Houston, TX)// – Today 16 students will finish up their terms as participants in the Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP). The students completed their internships in legislative offices; state agencies ranging from the Office of the Attorney General to the Task Force on Indigent Defense; non-profit organizations including the Innocence Project in New York; and the two highest courts in the state, the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals.
Participants in the TLIP Class of 2010 include:
Susan Akinyemi, 2L at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Amy Benya, 2L at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Jacob Barber, recent graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Pache Barcliffe, 2L at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Justin Campbell, Junior at Arizona State University; Corwyn Davis, 2L at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Collette Gadson, 2L at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Greg Hardmon; recent graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Justin Hayes, recent graduate of the University of Houston Law Center; Kirk Johnson, graduate of Sam Houston State University; Jose Martinez, graduating senior at the University of Houston; Eddrea McKnight, 2L at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Natalie Nguyen, 2L at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law; Christina Sanders, graduate of Texas Southern University Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs; Austin Shell, 2L at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law; and Philip Stringer; graduate of Auburn University.
“My experience working at the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has been extremely enlightening,” said Kirk Johnson. “Working with an advocacy organization and the wonderful staff here has been a great joy in addition to the important work that comes out of this organization. I would encourage all of my peers to strive to be a part of such a prestigious program.”
“Having the opportunity to intern at the Supreme Court presented me with complex challenges and subsequently taught me how to think and react in an environment outside the walls of a classroom and beyond the boundaries of a desk,” said Corwyn Davis.
Added Christina Sanders, “My TLIP experience has been absolutely amazing. The things I’ve learned and people I’ve met have helped me chart an exciting future career path.”
Sponsored by Senator Ellis and administered by the Mickey Leland Center on World Hunger and Peace at Texas Southern University, TLIP began in 1990. Since its inception, TLIP has grown to be the largest legislative internship program in the state, with almost 400 participants over the past 19 years. TLIP provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students attending Texas colleges and universities to serve as interns in the Texas Legislature, in various state agencies, in local government and with non-profit organizations. Many TLIPers have continued with careers in public service. Notably, two former TLIPers are now serving in the Texas House of Representatives: Rep. Ana Hernandez and Rep. Armando Walle. Another former TLIPer, Ron Reynolds, is the current Democratic Nominee for Texas State House District 27.
“TLIP is one of the programs I am most proud of because it equips students with the tools they need in order to be the future leaders of this state and nation,” said Senator Ellis. “This class received many challenging assignments in their respective offices and handled them all with excellence. They represented the program well and continued the legacy left by those who came before them.”
Mary Benton Media 