Two Honors students participated in the NIU Summer Congressional Internship Program during summer 2025. The NIU Summer Congressional Internship Program is a unique opportunity to intern for a member of the Illinois congressional delegation for the summer in Washington, D.C. Students can learn the workings of a congressional office, attend congressional hearings, work with constituents, and get a taste of living and working in the nation’s capital.
This summer, Olivia Zapf interned with Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Kenia Murrieta interned with Delia Ramirez (IL-03). Read more about their experience below.
Olivia Zapf
“I applied for the NIU Congressional Internship because I am eager to gain a stronger understanding of how legislative change is made and how the government operates on a routine basis. This opportunity will impact my educational, occupational, and understanding of politics. I will begin law school at the NIU College of Law in the fall 2025 semester via the Accelerated Law Program, and this internship will help me learn about the development of legislation and policies that I will later use as a lawyer. In law school, this experience will give me a new perspective on the intent behind laws and policies that I can use to interpret passed pieces of legislation. Additionally, I believe being an informed and active member of your political community is important, and this experience will give a unique window into the workings of government and learn more about how politics functions on a complex level. I will be able to take these lessons and understandings to help teach those around me what I learned and grow their political understanding as well as my own.”
Kenia Murrieta 
“I applied for this internship because I am passionate about helping people access resources, understanding their rights, and finding ways to improve our communities. This opportunity offers a valuable chance to deepen my understanding of the federal government process. By becoming more familiar with how our government works, I can better identify ways to help my community and share that knowledge to increase civic engagement. My hope is that by passing along what I learn, I can encourage others to become more involved and help build trust in the belief that our voices and efforts can lead to real change. This internship will be instrumental in preparing me for law school and a career in public service and policy. It will provide valuable experience in legislative research and give me firsthand knowledge of how the federal government operates and collaborates with lawmakers and other stakeholders to create policies. This understanding will be essential to my future work, enabling me to advocate more effectively for individuals and ensure they receive the resources and support they need.”
Learn more about the NIU Summer Congressional Internship program here.
