6 APSU students chosen as 2006 legislative interns
Six Austin Peay State University students have been selected to participate in the 2006 Tennessee Legislative Internship Program in Nashville.Senior students Shay Hutchings, Shawn McNatt, Thomas Talley and Stacey Washington, along with juniors Krista Bristol and Candice McGee, were chosen for the internships.
The students are serving until May 31 or one week after the adjournment of the Tennessee General Assembly, whichever occurs first.
Six Austin Peay State University students have been selected to participate in the 2006 Tennessee Legislative Internship Program in Nashville.
Senior students Shay Hutchings, Shawn McNatt, Thomas Talley and Stacey Washington, along with juniors Krista Bristol and Candice McGee, were chosen for the internships.
The students are serving until May 31 or one week after the adjournment of the Tennessee General Assembly, whichever occurs first.
Interns will be assigned to legislative leadership offices and committees, and perform various duties, such as bill analysis, constituent work, research and general office work.
McGee, McNatt and Talley will work with state legislators Sen. Rosalind Kurita, Rep. Kim McMillan and Rep. Curtis Johnson. The other students will be assigned to other lawmakers when the 2006 session begins.
This year's intern class also will participate in a number of projects and tours. Past tours have included a maximum-security prison, the state Capitol, the Bicentennial Mall, Tennessee Supreme Court, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the BellSouth Tower. Projects have included the Great Strides Project for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and collecting food for the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Bristol said she hopes to understand better the political process.
鈥淧olitics have such bad press, but I believe that politicians really do just want what is best for the citizens of our state,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 hope to be able to bring this first-hand knowledge back to Austin Peay students.鈥
The program was established in 1972 to provide Tennessee college students with an opportunity to work and learn in a hands-on legislative environment. Each year, 70 to 80 students from across the state participate in the program to learn about leadership responsibilities as well as develop legislative process skills. The interns assist legislative offices with their work activities and functions.
Juniors, seniors and graduate students in law, political science, history, administration, social work, economics, sociology, journalism and related fields are eligible for the program. Legislative interns also must be registered to vote in Tennessee and have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average.
For more information about the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program, telephone Dr. David Kanervo, professor of political science and APSU's faculty representative for the program, at (931) 221-7581. 鈥 Melony Leazer