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:
Jasleen Virk
Jasleen Virk is a full time, second year Master of Social Work Macro student at the University of Pennsylvania, with a Child Well-Being and Welfare specialization. She joins The Field Center for the 2025-2026 academic year as an MSW intern. Jasleen graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Medical Anthropology and Global Health from the University of Washington in June 2022. After graduation, Jasleen worked as an EMT. Noticing social problems affecting the lives of the individuals she provided care for, Jasleen realized she wanted to pursue a career in social work to work towards creating effective solutions. She has also worked with youth in foster care and experiencing homelessness, sparking a passion for child welfare. In her foundation year practicum, Jasleen worked at the Defender Association of Philadelphia in the Child Advocacy Unit, working directly within Philadelphia’s child welfare system. Now, at The Field Center, Jasleen is shifting her focus to research and policy work, with goals of better understanding the system and learning to create needed change for the well-being of children and families.
Cheri Mitchell
Cheri Mitchell is an advanced year Macro Social Work Masters student at the Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research of Bryn Mawr College. She joined the Field Center as a social work intern in September 2025 to gain experiential knowledge while learning about the intricacies of the child welfare system within the United States. Cheri is a career-changer. Prior to committing herself to serve marginalized communities by way of macro social work, Cheri worked as a bond trader for Citigroup for three decades. After departing Citi in June 2022, Cheri discovered her true passion while volunteering at a nonprofit; advocating and empowering girls through volunteering, and subsequently becoming the Board Chair and interim Executive Director of Girls First, located in Norristown, PA. Girls First is a trauma informed, tuition-free afterschool program that serves disadvantaged children in first through fourth grades. Cheri is very excited to be a part of the Field Center team for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Saadhya Bahudodda
Saadhya Bahudodda is a part-time student in the Master of Science in Social Policy program at the University of Pennsylvania. She joins The Field Center for the 2025–2026 academic year as an MSSP intern. Saadhya graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a certificate in Engaged Scholarship from Brown University in May 2024, where she developed a passion for reproductive justice at the intersection of healthcare and social policy. After graduation, she began working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Penn Medicine Women’s Health Clinical Research Center, focusing on studies related to early pregnancy. Her role has inspired her to work towards addressing gaps in health and social systems in order to better support families. Now, at The Field Center, Saadhya looks forward to expanding her commitment to reproductive justice by engaging in research and policy initiatives that promote the well-being of children and families.
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.
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.
