Talking politics: Political interns hone skills at annual summit presented by RIPPAC
Talking politics: Political interns hone skills at annual summit presented by RIPPAC
August 9, 2024
Political interns learned leadership skills, networked and heard from political leaders during the seventh annual Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit, presented by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship.
In what is an unprecedented year for presidential politics, 170 political interns from 65 distinct institutions came together at Rowan University to discuss the nation’s future—and their roles in defining it—during the seventh annual Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit (MAPIS2024) on August 8.
Presented by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC), MAPIS offered political interns from New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania the opportunity to hear from a host of political leaders. Among them: New Jersey Lieutenant Governor & Secretary of State Tahesha Way, who was serving as active governor while Gov. Phil Murphy was out of state that day; Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-6); and Matt Klapper, chief of staff for U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
In breakout sessions, MAPIS attendees engaged in sessions focused on how both Republicans and Democrats can win in 2024; lobbying; driving social change; landing a job in Washington, D.C.; how to build consensus; and legal careers in public service and politics.
Lunch offered each MAPIS attendee an opportunity to network with leaders in the fields of politics, lobbying, healthcare, public service, media consulting, law, communications, non-profit organizations, public policy and governmental affairs.
Of the 170 attendees, Rowan and Rutgers universities each sent more than 30 political interns to MAPIS this year. The summit was the largest ever presented by RIPPAC.
“Seven years after hosting the first Mid-Atlantic Political Intern Summit, we have more than doubled in size,” said RIPPAC Founding Director Ben Dworkin. “In a time when politics has become so bitter and divisive, we are very proud that RIPPAC continues to bring together a bipartisan cross-section of young people from multiple schools and states to learn leadership skills, network with each other and have fun while doing it.
“2024 continues to be an extraordinary and challenging year in American politics,” Dworkin added. “But I believe anyone that meets the group of young, emerging leaders we hosted at MAPIS can have absolute confidence in the future of our Republic.”
RIPPAC is dedicated to informing, engaging, and training Rowan students, faculty, and the public in politics, policy, and citizen engagement. The institute hosts programs and guest speakers; supports students through academic and career development, internships and scholarships; and connects faculty and students from across the University with public entities to facilitate public policy research and discussion.