Summer Internship Fellow Program

Our Summer Internship Fellow Program grew out of a desire to help students find internship placements at premier human rights organizations and respected international initiatives. We have proudly developed dedicated placements for UConn human rights students and facilitate the recruitment and selection process. After a rigorous application process, students selected to participate in each of these opportunities are granted substantial financial support. We currently offer the following placements:

Amnesty International USA
Bellwether International
Business and Human Rights Center
The Child Labor Coalition
Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS)

Erin Appelson, Open Society Foundations Award

Erin Appelson (she/her) is an honors student double majoring in English and Human Rights with a minor in French and Francophone Studies. She works as a tutor for the UConn Writing Center and volunteers as a tutor with the Second Chance Educational Alliance. Additionally, she has conducted economic research on the impact of an immigration policy on healthcare uptake for likely undocumented women as a 2024 SURF Named Award recipient (Robert and Elizabeth Subkowsky Award). After her graduation in May 2026, Erin plans to attend law school and pursue a career in immigration law.

Alyssa Bredefeld, Open Society Foundations Award

Alyssa Bredefeld is a dual-degree student studying Human Rights and Allied Health Sciences. She is a Co-Chair for the President’s Council for Sexual Violence and Harassment, a Protect Our Pack leader, and Treasurer of the American Red Cross Club. Committed to mentorship, she works with UConn’s Human Rights Close to Home program, guiding high school students through civic engagement projects. She previously mentored a child with an incarcerated parent through CLICC. Alyssa researches intersectional social movements and humanitarianism through UConn’s Biobehavioral Research Lab. Combining her passions for human rights and healthcare, she works as an Emergency Medical Technician. She plans to pursue a career in medicine, focusing on community-based care or global health equity.

Eva Dannison, Open Society Foundations Award

Eva is a sophomore studying Human Rights and Political Science with a minor in Social Responsibility and Impacts in Business. On campus, she is the President and Co-Founder of Jewish on Campus, and President of UConn A Minor Coed A-Cappella. She has been engaged in a year-long research analysis with Dr. Waller on walls of separation in deeply divided societies, and works for the Center of Judaic Studies. Eva is pursuing a career in law, and is interested in pressing issues of genocide, human rights across borders, and discrimination on college campuses and beyond.

Samantha Eldridge, Open Society Foundations Award

Samantha Eldridge (she/her) is a senior double major in Human Rights and Political Science with a minor in Spanish. She is will be starting her accelerated Master of Arts in Human Rights in Fall of 2025. She plans on attending law school after receiving her BA and MA. She just finished a year researching under Dr. James Waller, to help research and write for his next book on identity and separation in deeply divided societies. She has a passion for studying Genocide and mass atrocity prevention. She plans on becoming a Judicial Advocate General for the United States Air Force.

Anisha Kurup, Open Society Foundations Award

Anisha Kurup (she/her) is a sophomore pursuing her dual degree in Human Rights and Psychological Sciences, and she is on a pre-law track. On campus, she is a member of Empowering Women in Law, the Honors Program, HuskyTHON, Innovation House Learning Community as a floor mentor, and Alpha Epsilon Phi. She has been involved in research on campus regarding deeply divided societies, and she is passionate about learning how this topic applies to the law, human rights abuses, and interpersonal interactions. Anisha hopes to attend law school after her undergraduate studies and is interested in the fields of human rights and international affairs.

Bridget Quiroga, Eversource Energy Chair in Business Ethics

Bridget Quiroga (she/her) is a double major in Political Science and Human Rights with a minor in Spanish. At UConn, she is employed as a Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP) Facilitator at the Women's Center and as a Staff Writer at Nutmeg Publishing. Additionally, she is a member of the UConn Dance Company (UDC). She is in the Special Program in Law at UConn and has ambitions of attending law school to further advance human rights relating primarily, but not exclusively, to women's rights, migrant rights, and the right to education in the United States and internationally.

Bradley Wheaton, Gladstein Family

Bradley (he/him) is a graduating senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Human Rights. He has always had a passion for human rights, working in advancing the fulfillment of the rights of indigenous and queer individuals. Bradley transferred to UConn from Iona College where he was a leader in advancing gender and sexuality-based initiatives, advancing equality on campus. While at UConn, Bradley has sought to expand his academic understanding of human rights with the intention of bringing this cumulation of experience into the professional world. After graduating, he hopes to work in action and advocacy by continuing to assist in the fulfillment of rights for queer and indigenous peoples.

Alexi Danesco

Lexi Danesco (She/Her) is a senior studying Human Rights and Sociology with a minor in Women Gender and Sexuality Studies. She is passionate about juvenile justice and youth development. In the future she plan to attend graduate school to further her career in community and childhood social services.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Open Society Foundation Award.

Caroline Keary

Caroline Keary is a senior majoring in Environmental Studies and Human Rights. She is also in the new Accelerated Master's in Social Responsibility and Impact in Business. During her time at UConn she was a member of the Swap Shop and co-founder of the UConn Thrift Den. She is passionate about ensuring that human rights and the environment are a top priority for businesses.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Gladstein Family.

Elena Bielesz

Elena is a junior studying Spanish and Latin American Studies with a minor in Human Rights. She is invested in pursuing a career in social justice and service and hopes to work in immigration law. Throughout her time at UConn, she has been working towards this goal by engaging in community service and student organizing, taking courses related to human rights, learning about global injustices, and assisting in research. She continues to advocate for decolonization, freedom of migration, and a fair and just society.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Gladstein Family.

Lillian Huffman

Lillian Huffman is a senior at the University of Connecticut studying Political Science, with minors in Human Rights and Spanish. She is also the Vice President of UConn’s Climate and Mind Network, a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, and a La Comunidad Intelectual alum. On campus, she volunteers with adult English language learners through UConn's ELL club, and with local middle schoolers through KUBE. After graduating, she looks forward to a hands on career in international human rights, with a special focus on Latino communities and women. She hopes to pursue a graduate degree in human rights and further progressive development for future generations to come.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Gladstein Family.

Matthew Shor

Matthew Shor (he/him) is a 2L at UConn Law studying International Human Rights Law. He is currently serving as the Vice President of the Human Rights Law Association and is a member of the Connecticut Journal of International Law.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Gladstein Family & Vic Schachter 64 Endowment.

Shannon O'Connor

Shannon O'Connor (she/her) is a double major in Political Science and Human Rights with a minor in Spanish. She is the Vice President of the National Alliance of Mental Illness, a member of Empowering Women in Law, and part of the Special Program in Law, and has also conducted research in the Anthropology Department on disease, profit, and the end of capitalism. Finally, she works as a stagehand at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts and as a Student Archives Assistant in the Archives and Special Collections in the Dodd Center for Human Rights. Shannon hopes to attend law school and get to work on pressing human rights issues including but not limited to women's rights, mental health rights, and immigration rights.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Open Society Foundation Award.

Sophia Stanganelli

Sophia Stanganelli is a senior studying Human Rights and Political Science. At UConn she is a member of Alpha Phi and Empowering Women in Law. She also works as a research assistant, and serves as an ambassador at the Global Training and Development Institute.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Eversource Energy Chair in Business Ethics.

Emma Harvison

Emma (she/her) is a rising Senior in the Honors Program studying Human Rights & Political Science with minors in Spanish & Latin American Studies. Every day Emma strives to learn how to be a strong advocate, amplifying the voices of communities impacted by human rights abuses. On campus, she is actively involved in advocacy with She's The First, an organization that fights gender equality through education, and along with her peers, reintroducing a UConn Chapter of Amnesty International to campus. Following her time at UConn, she plans to attend law school to focus on human rights laws and continue to work on advancing human rights internationally.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Open Society Foundation Award.

Sophie Lemire

My name is Sophie (she/her). I am a rising senior in the honors program studying Economics and Human Rights with a minor in International Studies and Social Responsibility and Impact in Business. A large portion of my studies focus on corporate social responsibility and the intersection of business and human rights. I spent the 2022-2023 academic year studying at Amsterdam University College developing my work in an international framework. On-campus and off-campus I dedicate my time to activism and volunteering. After graduation, Sophie plans on attending law school and hopes to work in international law.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Eversource Chair.

Natalie Goncalves

My name is Natalie Goncalves and I am a rising senior studying human rights and sociology and minoring in philosophy. I am looking forward to attending law school and going into Immigration law.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Open Society Foundation Award.

Ashten Vassar

I have always been passionate about Human Rights, Disability justice, harm reduction, and community care. I am strongly committed to trauma-informed and decolonial praxis that serves the interest of the people. During my time at UConn, I have been involved with student organizing, student labor, restorative justice initiatives, research projects and health promotion. I am planning on pursuing graduate school after my senior year and hope to continue working in archival research and community health.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Open Society Foundation Award.

Alexandra Kapell

My name is Alexandra Kapell and I am a senior studying human rights and political science. I have always had a strong interest in human rights law and developed a passion for activism in school and community service projects. At UConn, I conduct research on gender-based violence, volunteer at the Women's Center, am a teacher's assistant, and work as a barista at the UConn cafes. In the future I plan to attend law school and hope to work with vulnerable communities of women who have survived domestic abuse.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Open Society Foundation Award.

Karissa Guaman

Karissa (she/her) is a rising senior studying Economics and Human Rights with a minor in Social Responsibility and Impact in Business. Through her education here at UCONN, she has fostered and grown her passion for social justice and service, specifically around labor and immigration rights. Karissa is currently involved with CT Students for a Dream advocating for the undocumented communities in Connecticut. Within Human Rights, her interests include immigrant rights as well as corporate social responsibility.

This placement was made possible through the generous support of the Open Society Foundation Award.

How to Apply

Apply via Microsoft Forms

The application requires the following materials:

Personal Statement: In 750 words or less, tell the committee about: (1) your experience with the study and practice of human rights; (2) your main topics of interest in the human rights field; (3) why you have chosen to apply to the HRI Internship Fellow Program. Topics you may address include coursework, previous volunteer or employment experiences, extracurricular activities, personal experiences, or involvement in advocacy and activism efforts.
Skills Statement: In 750 words or less, please tell the committee the specific skills, talents, experiences, and perspectives that make you well suited to interning at a human rights organization. Areas of reflection for this prompt could be: the values that guide your approach to advocacy, specialized skillsets that would help an organization advance its goals (i.e., data collection, research, intercultural communication, verbal and written language skills, managing social media campaigns, political organizing, canvassing, etc.), and personal experiences which give you unique insight into specific human rights issues.
Unofficial Transcript: Please enclose an unofficial copy of your University of Connecticut academic transcript.
Resume: Please attach a resume that includes current and previous employment including military experience, part‐time work, and summer or other temporary positions. Your resume should also list your involvement in extracurricular activities such as organizations, clubs, sports, and campaigns while attending UConn. It can also include your skills in relevant areas like foreign language fluency or technical skills like proficiency with Microsoft Office, SPSS, etc.
Professional References: Please attach a document listing the contact information for 2–3 professional references. For each reference, include their email address, phone number, and a brief description of your professional relationship.

Applications will be reviewed by the Fellowship Committee. The Fellowship Committee will also conduct interviews with finalists. Once finalists have been selected, the candidate files will be sent to the internship placement sites for review and approval. The internship organization makes the final decision to extend an offer.

To maximize the likelihood of being selected as a Human Rights Internship Fellow, we recommend that all applicants schedule a resume consultation appointment with the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills to have their resumes and cover letters critiqued.

For questions or inquiries, please email Ayaa Elgoharry, at ayaa.elgoharry@uconn.edu, or call (860) 486‐8739.

Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute

2025 Summer Internship Fellowship Recipients

2024 Summer Internship Fellows

2023 Summer Internship Fellows

Eligibility & Award Details

How to Apply