Cornell Human Ecology has launched a new summer internship program in New York City focused on urban studies, community engagement and professional development.

The internship program places student interns at partner sites across the city’s five boroughs. For this pilot year, three students focused on youth development and worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem, a longstanding partner with the Cornell Action Research Collaborative. They helped implement programs like Youth Engagement and Action for Health (YEAH!) Food Justice Program, a summer program where high school students learn about nutrition, conduct ethnographic observations of the food environment and present to stakeholders on solutions to improve the food environment.

“I learned so much about food justice,” said Erini Williams ’26, who is majoring in global and public health sciences. “As someone passionate about food equity, it was interesting to see how New York City and my home city experience food differently.”

The interns also helped develop an urban studies course that will prepare interns in future years with the skills and knowledge to successfully work at partner sites and help them understand the unique history that shapes New York City.

Read more on the Cornell Human Ecology website...