Statehouse Civic Scholars

This unique internship program provides the scholars with numerous networking opportunities to meet and exchange information with some of Ohio statewide officers, legislators, top lobbyists, and many more officials.

Previous networking events included:

• Dinner with Columbus’ top lobbyists and numerous Statehouse legislators
• Tour of the Governor’s residence and Heritage garden, followed by lunch with former Governor Bob Taft and former Ohio first lady Hope Taft
• Interactive meeting with Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and UD alumnus Jon Husted
• Tour of the Franklin County Board of Elections
• Reception at the Athletic Club with Ohio legislators, Statehouse Civic Scholar alumni and internship hosts.

In 2011, the University of Dayton piloted the Statehouse Civic Scholars program to place some of its top students in state-level government internships, working for legislators, the governor, a state Supreme Court justice, the attorney general and the secretary of state.

With a seed grant from the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Fund for Excellence, the program is designed as a mentored field experience, where strong students see government in action, apply their emerging professional expertise, develop their passion for service in the public sector, and perpetuate the values that the University fosters in students through our Catholic, Marianist heritage.

Besides working in a variety of state-level offices and sharing their experiences while living in community on a local campus, the scholars attend weekly networking events with alumni, lobbyists, elected members of the General Assembly and others.

When the first cohort finished their internships, it was clear that this program was more than experiential; it was transformational. They prepared speeches, wrote memos, drafted briefings, took calls from constituents and conducted research — skills useful in any professional setting. It went well beyond the practical, as they learned:

• active listening skills;
• that valuable cooperation and civility are in a field known much better for the opposites;
• the Marianist charism of inclusivity is as applicable in government as it is on campus;
• and, as they worked to understand viewpoints different from their own, they learned about diplomacy, justice, service and accountability.

Each year, the program seeks bright students to continue the reputation of professionalism and excellence that our previous cohorts have established.

• Robert Taft, former Ohio Governor: "It's an amazing opportunity I wish I had in college. UD's Statehouse Civic Scholars get to work side by side with Ohio's state leaders, honing their communication skills, exploring career paths and building relationships that will last a lifetime."
• Michael F. Curtin: Representative, Ohio House District 17: "This program appears to be well-organized and well-respected at the Statehouse."
• Bill Teets: Deputy Press Secretary, former Ohio Governor John Kasich: "We were very pleased with the caliber of our UD Summer Intern. She (Morgan Draves) was professional, bright and energetic, and was able to immediately bring substantive value to our office."
• Monica Juenger, Director of Stakeholder Relations with the Governor's Office on Health Transformation: "This is the third intern we've had from the UD Summer intern program. We have been pleased with each of our interns. Appreciate the thoughtful placements and high quality of the students."
• Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, former Justice, The Supreme Court of Ohio (ret.): "Although we usually only take law student externs, I agreed to try a UD college extern, and am I ever glad I did. She was able to take some projects, run with them and enhance them beyond what I expected."
• Eileen Austria, UD alumna, Statehouse Internship Coordinator: "We take talented and passionate UD students and open doors for them in state government. We connect the classroom to the statehouse in Columbus and provide a fantastic, learning experience for our future public servants in Ohio. Networking with alumni and friends of the University makes this a one of a kind experience!"