Community Engagement Internship
About
The Community Engagement Internship (CEI) provides funding to Penn undergraduate students to support academic year-long and summer internships at our selected community partner organizations.
At our community partner organizations, Penn students engage in meaningful social justice work, learn more about the city of Philadelphia, acquire real-world skills, and develop and grow through a mentorship relationship with a supervisor.
At Civic House, the selected students regularly attend social justice workshop meetings with other interns of the program. During these meetings, students explore aspects of their identity, the root causes of social justice work, and engage in reflection to develop critical consciousness with a cohort of students interning at other organizations.
Students commit to working 10 hours/week for the full academic year or 35 hours/week during the summer with the community partner organization and attend reflection meetings at Civic House with the cohort of interns.
Students who are eligible for work study funding and/or demonstrate financial need will be prioritized.
Meet Our Interns
Priya Bhavikatti (she/her)
Major/minor:
Double Major in Visual Studies and Economics
Graduating Year:
2026
Community Organization
I am partnered with: Neighborhood Land Power Project (Former: Urban Tree Connection)
Why I engage, and what I would like to do in the future:
As a passionate advocate for community development and interest in sustainable food systems, I am excited to contribute to NLPP’s mission of building a neighborhood-rooted food and land system in West Philadelphia’s Haddington neighborhood. With a background in working with nonprofits, I have developed a deep understanding of the importance of community leadership development on fostering social change. This includes my work in the international nonprofit, Project C.U.R.E., in redistributing donated medical supplies to counties in need along with a student run nonprofit, ASPIRE Education Connections, in redistributing donated educational supplies from textbooks to also providing tutoring and mentorship to kids in the Denver area. I am particularly drawn to NLPP’s commitment to collaborative projects and community organizing, which aligns perfectly with my values and interests. I have a strong background in graphic design and communications, which has been valuable in supporting NLPP’s organizational rebranding efforts from its former name Urban Tree Connection.
Menna Delva (she/her)
Major/minor:
Major in PPE, minors in Africana Studies, Legal Studies and History
Graduating Year:
2026
Community Organization:
I am partnered with: Philadelphia Legal Assistance.
Why do I engage, and what would I like to do in the future:
As an inspiring lawyer, I am dedicated to increasing the accessibility of affordable legal services for marginalized communities. Volunteering with PLA was a easy choice for me because it provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in Philadelphia, allowing me to directly serve and engage with my community.
Admission Process
Summer 2026 Internships will be open for enrollment in the Spring Semester. Stay tuned!.
EXPECTATIONS
Once a student has accepted an internship, they will be expected to:
- Work 10 hours a week throughout the academic year (fall/spring) at their assigned nonprofit organization (or 35 hours a week for summer interns)
- Attend regular reflection meetings at Civic House
- Attend individual check-ins with Civic House staff
- Complete an end-of-internship reflection/evaluation
Students participating in the program for the academic year will be paid weekly $14/hr.