Each year, the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health partners with talented graduate students from Master of Public Health (MPH) and related health policy programs who share our commitment to improving outcomes for mothers and families. These interns bring fresh ideas, analytical skills, and a passion for equity to projects that advance our mission and strengthen the field of maternal mental health.

This fall, we’re proud to introduce our current MPH interns, each leading a unique project focused on strengthening systems, informing policy, and amplifying maternal mental health research.

Shanika McAllister

MPH Candidate, San Diego State University School of Public Health

A passionate advocate for maternal health equity, Shanika is committed to improving systems of care for underserved communities. She brings hands-on experience from roles at Rady Children’s Hospital and SAY San Diego, where she supported both clinical and community-based initiatives to expand access to care and advance health equity.

At the Policy Center, Shanika is conducting a qualitative evaluation of our Policy Fellows Program to better understand the program’s long-term impact. Through structured interviews with fellows from the past three years, she will:

  • Identify barriers and successes in implementing fellows’ action plans
  • Determine where fellows could benefit from additional technical assistance
  • Provide recommendations to enhance the Fellows curriculum and training model

Her findings will guide program improvements and inform future funding and partnership opportunities to strengthen policy leadership across states and organizations.

Vicki Goutzoulis

MPH Candidate, Brown University School of Public Health

Vicki brings nearly a decade of experience in marketing and communications, including roles across nonprofit, education technology, and finance sectors. A graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County she combines her communications expertise with a deepening focus on public health and mental health equity.

At the Policy Center, Vicki is leading two major initiatives:

  • Developing a Rural Maternal Mental Health Toolkit to equip local leaders and providers with evidence-based strategies to improve maternal mental health outcomes in rural communities.
  • Authoring an Issue Brief on The Link Between Domestic Violence, Maternal Mental Health, and Maternal Suicide, exploring how policy and clinical practice can better address these intersecting risks.

Her work supports our efforts to build practical, data-informed tools for the field and raise awareness of key risk factors that affect maternal well-being.

Zakariya Gordon

MPH Candidate, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health

Zakariya, a proud Spelman College graduate and biochemistry scholar, is deeply committed to advancing maternal health equity by bridging science, policy, and community engagement.

At the Policy Center, Zakariya is leading a qualitative research project on maternal mental health among Native populations. Building on previous Policy Center work, she is using in-depth interviews to:

  • Engage Native healthcare providers and community leaders to understand how culture and identity shape care for Native women.
  • Explore traditional healing practices and how they can complement Western healthcare models.
  • Identify barriers to culturally competent mental health screening and services, including mistrust, stigma, and systemic limitations.
  • Document community-led solutions that improve outcomes and strengthen trust in maternal care.
  • Develop policy recommendations to better integrate culturally grounded practices and Native voices into maternal mental health systems.

Her findings will inform a forthcoming report with actionable recommendations to close gaps in care and support Native mothers and families.

Building the Next Generation of Leaders

Our MPH interns bring energy, curiosity, and a commitment to justice that help drive the Policy Center’s mission forward. Through their research and analysis, they’re contributing to a stronger, more equitable maternal mental health system. 

Through this internship program, the Policy Center is cultivating the next generation of maternal mental health leaders, professionals who will carry forward this mission in public health, research, and policy fields across the country..

Interested in becoming an intern? Check out our opportunities here.