PEORIA MAGAZINE August 2023

S P O T L I G H T

HONING THE SKILLS OF THE HILL The inaugural class of the Michel-LaHood Summer Congressional Internship Program rubs elbows with America’s decision-makers in D.C.

BY CHRIS KAERGARD

F or politicos, it may have been the most consequential week this year in Congress: the final negotiations and vote on the debt ceiling increase. For a trio of Bradley University stu dents, it was also their first week on the job as congressional interns on Capitol Hill. “It was really great starting in a time when Congress was really just going at full swing with the debt ceiling,” said Lavannya Deolalikar, who is interning with U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and, like her colleagues, received accelerated training. “Interns needed to know what to do because Congress was doing so many important things. “It’s only gotten better from there.” Deolalikar and fellow seniors Sarah Sweeney and Luke Borri are the inaugural class of the Michel-LaHood Summer Congressional Internship Program, a new partnership between Bradley University and the Dirksen Congressional Center. It fully funds three students a year – travel to and from Washington, D.C., lodging near the Capitol, money for food, Metro passes and other expenses – at a cost of $7,000 apiece for the two-month experience. Internships in Congress aren’t meant to be coffee-fetching, hold-my-jacket positions. Indeed, interns are at the front line in most congressional offices, answering constituent phone calls,

greeting visitors and providing Capitol Hill tours. But these interns have truly been in the thick of it, responding to letters and emails from constituents, writing rec ommendations on whether proposed legislation fits in with a congressperson’s priorities and merits a co-sponsorship, even sitting in on committee hearings. “We get the opportunity to see them in full action and to watch these live debates,” said Sweeney, who is interning with U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood. HOW THE PROGRAM STARTED When he retired from Congress, U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood established an endowment at the Dirksen Center to provide annual scholarships at Bradley for students studying in fields related to public service. One of the recent recipients had separately completed a summer internship in a congressional office, and in talking about her experiences with members of the LaHood scholarship committee, she discussed the challenges of affording a summer in D.C. for students who don’t come from means. That sparked discussions between Ray LaHood, Bradley and the Dirksen Center about creating a program with his endowment to ensure students from all economic backgrounds would have

a chance to participate in internships. Darin LaHood, Kelly and newly elected Rep. Eric Sorensen quickly agreed to host interns for the first summer. “I know how crucial it is for the next generation of public servants to reflect a diverse array of talents and back grounds,” Ray LaHood said. “Removing any financial roadblocks to this expe rience ensures that our government, especially in ‘the people’s House,’ can draw from a deeper talent pool.” The program is named for LaHood and his mentor, former U.S. Rep. Bob Michel. The three hosting members of Congress all have connections to Brad ley and to Peoria. LaHood and Sorensen represent the Peoria area and are both the children of BU alums. Kelly is herself an alumna and former trustee, and she launched her career working at Peoria not-for-profits. “Congressional internships can be transformational experiences” said Tiffany White, executive director of the Dirksen Center. “Whether students go on to careers in public service, business, not-for-profits or anything else, they’re honing skills like active, empathetic listening and problem-solving, all while helping people.” WHAT THEY’RE LEARNING One of the first things the interns had emphasized was a simple, foundational truth about learning: Ask questions.

42 JULY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE