At Allegheny Township, I contributed to both public outreach and internal technical support efforts within local government. My work focused on enhancing communication between the township and its 8,300 residents, while also supporting broader technological improvements within municipal operations. Key responsibilities included managing community outreach, developing digital content, and providing technical assistance. I helped create and distribute a township-wide newsletter highlighting departmental updates and upcoming events. I also managed Allegheny Township’s SavvyCitizen app creation.

As a municipal intern with the Borough of Ambridge in Beaver County, I led the development of a Walking Tour Application for the Ambridge Historic District. The application I developed, with help from the Borough, the Historic District, and technical advisors, aims to make the expansive history as accessible as possible. The app, named Ambridge Mobile, includes an expansive walking tour detailing the history of the town. With Ambridge having placed priority on modernizing, Ambridge Mobile helps the initiative and brings its history into the modern day.

During my internship, I contributed to projects supporting Avalon's values and goals. I created several user-friendly packets to guide residents through borough processes. I supported public education on stormwater management by building MS4 models to demonstrate runoff and nature-based solutions. To improve communication between residents and the borough, I created a borough contact sheet. I also drafted a proposal for Avalon to adopt a 311-style citizen request system to promote accessibility and responsiveness. These projects reflect a commitment to government transparency, sustainability, and inclusivity in Avalon Borough.

As the Municipal Intern, I have worked alongside borough leadership for a multitude of projects. I assisted with the planning, execution, and aftermath of the Unity in the Community celebration for Juneteenth. Braddock is looking to revive its community through blight reduction, enhanced greenspaces, and increased economic stimulation. This includes collaboration efforts with: Councils of Governments (COGs) to expand capacity, regionalization of the police force, the Local Government Academy (LGA) for a blight study, and Grounded for greenspace revitalization. This internship has increased my understanding of municipalities, as well as the barriers and drivers of change in municipalities.

As an intern at Chartiers Township, my first assignment was to update the Census database. To ensure it could be used effectively for Census purposes, we chose to use sewer data and GIS data because they were updated annually and therefore more reliable. Along with updating the current database, I researched ordinances and provided insight and suggestions to help improve them. I researched rental ordinances to try to find a solution for keeping track of rental properties and the tenants. As an intern and as a resident of Chartiers Township, I now feel that I have contributed to my community in a meaningful way.

As a Township Manager Intern, I developed Excel and PowerBI tools to support staff in managing township operations. These tools focused on budget forecasting and expenditure analysis while remaining user-friendly. My internship at Collier Township provided valuable experience in municipal budgeting, data analysis, and operational planning. It strengthened my technical skills and deepened my understanding of local government.

Utilizing GIS, PlacerAI, and other data-collection methods, I worked to categorize and modernize borough data resources, maintain relationships between business owners and borough management, and create long-term systems to help maintain the growth Crafton envisions. This includes vacant business mapping, contacting landlords, utilizing void analyses to bring in businesses, organizing committee mixers and borough meetings, and providing community support.

The Communications Team at the Borough of Dormont is dedicated to providing clear, accessible, and engaging content to the local community through posts, emails, newsletters, and more. As a Communications Intern, my primary project this summer was developing Dormont’s first ever Strategic Communication Plan! I strengthened my time and project management skills, learned to juggle multiple responsibilities, and gained a deep appreciation for the role of communication in local government. This experience has changed the way I see public service.

During my internship with the City of Johnstown, I focused on updating city policies and gaining a comprehensive understanding of municipal operations. A key aspect of my role involved reviewing and revising existing policies to ensure they are current, compliant, and effective. This required in depth research, collaboration with various departments, and a keen eye for detail. My internship has provided me with a well-rounded perspective on municipal governance and a solid foundation for future endeavors.

As an intern with the Township of Moon, I supported the Community Development Department in updating the Township’s Comprehensive Plan and preparing a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan. My work included drafting survey questions, developing a community outreach strategy, and researching best practices in land use, transportation, and parks planning. This internship deepened my understanding of how planning, budgeting, and community input shape local government decision-making. It also affirmed my commitment to pursuing a career in municipal government with a focus on land use, transportation, and environmental sustainability.

As a Community Development and Finance Intern for Moon Township, I had the opportunity to work across departments on a variety of initiatives. I observed the early stages of the Township’s 10-Year Comprehensive Plan and Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan, gaining insight into the strategic planning process. Within the Finance Department, I participated in the evaluation of Enterprise Resource Planning software proposals by attending vendor presentations and assessing system capabilities. This internship has broadened my understanding of local government functions and highlighted the importance of community engagement and long-term planning in municipal work.

My internship with the Township of Pine through the Local Government Academy (LGA) has been incredibly enriching both personally and professionally. As Pine begins its Comprehensive Plan, I supported efforts to gather public input, modernize internal processes, and gain hands-on experience in local government operations. I worked on Pine’s Application Digitization Project by scanning and organizing hundreds of zoning and permit files to support greater efficiency. This experience deepened my passion for planning and public policy as tools for shaping equitable, community-driven development.

I am a Comprehensive Plan Analyst with the Township of Scott, where I support local planning efforts focused on sustainable growth, infrastructure development, and community engagement. Working in local government has deepened my appreciation for how responsive, well-informed planning can directly enhance the quality of life in our communities. This role has taught me the value of listening to communities, balancing diverse interests, and using data to inform decisions that shape the future of neighborhoods and towns.

The principal assignment of my internship was an analysis of the feasibility and prospective township revenue of development along the Pennsylvania Turnpike 576. I applied methodology similar to a land use assumption to determine new square footage able to be constructed along the Beltway, with the final objective to conceive a financial model depicting an exhaustive cost to the township. The process enabled me to engage with a variety of township authorities, present findings to the board of commissioners and collaborate with the township engineers.

During my time with the Steel Rivers Council of Governments (SRCOG) and the Tri-COG Land Bank (TCLB), I supported projects in economic development, land management, and intergovernmental collaboration. My work included research to inform strategic decisions, such as evaluating emerging economic development opportunities. This internship was an excellent professional development opportunity, providing a fantastic foundation for understanding local government operations, strategic planning, and coalition building in post-industrial communities.

My primary focus during my internship was to implement creative solutions to revitalize vacant lots. I conducted a cost-benefit analysis for planting turfgrass alternatives on vacant land bank lots, leading to a pilot program where a clover seed mixture will be planted on the land bank’s next three open lots. I built an interactive app, using GIS, that in partnership with PA Solar Center enabled the land bank to identify facilities that can be powered with solar panels stationed on nearby vacant lots.

During my time at the TCVCOG, I have had many opportunities to experience how a municipal authority works to aid and protect the residents of its member towns. In order to efficiently, effectively manage the code enforcement for four of its member towns, the TCVCOG developed their own database for tracking inspections, violations, citations, and more: CodeNForce. This database has been at the center of my focus while at the TCVCOG. As we work to grow the usage of CodeNForce throughout the region, code enforcement officers and town administrators need assistance learning how to use the system. I help refine this process by creating tutorial videos that detail how to use the different functions within the system.

I served as the Municipal Planning Intern for the Borough of Verona, helping implement its multi‑year Strategic Management Plan (STMP) to guide key municipal projects and community revitalization. First, I addressed code enforcement by creating a shared Excel tool for Code Enforcement, the Police Department, and borough staff. Concurrently, I built a database of tax delinquent properties and owner information, a crucial resource since properties overdue by three years are more prone to blight. modernized Verona’s website to make it dynamic, mobile responsive, and user friendly.

I served as a summer intern with the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation (CWCDC), a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing and strengthening the local community through sustainable development initiatives. During my internship, I played a key support role in the planning and oversight of a significant renovation project targeting the 2nd and 3rd floors of buildings in the Business District. In addition to project-based work, I completed a variety of administrative tasks that deepened my understanding of the day-to-day operations of a small government-affiliated organization.

As a Community Outreach Specialist, I facilitated communication between the Township Board, residents, and experts to guide this critical project, replacing the municipal building. My internship began with assessing the municipal building’s deficiencies. This foundation allowed me to translate complex technical and financial details into accessible information for the public, ensuring effective community outreach. To promote transparency, I developed a project timeline for the Township’s website and created a community feedback survey, which gathered over 125 responses through election-day outreach, local events, and meetings. This experience helped me develop skills in project management, local government operations, and digital communication, contributing to one of the Township’s most significant projects in decades.