Internships
The Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice Fellowship is a prestigious grant that supports undergraduate and graduate students participating in unpaid, full-time summer internships or research programs at organizations whose mission addresses issues of social justice. The program, which supports approximately 40 students a year, was established in 2008 and has funded over 500 total students in that time. The Undergraduate Social Justice Fellowship is administered by the Hiatt Career Center's World of Work program (WOW).
In 2024, the Legacy Fund supported stipends for 24 undergraduate students pursuing unpaid internships at social justice organizations. Additionally, 15 graduate students from across the University, including 3 PhD and 8 MPP students from the Heller School for Social Policy & Management and 4 PhD students from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
Additional support for the Social Justice Fellowship is sponsored by the Class of 1969 Fund for Social Justice.
Past recipients:
2023 - 28 Undergraduate Fellows & 14 Graduate Fellows
2022- 28 Undergraduate Fellows & 13 Graduate Fellows
2021 - 21 Undergraduate Fellows & 14 Graduate Fellows
2020 - 34 Social Justice World of Work Internship Fellows, plus Academic Research Fellows, and a one-time program called Generation to Generation
Recent Recipients Spotlight:
Leah Kotkin '26
Social Justice Fellowship: Intern with the Metrowest Women’s Fund
Majors: Psychology, Women’s, Genders, and Sexuality Studies
Minor: Hispanic Studies
"Thanks to the grant I received from the Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice, I was able to complete an internship with the Metrowest Women’s Fund this past summer. The Metrowest Women’s Fund is a nonprofit organization that invests in women and girls through community building, education, and grant-making. Their emphasis on improving the lives of women and girls in Metrowest is truly inspiring.
I am so grateful to be a recipient of the WOW Fellowship. I was able to give back to my community and help those around me. The WOW allowed me to explore my interests in the fields of Psychology and Women’s, Genders, and Sexuality studies, while simultaneously pursuing my passion for social justice. The fellowship confirmed my desire to give back to those around me by becoming a Psychologist in the future. I would not have been able to have this meaningful experience without the Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice."
Lizbeth (Liz) Sandoval '24
Social Justice Fellowship: Community Engagement Intern at Africano Waltham
Majors: Business and Psychology
Minor: Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation Program (CAST)
"Through the Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice WOW Fellowship, I had the opportunity to intern at Africano Waltham, an organization empowering African immigrant youth and families through education, mental health support, and the arts. As the lead for their Melody Mentors program, I developed a summer session teaching beat-making and helped establish their first mobile recording studio.
The WOW Fellowship allowed me to combine my passions for business, psychology, and music in a meaningful way. Beyond developing practical skills in mentorship, event planning, and budget management, I learned the profound impact that creative expression can have on youth development. Growing up with musical mentorship in church gave me a unique perspective that I could share with these students.
This experience reinforced my interest in collaborative environments where innovative ideas flourish and every voice matters. Working closely with Juliet, Africano Waltham's founder, showed me the power of inclusive leadership. Moving forward, I plan to pursue opportunities that blend my business acumen with youth empowerment, whether through program development, nonprofit management, or social entrepreneurship. The fellowship has been instrumental in shaping both my professional trajectory and my commitment to social justice."
Alumni Spotlight
Rachel Goldfarb '11
Social Justice Fellowship: NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, Summer 2010
Today: Digital Communications Strategist, Actors’ Equity Association
“I did my WOW internship in the summer of 2010, leading into senior year. I was a communications intern at NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. I fell in love with communications work, and especially where I get to support causes that I care about. As a double major in English and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, NARAL Pro-Choice Mass gave me an opportunity to turn my education into a career.
Today, I'm the Digital Communications Strategist at Actors' Equity Association. We are the labor union representing actors and stage managers in theater in the United States. We also work to take the lead in fighting racism and sexism in theater, to end sexual harassment in the industry, and so much more. My degree in WGS combined with my WOW internship experience at NARAL helped me begin the journey to where I am today. The Louis D. Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice is what motivates me to give back to Brandeis.”
“With social justice, one must advocate not just for their own liberation and welfare but for everyone around them who may not even have the privilege or opportunity to make their voice heard.”
Recipient of the Social Justice WOW Fellowship
Internship: Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter