Cal Poly Panetta Interns: Student Experiences and Alumni
Cal Poly students have participated in the Panetta Institute Congressional Internship Program for many years, representing the university in Washington, D.C. through a highly competitive, fully funded academic and professional experience. The reflections below offer insight into what the program is like from a student perspective, followed by a list of Cal Poly students who have represented the university through the program.
Student Experiences
What past interns say about the program.
Ethan Gutterman – 2022
It was an honor to be selected by President Armstrong and the rest of the selection committee to represent Cal Poly in the Panetta Institute Congressional Internship Program. The internship gave me the opportunity to have the quintessential "Learn by Doing" experience in the world of government. I got an inside look into policy craft and constituent services, as well as having a great time in The Capitol. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in public policy and government.
Desiree Nunes – 2021
The Panetta Institute's Congressional Internship Program helped me grow in ways I couldn't even imagine. Not only was I granted the opportunity to be mentored by experts in policymaking and leaders in Congress, but I was also able to learn so much about myself in the process. It truly is a life-changing experience for anyone interested in politics or government, the special and unique chance to watch the process unfold from inside the Capitol. Being on the Hill gave me an incredible perspective that I will take with me in anything I choose to pursue – it really is the ultimate Learn by Doing experience.
Christine Lam – 2019
The Panetta Congressional internship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that showcases the realities of policymaking and Congress. You are given the opportunity to learn from top experts in a vast range of fields and engage in a fully immersive “Learn By Doing” experience in the nation’s capital.
Philip “RJ” Abarquez – 2018
The Panetta Congressional Internship is an opportunity of a lifetime that shows you politics isn’t about winning or losing, it isn’t about Democrats and Republicans, it is about finding common ground to ensure effective policies get passed and letting constituents know, their voice matters.
Past Cal Poly Panetta Interns
The following students have represented Cal Poly as Panetta Institute Congressional Interns. (Most recent first.)
- 2025 Talie Krantz, Political Science
- 2024 Patrick Henry, Political Science, History
- 2023 Danielle "Dani" Bello, Political Science
- 2022 Ethan Gutterman, History
- 2021 Desiree Nunes, Political Science
- 2020 Imahn Daeenabi, Political Science
- 2019 Christine Lam, Political Science
- 2018 Philip “RJ” Abarquez, Political Science
- 2017 Maryam Quasto, Political Science
- 2016 Malcolm Mills, Sociology
- 2015 Courtney Jacobson, Business, Information Systems
- 2014 Yenifer Origel, Business Administration
- 2014 Jessica Burke, Industrial Engineering
- 2013 Katie Hoselton, Political Science
- 2012 Anna Consani, Political Science
- 2010 David Fox, History
- 2009 Julie Hopper, Political Science
- 2008 Manuel Reynoso, Jr., Master of Public Policy
- 2007 Sagar H. Desai, Aerospace Engineering
- 2006 Colin Rizzo, Journalism
- 2005 Keith Ochwat, Agribusiness
- 2004 Michelle Giffith-Jones, Political Science
- 2003 Angela Hacker, Psychology
- 2002 John Brison, Political Science
- 2001 Coady H. Pruett, Civil Engineering
The Cal Poly Panetta Congressional Intern is supported in part through the Ed and Jan Slevin Congressional Internship Endowment.