State Legislative Internship Programs and Coordinators

5/27/2020

Overview
Application Procedures
Legislative Internship Programs by State
Legislative Internship Programs by U.S. Territories and Canada
Additional Resources

Contact

Megan McClure, 303-856-1355

Overview

Legislative internships are mutually beneficial because they provide interns with valuable, firsthand experience in the legislative process and they provide state legislatures with bright, enthusiastic people who are excited to learn about the intricate world of public policy. Although many internships are offered during the summer, others are available year-round. Some offer pay, while others do not, and some entail more responsibility than others, but they all provide the opportunity to:

Gain exposure to a wide variety of occupations.
Apply classroom knowledge.
Develop additional skills.
Examine career choices.
Create a network of contacts.

Note: Internships with NCSL are posted to the Jobs Clearinghouse as they become available. Please contact Shasta Stephens about internships with NCSL. NCSL does not coordinate or provide additional information about internships in state legislatures. You must contact the internship coordinator in your state.

Application Procedures

Many internship programs are very competitive, with large numbers of applicants applying for a small number of internships. It is advisable to start the application process early and pay great attention to detail. Many internship and fellowship programs require an application, a resumé and several essays. Post-graduate fellowships often seek applicants with strong skills in research, writing and analysis. Additionally, previous work experience that shows an ability to work well with others and examples of initiative, motivation and enthusiasm should be mentioned in essays and interviews. Such experiences may include some or all of the following:

Volunteer and community activities.
Leadership roles in student organizations.
Previous internships and employment.

Legislative Internship Programs

The following list provides a comprehensive overview of legislative internship and fellowship opportunities nationwide and in some U.S. territories. Email contacts are available where listed. Please send any updates for this file to Megan McClure .

The box allows you to conduct a full text search or type the state name.

Legislative Internship Programs
State	Websites and Contacts
Alabama	Legislative Internship Program Teresa Norman
Alaska	Senator Ted Stevens Legislative Internship Program Glenn D. Wright Assistant Professor of Government and Statewide Program Coordinator Political Science, University of Alaska Southeast 907-796-6115
Arizona	Arizona Legislature Jenna Lyon, Intern Coordinator Arizona Legislature Arizona State University Diana O'Dell, Intern Coordinator Arizona House of Representatives
Arkansas
California	Assembly Chief Clerk's Legislative Internship Program Legislative Analyst Office Summer Internships Capital Fellows Program Introductory Video Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program Pam Chueh, Director Center for California Studies California State University, Sacramento 6000 J St. Sacramento, CA 95819-6081 916-278-6906 Senate Fellows Programs, Center for California Studies, California State University, Sacramento Jamie Taylor, Director Center for California Studies \| Sacramento State State Capitol, Room 415 Sacramento, CA 95814 Office: 916-278-6906 \| 916-651-4950 Sacramento Semester Internship Program, Department of Government, California State University, Sacramento Professor Maria Sampanis, Director UC Center—Sacramento Internship Program Erika Peters, Internship Director University of California Center Sacramento 1130 K St., LL22 Sacramento, CA 95814 916-445-5533 Main Office: 916-445-5100 California Council on Science and Technology Policy Fellows Program Dr. Amber Mace, Executive Director 916-492-0996
Colorado	Colorado General Assembly Office of Legislative Legal Services: Internship Program Jery Payne, Internship Coordinator Colorado State University Legislative Internship Program Dr. Robert Duffy National Conference of State Legislatures Shasta Stephens
Connecticut	Legislative Internship Program Angie Waszkiewicz, M.A., Director 860-240-0520
Delaware	Legislative Fellows Program Lisa Moreland
District of Columbia	Youth Legislative Internship Program (currently in planning stages) Cedric L. Jennings, Director Office of Youth Programs Direct Line: 202-724-8161 Fax: 202-347-3070 Cindy Diggs, Program Manager Office of Youth Programs Council of the District of Columbia 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004-3089 Direct Line: 202-727-6132 Fax: 202-347-3070
Florida	Florida House of Representatives Legislative Internship Program Hope L. Holt, Program Specialist & Intern Program Coordinator House of Representatives Florida Senate Internship Program JoAnn Poole Office of the Senate President - Administration 850-487-5636 or SC 277-5636
Georgia	Georgia Legislative Intern Program (GLIP) Michelle Sloan, House Intern/Aide Manager Georgia House of Representatives 205-J Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. 404-656-0306 Stacy Peery, Senate Intern/Aide Director Georgia Senate 330 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334 404-463-1308 Dr. Amy Steigerwalt, Director, GLIP Dept. of Political Science, Georgia State University 1038 Langdale Hall, 38 Peachtree Center Avenue Atlanta, GA 30303 404-413-6182
Hawaii	Hawaii State Legislature Internship Program University of Hawaii - Manoa
Idaho	Idaho Legislative Session Internship Program Boise State University Department of Political Science Dr. Justin Vaughan 1910 University Drive Boise, ID 83725-1935 208-426-2515
Illinois	Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program University of Illinois at Springfield Barbara Van Dyke-Brown Director, Legislative Internships and Advocacy Programs Institute for Legal, Legislative and Policy Studies 1 University Plaza, MS PAC 451 Springfield, IL 62703-5407 217-206-6579
Indiana	Senate Internships House of Representatives Internships Lauren Coon, Internship Director Indiana House of Representatives 317-232-9837
Iowa	Legislative Page Program Senate Democrats
Kansas	Kansas Legislative Internship Program Catherine Gunsalus Office of the Speaker Pro Tem Topeka Internship Program University of Kansas Department of Political Science Professor Burdett Loomis
Kentucky	Legislative Research Commission Legislative Intern Program Sheila Mason, LRC Intern Coordinator 502-564-8100 ext. 786 Legislative Research Commission Graduate Fellows Program Teresa Arnold, Deputy Director for Research and Communications 502-564-8100 ext. 367 Kentucky Legislative Internship Program Professor Tiffany Barnes, Internship Director 1629 Patterson Office Tower Department of Political Science University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506-0027 859-257-4895
Louisiana
Maine	State Government Summer Internship Program
Maryland	General Assembly Legislative Intern Program Student Programs 410-946-5120 \| 1-800-492-7122
Massachusetts	Legislative Internships Anne Ziaja, Executive Director Senate Office of Education and Civic Engagement 617-722-1380 Rita Noonan, Deputy Director Senate Office of Education and Civic Engagement 617-722-1380
Michigan	Senate Internship Positions House of Representatives Internship Program Legislative Fellowship Program Kaley Mae Rahl, Intern Coordinator House Human Resources 517-373-3069
Minnesota	Senate John Trombley, Assistant Director, Senate Information Internship Coordinator House of Representatives Thomas Holien, Coordinator, Educational Programs Undergraduate/Graduate Internship Program High School Page Program Legislature \| Links for Youth
Mississippi
Missouri	House Internship Program Kristal Hall, Intern Ombudsman House Administration 573-522-6855 Representative Sara Walsh, Internship Coordinator 573-751-2134 Representative Kip Kendrick, Internship Coordinator 573-751-4189 June Cardwell, Legislative Assistant
Montana	Legislative Audit Division Internship Program Angus Maciver, Legislative Auditor
Nebraska
Nevada	Legislative Internship Program University of Nevada, Reno Professor Eric Herzik
New Hampshire	Senate Internship Program Nancy Nolin, Intern Supervisor
New Jersey	Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University Fellowship Program Eagleton Institute Contact Sarah Kozak 848-932-8760 Legislative Services Contact Michael Feld 609-847-3880
New Mexico	Legislative Internship Program Jeret Fleetwood
New York	State Assembly Internships Kathleen W. McCarty, Director 518-455-4704 State Senate Student Programs Nicholas Parrella, Director 518-455-2611 New York Leaders Student Intern Program Student Intern Program Staff 518-473-9945
North Carolina	State of North Carolina Internship Program Candace Dudley 919-807-4407 Senate Internships Sherry Pearson, Assistant Director/Intern Supervisor Office of Senate Legislative Assistants 919-733-5649 House Internships Julie Lisella, Director of Constituent Services
North Dakota	Legislative Branch Internships Samantha Kramer, Counsel Intern Coordinator for partnership with the University of North Dakota School of Law 701-328-2916
Ohio	House of Representatives Volunteer Internships Jennifer Tock 614-466-0892 Legislative Service Commission: LSC Legislative Fellowship Program Tynita M. White, Coordinator Kent State University Columbus Program in State Issues Honorable Vernon Sykes, Director 330-672-8948
Oklahoma	House of Representatives Legislative Internship Program Jennifer Shockley, Human Resources Manager 405-557-7423 Senate Page and Intern Program Cathey Jo Warner, Intern and Page Program Coordinator 405-521-5661
Oregon	Legislative Intern Program Application Aimee Steketee, Internship Coordinator 503-986-1371
Pennsylvania	House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program Archives Internship Jesse Teitelbaum, Programs Coordinator 717-787-4458 State Government Employment Resource Guide
Rhode Island	State Government Internship Program Bea Lanzi, Director State House Room 8AA Providence, RI 02903 401-222-6782
South Carolina	Jeffrey S. Gossett Clerk of the Senate 803- 212-6200 803-212-6299 University of South Carolina Department of Political Science Internship Program Dr. David Darmofal, Internship Director Honors College South Carolina Semester Julie Hutt, Director of Internship Programs 803-777-1180
South Dakota	Legislative Intern Information Amanda Marsh, Legislative Research Council Intern Coordinator
Tennessee	Legislative Internship Program Shirley Frierson, Director 615-741-3299
Texas	Texas Legislative Internship Program Senator Gregory Luna Scholars and Fellows Program Sarah Saenz, Executive Director Senate Hispanic Research Council 512-499-8606 University of Houston Civic Houston Internship Hobby School of Public Affairs Fellows Program Graduate College of Social Work Legislative Internship Program University of Texas-San Antonio Legislative Scholars Program
Utah	Utah State Legislature Intern Program Nathan Brady, Intern Coordinator University of Utah Hinckley Institute of Politics Legislative Internships Utah State University Institute of Government and Politics Internship Program
Vermont
Virginia	House of Delegates Internships Individual legislator's offices offer internships. There is no formal internship program at the Virginia House of Delegates. Senate Internship Program Nathan Hatfield, Assistant Clerk of the Senate
Washington	Legislative Internship Program House Undergraduate Internship Leo O'Leary House Graduate/Legal Internship Jim Morishima Senate Undergraduate Internship Louis Lindstrom Senate Graduate/Legal Internship Curt Gavigan
West Virginia	Legislature Internship Program Graduate Student Program Sam Gray Undergraduate Student Program Sara DeBarr Journalism Student Program William Thomas
Wisconsin	Wisconsin Assembly Democrats Internship Wisconsin Senate Democrats Internship Cathlene Hanaman
Wyoming	Wyoming Legislative Internship Program Anthony Sara, Legislative Support Manager Wyoming Legislative Service Office 307-777-7881

U.S. Territories and Canada

U.S. Territories and Canada
Jurisdiction	Websites
American Samoa	Currently has no legislative internship programs.
Canada	Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Internship Program Ontario Legislature Internship Programme Quebec National Assembly Internships Parliament of Canada - Youth and Internship Programs
Guam	Currently has no legislative internship programs.
Puerto Rico	Office of Legislative Services Internship Programs
U.S. Virgin Islands	Currently has no legislative internship programs.

Additional Resources

Email Discussion Group (Legislative Internship Coordinators Only)
Youth in the Legislature: Inspiring Service (Resources from the 2019 NCSL Legislative Summit)
Legislative Internships: Introducing the Next Generation to the Legislature (NCSL LegisBrief, 2018)
Pathway to Public Service (State Legislatures Magazine, July/August 2018)
Survey of Legislative Internship Programs (2005)
Legislative Careers
Legislative Page Programs
Publication: The Case for Representative Democracy