Interested in Becoming a Legislative Intern?
Come join us at the Capitol for the 2023 Georgia Legislative session! The Georgia Legislative Internship Program is open to currently enrolled juniors and seniors at any Georgia college or university. GLIP interns work full-time at the Georgia General Assembly for the entire session and receive both course credit and a weekly stipend.
We will be hosting an information session at the Capitol later this summer; more details will be forthcoming in the following months.
Questions and requests for information can be sent to Dr. Stephanie D. Kerce at [email protected].
Information is also available at https://ga.gsu.edu/ga-legislative-intern-program/
Intern of the Week 2023
Every week a different Georgia Legislative Intern Program intern will be featured on this page. The purpose of this feature is to introduce them to the campus as well as highlight their achievements while working at the capitol as well as their future goals.
Ann Philip
Ann Philip is from Johns Creek, Georgia. Ann is a third-year undergraduate student with a major in Public Policy and a concentration in Public Management and Governance. For this legislative session, she has been assigned to the Government Oversight Committee.
When asked about why she decided to become a GLIP Intern, Ms. Ann says that, “As a passionate advocate of public service, it has been a long-term goal of mine to serve the Georgia General Assembly in this capacity. Prior to starting my undergraduate degree at Georgia State, I had the privilege of shadowing multiple State Representatives at the Capitol. In doing so I had the pleasure of meeting two GLIP interns from our very own GSU who affirmed this spark of interest and motivated me to pursue this opportunity.”
So far, her duties as a Senate Aide include constituent communications for my assigned Chairman’s district, bill tracking, resolutions updates, and attending as well as note taking on various committee meetings outside of my own.
Outside of her internship at the Capitol, Ms. Ann is an active member of the Delta Zeta Chapter at Georgia State where she has served in a number of executive positions including Vice President of Finance. She is also a seasonal poll manager & clerk for Fulton County elections. Additionally, she has spent a large amount of my time in the past few years tutoring students through Cross-Cultural Ministries, a non-profit working with underserved minority students and families through both educational and community engagement programs.
A quote that sticks with her during her work is, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Ann Philip
Caleb Spainhour
Caleb Spainhour is a 20 year old Junior studying Law and Society. Caleb hopes to attend law school in the future, and believes that his GLIP placement will help him gain relevant experience in his career path.
Caleb works in House Majority Leader, Chuck Efstration’s office. In his role he focuses on researching proposed policy and similar legislation in neighboring states, compiling reports on bills, and keeping an eye out for concerns of other members.
When asked what he wants to gain from his internship, Caleb said, “I hope that this internship helps me find a potential area of practice that I can push for. Being immersed in all sorts of legislation hopefully will present me with a subject that I truly find interesting, as I have a rough idea of what kind of law, I want to go into but I’m still a bit lost.”
Caleb says he finds witnessing the legislative process fascinating and thinks it may even inspire him to pursue a career in politics. He’s excited and charged for “the networking opportunities that are found nowhere else in Georgia.”
Outside of work, Caleb likes to play chess at local chess clubs in the area and read. One of his favorite reads is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. While his hobbies may sound boring to some, these activities allow him to recharge during the legislative session.
Caleb chooses to live by the quote “We cannot solve our problems with the same way of thinking we used when we created them,” by Albert Einstein and will continue to carry it in his personal and professional life.
Caleb Spainhour
Anthony Hill
Anthony Eugene Hill Jr. is a second-year Economics and Political Science double-major. For his GLIP placement, he is representing GSU in the House Minority Leader’s office. Anthony was looking for internship experience ahead of pursuing a career in law. Having found a program that gives him hands-on experience and course credits, Anthony knew this was a chance to make the most of his undergraduate experience and felt he “would’ve been foolish to disregard such an opportunity.”
During his experience, Anthony hopes to gain a comprehensive understanding of the law and figures “there would be no better place to become more acquainted with the law than the capitol.” Anthony also adds that he is “making valuable connections with key players in this massive political atmosphere.” His day-to-day responsibilities include bill reports, gathering data about representatives and their committees, and assisting with various tasks around the office.
When asked his thoughts on the program, Anthony said, “I love GLIP so far, and continue to thank God every day for leading me to such an amazing opportunity. It seems that the internship is everything that I hoped for and more; all the way from witnessing and being a part of the legislative process firsthand to enjoying the free breakfast left behind from caucus meetings.” Anthony is making the most of his internship and carrying his favorite quote, 1 Corinthians 10:13 with him during his time there.
Anthony Hill
Emily Bullington
Emily Bullington is a junior Political Science major from McDonough, Georgia. Emily has never shied away from the fact that politics and government are passions of hers, and has even said that her favorite reading is the The Constitution. So it’s no surprise that when Emily found out about the Georgia Legislative Intern program, she knew she had to take the opportunity to work in government.
Emily interns in the House Minority Leader’s office with the hopes of one day becoming a U.S. Senator representing Georgia at the national level. In her current role, Emily is tasked with doing research reports for bills and some project management for Democratic Caucus meetings.
When asked how she is enjoying her time as an intern, Emily said, “So far I am loving my experience as an intern. I love all of the opportunities that I have and it is going better than I ever anticipated.” More than anything, Emily hopes to gain valuable knowledge and connections. She feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to talk with legislators one-on-one and learn about the legislative process.
Emily Bullington
Abi-Sarah Maiga
Abi-Sarah was born in Atlanta, but raised in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. She is studying political science at Georgia State University with the hopes of going to law school and becoming a corporate attorney and eventually a judge. Abi-Sarah has been assigned to the Office of Legislative Counsel where she is primarily tasked with writing resolutions and is enjoying seeing the the ins and outs of the legislative process.
Abi-Sarah has most enjoyed seeing what happens behind-the-scenes firsthand. She really loves working with and around attorneys at the State Capitol while also learning more about politics and professionalism. For Abi-Sarah, working at the Capitol has been a full-circle moment and she is grateful to have seasoned colleagues helping guide her.
A quote that she carries with her in her life and in her work is “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” by Winston S. Churchill.” Living by such strong words, it’s no surprise that Abi-Sarah is representing the Panther Family so well at the General Assembly.
Abi-Sarah Maiga
Jaden Gomez
Jaden Gomez is a fourth-year Economics major in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies from Norcross, Georgia. When Jaden heard about the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP), he knew this would be a great opportunity to learn more about his career interests in law and city planning.
Assigned to the House Economic Development Committee, Jaden says, “GLIP thus far has been fantastic. I am a person who loves to multitask and have five different things on my plate, safe to say, I am right at home.” Mr. Gomez considers it an honor to assist state legislators during this session.
For Jaden, learning about the behind-the-scenes action and seeing processes that aren’t typically taught in the classroom is invaluable. Outside of his time at the Capitol, Jaden serves as the Historian for his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega (ATΩ). Mr. Gomez also keeps up with his interests in economics, citing The Invisible Hand by Addam Smith as his favorite book. In everything he does, Jaden carries the quote “Ask for no guarantees, ask for no security, there never was such an animal.”
Jaden Gomez
Ian Ellison
Ian Ellison, a Political Science major from Miamisburg, Ohio, has learned a lot about the process of the Georgia Legislature through the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP). “Going into the GLIP program, I was not too sure what to expect,” says Ian. However, after a few weeks, Mr. Ellison discovered the GLIP experience contributed to him growing as a person.
Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee, Ian’s helps prepare for committee meetings, address constituent needs, write bill summaries, perform administrative tasks, and many various duties assigned by chairmen and administrative assistants.
After graduating from Georgia State University, Ian hopes to work in state government, and eventually the federal government. Ellison’s passion for the state of Georgia is clear, even citing his favorite quote by Mr. Rogers, “All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors—in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.”
Ian Ellison
Lauryn Bennet-Walker
Lauryn Bennet-Walker is a fourth-year Political Science major with a concentration in Pre-Law from Lithonia, Georgia. Assigned to the House Retirement Committee, Lauryn was excited to see how state government works from the inside and glad to be amongst so many political leaders.
Ms. Bennet-Walker learned about the Georgia Legislative Intern Program (GLIP) after reading an email sent out to students. She knew that as someone who learns best through actions, working at the capitol would be the perfect opportunity for her to get “first-hand experience”.
Although, while enjoying her time as a GLIP intern, Lauryn was met with a pleasant surprise. “What I did not expect, but am so grateful for, is to have been offered a full-time position before I graduated, says Lauryn. Now I can continue my access to this experience and people as long as I am here.” Ms. Bennet-Walker is now the administrative assistant for the House State Planning Community Affairs Committee and the House Reapportionment & Redistricting Committee.
With hopes of becoming a practicing attorney in family or corporate law in the future, Lauryn plans on working in her role as an administrative assistant to help her with paying for law school.
Lauryn Bennet-Walker
Xavier Means
Mr. Xavier Means is a senior political science major from Johns Creek, Georgia. Xavier saw the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP) as a great opportunity to leverage his passion for the law and be an agent of social change. “Being a legislative intern was a no-brainer for me as I have always had a deep interest in policy,” says Mr. Means.
Interning for Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler and Senator Nan Orrock has allowed Xavier to become exposed to all aspects of law and government. In his opinion, lawmakers and lobbyists are the ones who help shape state policy and move Georgia forward.
When asked how the GLIP experience has helped him with his future goal of becoming an attorney, Mr. Means describes it as “flying as close to the sun as possible.” In addition to allowing him to witness ideas turn into legal code, the GLIP internship has given Xavier the opportunity to draft legislation, as well as collaborate with lawmakers and attorneys from all over the state of Georgia.
With a positive outlook on the world and at the capitol, Xavier carries the quote “don’t let a bad 20 minutes ruin a good 24 hours” on his day-to-day. This philosophy has allowed Xavier to conquer his goals while minimizing frustration.
Xavier Means
Contact Us
Michael Parkerson
Vice President, Government and Community Affairs
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-2246
Christopher Green
Director, Government and Community Affairs
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-2039
Jason Thomas
Assistant Director for State Relations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-1402
Debbie Jones
Associate to the Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-2030
Address
Government and Community Affairs
Centennial Hall
100 Auburn Avenue, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30303
