Pardee School Students Reflect on Impactful Summer Internships Supported by Corgan Fund
Four Pardee School students recently completed summer internships in international affairs, thanks to the Michael T. Corgan Internship Fund. Named after the beloved professor Michael T. Corgan, the fund provides stipends for unpaid internships that help advance students’ careers in international relations.
Lina Dellanno (BA IR ’25) interned remotely with Inkululeko, a nonprofit organization based in Makhanda, South Africa. Under the mentorship of CEO Jason Torreano, Dellanno worked on various projects, including drafting the Annual Report and writing grant proposals. She reflects, “Crafting over ten grant proposals was a challenging yet rewarding experience. It involved conducting research to identify potential funders, understanding their priorities, and tailoring proposals to demonstrate how Inkululeko’s work aligns with their funding goals.”
Alexis Moran (MA IA ’25) served as a Program Intern at the Women’s Foreign Policy Group in Washington, D.C. She shares, “The other interns and I often quipped about our ability to seamlessly switch roles, from accountant to human resources manager, event planner, and social media analyst, all in a day’s work.” Moran’s responsibilities included event preparation, administrative support, and leading the annual Mentor Match program. She adds, “I knew I needed to leverage my summer in D.C. beyond work. I made a goal to turn some LinkedIn connections into coffee dates and step out of my comfort zone.”
Sophia Sorcigli (BA IR ’26) interned with American Friends of Georgia (AFG), where she visited project sites, including hospice centers and shelters. She reflects, “Working with AFG gave me a firsthand look into the operations of an international nonprofit, and the experience was both inspiring and sobering. I was struck by the deep-rooted challenges faced by residents of the Dzegvi shelter. Many residents, from young children to adults, have been born and raised there, and see little opportunity beyond its walls. It highlighted the urgent need for programs that empower residents to pursue opportunities outside the shelter.”
Kathleen Rouse (BA IR ’26) interned at the U.S. Defense Department’s National War College in Washington, D.C. She assisted faculty in course development and carried out her own capstone research project on government use of commercial satellites in national defense. Rouse reflects, “I treasure the fantastic connections I made at the War College with both faculty and peers, and I cannot fully express how grateful I am to have been part of the institution’s incredible community for the summer.”
All four students expressed deep gratitude for the Corgan Internship Fund. As Rouse states, “That gratitude is largely owed to the Corgan Fund’s charitable donors, who made this unpaid internship feasible for me. To everyone who made this grant possible, thank you.” Moran echoes this sentiment, saying, “I am incredibly grateful that the Pardee School Corgan Internship Fund could make this opportunity possible.”
Their experiences provided valuable insights into international affairs, nonprofit operations, and government work, aligning with the fund’s goal of supporting career-advancing opportunities in the field. From drafting grant proposals and organizing events to conducting field visits and engaging in high-level research, these internships offered a diverse range of experiences that will undoubtedly shape the students’ future careers in international relations.
Read their full reflections here: