Undergraduate research interns will work with policy experts to examine policy solutions to workforce shortages in the home health and personal care aide occupations

Albany, NY — The Rockefeller Institute of Government is pleased to announce the selection of five undergraduate research interns to work as part of the Center for Law & Policy Solutions (CLPS) for the spring 2023 semester.

During the semester, interns will focus their research on workforce shortages in the home health and personal care aide occupations and explore how state policymakers are addressing projected workforce needs. At the conclusion of the semester, they will share their findings in a public presentation to policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders. The students will be advised by CLPS Director and Rockefeller Institute Deputy Director of Research Laura Rabinow.

“We are excited to announce these students for the Center for Law & Policy Solutions internship program,” said Laura Schultz, executive director of research at the Rockefeller Institute. “This cohort will study a critical challenge facing a large segment of the care workforce while developing crucial experience working in the state policy and research environment.”

The spring 2023 research interns are:

Britney Colas is a senior at the University at Albany, majoring in criminal justice with a double minor in sociology and Africana studies. She serves on the E-board of the Women in Law Association as secretary and is a member of the Haitian Student Association. She recently worked at the university’s science library as an archival assistant. Colas is the recipient of the Edward Oravec Aid Award and the Spellman Academic Achievement Award and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success Albany Chapter. After graduating, she plans to take a gap year while preparing for the LSAT exam to attend law school, where she intends to focus on entertainment law.

Natalya Grant is a junior at the University at Albany from Long Island, majoring in criminal justice with a minor in women and gender studies. She has been involved in the Albany State University Black Alliance and Center for Social Responsibility and Community. Prior to coming to the University at Albany, Grant was a student at SUNY Oneonta where she worked as a student assistant at Milne Library and served as the public relations chair for the Criminal Justice Club. Outside of her studies, Grant has worked in customer service for a large hardware store and taught lessons for a vacation bible school. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she intends to pursue a graduate degree program in social welfare and become a forensic social worker.

Teresa Pavia is a senior at the University at Albany from Brooklyn, majoring in public policy with a minor in urban planning. In addition to her studies, she is the managing editor for the Albany Student Press and the social media manager for the Marching Great Danes, the university’s marching band. Outside of the university, Pavia has interned at the New York State Assembly and the New York City Department of Transportation. She also has a diverse set of experiences working in food service, independent film, and clothing manufacturing. After graduation, she intends to pursue a career in electoral politics and community organizing.

Khadijah Pereira is a senior at the University of Albany, pursuing a major in political science with a minor in business administration. She is a Bronx native who is passionate about public policy and criminal law. Pereira has worked in several sensitive and high-pressure service positions, including as a virtual call-center agent during the COVID-19 pandemic helping people schedule appointments for vaccines, in client services for private wealth management, and as an airport crewmember in Newark, New Jersey. After completing her degree, Pereira plans to attend law school, with the goal of becoming a criminal defense attorney advocating for the falsely accused and individuals on death row.

Susan Wallace is a junior in the Honors College at the University at Albany from Rochester, majoring in public policy and administration with a concentration in philosophy and ethics and a minor in history. She is a member of the student organization Project SHAPE (Sexual Health and Peer Educator) and is an undergraduate research assistant with Professor Christine Bird researching media coverage of the Federalist Society. In between semesters, Wallace works as a food truck manager, the duties of which include driving the 31-foot Macarollin vehicle around the greater Rochester area. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in public policy and administration.