Bardia Vaseghi

Born in Tehran, Iran, Bardia immigrated to the United States when he was four years old and grew up in Texas and New Jersey. Having already tried out the South and the East Coast, he then studied History and Political Science at the University of Michigan, where he graduated with highest distinction and was deeply involved in student government initiatives to improve the university’s accessibility to low SES students. As an intern in the Obama White House and in Senator Stabenow’s Washington, D.C. office, Bardia researched and advocated for state and federal policies to combat poverty and hunger, focusing primarily on efforts to increase funding for affordable housing and bringing attention to the detrimental impacts of SNAP cuts.

Field placement: Jersey City Department of Health & Human Services

Jersey City, New Jersey

During his field placement at the Jersey City Department of Health & Human Services, Bardia led and conducted a community food assessment in the city’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood, the first-ever community food assessment in the city.

Policy placement: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance

Washington, DC

At the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Bardia worked on optimizing workforce development programs and creating new pathways for TANF recipients to obtain long-term employment.

Hunger Free Community Report

For his Hunger Free Community Report, Bardia led and conducted a community food assessment in the city’s Bergen Lafayette neighborhood, the first-ever community food assessment in the city. The Department disseminated the report, which included policy recommendations to alleviate food insecurity in Jersey City, to the city’s council members and the Mayor of Jersey City.

Publications & Blog Posts