Fall 2026 interns
Three emerging creatives exploring how design, research, and illustration can serve the public good.
As Public Servants welcomes a new cohort of interns this fall, we're excited to introduce three emerging creatives exploring how their skills, ideas, and perspectives can contribute to public life.
With backgrounds spanning illustration, design, and research, each brings distinct strengths and a curiosity about the role creative practice can play in public service. Throughout the season, they'll build skills, learn alongside practitioners across disciplines, and explore how public institutions can better serve people and communities.
We asked each intern a few questions about their interests, working styles, and what they hope to learn. Their answers offer a glimpse of the people behind the practice.
Different skills, perspectives, and experiences come together through shared practice and collaboration.
Illustration by Zoe Gilmore (hands) and York Mgbejume (puzzle pieces).
Kanushi Rathore
Parsons School of Design • MS SDM • Class of 2026
What is a hobby you enjoy outside of work?
I love writing.
What is one skill you’re hoping to improve during this internship?
I'm hoping to strengthen my time management while also building my skills in motion design.When are you most productive or creative?
I’m most productive in the early morning, and most creative in the late evening.
What’s a non-negotiable for you?
Giving people the space to speak without being repeatedly interrupted. I think it's important that everyone has a chance to be heard.
What’s your secret superpower?
Staying calm and observant, especially when there's a lot happening around me.
Internship focus: Research
Kanushi Rathore presenting her final graduate capstone on Parkinson's caregivers.
York Mgbejume
Rhode Island School of Design • Illustration, Minor Creative Computation • Class of 2026
What is a hobby you enjoy outside of work?
I really enjoy fiber arts of all kinds.
What is one skill you’re hoping to improve during this internship?
I'm hoping to strengthen my animation and illustration skills while building professional connections and learning from others in the field.When are you most productive or creative?
10pm through 4am.
What’s a non-negotiable for you?
When people leave cracked eggs in the carton.
What’s your secret superpower?
I’m highly organized.
Internship focus: Design
York Mgbejume holding open his "TRIP" Zine
Zoe Gilmore
Rhode Island School of Design • Illustration • Class of 2026
What is a hobby you enjoy outside of work?
Both reading and paper crafts of different kinds. I also love animals, and volunteering at animal shelters when I can.
What is one skill you’re hoping to improve during this internship?
I'd like to become more confident in my communication and professional networking, especially when connecting and collaborating with other creatives.When are you most productive or creative?
I’m most productive in the morning and more creative during night time.
What’s a non-negotiable for you?
Slow walkers! And people who are chronically late without communicating.
What’s your secret superpower?
My empathy and ability to listen, understand different perspectives, and offer thoughtful advice.
Internship focus: Illustration
Learning and creating together
Public service isn’t the work of an individual or single organization. It’s built through many hands, perspectives, and through a shared commitment to doing better over time.
We're looking forward to learning alongside Kanushi, York, and Zoe this fall—and seeing how their questions, ideas, and creative practices contribute to the work we do together.
Interested in collaborating with Public Servants? Established practioners can learn about our Talent Network.
Applications for our spring 2027 Creative and Civic Practice internship will open before the end of the year.
Our commitment to emerging practitioners was recently recognized through a 2026 Top Employer award from InternshipsVA, a state-sponsored program celebrating Virginia employers investing in high-quality, paid internships. We're excited to continue that investment with this fall's cohort.
