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The Bob Graham Center, in cooperation with the University of Florida Office of Government and Community Relations, has selected 12 UF students to intern in positions throughout Florida’s government during the 2024 Tallahassee legislative session.
Each year, the Center’s Tallahassee Internship Program offers placements for UF students to gain firsthand experience working at the highest levels of Florida’s executive, legislative and judicial offices. Since the program’s inception in 2009, 200 students have completed Tallahassee internships.
Interns are required to live and work in Tallahassee during the full duration of the legislative session. Read more about this year’s Tallahassee internship recipients below.
Bianca Cirigliano 
Bianca is a sophomore studying criminology and psychology on the behavior analysis track. She has experience being an active campus leader as a former preview staffer and a student admissions officer for the University of Florida’s Office of Admissions. As a first-generation student interested in legal studies, Bianca hopes to make a positive impact and further develop both professional and personal skills as a leader, while expanding her understanding in the law and the legislative process.
She has been placed with the UF Office of State Relations.
Sophia Coronado
Sophia is a junior studying business administration, minoring in leadership, and hoping to pursue a degree in law. She has founded a charity focusing on children’s literacy, worked for UF’s student government, interned at a law firm, and is a part of Phi Alpha Delta. She is passionate about serving the community and is interested in education policy.
She has been placed with the Florida Hospital Association.
Esther Fulford
Esther is a junior studying political science and agriculture education and communication. She works as operations supervisor at RecSports and is involved in Florida Powerlifting Club and Alpha Phi sorority. She completed an internship in agriculture policy with the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and has studied abroad in Austria pursuing her interest in European agricultural policy. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a career as a lobbyist in the agricultural sector, advocating for rural life and industry.
She has been placed in the office of Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-FL 06).
Maria Igarza
Maria is a sophomore majoring in political science and international studies, and minoring in women’s studies. At UF, she is involved with the Hispanic Student Association’s Member Leadership Program. She has interned with Corcoran Partners, a government relations and public affairs firm, where she collaborates with bill analysis and bill summary tracking for staff and policy makers. Additionally, she is a UF Junior Research Fellow conducting research on new legislation proposals in Colombia after the 2016 Peace Agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. She expects this internship to be her first step in gaining political experience, leading to a future in governmental affairs.
She has been placed in the office of Sen. Lori Berman (D-FL 26).
Emily Lampi
Emily ​is a senior majoring in political science and pursuing minors in public leadership and history. She has been involved in Student Government, the First Generation Leadership Program, and the Panhellenic Council during her time at UF. Through the Semester at Sea program, which involves visiting 13 different countries while studying abroad, she ignited her passion for foreign policy. She has previously interned for the Town of Bronson in Florida assisting with municipal projects and is excited to start this new chapter at the Capitol working on statewide issues. After graduating from UF, she aims to attend graduate school or join the Foreign Service.
She has been place din the office of Rep. Ashley Viola Gantt (D-FL 109).
Jordan Lindsey
Jordan Lindsey is a junior political science and international studies double major. He is also pursuing a certificate in international relations. He is a John V. Lombardi Scholar and a former intern for the Harvey Ward mayoral campaign. He currently serves as vice president of programs for the Bob Graham Center Student Fellows, and as co-director of fundraising for Gators for Medical Refugee Relief. Beyond graduation, Jordan plans to pursue a joint degree in law and a master’s in international relations, then work in the field of public policy.
He has been placed in the office of Sen. Lauren Book (D-FL 35).
Wesley Littleton
Wesley Littleton is a sophomore industrial and systems engineering major from Panama City. He serves as an official student ambassador with the Florida Cicerones, is a member of the Student Senate, and works as a student assistant in the Office of the President. He plans to use his STEM background and creativity to bring alternative problem-solving approaches to policy work, and ultimately learn how to better serve Floridians.
He has been placed in the office of Rep. Chuck Clemons (R-FL 22).
Kimberly Makrai
Kimberly is a junior studying environmental science and Spanish. She serves as president of UF Hungarian Club and a technician for the UF Herbarium. She is eager to witness the legislative process at the state level and understand how scientific research influences environmental policies. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a career in environmental law, aiming to improve collaboration between researchers and policymakers.
She has been placed in the office of Rep. Dana Trabulsy (R-FL 84).
Christopher Mellman
Christopher Mellman is a junior majoring in economics. He is a former Civic Scholar at the Bob Graham Center, researching how AI affects job salaries in developing countries. Christopher has also served as a copy editor for the Florida Political Review and secretary for the University Economics Society. He hopes to gain a greater understanding of the inner workings of Florida politics and the skills necessary to better contribute to his community.
He has been placed in the office of Rep. Robin Bartleman (D-FL 103).
Zane Menendez
Zane is a senior studying political science. He serves as the director of internal affairs for the UF College Democrats, treasurer for the Political Science Honor Society (Pi Sigma Alpha), and is a selected member of the Alachua County Democratic Youth Council. Zane sings in the concert and chamber ensembles with UF Choirs and is an Eagle Scout. He has served as a district intern in FL House District 42 with Rep Anna V. Eskamani, and currently interns with EverBlue.
He has been place din the office of Rep. Kristen Aston Arrington (D-FL 46).
Sana Motorwala
Sana is a senior pursuing a major in international studies and a minor in Arabic language and literature. She is interested in shaping education policy and with her interest in language learning, she hopes to promote multilingualism in order to help foster cultural awareness in Florida. She has interned for the Innocence Project and volunteered for Support through Court, a charity that provides legal representation to individuals facing civil and family courts alone. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
She has been placed in the office of Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson (D-FL 21).
Leila Ouhri
Leila is a senior majoring in political science and pursuing minors in Jewish studies, religion, and international development. Throughout her time at UF, she has written for the Florida Political Review, researched immigration attitudes as a Civic Scholar, and served as a Graham Center Student Fellow and director for Gators Against Poverty. During her time as an intern with Florida Community Innovation, a civic-technology nonprofit, she gained experience in anti-human-trafficking research and advocacy. With this internship, she hopes to learn more about the public policymaking process and gain meaningful public service experience.
She has been placed in the office of Sen. Keith Perry (R-FL 09).
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