Two outstanding students from the College of Staten Island’s Legal Studies Institute, Jackson Mushnick and Janel Wang, have been selected as the 2026 recipients of the Robert J. Scamardella Public Interest Law Summer Internship, an honor that recognizes academic excellence, commitment to public service, and a shared passion for pursuing careers in the legal field.

Funded through the generosity of CSI alumnus Robert J. Scamardella ‘72 and his partners Michael Gervasi and Leslie Kasegrande, the internship provides stipends that enable students to undertake full-time summer placements at Staten Island Legal Services, an organization dedicated to providing free legal representation to underserved members of the community. The opportunity not only offers hands-on legal experience, but also reinforces the institute’s mission of preparing students for meaningful careers in law and public advocacy.

For Jackson, a junior Macaulay Honors College student majoring in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Legal Studies, the internship represents both a milestone and a stepping stone. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA and a strong interest in litigation and public interest law, he views the experience as a critical opportunity to deepen his understanding of the legal system.

“I am immensely grateful to be selected for the Scamardella Internship this summer,” Jackson said. “The internship will allow me to get hands-on experience in public interest law and thus gain more clarity about whether that is the right path for me. In speaking with Project Director Nadia Hernandez, I was told I will be gaining exposure to a wide range of legal areas, which also excites me in that I will be able to learn about the idiosyncrasies of each field and discover whether I have a particular passion for any of them.”

Jackson was quick to point out how being a part of the Legal Studies program has aided him in his pursuits so far. “The one-on-one advising with Dr. Michael Paris has kept me on track to successfully apply to law school, by setting an application timeline with me, recommending which classes I should take and providing guidance as to whether being a lawyer is the right path for me,” he noted. “I have also attended speaking engagements and book talks from law professors and attorneys, as well as networking events which are hosted by the Institute, which has enabled me to explore the depth of legal thought and the manifold pathways in the law.”

Similarly, Janel, also a junior Macaulay Honors College student majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies, has distinguished herself academically with a 3.95 GPA. With a particular interest in immigration and public interest law, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career advocating for underserved and immigrant communities.

“I am honored to have been selected by Professor Paris for this opportunity and am eager to contribute to the work at Legal Services NYC,” she said. “The current legal landscape presents both significant challenges and a critical need for greater legal representation, so I am really excited to begin and see all the different legal sectors that Legal Services offers.”

Janel also agrees that being a part of the Legal Studies Institute has been instrumental to her personal growth and career readiness during her time at CSI. “The Legal Studies Institute and Professor Paris have been instrumental in developing my analytical skills and deepening my passion for the legal field,” she noted. “I greatly value the Institute’s events and opportunities, including recent programming such as Fordham Law Professor Julie Suk’s recent talk at CSI about her recent book on women’s rights which I was especially excited to attend. I had actually called Professor Paris’s attention to her book in a classroom discussion, so I was really excited to meet her in person.”

Both students also noted the strong academic foundation, mentorship, and exposure to real-world legal issues CSI has introduced to them in helping them prepare for the next steps, elements that have helped shape their ambitions and prepare them for the challenges ahead.

The Scamardella Internship program itself reflects the enduring legacy of its namesake. Robert Scamardella is a lifelong Staten Islander whose career spans public service, private practice, and civic leadership. His commitment to both legal excellence and community impact is mirrored in the students selected each year, individuals who demonstrate not only academic achievement, but also a dedication to using the law as a tool for the public good.

As Jackson and Janel prepare to begin their summer work at Staten Island Legal Services, they join a growing network of CSI students who have translated classroom learning into meaningful community impact, continuing a tradition of service that defines the Legal Studies Institute.

“Here at CSI,” notes Professor Paris, “we work hard to provide students with the resources and opportunities they need to develop into concerned community members and citizens, and we take pride in our work.”

For more information on the Legal Studies Institute at CSI, visit their website.