Panetta Congressional Internship Program
Patrick Henry - 2024 Panetta Intern
Patrick Henry, a third-year student dual majoring in political science and history from Redondo Beach, Calif., will serve as Cal Poly’s 2024 representative to the Panetta Institute Congressional Internship Program.
After a two-week training period at the Panetta Institute at CSU Monterey Bay, Henry will work in the Capitol Hill office of a California congressional representative in Washington, D.C., for 11 weeks in the fall.
“I am eager to use this incredible opportunity as a Learn by Doing experience,” Henry said. “When I am working on Capitol Hill, the practical skills I will learn that are needed for any political science-related job I want to pursue will be immense.
“This opportunity and everything I can learn on the job will be life-changing and hopefully lead me to pursue the career and life path of my dreams.”
Henry is one of the principal founders of the San Luis Obispo Model United Nations Club at Cal Poly. Since founding the club, the university’s Model United Nations team has expanded its membership and participates in a greater number of competitions with improved performances. The club’s delegate membership now comes from almost every major on campus.
Henry is the 24th Cal Poly student to participate in the Panetta Institute program since 2001. He will join 20 other students, all nominated by the presidents of California State University campuses, as well as two private universities, Saint Mary’s College of California and Santa Clara University. The program is open to all academic majors and is recognized as one of the leading internship courses in the nation because of the rigorous training it provides.
The Panetta Institute covers program costs, including course registration fees, campus services during orientation, air travel and housing in Washington, D.C. By covering these expenses, the institute can make the program available to interns from all socioeconomic levels. Cal Poly awardees are supported in part through the Ed and Jan Slevin Congressional Internship Endowment.
In August 2024, the Panetta Institute will begin the 26th annual Congressional Internship Program for students selected from the twenty-three campuses of the California State University along with three private universities. The program runs thirteen weeks, beginning with a two-week training session at the Panetta Institute, followed by eleven weeks in Washington, ending in November. Campuses are invited to choose an outstanding undergraduate (junior or senior) student leader to participate in an extraordinary learning experience held at the Institute and in the nation’s capital.
This program is open to students in any academic major recognized by the university, subject to the criteria stipulated below and any other criteria set forth by the president’s office. It provides an opportunity for students to enhance their educational experience by providing real-world engagement in the exploration of Congress, civil leadership, and community and public service. The cost of the program is fully funded to allow participation by any qualified student, independent of family income. Student benefits include academic fees and tuition, food and housing, a living stipend, a text-binder, and other academic materials, along with air and ground transportation.
Application Process
Qualified applicants will be selected based on their application materials and the program requirements. Selected applicants will be contacted for a preliminary interview with the campus selection committee. During the interview, the committee will assess the applicant’s clarity of speech, overall demeanor and character, leadership potential or experience, and interest in or commitment to community and public service, among other items. Selected finalists will advance to an interview with President Armstrong, who will determine the campus nominee. All applicants will be notified of selection or non-selection.
Cal Poly’s nominee will travel to the Panetta Institute in Monterey for an interview with the Panetta Institute interview team, which includes a representative from the CSU Chancellor’s Office. During that visit, the campus nominee will also meet with the CSU Monterey Bay campus police department to begin the process for a background investigation. The Panetta Institute interview team reserves the right to reject the nominee if the student fails to meet the Panetta Institute’s standards set for participation. Students may also be rejected due to the findings of the required background investigation. The Panetta Institutes makes the final determination for all program participants.
Interested students should review the links below:
- Program Requirements and Expectations
- Congressional Intern Position Description (PDF–opens in a new window)
- Past Interns
- Panetta Institute Website
The Cal Poly Panetta Congressional Intern is supported in part through
the Ed and Jan Slevin Congressional Internship Endowment.