Since 2018, two University of Michigan LSA undergraduates have been awarded the Human Rights First Fellowship for a research and service summer internship at Human Rights First in Washington, D.C. This fellowship was created and is administered in partnership with the Donia Human Rights Center, Program in International and Comparative Studies, and Human Rights First. This summer Vivian Righter spent eight weeks  working with Melissa Hooper at the Human Rights First in Washington, D.C.

"I began this summer with the hope that I could learn more about the work of NGOs supporting human rights and I would develop a better idea of what I planned to do after I graduated. I believe I accomplished both of these goals. I have a better understanding of the complex relationship between NGOs, government agencies, the private sector, and how each are in connection and reliance on each other. I also learned more about advocacy and the role of NGOs in advocating for changes related to human rights protection, especially with the always-changing administration and congressional priorities. After graduation, I hope to continue to advance my Mandarin skills or volunteer for an NGO located abroad, assets that many at Human Rights First advised me would be valuable in the future."

Vivian Righter is a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in International Studies and minoring in Global Media Studies and Asian Languages. She has been involved on campus as the External President of HeForShe, Advisory Council member for the Global Scholars Program, and as the Fundraising Chair for Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity. In the future she hopes to pursue law school, specifically focusing on International law.