Muhlenberg athletes are spending the summer of 2026 enjoying fantastic experiences on campus, in their hometowns, across the country, and even around the world.

Rising senior field hockey player and budding clinical psychologist Rachel Hager combined several of her interests as a Lehigh Valley Health Network research scholar, with a focus on youth well-being in an Allentown neighborhood.

This summer, I am participating in the Research Scholar Program at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), where I have the opportunity to contribute to a community-based research project focused on youth well-being.

My team's project is developing a youth needs assessment for adolescents in the Franklin Park neighborhood of Allentown. Throughout the summer, we have worked alongside our partner, Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health, to design a survey that explores adolescents' opportunities, sense of belonging, and needs/wants within their community.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the project has been facilitating focus groups with local youth to gather feedback on our survey, and ensure that it truly reflects their experiences and perspectives.

I decided to pursue this internship because it combined several of my interests: psychology, research, and community engagement. As someone who hopes to become a clinical psychologist, I wanted an experience that would allow me to see how research can directly impact the health and well-being of a community. The focus on the Franklin Park neighborhood made the project especially meaningful because it is located just minutes from Muhlenberg College, where I have spent the past three years living and learning.

Being able to contribute to a community that has become my home away from home gave this work a personal significance and strengthened my commitment to supporting the well-being of those living there. Rather than conducting research in a traditional lab setting, this project has shown me the importance of partnering with community members to create meaningful and practical solutions.

My coursework at Muhlenberg College has prepared me well for this experience. Psychology courses such as Research Methods have given me a strong foundation in survey design, data collection, and ethical research practices, while other classes have strengthened my ability to think critically about human behavior and communicate effectively with participants. Faculty mentors at Muhlenberg have also encouraged me to pursue opportunities that challenge me beyond the classroom, and their support gave me the confidence to apply to this program.

In addition to my project, the Research Scholar Program has provided opportunities well beyond what I expected. During Intern Impact day, I volunteered with fellow interns to repaint a stairwell at a local YMCA, creating a brighter and more welcoming space for the community. We have also participated in hands-on learning experiences, including a human cadaver dissection, a suturing workshop, and other surgical simulation activities. These experiences offered an incredible look into healthcare from multiple perspectives and gave me a deeper understanding of the collaboration between research and clinical practice.

This internship has reinforced my passion for psychology and has shown me how research can create meaningful change within a community. Each experience has reminded me that improving health extends far beyond a hospital or office.

I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Muhlenberg College in the Research Scholar Program and look forward to carrying these experiences with me as I continue toward a career as a clinical psychologist.