More than a dozen Georgia Tech students are performing public policy and policy research as interns under the Gold Dome this legislative session.

Nine Tech students were chosen for the 2013 Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP), a highly selective opportunity to participate in the state’s legislative process through full-time work experience. Representing one of the largest classes of Georgia Tech GLIP interns in the program’s history, students selected for the 2013 legislative session include:

• Michael De la Guardia, economics and international affairs major from Duluth, Ga.
• Derek Jett, public policy major from Newnan, Ga.
• Tejas Kotak, environmental engineering major from Lawrenceville, Ga.
• Aaron Morgan, public policy major from Silver Creek, Ga.
• Alyssa Nordin, international affairs major from Peachtree City, Ga.
• Bhavik Pandya, economics and international affairs major from Canton, Ga.
• Tatiana Posada, international affairs major from Euharlee, Ga.
• Mary Shoemaker, public policy major from Smyrna, Ga.
• Olivia Watkins, international affairs and Spanish major from Tucker, Ga.          

In addition to the students selected for the GLIP program, Tech student Bonnie Gaupp of Thomasville, Ga., is serving as an intern in the office of Georgia Tech alumnus and State Representative Mike Dudgeon, and Norcross-native Jason Lupuloff is serving in the office of Senator John Albers.

Tech students are sought after for other public policy internship positions as well. At the Capitol this session are Roma Amin, from Athens, Ga., who is working with private firm Cornerstone Communications; and Emily Roby-Phillips of Roswell, Ga., who serves with the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Each year, Georgia Tech’s Office of Government and Community Relations assists in recruitment for the GLIP program beginning in late summer. Applicants are selected by House and Senate staff and placed in positions at the State Capitol, where duties might include tracking legislation; performing constituent services or media assistance; and writing bill summaries. 

GLIP student Derek Jett, now in his fourth year at Georgia Tech, works for Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives, Jan Jones, who represents parts of Fulton County. 

“This placement [in the Office of Representative Jones] is perfect for me considering I am always embracing a challenge,” he said. “Some of my duties include researching legislation, speaking with constituents regarding public policy issues and accumulating data for House bills.”

Third-year student Alyssa Nordin is a House of Representatives intern for Representative Chuck Martin, Chairman of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee; Representative Tom Weldon, Chairman of the Juvenile Justice Committee; and Representative Matt Ramsey, Vice-Chairman of the Majority Caucus.

 “In my work at the Capitol, what I enjoy most is researching information about potential and assigned bills and attending committee meetings,” she said. “I have learned about legal processes and analyzing policies, which will help me in my future career. The most valuable part of this internship has been meeting new people including representatives, senators, lobbyists and administrative assistants. This group has taught me so much through their dedication and passion to better our state.”

Oftentimes, students are invited back to serve during subsequent sessions. This year, former Georgia Tech GLIP interns Michael Boland and Casey Aultman are supporting the House leadership and Rules Committee, respectively.

Learn more about the Georgia Legislative Internship Program at www.gov.gatech.edu/state/glip.html.