UI Office of Federal Relations – Summer 2022 Internship

Internship focus: Various legislative and federal advocacy tasks, with a specific focus on humanities-related policy.

About the organization

The University of Iowa’s Office of Federal Relations is located in Washington, DC, and serves as the critical link between the university and the federal government. The office provides a fixed presence with members of Congress, the Administration, federal agencies, and national organizations. The office is charged with working across campus to establish the institution’s federal priorities, track and analyze federal legislation, guidance, funding, rules, and regulations that could potentially impact the University of Iowa community, and execute the federal strategy and overall advocacy efforts on behalf of the university. 

About the internship

This is a unique opportunity to learn about lobbying, particularly as it relates to higher education. The intern will join the small UI team to provide policy research and writing support.

Intern’s work responsibilities

Responsibilities will include:

• Attend congressional hearings and briefings on behalf of the Office of Federal Relations
• Draft policy memos for university leadership on timely topics of interest
• Conduct research on pending federal legislation
• Attend AAU Humanities Task Force meetings, which consists of the federal relations staff from America’s Leading Research Universities
• Work collaboratively with the National Humanities Alliance and other national organizations focused on humanities policy at the federal level
• Attend weekly team meetings with federal relations staff and university administration
• Assist the Office of Federal Relations with other duties as assigned

Qualifications & skills preferred

• Interest in implications of federal policy on the humanities, both from an academic and broader societal standpoint
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment
• Strong collaborative skills and desire to contribute to an active, but small, team

Location, hours, & reporting

This internship reports to Leanne Hotek, Executive Director of Federal Relations, and is sited in the Hall of States Building, 444 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, D.C. This internship comes with an additional living expense stipend.