Meet our Interns & Fellows!
Jessica Jernigan (she/her) – Fall 2025 Policy Intern
What do you do for a living? What are you passionate about?
I’m a freelance writer. Mostly, I write about books. I review books for Kirkus Reviews and I write marketing copy for Harlequin.
I am active in my community as an organizer and as a School Board member. I believe with my whole heart that public education is a common good, and I am a fierce advocate for our most vulnerable young people.
I am also a huge evangelist for local politics. After running my own campaign, I’ve been trying to use what I learned to help other progressive candidates win their elections. Three out of five of the races I’ve worked on have been successful, which is a pretty good record for my region! At the moment, I’m trying to learn more about community-centered fundraising. I live in the second poorest county in Michigan, and traditional political fundraising tactics don’t make a lot of sense here. They also don’t make sense in the context of Anishinaabeg culture, something I realized when a school board colleague who is a tribal citizen ran to keep her seat.
What motivated you to seek a position with SIECUS?
I’ve been fighting for comprehensive sex ed since I joined the School Board. I believe that body autonomy is a bedrock right, and I believe that providing young people with honest, inclusive, research-based, and age-appropriate sex ed is the best way to help them understand that their bodies are theirs and equip them to make the most healthful choices for themselves and the people they love.
I should add that I am so grateful that SIECUS opened this internship to people in the midst of transition—of whatever age—rather than limiting it to young people still in college or fresh out of school. I am at a place in my life where I want to move towards work that I truly care about, and SIECUS is a perfect fit.
What are you most looking forward to working on at SIECUS?
I’m a policy nerd. I really enjoy getting into the details of legislation. I’m pretty good at distinguishing between legislation that has been carefully crafted by people who know what they’re talking about and who have a cohesive vision, and legislation that is a sort of junk drawer of compromises. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help lawmakers make better laws.
Tell us something fun about yourself.
I’m a freelance writer, and one of my regular gigs is composing marketing copy for Harlequin. Having consumed hundreds of romance novels, I finally decided to give writing one myself a shot. It’s called Fairy Queen of the HOA and here’s a synopsis:
Exiled from the Otherworld, Queen Benedetta—now known as Billie Sheehan—has found her true calling in The Glens at Sterling Creek. As ruler of the home owners association, she is empowered to impose order in a way she couldn’t even imagine in the Fairy Court. When the broodingly attractive new resident of 13 Ravenwood Circle surrounds his house with a wrought iron fence that’s a blatant violation of the HOA rules, he strikes the first blow in a war between Billie and a vampire king plotting to take over her suburban paradise.
Torn between property values and forbidden romance, which will she choose?
I’m serializing the story via Patreon and just published the first chapter. My pen name is Heather Favalon.
Marissa Rocco (she/they) – Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Policy Intern
Let’s talk academics. What are you studying right now and what are your biggest interests?
I am currently in my final year at Widener University, earning both a Master’s of Education in Human Sexuality and a Master’s of Public Administration. I am interested in the positive impacts of comprehensive and inclusive sex education, especially for LGBTQIA2+ youth.
What drew you to apply for a position at SIECUS?
I am passionate about advancing comprehensive sex education, and I greatly admire SIECUS’ mission, vision, and values. I wanted to be a part of an organization working to enact positive and meaningful change.
Can you briefly describe some of what you’re working on right now at SIECUS?
At SIECUS, one of my main projects is tracking current legislation and monitoring any new bills that deal with or impact sex education and related topics. I have also been gathering info about state school boards for potential opportunities to advance CSE.
What was the sex ed you received in middle and/or high school like?
Most of the sex ed I received at both my public middle school and private, religious high school was abstinence-only and shame-based. In my public middle school, I learned the anatomy of the internal and external male reproductive system, but only the internal female reproductive system (no discussions of vulvas or clitorises!). In my private and religious high school, our sex ed was abstinence-only and heteronormative. Both of my sex ed experiences were inadequate and invoked shame around topics related to sex and sexuality.
Tell us something fun about yourself that is not work or school-related.
I enjoy making art in many mediums, but I am currently obsessed with ceramics. I love making sculptures inspired by the human body and natural world! It is a great way for me to ground myself and explore topics in new and different ways.
Bria Fitz (she/her) – Winter 2022-23 Communications Intern
Let’s talk academics. What are you studying right now and what are your biggest interests?
I am pursuing a master’s degree in Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and Public Policy at George Washington University. I am on track to graduate next semester! My main interest is sex education state policy, especially comprehensive curricula and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
What drew you to apply for a position at SIECUS?
I found a lot of SIECUS sources valuable for my research, in particular the State Profiles. One of my professors mentioned that the organization has a D.C. office and encouraged me to apply. I also connected with an alum from my graduate program who used to work at SIECUS, Gabrielle Doyle, and she was very supportive. The communications part of it came from work I was doing at my previous job and skills I want to continue growing.
Can you briefly describe some of what you’re working on right now at SIECUS?
It is a really exciting time to join an organization because we are reflecting on what has been accomplished in 2022 and setting goals for the future. As the new Communications Intern, I am currently supporting the team with end of year external facing communications strategies and the development of SIECUS’ 2023 program planning.
What was the sex ed you received in middle and/or high school like?
I grew up in Florida and went into a special medical professions program in high school, so I did not take any sex ed after 8th grade. In middle school, there was a lot of emphasis on the biological aspects of reproduction but not very much practical information. I remember the drawings of an egg and sperm, uterus and fallopian tubes, and the like. However, I had to learn from a friend that the place where a tampon goes in is not the same as where urine or poop comes out. I did learn how to put an external condom on in 8th grade health class though. The school brought in an outside speaker and she did an amazing job. That class was also the first time I learned that girls could masturbate; unfortunately that conversation was shrouded in an air of secrecy and shame.
Tell us something fun about yourself that is not work or school-related:
In my free time, I enjoy playing video games and roller skating. I am still playing Animal Crossing even after two years!
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