Student Interns
Through the Multidisciplinary Student Training Institute, The Field Center provides research, internship and field placement opportunities for selected students across multiple disciplines.
Meet our 2024-2025 students here:
Kate Greco
Kate Greco is a full-time dual-degree Master of Social Work and Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership student at the University of Pennsylvania. She has a concentration in Macro Practice and joined the Field Center in September of 2024. Kate completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Human Services at the University of Delaware in May 2023, where she was also a Community Engagement Scholar and part of the Honors College. During her time there, Kate was a research assistant for the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood, as well as an Early Intervention Intern with the Department of Mental Health / Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Last year, Kate completed her foundation year social work field placement at the Defender Association of Philadelphia in the Child Advocacy Unit, where she gained first-hand experience advocating for children with open dependency cases in Philadelphia. Kate is excited to continue to expand her knowledge of the child welfare system and learn more about how she can be an advocate for change within the nonprofit sector in the future.
Sabrina Vargas
Sabrina Vargas is a 2nd year Master of Social Work and Master of Nonprofit Leadership dual degree student at the University of Pennsylvania with a Macro practice concentration and a specialization in Child Well-Being and Welfare. She is joining the Field Center for the 2024-2025 academic year as a MSW Intern. Sabrina is a 2023 first-generation college graduate from Rowan University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a minor in Sociology. At Rowan, Sabrina was honored with the Humanitarian Medallion Award, presented to a senior at graduation, whose lifestyle and activities display compassion and concern for the well-being of others, evident in their involvement and service to the University. This remains true in her service to the Penn and Philadelphia communities through her personal and professional endeavors. Sabrina works in local West Philly schools, and has many research interests to support youth, families, and communities. Her person-centered approach, coupled with her passion, drive, and optimism, fuels her commitment to making a positive impact. She is excited to gain knowledge and skills at the Field Center and contribute her creative problem-solving to the Center’s work.
Hannah Bennett
Hannah Bennett is a second-year master’s student at Bryn Mawr’s Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, focusing on Communities, Organizations, Policy, and Advocacy. With nearly two decades of experience building and managing academic arts libraries, she shifted her focus to social work in 2023. Hannah holds a BA and MA in Medieval Studies and an MLS from the University of Illinois. During her foundation year internship at Family Matters, a family preservation social services agency in Bala Cynwyd, PA, Hannah supported families parenting children with special needs by connecting them to critical services like health care services through county and state agencies, special education support, and mental health resources. Now at the Field Center, she’s eager to broaden her impact, improving child wellbeing through the center’s innovative programming, research, and advocacy initiatives.
Nina Pham
Nina Pham (she/her) is a Master of Science in Social Policy and Data Analytics candidate at the University of Pennsylvania. As the 2025-2026 Nancy Glickenhaus Student Fellow, Nina brings a strong interdisciplinary background in policy analysis, data science, and advocacy with a focus on child and family well-being. Nina completed her Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and English from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research experience spans pediatric health equity and economic inequality. At the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Policy Lab, she investigates child healthcare and welfare outcomes using longitudinal datasets. Her work focuses on identifying disparities in developmental screenings and access to care. Nina is particularly passionate about supporting foster youth in their transition to higher education. She is excited to contribute to the Field Center’s interdisciplinary initiatives by applying data-driven insights to develop policies that center the lived experiences of children and families.
Liya Cha
Liya Cha is a full-time Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP) student at the University of Pennsylvania. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Chongshin University in Korea in 2017 and began her career as an educator at an early childhood education institute. Committed to fostering children’s positive development and enhancing early learning environments, she found her passion for improving public welfare and education systems. During the outbreak of COVID-19, she observed a widening inequality in child care and education, prompting her to transition into policy research. Since then, she has been involved in local government policy projects, deepening her expertise in social policy. She is enthusiastic about bringing her experience to the Field Center and is eager to expand her professional knowledge and skills through this internship.
Expert Voices: A Podcast Series
Expert Voices: A Podcast Series Using Lived Experience to Explore the Multiple Systems Affecting the Lives of Young People in Foster Care was developed by Jamie Suk, 2022-2023 Lerner Fellow in Child Welfare Policy.
