KU News Release

March 30, 2007
Contact: Burdett Loomis, Department of Political Science, (785) 864-9033.

Twenty-two students work in nation’s capital through KU internship program

LAWRENCE — This spring, 22 students stepped into a real-world government affairs class by electing to work in Washington, D.C., through the political science internship program at the University of Kansas.

Sixteen KU students, along with five from Wichita State University and one from Kansas State University, are living in Washington, D.C., this semester. They work for congressional representatives, the White House, think-tank scholars or lobbyists and consultants. Students may earn up to 12 hours of credit for participating in an internship, attending a weekly seminar and electing to pursue independent study, which includes writing a research paper.

Two interns are working at the White House: Megan Cross, a KU senior from Ames, Iowa, for the political affairs offices directed by Karl Rove, and Tammy Zimmerman, a Wichita State student, for the Office of the First Lady.

Students are also working two major think tanks: American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation, said Burdett Loomis, KU professor of political science. Another KU intern is working with the Democratic Governors’ Association, headed this year by Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

“The students go out and find their own internships, similar to a job search,” said Loomis, who directs the Washington, D.C., and Topeka internship programs at KU.

Internships for some offices often can be found with a quick Web search, but others, particularly for organizations outside the federal system such as lobbyist firms or think tanks, can require additional initiative and inquiry. For spring terms, there are usually more internships than students to fill them in contrast to the summer terms when the reverse is true, Loomis said.

Beyond reporting to work each day, the students meet for weekly seminars with legislators and government officials, ambassadors, think-tank scholars and journalists.

Stephene Moore, wife of U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan., has coordinated this semester’s weekly seminars. They have included touring National Public Radio offices to meet with political editors; visiting the Spanish Embassy and meeting with Kansas legislators.

KU’s Washington Intern Program began in 1984. More than 400 students, mostly from KU but also from other regents universities in Kansas, have participated in this intensive, semester-long experience. Internships tend to run from mid-January to May 1 but can vary in length depending on the assignment.

The five Wichita State students participating this year are Steve Edmiston in office of U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan.; Joanna Fischer in office of U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan.; Matt Long in Amnesty International offices; Cody Smith in the office of the Washington, D.C., district attorney; and Tammy Zimmerman in the White House Office of the First Lady.

Mike Koss of Kansas State University is interning with U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.

The 16 KU student interns are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parent names, previous school attended (when available) and their internship assignment.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66209
Marcie Ann Cooperman, nondegree seeking student, daughter of Ron and Harryette Cooperman; bachelor’s degree in biology from KU, fall 2006; Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park; Climate Institute.

Lindsay Amber Fry, senior in political science, daughter of George and Marlene Fry; Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park; American Israeli Public Affairs Committee.

Ryan Matthew Kusmin, senior in political science and international studies, son of Bruce and Carolyn Kusmin; Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park; Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.

Daniel Allen Singer, senior in political science, son of Sheldon and Cindy Singer; Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park; Democratic Governors Association.

From Lenexa 66215
Jaclyn Schaefer Helling, senior in history of art, daughter of David Helling; Shawnee Mission West High School; Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan.

From Overland Park 66212
Colin Carter Brainard, senior in political science and international studies, son of Ray and Laura Brainard; Shawnee Mission South High School; Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.

From Stilwell 66085
Gregory John “TJ” Trum, senior in political science, son of Gregory and Barbara Trum; Blue Valley High School; American Enterprise Institute.

MIAMI COUNTY
From Paola 66071
Dennis Michael Chanay, senior in political science, son of Susan and David Hime; Paola High School; Heritage Foundation.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67208
Molly Lee Johnson, junior in pre-journalism, daughter of John and Peggy Johnson; Wichita High School East; Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan.

From Wichita 67212
Natalie Ann Nelson, senior in political science and pre-journalism, daughter of David Nelson; Wichita High School Northwest; Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.

IOWA
From Ames 50014
Megan E. Cross, senior in political science, daughter of Russ and Beth Cross; Ames High School; White House political affairs office.

ILLINOIS
From Highland Park 60035
Benjamin Charles Gash Garmisa, junior in political science, son of Lauren Beth Gash and Gregg Garmisa; Highland Park High School; Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.

MINNESOTA
From Edina 55343
Andrew Phillip Witkowsky, senior in political science, son of Ellen and Mark Sonnen; Witkowsky Hopkins High School, Minnetonka; Campaign for American Wilderness.

NEBRASKA
From Papillion 68046
Hilary Dyann Tilkens, junior in political science, daughter of Gary and Valerie Tilkens; Papillion-Lavista High School; Fraioli and Associates consultants.

REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA
From Tbilisi
Giorgi Burduli, junior in political science and international studies, son of Mamuka Burduli; Shawnee Heights Senior High School, Tecumseh, Kan.; Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan.

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