Intern Spotlight

Madison Dryden

Madison Dryden is a 2L law student externing through Georgia State
University. Her current assignment is with the Senate Judiciary, but this
isn’t her first time at the Gold Dome. During her undergraduate studies,
Madison interned in the Governor’s Office of Policy and enjoyed the
fast-paced nature. She returned to learn and utilize her legal education in
a non-traditional way, deepen her understanding of the legislative
process, and build her network as she begins her career.

Ms. Dryden’s daily tasks include completing research assignments,
preparing memoranda, helping with committee meeting materials and
note-taking during committee meetings. “This experience, interning while
also taking classes, has taught me about managing time, organization, and how to efficiently work in a fast-paced environment,” says Madison.

Outside of externing at the Capitol, Ms. Dryden participates in GSU CASA Pre-Law Mentorship Program and is the Vice President of Programming for the Atlanta Delta Gamma Alumnae Group.

Her future plans after graduation are to stay involved in Georgia politics, work for state government or practice civil law, and ultimately become a judge.

Madison’s favorite quote is “Well done is better than well said,” by Benjamin Franklin and she loves the book In Cold Blood by Truman Capote.

Tyrese Crump

Tyrese Crump is a third-year Political Science major from Sunrise, Florida
with dreams of one day becoming a criminal justice lawyer. He first heard
about the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP) through his
American Law professor and felt this would be the perfect opportunity to
strengthen his skills and make meaningful connections

Assigned to the House Speaker’s Office, Mr. Crump’s day-to-day tasks
include attending chamber meetings on the house floor, attending and
monitoring committee meetings, and administrative duties.

Mr. Crump says that experience with the GLIP could not have been better
and being able to meet the individuals who make Georgia’s laws has been insightful. He has also met many people who have given him advice on how to be successful in his career.

With goals to practice criminal justice law, Mr. Crump is surrounded by individuals who can help him get to where he wants to be. Outside of criminal justice, Mr. Crump also wants to foster his entrepreneurial spirit by growing his streetwear brand and producing music.

Tyrese’s favorite quote is “Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt,” by Sun Tzu and he enjoys reading Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson for inspiration.

Logan Birchmore

Logan Birchmore felt the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP)
was a must to further his understanding of politics and government and
supply him with useful, practical experience. “My expectations for the
program have thus far been tremendously exceeded, says Logan. The
ability to connect and communicate with representatives, lobbyists, and
other interns has made this program to me incredible.”

Assigned to the Office of the Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, some of
Logan’s duties as an intern are to answer phone calls, gather
important documents, handle constituent concerns, and assist other
interns with their duties.

On campus, Mr. Birchmore is a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, in which he has held two leadership positions since joining in the Fall of 2019.

A senior political science major from Vermont, Logan’s career goal is to someday become involved in the world of politics, diplomacy, and journalism, with an ultimate end goal of being a high-ranked government official.

Logan is inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte’s quote, “Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.” His favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo, written by Alexandre Dumas.

Brenda Cruz

Brenda Cruz, a junior political science major, learned about the Georgia
Legislative Internship Program (GLIP) through an email correspondence
and decided to apply. “The GLIP experience is good at prepping interns
for the legislative session, and my expectation is to learn more about how
bills are made and find out what goes on behind the scenes in making a
bill,” says Brenda.

Assigned to the Judiciary Committee, Ms. Cruz’s main duty is researching
bills. Furthermore, the internship is helping with her career plans of
becoming an attorney because she is able to network and receive advice
from many lawyers at the Capitol.

After she graduates from GSU next year, Brenda will apply to law school. Her favorite quote is “We can’t choose where we come from, but we can where we go from there,” by Stephen Chbosky. Ms. Cruz is fond of the book, The Young Elites by Marie Lu.

Stephanie Desire

Stephanie Desire is a political science major originally from
Port-au-Prince,Haiti. Her goal in applying to the Georgia Legislative
Internship Program (GLIP) was to experience the process of lawmaking
directly. As far as her expectations for the program, they have exceeded
anything she could have hoped for. “I’m learning a lot about how the law
affects every sector of our lives,” says Stephanie. She believes this
program is key to helping students dictate their own political path.

At the capitol, Stephanie is assigned to the Economic Development &
Tourism Committee, the Human Relations & Aging Committee, and the
Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee. Since the start of her
internship, Ms. Desire realized just how important it is to be even more active in the community and the legislative process, and she hopes to continue to gain insight on how best to do so.

From checking her chairman’s inboxes to retrieving bills and resolutions in the legislative council office, Stephanie is pretty busy during the day. She also answers phones, handle constituent concerns, and takes notes for summaries of bill hearings and committee meetings.

Ms. Desire is active on campus as a member of The National Black Law Student Association and off-campus as the founder of the End of Times Foundation, which helps send young children to school and feed children in the rural side of Haiti.

She plans to continue her education by attending law school in the fall of 2023 and credits GLIP for helping her narrow her focus in that field. She is inspired by the quote “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away,” by Pablo Picasso. Her favorite book is Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki.

Juan Esparza

Juan Esparza has had a high bar set for himself since becoming a student of GSU. He happened to stumble across the application for the Georgia Legislative Program (GLIP) and was shocked at how it is exactly the kind of program he was looking for. “It’s amazing! You meet some great leaders and make so many strong connections with all kinds of people,” says Juan about his experience so far.

A political science major from Lawrenceville, Juan is excited to add this program to his junior year accomplishments. While he has been involved on campus in the past, he is focused on doing his best work and leaving a positive, lasting impression during his time at the capitol.

Assigned to the Senate Majority Leader’s office, he hopes to get a first hand look at how the legislative process operates. Outside of how laws are crafted and implemented, Juan cares about how these laws ultimately affect the citizens of Georgia once passed. While currently a liaison to the Majority Leader his other duties as an intern are to assist in research, attends meetings, and problem solve constituent issues.

Mr. Esparza’s future plans after graduating include pursing a law degree, and although Georgia State is on his list he is aiming for Georgetown University in order to observe decision making at the core of the country. He hopes to one day himself run for senate to inspire change and is thankful for the conversations he is able to have with current senators who encourage him daily through answering his questions. He is reassured by the quote “Life isn’t as serious as the mind makes it out to be. Just enjoy it.”

Di'Avian Foster

Di’Avian Foster is a graduate student majoring in political science. She
applied to the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP) because she wanted to develop skills that will be applicable regardless of where she
ultimately. ends up in life. Ms. Foster wants to gain insight of the legislative process from a policy standpoint, as well as expand her network of connections. “So far, my expectations have been exceeded because I have learned all that I wanted and then even more,” says Di’Avian.

Assigned to the House Minority Office, Di’Avian is tasked with attending
committee meetings, taking notes for the House Minority Leader,
researching legislation, summarizing bills and drafting proposed legislation.

After graduating with her masters this may, Di’Avian plans on taking a gap year to prepare for law school in Fall 2023. “I am torn between what I would like to do with my law degree. This experience will help me gain better insight into that decision as well as give me tools and skills that are transferrable regardless of what I decide to do in the future,” says Ms. Foster.

Di’Avian is member of the GSU National Council of Negro Women. Off campus, she volunteers in the community through an organization called ReNew Atlanta. Her favorite quote is “What we do is more important that what we say or what we say we believe,” by Bell Hooks. Ms. Foster’s most loved book is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

Tanya Paniagua Zamora

The knowledge gained from the first few weeks of the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP) has already been enlightening to Tanya Zamora. “I cannot wait to see what this experience has yet to teach me,” says Tanya. Gaining knowledge on how our state government works, becoming exposed to law-based experiences, and making new connections and long-lasting friendships is important to Tanya.

A third-year interdisciplinary studies major, Ms. Zamora has always had an interest in the decision-making process of our government. “The GLIP experience will expose me to new learning experiences and insights that are only offered in places like the Capitol. Not only do I get to witness how our state legislative process works, but I also get to be a part of it,” states Tanya. “I admire the purpose of this program because it provides opportunities to many motivated, young individuals.”

Tanya’s intern duties include answering phone calls from constituents all over Georgia, handling special files, and attending to basic administrative needs within the Speaker’s Office. However, the most exciting and unique experience for Tanya is attending the House floor sessions.

After grading from GSU, Ms. Zamora plans to attend law school. Her favorite quote is “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude,” by Denis Waitley. She is inspired by Don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements.