UNH Today

The Center for Social Innovation and Enterprise (CSIE) has announced the 2018 Fall Cohort for UNH’s acclaimed Semester in the City program.

This year’s cohort includes four sophomores, one junior and one senior: Riley Kenney ’19, Samuel Marquis ’20, Caitlin Durnbaugh ’21, Erin Gralton ’21, Mackenzie Lafond ’21 and Maria Rollinson ’21.

Through Semester in the City (SITC), UNH undergraduates head to Boston for rigorous internships with leading social change organizations focused on areas such as community development, social justice, health, education or the environment. The 16-credit program also includes an intensive evening course where students examine the theory and practice of various social change approaches as well as a Friday series of seminars and workshops. The program goal: “equipping a new generation of leaders who understand both direct and systemic approaches to social and environmental change.”

“It's very rare that in college you can be a member of a team working on the front lines of social justice and that your sense of purpose isn’t defined by you but is defined by the community,” says Faina Bukher, CSIE’s associate director and UNH SITC program manager, adding, “While enrolled in UNH’s Semester in the City, students pay their regular tuition to UNH and their financial aid continues to apply. There are no special hidden fees … Plus students get an unlimited transportation pass and a $600 stipend.”

Meet the Fall 2018 Cohort

Caitlin Durnbaugh is a Spanish and human development and family studies dual major. On campus, she is the student assistant for the nonprofit Military Kids, and her passion for social justice and cultural awareness has led her to be involved in the Black Student Union and Buddies Without Borders.

This fall, she is interning at 826 Boston (Egleston Center), a nonprofit that empowers traditionally underserved students ages 6 to 18 to tell their stories and gain communication skills that help them succeed in school and life.

Erin Gralton, a business administration major with an option in accounting and a minor in social justice and leadership, is a member of the coed community service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and the Alternative Break Challenge, on the executive board for Best Buddies, a tutor at Seacoast Reads and a CSIE Fellow.

During her semester in Boston, she is interning with Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation, which promotes affordable housing and economic opportunity initiatives to improve the lives of low- and moderate-income people and create a better community.

Riley Kenney, an anthropology major with a minor in business administration, participates in the Anthropology Club and the Socratic Society and has been named to the Dean’s List. This summer, he interned through CSIE’s Social Innovation Internship with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and conducted anthropological fieldwork research through the anthropology department.

This semester, Kenney is interning with Next Street, a strategic and financial advisor that helps both public and private organizations build and implement sustainable development solutions in their communities.

Mackenzie Lafond is a psychology major who plans to expand her horizons through her Semester in the City experience.

In Boston, she is working with Empowering People for Inclusive Communities, which aims to prepare young people with disabilities through education, leadership development and community service to be actively engaged leaders.

Sam Marquis, a psychology major, has been a resident assistant, member of the Psychology Club and a fellow for NH Listens, a civic engagement initiative of UNH’s Carsey School of Public Policy.

Marquis is interning at Lena Park Community Development Corporation, where his work includes identifying community resources, building collaborative relationships with community agencies, gathering data and putting together a monthly resident newsletter.

Maria Rollinson is an art history major and a member of several organizations including MOSAICO, Elite Dance Club, Connect and the McNair Scholars Program.

Through Semester in the City, she is interning with the 826 Boston Writer's Room, which focuses on providing in-school writing support and afterschool activities and clubs.

Interested in social change and an intensive hands-on educational experience? Learn more about Semester in the City at UNH.