Now in its sixth year, the Paul F. Pelosi Scholars Initiative (PSI) continues to empower exceptional SFS sophomores and juniors with transformative opportunities in public service.
Established through the generous support of Paul F. (SFS’62) and Nancy Pelosi (H’02), who spearheaded a $1.6 million fundraising effort in 2018, PSI has become a cornerstone for nurturing talent dedicated to the common good and has supported 66 Scholars since its beginnings. The initiative selects students who embody the Jesuit value of “people for others” and connects them to a growing network of alumni, mentors, and public service practitioners.
In the spring of 2024, the Pelosi Scholars began to meet weekly for a 1-credit class focused on professional development for public service careers. This course was implemented at the Scholars’ request, reflecting their desire to enhance their collective learning experience and engagement, as well as gain deeper insights into public service through both skill development and interactions with practitioners.
This summer, Pelosi Scholars experienced a diverse array of impactful internships, both domestically and abroad, spanning across USAID, the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Defense and Energy and NGOs abroad. These hands-on opportunities, coupled with funding support, rounded out their Pelosi Scholars’ experience with invaluable skills and insights for future careers in public service.
Pelosi Scholars find the class, networking events, site visits and their internships to be a pivotal part of their SFS experience. Students are able to strengthen their understanding of their academic studies by putting it in to practice.
Nicholas Voltaggio (SFS’26), who is majoring in international political economy, interned at the U.S. Department of Treasury where he saw “trade policy as more than an object of study, [and instead] as a living, dynamic, messy thing made possible by the choices and priorities of public servants.” Luke Wohl (SFS’25), who worked with USAID in El Salvador, says, “The program bridged the theory that [I have] been learning at SFS with practice.”
Pelosi Scholars also deepen their knowledge of public service through networking events and lectures. “I appreciated getting to hear from guest speakers from a range of public service backgrounds,” says Ben Manens (SFS’26). “[They] were once in our shoes.”
The Pelosi Scholars Initiative aims to open doors and pull back the curtain on public service careers. “[It] allowed me to learn so much about a career in public service. As an immigrant, I had not had many opportunities like that before,” says Natalie Goldwasser (SFS’26), who became a U.S. citizen during her time as a Pelosi Scholar.
Current SFS sophomores and juniors interested in becoming a Pelosi Scholar can apply to the 2025 cohort until September 30, 2024.
2024 Pelosi Scholars Cohort
Abigail Rich (SFS’25)
The Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS)
Favorite Moment: “At the end of my internship, I was able to give a presentation to the entire organization about what I’d accomplished and the skills I’d developed. It was incredibly rewarding to reflect on what I had done with my time at C4ADS, and I loved getting to share it with all of the amazing people I worked with!”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “I would set clear expectations with my intern manager at the beginning of the program. This is something that I had the opportunity to do, and it was very helpful to have an outline of the projects that I would be working on, as well as an idea of what each project would do to help me develop.”
Most Thankful For: “I was most thankful for my incredible internship manager, who showed me that you can have great success in a public service position without having the cookie-cutter trajectory that is often encouraged for such careers. She encouraged me to pursue my passions, take every learning opportunity I can, and to raise my expectations of what I can accomplish.”
Bennie Chang (SFS’26)
U.S. Department of Commerce
Favorite Moment: “One of my most memorable experiences was staffing a bilateral trade meeting between the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade and Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce. Being part of such a high-level exchange was both thrilling and insightful. It gave me a front-row seat to international diplomacy and economic policy discussions.”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “I wish I had known the importance of networking with senior staff from the very beginning. Building those relationships earlier could have opened up even more opportunities for learning and growth. It is something [that] I would prioritize from day one if I could go back.”
Most Thankful For: “I am most grateful for the opportunity to dive into various industries involved in U.S.-China trade. I learned about many different sectors and enjoyed supporting the commercial side of these engagements. It gave me a deeper appreciation of the complexity of global trade and its impact on businesses.”
Benjamin Manens (SFS’26)
U.S. Department of Energy
Favorite Moment: “Walking to the USDA Farmers Market every Friday for lunch with the office was always a blast (even in 90+ degree weather)!”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “I would recommend [that]they very clearly communicate their interests with their supervisor and consistently evaluate whether there are additional things they want to accomplish in the role.”
Most Thankful For: “The people – the office culture was excellent and everyone I reached out to was more than happy to chat with me.”
Calla O’Neil (SFS’26)
Armenian Women’s National Basketball Team
Favorite Moment: “On an off day in the first week, we went to a concert in Gyrumi with the entire team and staff. I was definitely still struggling to feel like I had a place and could connect with my colleagues. But we spent the entire day together and it solidified a family-like bond that I ended up feeling for the rest of the experience. And, of course, I also loved every minute of the tournament in Kosovo, because seeing the team compete after 14 years made all of the hard work feel worth it.”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “Once you start an overseas internship, there is really no going back and that can be intimidating. But just dive into the work, appreciate every day, and learn how to help wherever you are needed. Also, remember to advocate for yourself because when an organization doesn’t have a very established internship program, people aren’t always going to be looking out for you, and handing you interesting things to do.”
Most Thankful For: “My friendships with the players and being able to contribute to the broader movement of advancing gender rights in Armenia.”
Cynthia Lu (SFS’26)
Beijing Children’s Legal Aid & Research Center
Favorite Moment: “My favorite memory was learning about the new UNHCR collaboration with my team. Before this project, my insufficient Chinese ability meant I was mostly doing research, though I wanted to be immersed in client work. It was heartwarming to see how excited the team was when there was an opportunity for my English to be an advantage! We all laughed as I translated and typed their reply to UNHCR!”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “1. Advocate for yourself, especially if your Chinese ability is not fully native-level. When I finally started speaking up about what I wanted, they were very willing to work with me to find projects that worked with my Chinese level (or my English). 2. Embrace the more casual Chinese workplace culture – trying to use the American “corporate” mode will only hold you back. Enjoy it!”
Most Thankful For: “Being able to witness the resilience and flexibility of lawyers working under an authoritarian regime — especially on a topic like NGOs/social organizations. I’m thankful I was able to work alongside them and get a taste of their passion.”
Emma Wong (SFS’25)
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of International Affairs
Favorite Moment: “My favorite moment was working on the Arctic Council Black Carbon Database and presenting case studies to the experts of the Arctic Contaminants Action Program. Also, meeting the EPA Administrator Michael Regan!”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “An EPA internship is what you make of it, and there are so many opportunities for you to grow. Everyone I met there truly wanted me to succeed. Senior advisors and leaders of other offices are very willing to have a conversation with you about your passions and career goals.”
Most Thankful For: “I am most thankful for the support and mentorship that I’ve received through both the Pelosi Scholars Initiative and my supervisors at the EPA. The people around me have encouraged me and deepened my passion for public service.”
Elena Martinez (SFS’25)
U.S. Department of Defense
Favorite Moment: “Visiting the Pentagon.”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “Make every effort to network and make friends with the other interns and coworkers. So much of my job involved getting other people’s inputs on projects and bringing together different offices that you end up making great professional connections and also really wonderful friendships.”
Most Thankful For: “Both of my bosses were extremely supportive and wanted me to explore the agency. I felt like I could go to them with any issues and they made sure I took advantage of every opportunity.”
Luka Wohl (SFS’25)
USAID | Office of Democracy and Governance at the U.S. Embassy San Salvador
Favorite Moments: “1) Meeting life-long friends at the embassy who shared with me the profound fulfillment and societal impact of their work, which made a public service career more appealing to me than ever, despite the salaries being lower than the private sector. 2) Going on adventures in the country every week 3) Interacting with such kind Salvadoran people.”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “The bureaucracy is real. Be patient and find the right balance between being assertive and respectful.”
Most Thankful For: “So grateful for the USAID team in El Salvador – working on migration issues with them was amazing – and Melanie of HCTM in DC for being so determined to get me abroad.”
Miles McInerney (SFS’25)
U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service Shanghai
Favorite Moment: “After a U.S.-hosted trade development conference, I was invited to a post conference lunch. The Chinese delegates insisted that I try chicken feet, a delicacy. I happily complied. This made the delegation very happy.”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “Also, always have a plan B. Take the most difficult internship you can secure, work abroad, and see if you can apply what you have learned at SFS.”
Most Thankful For: “Being at a Consulate provided a very realistic view of the work I would engage in should I become an Foreign Service Officer or a Foreign Commercial Officer.”
Nicholas Voltaggio (SFS’25)
U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of International Trade and Investment Policy
Favorite Moment: “I was excited (and nervous) when an economist on my team asked me to pursue a comparison project on draft IMF Article IV reports, examining the ways in which the IMF describes trade and subsidy policy across countries. My report was eventually reviewed by the U.S. Executive Director to the IMF ahead of the final round of consultations – it was surreal to see my contribution, however small, operate in the context of the international economic processes and phenomena I study at Georgetown.”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “1. Be proactive! Don’t wait for work to be assigned to you, and don’t be afraid to share your own thoughts and ideas. You never know, you may come up with a new insight or perspective that hasn’t occurred to others. 2. Nerd out, and use this internship as a chance to learn! I learned so much from coffee chats with staff members, scholarly literature I read, think tank events I covered, and datasets that I explored.”
Most Thankful For: “I am most grateful for the confidence this experience has afforded me to be my authentic self in the workplace. It showed me that I am capable of completing meaningful work, while building lasting relationships with my colleagues. Through those relationships, it is easy to find joy in public service work!”
Ranee Brady (SFS’26)
USAID | Innovation, Technology, & Research Hub
Favorite Moment: “I got to meet USAID Administrator and former Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power and she signed my book!”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “I wish I could tell myself, or anyone else starting an internship, that being very proactive and teaching yourself as you go will allow you to contribute more substantially and get the most out of your internship experience.”
Most Thankful For: “I am most thankful for the guidance and support of my supervisor, Mohamed Abdel-Kader, and my team in ITR. I never felt like I was “just the intern” — they invited me to all the meetings that my clearance allowed, and made me feel like part of the action.”
Sophia Lu (SFS’26)
Guam Human Rights Initiative
Favorite Moments: “A marine biologist took me out with her lab to go snorkeling – we swam with a gorgeous variety of fish, and with sharks! And a textile artist took me on an off-road spiritual pilgrimage hike that mostly only natives to the island know about. I felt so honored that he trusted me enough.”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “ First, on a practical level, be flexible and comfortable with unpredictability. Doing so opened up a lot of amazing experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Second, savor every moment. Whether it be drudging through the preliminary phases of research for my documentary, diplomatically navigating the push-and-pull with the film’s subjects, or watching and re-watching hours of footage, every moment is something you can learn from and treasure.”
Most Thankful For: “The people! Through the nearly 100 people I met, I developed a more holistic understanding of political culture in America’s territories, and came away with life-long friendships and an immense collection of incredible memories and stories.”
Sahar Wakilzada (SFS’26)
USAID | Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance
Favorite Moment: “Connecting with other fellow interns and learning about everyone’s personal journeys.”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “I wish I had stepped out of my comfort zone and gone on more coffee chats. A lot of the connections I made were through casual conversations, and I realized how valuable those interactions were for networking and learning. I also wish I had asked to shadow a person who works in the specific region I am interested in.”
Most Thankful For: “The people I met. They all were eager to get to know me beyond my capabilities and role.””
Yulina Goto (SFS’26)
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Favorite Moment: “1. Writing a report with my economist in LaTeX, a software used in economics to write papers. I felt like an economist! 2. Casual conversations with my economist at his office after work. We both like realistic science fiction, sudoku, and linguistics. The field attracts similar people–people who enjoy analytical thinking, who have interest in human behavior, and who are curious about the world.”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “1. Don’t be scared or intimidated by your supervisor. They are there to help you and they likely think very highly of you. Also, it helps to frequently update your supervisor even when you’re struggling because they may offer solutions or advice. 2. Organize scripts from the start. Consistently labeling files and writing comments alongside your code is more efficient than trying to organize all of the scripts at the end.”
Most Thankful For: “I am thankful for the opportunity to conduct research with an economist. Reading economics papers is one thing, but actually engaging in the research process is entirely different. This experience has allowed me to immerse myself in the hands-on work of a research career for the public good—writing and revising code to process datasets, exploring multiple approaches to research questions, and presenting my findings. It has also boosted my confidence, as I never imagined I would be able to replicate and build upon the research typically conducted by Ph.D. economists.”
Natalie Goldwasser
U.S House of Representatives | Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50)
Favorite Moments: “The Chief of Staff took us on the Capitol Dome Tour, and it was incredible to learn about the history and see the view. Another one was the intern chat with the Congressman. He gave us great advice and shared more about his experiences.”
Wish You Knew At Start of Internship: “Don’t be afraid to ask staffers for clarification or more details on assignments. It is better to ask than to do an incorrect assignment. Meet as many people as possible! All the staffers are eager to help!”
Most Thankful For: “All the staffers – I learned so much from watching them, from feedback, and from coffee chats. I am also thankful for all the research and writing assignments the office assigned. It was a great opportunity to improve my hard skills.”