Stachia McGee

TWU's Stachia McGee chosen for selective Congressional Black Caucus Foundation internship

Texas Woman’s University political science major Stachia McGee first developed an interest in politics during the 2008 election of Barack Obama. “Even though I grew up in Dallas with a black representative, I didn’t really latch on to politics until I saw someone who could be my own father elected president of the United States,” said McGee.

She is now one of only 15 students selected through a highly competitive application process for a prestigious Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Emerging Leaders internship this spring in Washington, D.C.

McGee is the first TWU student to earn a place in the program, which aims to address the underrepresentation of African Americans among professional staffers on Capitol Hill. Participants receive housing, a $4,000 stipend, office placements, and opportunities to meet and interact with professional legislators and leaders working in all branches of the government.

“Stachia was one of 554 students nationwide to apply for this internship, which is particularly selective since paid internships in Washington are rare and highly competitive. I can’t emphasize enough how prestigious this program is, and we are extremely proud of Stachia’s achievement,” said associate professor of political science Parker Hevron, Ph.D.

Hevron oversees the government and legal studies internship program at TWU, which works closely with the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy to place students in work experience programs. To find out about more opportunities like Stachia’s, Hevron encourages students to visit the department’s internship page, contact him directly, or reach out to Nancy Bocskor, director of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy.

As a first-generation college student, McGee did not know what to expect as an undergraduate and first-time program applicant, but she consulted her family and previous life lessons for confidence and inspiration. “Throughout much of my primary schooling, I allowed fear to dictate my decisions. I was scared to challenge myself too much because I believed it would invite failure. This internship is an opportunity to look that fear in the face,” said McGee.

She now looks forward to immersing herself in a new and challenging environment for the next three months. “Prior to this internship, I rarely left Texas for more than a week at a time. This is an opportunity for me to grow professionally and personally, becoming more skilled in adapting to unfamiliar situations.”

McGee expects to graduate in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Her degree and this internship fit into her career aspirations to address social problems by changing the law for the better. “Whether I achieve that as a lawyer, congress member, lobbyist or something completely different, I want to be the best version of me that I can be.”

Page last updated 9:38 AM, January 25, 2023