MSU PLS announces the latest class of Michigan Government Semester Program for Spring 2023

January 12, 2023

Welcome to 22 new participants enrolled in the Michigan Government Semester Program for Spring 2023. This year's class of 22 students is " another exceptionally strong group of budding public servants," said program director Dr. Marty Jordan.

"The average GPA of the cohort is 3.72. Students are specializing in degrees ranging from political science, journalism, and economics to gender studies, history, and cognitive science.

The cohort is also more diverse than state and local government, with two-thirds of the students identifying as women and three out of 10 as people of color.

It is a mix of Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Students hail from all over Michigan, as well as Kansas, Maryland, Ohio, and Texas.

MGSP participants this semester have secured high-profile internships with Governor Whitmer, Court of Appeals Judge Michelle Rick, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin's district office, numerous state legislators, lobbying and law firms, local government offices, and a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic and sexual assault.

These students boast a wealth of prior professional experiences and an authentic commitment to public service. This cohort marks more than 200 MGSP participants and 65,000+ hours of public service across 130 different civic entities since the program's start in 2013. "

 This year's participants are:

  • Harwan Alaatre, senior, Public Policy. Interning with the Michigan State Police.
  • Rebecca Aliotta, junior, Political Science. Interning with Judge Rosemarie Aquilina (MI 30th Circuit Court)
  • Hannah Anton, junior, Political Science. Interning with Judge Rosemarie Aquilina (MI 30th Circuit Court)
  • Liz Armstrong, junior, Political Science. Interning with Michigan State Rep. Tullio Liberati.
  • Avery Cook, junior, Political Science and Law, Justice & Public Policy. Interning with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
  • Hannah Hall, junior, History and Political Science Pre-Law, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina (MI 30th Circuit Court)
  • Jade Koehn, senior, Political Science Pre-Law, Interning with Michigan State Rep. Tullio Liberati.
  • David Koster, junior, Political Science Pre-Law and Economics. Interning with MI court of Appeals Judge Michelle Rick.
  • Jolie Lawrence, senior, Political Science Pre-Law. Interning with MI State Senator Sylvia Santana.
  • Grifin Lee, junior, Public Policy. Interning Lansing City Clerk Office.
  • Vera Love, junior, Political Science and History. Internship post pending.
  • Sydney MacNaughton, junior, Public Policy and Journalism. Interning with Lansing Mayor Andy Schor.
  • Marissa Mandernach, senior, Political Science. Interning with S.A.F.E. Place Shelter.
  • Clarissa Mata, senior, Political Science. Interning with MI State Rep. John Fitzgerald.
  • Marissa Pierce, junior, Politlcal Science Pre-Law. Interning with MI Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt.
  • Bridget Saroli, senior, Political Science. Interning with Public Affairs Associates.
  • Carl (CJ) Schumacher, junior, Political Science. Interning with Boyer Law & Advocacy PLLC.
  • Megan Smejkal, junior, Political Science, Economics and History. Interning with U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, MI-7.
  • Dylan Snyder, juniior, Political Science Pre-Law. Interning at Kelley-Cawthorne.
  • Nick Wiechec, sophomore, Political Science. Interning with Capitol Affairs Inc.
  • Daiah Williams, junior, Political Science. Interning with Augustin Law Offices PLLC.
  • Spencer Woodruff, senior, Political Science. Interning with MI Sen. Mark Huizenga.