 The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) is excited to welcome a talented group of interns who are passionate about fostering meaningful conversations and bridging divides. Coming from diverse academic backgrounds, each intern brings unique skills and fresh perspectives to support NCDD’s mission. From public affairs and communications to leadership and conflict resolution, their collective expertise will help drive impactful initiatives in dialogue and deliberation. Get to know these inspiring individuals and their aspirations for creating change. Read more in the blog post below. NCDD is thrilled to introduce our newest group of talented interns who are joining us this season. Each intern brings a unique set of skills, academic backgrounds, and a shared passion for fostering dialogue and deliberation across diverse communities. Let’s meet them and learn more about their journeys and aspirations. Jacob Potter, Program Development Intern School/Program: Recent graduate of the Natural Resource Conflict Resolution Graduate Certificate Program at the University of Montana. Passion & Connection to Dialogue and Deliberation: Jacob’s passion for dialogue and deliberation stems from his focus on public lands and natural resource conflicts. He is particularly interested in the tensions between stakeholders and public agencies over landscapes, waterways, and wildlife. Committed to fostering inclusive, well-informed conversations that bridge political divides, he joins NCDD eager to support effective programs for partners and members while deepening his understanding of the field. Jason Vadnos, Grantwriting Intern School/Program: Vanderbilt University, double majoring in Human & Organizational Development and Culture, Advocacy, & Leadership, with a minor in Business. Passion & Connection to Dialogue and Deliberation: Jason is dedicated to fostering meaningful dialogue and civil discourse. As a Student Advisor for Dialogue Vanderbilt, he helps shape freedom of expression policies and programs that encourage respectful, evidence-based, and open-minded conversations. As a Research Assistant at Vanderbilt's Civil Discourse Education Lab, he teaches students to communicate across divides and engage in pluralistic problem-solving. Beyond campus, he works with nonprofits like the Institute for Multipartisan Education and More Like Us to build a national network of educators committed to strengthening civic engagement and civil discourse for future generations. Lizbeth Varela, Communications Intern School/Program: University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in Advertising and Communication and Leadership. Passion & Connection to Dialogue and Deliberation: As a Communications Intern at NCDD, Lizbeth helps enhance the organization’s communication strategies and supports initiatives that foster dialogue and deliberation. Passionate about publishing and sports, she leverages her skills to promote these interests within the community. Olivia Ramos, Resource Curator Intern School/Program: University of Texas at Austin, studying Communication and Leadership with a minor in Business. Passion & Connection to Dialogue and Deliberation: As a Resource Curator Intern at NCDD, Olivia helps strengthen dialogue and deliberation efforts by identifying, organizing, and sharing valuable tools. With experience in content curation and community engagement, she connects practitioners with the resources they need to foster meaningful conversations. Her background enhances her ability to support dialogue-driven initiatives and ensure access to impactful materials. Rachel Erdmann, Resource Curator Intern School/Program: B.A. Communications major with a Pre-Law interest at The University of Iowa, graduating in Spring of 2025. Passion & Connection to Dialogue and Deliberation: Rachel was first introduced to dialogue and deliberation practices through a class she took her junior year and was immediately drawn to the collaborative process. Passionate about fostering innovation, curiosity, and understanding, she hopes to contribute to meaningful global solutions by engaging in perspective sharing. She was selected to be an English Teacher through the Peace Corps and is looking forward to the opportunity of serving in Zambia after graduation. In the meantime, she looks forward to building up NCDD’s resource center while supporting the vital work of NCDD and its members in aiming to solve our world's most pressing issues. Ruksana Ruhee, Grantwriting Intern School/Program: CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College, pursuing a degree in Public Affairs Passion & Connection to Dialogue and Deliberation: Ruksana is an organizer, researcher, and student. A proud Bengali Muslim from the Bronx and Queens, she is deeply committed to social justice, focusing on equitable access to housing, education, and healthcare. Passionate about youth-led change, Ruksana addresses systemic challenges such as economic insecurity, school pushout, gun violence, and gender-based violence. She has collaborated with Girls Leadership, Advocates for Youth, Youth Over Guns, and served on the AANHPI Youth Research Council, contributing to national policy solutions. As a speaker and grantmaker, she has advocated at rallies, roundtables, and research benefits. She also led "Streets Safe, Girls Dominate," empowering young women with self-defense training and safety resources. Beyond advocacy, Ruksana has experience in education and retail. Ronald Peterson, Member Engagement Intern School/Program: Public Affairs student at Baruch College with a background in biology and psychology from CUNY Medgar Evers. Passion & Connection to Dialogue and Deliberation: Ronald’s multidisciplinary background enables him to critically analyze social policy and governance. He has explored topics such as immigrant rights movements and actively pursued professional development through Baruch’s Starr Career Center. Excited to join the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation, Ronald looks forward to learning, contributing, and growing within the organization. He is especially interested in how membership engagement in dialogue and deliberation can bridge divides and drive meaningful change. Through this internship, he hopes to gain hands-on experience, develop new skills, and deepen his understanding of civic engagement and collaborative problem-solving. Sydney Huynh, Communications Intern School/Program: The University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a degree in Communication and Leadership Passion & Connection to Dialogue and Deliberation: As a Communications Intern with the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD), Sydney supports the organization’s efforts to foster collaborative and inclusive dialogue. She is passionate about using communication to create spaces where diverse voices can connect, share ideas, and find common ground. Sydney is particularly interested in how communication can drive social change and promote understanding across communities. With a strong interest in how dialogue and deliberation can create meaningful change, she combines her academic knowledge with practical experience to support NCDD’s efforts to empower communities through collaborative engagement. We are excited to see the contributions each of these exceptional individuals will bring to the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation. Their diverse perspectives and dedication to dialogue and deliberation promise to enrich our community and further our mission of fostering effective communication and understanding across divides. Welcome aboard, interns! Together, we continue to build a more connected and collaborative world.
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ABOUT NCDD
NCDD is a community and coalition of individuals and organizations who bring people together to discuss, decide and collaborate on today's toughest issues.
© The National Coalition For Dialogue And Deliberation, Inc. All rights reserved.
© The National Coalition For Dialogue And Deliberation, Inc. All rights reserved.