Tiana Graham was with us as an Undergraduate Fellow through the Princeton Internships in Civic Service program from June through August. Tiana is a rising senior at Princeton University.

What project work were you involved in during your time at Civic Consulting Alliance?

I worked with the City’s COVID-19 Racial Equity Rapid Response (RERR) team, a coalition that addresses racial disparities in COVID-19 mortality and positivity, and the Chicagoland Workforce Funders Alliance, researching emerging healthcare workforce needs resulting from the COVID-19 crisis.

What will you take away from your time at Civic Consulting Alliance?

I was attracted to Civic Consulting Alliance because of the public-private collaboration it is uniquely positioned to foster. I came to learn about the incredibly diverse and complex city of Chicago, and how consulting can facilitate equitable social outcomes. Through my internship, I was able to learn about each of these things, while coming away with so much more.

What was your most memorable experience during your time at Civic Consulting Alliance?

I will never forget the first week I started at Civic Consulting Alliance. I was filled with nervous excitement at the opportunity of a new, professional experience, but at the same time, the heaviness of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent killing of George Floyd certainly colored the emotions I felt. During my first staff meeting, the team discussed the significance of both events. I appreciated the way the staff rallied together and uplifted one another by navigating this moment united in compassion and empathy. That same week, I got to hear numerous City and community leaders engage in conversations around racial equity in public health and the ongoing civil unrest around Chicago. I was honored to listen in and take notes during these critical calls—and it was quite a first week.

How has your time at Civic Consulting Alliance helped you develop professionally?

When I started at Civic Consulting Alliance, I set professional development goals to guide my growth, and I can truly say that my supervisors and colleagues provided me with every opportunity to build the skills I set out to progress in. My colleagues entrusted me to accomplish important pieces of our projects, and that kind of faith bolstered my own confidence in my work products and in myself. I will always remember my experience with immense gratitude and appreciation for the genuine connections I made, the meaningful work I contributed to, and the intimate view I had of the complexity of working to build a more equitable society.

Civic Consulting Alliance Fellowships are full-time positions that typically last between three months and a year. Fellows are integrated into project teams for a unique professional development opportunity. Additionally, we partner with various institutions and programs to provide undergraduate fellowships. Please visit our Fellowships page to learn more about our range of fellowship opportunities.