Left to Right: Taz Hasan, Sarah Chacko, Haya Citron, Chelsea Hermita, Jennifer Gao, Joyce Chai
Launched in 2024, the program offers a seminar course in the fall semester, a place-based workshop in the spring, and cohort-based summer internships at some of New York City’s top city agencies, nonprofits, and private-sector design and architecture firms. Throughout the year, students gain tools for urban design analysis and critique that will prepare them for careers in the planning, design, and preservation fields. We are proud to announce our 2026 cohort of New York: City Designed interns. Learn more about what they are looking forward to from their summer roles:
Sarah Chacko, Design Trust for Public Space
“As a prospective engineer, I am excited to learn how interdisciplinary teams approach urban and environmental challenges. I look forward to gaining hands-on exposure to sustainable and resilient urban design while developing my research, analytical, and visual communication skills.”
Joyce Chai, Trust for Public Land
“With the help of Design Trust for Public Space, I hope to engage with my community and increase my skills in communication. Through this experience, I will gain a deeper understanding of how to design with people, not just for them. I look forward to working with the Trust for Public Land on projects that connect people to the outdoors and protect local communities.”
Haya Citron, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
“I am looking forward to this summer's City Design internship as an opportunity to explore the intersection between design and public health. As an architecture student, I hope to use this experience to better understand design as a tool to promote public well-being and empower communities.”
Jennifer Gao, NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
“I'm excited to be working with the Landmarks Preservation Commission this summer. I'm interested in learning how policy intersects with architecture. It'll be a great experience to be able to observe and be involved in a field of architecture that isn't commonly taught.”
Taz Hasan, TenBerke Architects
“I’m excited about TenBerke’s focus on adaptive reuse in the architecture field, so I’m glad to be making connections with the very people who hold these values! I also look forward to meeting other City Design interns and learning about each other’s experiences this summer surrounding urban design.”
Chelsea Hermita, HKS Architects
“I’m excited to be part of the Cities & Communities team at HKS. I look forward to assisting in revitalizing spaces and systems that improve the everyday lives of people living in our city.”
This project is sponsored by the Macaulay Honors College Foundation, the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation, and the ABNY Foundation.