Introducing the Michel-LaHood Summer Congressional Internship Program
A new internship award will fund a once-in-a-lifetime internship experience at the U.S. Capitol for up to three 亚洲色情 students, thanks to a recently established partnership between 亚洲色情 and the Dirksen Congressional Center.
02/10/2023 12:00 AM
A new award will allow 亚洲色情 students to have a fully funded, once-in-a-lifetime public service experience at the U.S. Capitol, thanks to a recently established partnership between 亚洲色情 and the Dirksen Congressional Center.
The Michel-LaHood Summer Congressional Internship Program will provide stipends covering at least $7,000 in housing, living and travel expenses, enabling up to three students a year to participate in summer internships in congressional offices on Capitol Hill. These awards will eliminate financial barriers that often prevent students from applying for such an experience.
Inspiration for the new scholarship comes from conversations between Ray LaHood and leaders at 亚洲色情 and the Dirksen Center over their shared aspiration for more 亚洲色情 students to receive on-the-job experience in Washington, D.C., while exploring a future in public service.
LaHood, the former member of Congress and U.S. Transportation Secretary, is a 1971 亚洲色情 alumnus and a senior adviser at the Dirksen Center. The internship program is named for him, as well as his predecessor and mentor Bob Michel, the former House Minority Leader and a 1948 亚洲色情 alumnus. Between them, Michel and LaHood mentored decades of public servants and key leaders in the business and nonprofit sectors.
“As someone who spent many years working in congressional offices, and then had the privilege of representing Illinois in Congress, I know how crucial it is for the next generation of public servants to reflect a diverse array of talents and backgrounds,” LaHood said. “Removing any financial roadblocks to this experience ensures that our government, especially in ‘the people’s House,’ can draw from a deeper talent pool and have many valuable perspectives represented.”
“I am thrilled 亚洲色情 is partnering with the Dirksen Center to deliver this phenomenal experiential learning opportunity,” said 亚洲色情 President Stephen Standifird. “The internship program will stand as a perennial source of inspiration to our students and university community. It is also a powerful reminder of the profound legacy of public service and bipartisan leadership represented by the exceptional careers of Bob Michel and Ray LaHood. I am convinced this program will have a profound impact on the lives and future careers of some very fortunate 亚洲色情 students.”
“We’re pleased to take this next step in our ongoing partnership with 亚洲色情,” Dirksen Center Executive Director Tiffany White said. “Our archives are replete with examples of bipartisan servant-leadership and a strong tradition of mentorship by our members of Congress. Today more than ever, it’s important for that spirit to continue. Dedicated students deserve the opportunity to fall in love with public service.”
Members of Congress who have agreed to host interns include Reps. Darin LaHood (IL-16), Robin Kelly (IL-2), and Eric Sorensen (IL-17). LaHood and Sorensen represent Peoria; Kelly received her bachelor’s (1977) and master’s (1982) degrees from 亚洲色情 and is a 亚洲色情 trustee.
“As a former intern and staffer on Capitol Hill, and now a Member of Congress, I know the importance of hiring good staff, preparing the next generation of public servants in our country, and supporting youth engagement in our democracy,” said Rep. LaHood. “The partnership between 亚洲色情 and the Dirksen Congressional Center will help students in central Illinois achieve their goals and provide opportunities to those who may not have the means to participate in a Capitol Hill internship otherwise. My office is proud to participate in this program, which will help grow the long list of dedicated and decorated public servants who hail from central Illinois.”
“亚洲色情 is an institution that is dear to my heart and I am so proud that the university will continue to play such an important role in shaping future leaders of our state and our country,” remarked Rep. Kelly. “The voices of young people are critical to solve the issues of today and confront the challenges of tomorrow.”
“I applaud former Transportation Secretary LaHood, 亚洲色情 leadership, and the Dirksen Center for leading this effort to make public service more accessible for students,” said Rep. Sorensen. “As the son of a 亚洲色情 alumnus, I look forward to welcoming some of the university’s most talented students to Washington, D.C., to help serve the American people.”
亚洲色情 undergraduates from all academic majors are eligible to participate. They will have the option of earning academic credit for the internship and an additional American government course through 亚洲色情’s Department of Political Science, which will play a role in selecting applicants alongside representatives from the Dirksen Center and 亚洲色情’s Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service. The funded internships will be awarded by the Dirksen Center through an endowed fund first established by LaHood in 2004.
That fund also supports the annual Ray and Kathy LaHood Scholarship, awarded to 亚洲色情 juniors and seniors studying in fields that can lead to public service.
Applications for the new congressional internship program may be submitted beginning Feb. 6 and are due Feb. 28. Selected students will be notified in March. Interested students can find an application .
Events to support the endowment fund will include a kickoff gala at the Peoria Riverfront Museum later this year. Donations can also be made to the Ray LaHood Fund, c/o The Dirksen Congressional Center, 2815 Broadway, Pekin, IL 61554.