UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State student Dinaye Smith has been selected for a competitive summer internship with MDRC, a national organization that conducts research to improve education and social policy.
Smith, a third-year education and public policy major in the College of Education, will spend the summer in New York City gaining hands-on experience in policy research while working alongside professionals in the field.
“I am especially excited about the opportunity to network with professionals in the policy field while also experiencing a new environment,” Smith said. “Being in Manhattan for this internship offers a unique chance to observe how policy is developed and applied in a different geographic context, broadening my perspective beyond what I have learned in the classroom.”
MDRC partners with public agencies and nonprofit organizations to evaluate programs and policies designed to improve economic mobility, education and social outcomes. Through its internship program, students gain exposure to applied research and evidence-based policymaking across a range of sectors.
Smith’s selection is part of a growing partnership between Penn State’s Department of Education Policy Studies and MDRC, designed to provide education and public policy students with access to paid, policy-focused internship opportunities. The partnership was developed to support students in gaining real-world experience that complements their academic training.
This year, two Penn State education students — Smith and Maddie Shanafelt — were selected for the program following a competitive internal application process and a national selection process conducted by MDRC.
Smith said the encouragement and guidance she received from faculty and staff played an important role in her decision to pursue the opportunity.
“The recommendation and encouragement from Penn State professor Adrienne Dixson and my adviser, Jermonica Earls, strongly influenced my decision to pursue this internship,” Smith said.
As an education and public policy student, Smith has developed a strong interest in K-12 education and the role policy plays in shaping student outcomes.
“I am especially interested in exploring policy within K-12 education, as I hope to work in the classroom while also contributing to the broader educational system by helping ensure that effective policies are in place to support student learning and create the best possible educational experiences,” she said.
Through the internship, Smith will engage in applied research, collaborate with teams and gain exposure to the processes behind policy development and evaluation.
“I can see this experience helping me grow professionally by preparing me for a career in policy and strengthening my understanding of how to effectively conduct policy research,” Smith said. “It will also allow me to apply and expand upon what I have been learning through the education policy studies department.”
As the partnership continues to grow, the department is exploring additional internship opportunities for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students.