Preparing future leaders: RIPPAC brings political interns together for sixth annual summit

More than 140 political interns working this summer in the tri-state region enjoyed a day of education, networking and leadership training on August 3 during the sixth annual Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit at Rowan University.

Presented by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC), MAPIS featured addresses from members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-3) and U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), as well as additional talks by Hon. Kevin O’Toole, commissioner and chair of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Amy Mansue, president and CEO of Inspira Health Network.

Mansue, herself a former political intern, delivered opening remarks, while Kim gave the keynote address. Coleman and O’Toole spoke to MAPIS participants during successive capstone sessions in the afternoon.

Interns attending MAPIS hailed from more than 80 different colleges, universities and high schools. During the free, daylong summit, they enjoyed breakout sessions that focused on a host of topics, including: the Republican and Democratic parties heading into 2024; finding a job in politics in Washington, D.C.; how to disagree without being disagreeable; learning to lobby; and driving social change.

During a spirited career networking lunch, interns connected with —and learned from —leaders in policy analysis, political and media consulting, contract lobbying and issue advocacy, and legislative politics.

“Fundamentally, RIPPAC is about workforce development for democracy,” said Ben Dworkin, founding director of RIPPAC. “This intern summit, our largest ever, was a unique opportunity for students from across the political spectrum to come together to learn, laugh, and network as they prepare to lead in the future.”