public Health Commission, supporting the Mayor’s Health Line. My responsibilities included managing client notices received by mail. I developed a spreadsheet to better organize and track them. I also answered phone calls, assessed callers’ needs, and connected individuals with Mayor’s Health Line navigators for assistance with primary care, health insurance, and other community resources. In addition, I participated in community outreach events and attended trainings on public health topics and MassHealth updates.

I was interested in interning at city hall because I wanted to better understand how local government and public health work together to serve Boston residents, especially those in underserved communities. Throughout the fellowship, I learned that access to health insurance is highly individualized and that the Mayor’s Health Line provides free assistance to everyone, regardless of background or immigration status. I often found myself sharing these resources with friends and family whenever they had questions about health insurance or community services.

What surprised me the most was how much work happens behind the scenes, before residents receive assistance. The best part of the experience? Working with such a welcoming and supportive team that encouraged me to ask questions and grow professionally. 

Tayana Antoine (Sargent’27)

Internship: Boston Energy Saver program

The Boston Energy Saver program is a service that provides one-on-one support to renters, homeowners, and small businesses looking to upgrade their buildings. I had the opportunity to contribute to projects focused on the intersection of energy efficiency and public health. My responsibilities included creating educational flyers about the health benefits of electrification, researching the health effects of gas stoves and oil heating systems, preparing language access memos, presenting information to stakeholders, and researching energy-limiting behaviors that affect residents’ ability to adopt cleaner technologies.

The best part of my internship was the chance to be part of the Boston Energy Savers program while it is still in its early stages. The program is only about a year old, and it was exciting to be involved in conversations about its future and how it can continue growing to benefit Boston residents.

I also learned that many city programs operate with limited funding, making collaboration and innovation even more important. This fellowship strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in public service, where I hope to help create healthier, more equitable communities through thoughtful policy and community engagement.

Mariam Joumal (COM’28)

Internship: City Council President Liz Breadon’s office 

My responsibilities included attending council meetings, working on projects, assisting with social media, and supporting weekly meeting preparations.

Throughout the fellowship, I gained an understanding of how local government operates. I learned how city councilors evaluate issues and make decisions about which legislation moves forward and which does not. I also learned about the preparations involved ahead of each weekly meeting, including reviewing the agenda, preparing the council binder, and working on the council president’s talking points.

As an aspiring lawyer, I wanted to observe how people working in policy approach their responsibilities and whether I could see myself in a similar environment. The most valuable part of my internship was attending council meetings and seeing the behind-the-scenes work come to life during the budget process. This experience strengthened my interest in government and public service and showed me I could pursue a legal career in government, advocating for people whose voices may otherwise go unheard.

Joseph Gillis (CDS’27)

Internship: Innovation and Technology Cabinet (DoIT)

I worked on many projects across different teams, including creating a program that reads and compares planning board documents to the Boston Planning and Development Agency’s database. I did tasks for the planning team, internal statistical reporting, and AI training for employees and citizens. 

Growing up, I was civically engaged, thanks to my parents, so local government in Boston has always been a place I wanted to work and be involved in. This internship was perfect for me. 

Amanie Foster (CAS’28)

Internship: Civic Organizing office

My responsibilities included reaching out to constituents who had applied for a Block Party Grant to confirm their vendor IDs and vendor ID addresses and to answer inquiries they had about the status of their application. I was also responsible for checking the status of applicants’ Play Street Closing Permit number, then updating that information accordingly. I was involved in reaching out to sites for Harvard Day of Service, creating stories on the office’s Instagram account, assembling Block Party and Civic Summit kits, creating the networking activity for this year’s Civic Summit, and coordinating trash pickups with the city’s parks department as a part of its Neighborhood Cleanup initiative. 

The best part of my time at City Hall was the people I got to meet and all that I was able to learn from them. I loved that, as an intern, I was involved in every initiative that was ongoing in the office.