The Real Washington: Interns Set to Get Up Close and Personal with National Politics

Texas Tech has named 14 students to serve as congressional interns during the Spring 2010 semester.

To become a congressional intern, students go through a vigorous process of applications and interviews. The program receives more than 50 applications in a given semester, and chooses between 10 and 14 students to participate.

The program is offered every fall and spring semester. Interns live and work in Washington, D.C. for the duration of the semester they are chosen.

The interns work 40-50 hours per week and are not paid. They are placed in either a Congressperson or Senator's office based on the intern's political leans, issue interests, personality, hometown and abilities.

The Office of the President at Texas Tech sponsors and provides the scholarships for the internship program. As participants in the program, students observe how the government functions.

“The Texas Tech Government and Public Service Internship Program has a great reputation in D.C.,” said President Guy Bailey. “We really appreciate our legislators for providing this opportunity for our students and allowing them to participate in this unique experience. In many cases, our program has been a life-changing experience for these students.”

The new interns include:

• Juliet Azarani, a senior political science major from Lake Dallas, working in the office of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of San Antonio.
• Noel Bryant, a senior political science major from Katy, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Joe Barton of Arlington.
• Lori Cortez, a junior marketing and advertising major from San Antonio, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Charles Gonzalez of San Antonio.
• James Danford, a junior political science major from Fort Worth, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith of San Antonio.
• Ross Gage, a junior political science, communication and public affairs major from Stephenville, working in the office of U.S. Rep. John Carter of Round Rock.
• Annalyse Gierschick, a junior general business major from McKinney, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez of San Antonio.
• Kathryn Harris, a senior multidisciplinary studies major from Dallas, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess of Denton.
• Matthew Kidd, a junior economics major from Kingwood, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Kay Granger of Fort Worth.
• Alexa Macdonell, a junior finance and economics major from Sugar Land, working in the office of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Dallas.
• Abby Satterfield, a senior history major from Arlington, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Laredo.
• Angela Sims, a junior public relations major from Hale Center, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer of Lubbock.
• Emily Stalder, a junior political science major from Austin, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin.
• John Jett Thompson, a senior global affairs major from Dallas, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston.
• Lauren Williamson, a junior accounting major from Coppell, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson of Dallas.

More information about Texas Tech’s internship program is available at http://www.congressionalintern.ttu.edu.