Presidential Federal Internship Program

The first few weeks in D.C. have been amazing and adventurous thus far. I've been able to explore the city and appreciate the beautiful architecture. I've visited many of the classic landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial. Most of my time is spent exploring in and around Capitol Hill where I've met so many new people and learned so much about its history. My favorite part so far has been seeing the nature DC has to offer at Rock Creek National Park. I also got a chance to stop by the United States Botanical Gardens!

Miguel Garcia

Presidential Federal Intern at Sen. John Hickenlooper's Washington D.C. Office

The world is immense, and D.C. is a hub of national and global converging. These past two weeks I have submerged myself in the critical mass culture the city has to offer. At the Capitol I have the profound privilege to listen to constituents’ opinions and learn about nationwide and state level issues. I am in awe of the endless opportunities to learn from different academic perspectives– all to which I have walked or used public transport with the other members of our cohort. We laugh quite a bit in our journeys and witness a lot of firsts for each other. I am excited to continue this process of learning along my peers!

Denny Palacios

Presidential Federal Intern at Sen. Michael Bennet's Washington D.C. Office

My time in our nation’s capital as a policy intern at the Child Welfare League of America has been amazing! Public policy and macro social work in general is something I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue but this opportunity has shown me it is in fact a career I can see myself thriving in. When I'm not at work I'm having the best summer ever with my roommate Miguel and the other interns Denny and Mary. To be able to go out and enjoy what DC has to offer has been a blast! From eating burritos at a park, Pride, baseball games, gardens, museums, ice cream. This is truly shaping up to be the best summer ever!

Isai Lozano

Presidential Federal Intern at the Child Welfare League of America

I approach my summer in D.C. in memory of those who made me who I am becoming. This summer, I am expanding my insights about the intersectionality of religion with other aspects of American society at the Public Religion Research Institute. When I’m not at work, I like to get lost in my neighborhood to smell the seemingly endless flowers that line the streets of this town until I find myself in a museum, at a restaurant, or some kind of community event, all of which there are many. Among all other engagements, one of the things about this summer that will undoubtedly stay with me forever is my deepening friendship with the members of my cohort as we experience everything together.

Mary Preston

Presidential Federal Intern at the Public Religion Research Institute