The Rhode Island House Republican Office Internship to Career Program

An internship in the RI House GOP Office is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work skills for college students studying Political Science, Government Relations, Community Development, or other related fields. It is also a great learning opportunity for those students interested in pursuing a career in the public sector. It is our objective to provide students with the forum to participate in the day to day operations of Rhode Island State Government and to gain experience that encompasses policy development, government functions, and the importance of timely constituent engagement. The interns selected to serve in our program provide us with new ideas, energy, and perspectives. We have limited placements available throughout the year.  Only summer interns receive a stipend.

Intern responsibilities include:  legislative research; policy development assistance; constituent relations; staffing hearings and legislative meetings; office reception; mailings and communications.

If you are interested in being mentored by our RI House GOP staff and legislators, please send a cover letter describing your objectives and goals for this work experience, along with your resume, to Sue Stenhouse, Chief of Staff, at [email protected].  Please also include a statement indicating whether this internship would receive academic credit toward your college degree.

Kamryn lindsey 
​East Providence High School

Before becoming an intern in the Rhode Island House Minority Office, I was a page on the House floor, which provided me with insights into what happens after a bill is drafted and processed. Working in this office helped me to understand what happens before the debates and the votes. I received hands-on experience researching potential legislation, providing constituent services, and doing the hard work that every team member gives to make sure that the upcoming session runs as smoothly as possible. Before starting this internship, I thought that I would want to do something more related to law and business -- but now I realize that politics is more for me than I ever thought. I used to think that I would never engage in politics because it was all arguing and disagreements, but I have learned that it is so much more than that. I will carry the knowledge and skills I gained throughout this internship with me for the rest of my career, and I will always be grateful to the mentors who generously shared their time, guidance, and expertise along the way. 

Rebecca davis 
​miami university

Before stepping into the Rhode Island State House, I understood the government through the lens of the media. By the end of my internship, I understood it through the people, the legislative process, and the responsibility that comes with serving the public.

Serving as an intern in the Rhode Island House Minority Office during the 2026 legislative session gave me the opportunity to work alongside experienced public servants whose mentorship strengthened my understanding of government and reinforced my interest in public service. From my first day, I was welcomed into an environment that encouraged critical thinking and innovation, allowing me to gain firsthand insight into how legislation is developed, debated, and enacted.

Throughout the legislative session, I conducted legislative and budget research, analyzed bills, and prepared policy summaries that evaluated their legal and practical implications for members of the House. I also attended House floor sessions, where I observed the legislative process in action and gained a deeper appreciation for the thoughtful decision-making required to serve the people of Rhode Island.

In addition to my policy work, I supported the House Minority Office's communications efforts. I helped develop social media content and contributed to digital outreach initiatives that expanded the office's online presence and strengthened communication with Rhode Islanders across multiple platforms.

As I prepare to graduate from Miami University and attend law school, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such knowledgeable mentors and to contribute to meaningful public service. My experience in the Rhode Island House Minority Office deepened my appreciation for the role the state government plays in the lives of Rhode Islanders and strengthened my commitment to public service. I will always be thankful to the Rhode Island House Minority Office for the mentorship and opportunities that have helped shape my future.

​Jacob Silva
​St. Anselm College

As an intern in the Rhode Island House Minority Office, I had the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in state government and the legislative process.  Throughout my internship, I assisted staff and caucus members with a variety of responsibilities and projects, including conducting policy research, organizing constituent information, attending committee hearings and legislative sessions, and helping prepare materials related to pending legislation.  I also had the opportunity to testify before both the House and Senate Committees on Judiciary regarding Second Amendment rights.  In addition, I worked on issues involving Rhode Island’s economy and business climate, healthcare, energy policy, education, and housing, allowing me to better understand the challenges facing Rhode Islanders and the importance of Republican public policy solutions.  Working in a fast-paced political environment allowed me to observe how elected officials collaborate, debate policy, and respond to the needs of their communities.  I also developed stronger communication, organization, and professional skills while working alongside staff members dedicated to public service.

This experience has taught me the importance of leadership, teamwork, and civic engagement in government.  By seeing how legislation is discussed, amended, and advanced through the General Assembly, I have gained a deeper understanding of how public policy directly impacts the people of Rhode Island.  The internship strengthened my interest in government and public policy and reinforced my desire to continue pursuing opportunities that allow me to serve others and contribute positively to my community and state.  I plan to attend St. Anselm College, where I will major in politics and plan to pursue my Master of Public Policy.  I am especially grateful to the Rhode Island House Republicans for welcoming me into the political process and for being the party that is committed to strong leadership, accountability, and advocacy for all Rhode Islanders.

Isabella Garces
Princeton University

"During my time with the House Minority Caucus, I gained invaluable knowledge and experience that not only enriched my academic studies but also prepared me for success in both professional and civic life. I had the privilege of working under Chief of Staff Sue Stenhouse, Leader Chippendale, and the Minority Representatives, as well as alongside the dedicated House Minority team. I was fortunate to collaborate with and learn from positive role models of leadership—individuals who welcomed questions, encouraged discourse, and went out of their way to ensure my internship experience was meaningful and complete. I was treated as a true member of the team, and for that, I am deeply grateful. Through the Caucus, I witnessed firsthand what it truly means to serve the public—and the power we have to make an impact far beyond what’s expected.
​
Through the various projects I was able to contribute to, my perception of political science evolved. I now view my academic major not as a certificate of completed study, but as a commitment to lifelong learning in an ever-changing political landscape. I’ve come to realize how much happens behind the scenes—far beyond what we see on the news or Capitol TV—and I am truly blown away by the complexity, nuance, and human effort involved in policymaking. Above all, this experience impressed upon me the importance of staying informed and approaching every decision with an open mind in order to be most impactful when entrusted with the responsibility of serving others. Most importantly, I’ve learned the truly holistic nature of public service: education means little without advocacy, tradition cannot endure without evolution, and none of it is possible without collaboration. 

I am so grateful for everything I have been able to learn and accomplish this summer."

Veronica Sabatino
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

"Interning in the House Minority Office has been an invaluable experience for me. Through projects where I worked with members of the staff and observed House sessions, I was able to gain an extremely well-rounded and all-encompassing understanding of how state policies come to fruition. One of the most rewarding parts of interning with the House Minority Office was that I was given real responsibilities. Whether I was assisting with legislative or fiscal research, constituent work, or taking notes on the House floor, it was always obvious that my work tied into the larger picture that is state government. The experiences I gained through this internship are unique from anything that could be taught in a classroom. I am immensely grateful for the real-world skills and connections that I acquired through this internship and am confident that they will help me as I continue to make progress towards my goal of becoming an attorney. On a final note, I would like to sincerely thank everyone in the office for this amazing opportunity and for being extremely helpful and supportive as mentors."

George Sukatos
Endicott College

"During my time as an intern in the Rhode Island House Minority Office, I was lucky enough to learn and be mentored by a team full of intelligent people who strive for the greatest outcome. I was able to apply knowledge gained from my first semester at college to my everyday work at the House Minority Office, with the hope of making a change for greater representation in the future. I was also given the opportunity to attend House sessions along with the State of the State Address, which completely opened my mind and advanced my knowledge of government processes. I was given individual tasks and assignments, such as completing merit letters, doing research and analysis, and much more. These individual tasks helped me grow my assets in the work room. Having the opportunity to speak and hear from government officials on both sides of the spectrum has made me even more grateful for the opportunity and provided a great deal of information on how government truly works. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the entire House Minority Office for giving me the opportunity to experience state government in real time and help me grow as not only a student, but also a person. I look forward to possibly working with the team again in the near future."

luca iacobo
​lASALLE ACADEMY 

"Providing an unmatched experience, my time as an intern in the Rhode Island House Minority Office has given me a better understanding of my local government. The privilege of having been a part of the highly motivated team behind that 'House Republicans' door is something I'll forever hold close. I appreciate all that I've been able to work on, as I know such projects are for the betterment of Rhode Island residents and the like. In addition, the connections I've made and the people I've met are invaluable and would likely not have occurred in the absence of this opportunity."

Ryan Kim
​Brown University

"During my time as an intern in the Rhode Island House Minority Office, I was lucky to learn
from and work alongside a team of extremely intelligent and highly dedicated people. Being able
to apply the material I was learning in a classroom setting to the real world was invaluable, and I
am grateful for a behind-the-scenes look that not many students are privy to. I particularly
enjoyed that I was given real responsibilities, whether in assisting with fiscal research or in
attending committee meetings. In my time in the office, I was also afforded opportunities to
speak and work with Rhode Island's elected officials from both parties and chambers,
experiences that will undoubtedly continue to serve me well in the future. I'd like to extend a
sincere thank you to everyone in the office; I will most definitely continue to follow and be
involved with their work moving forward."

Megan Rollinson
Providence college

"The opportunity to intern for the Rhode Island House Republicans provided me with a hands-on legislative process experience, which you cannot get in the classroom. Working with the caucus allowed me to see just how much time and effort are put into every decision and debate. It has been amazing to see how much the Representatives truly care about Rhode Islanders and how each policy they propose has every Rhode Islander in mind. I have always had a particular interest in public policy, and it has been such a unique experience to be able to see policies in every stage of development. Through this internship, I have been able to strengthen my research and communication skills, which I will continue to use throughout the rest of my academic career and into my professional career. Wanting to have a career in the government, interning for this caucus allowed me to explore what a future career could look like and how to hone in on the skills which will be necessary to achieve this future goal."

THOMAS JOYAL
Salve Regina University

“Being able to intern for the Rhode Island House Republican Office was truly a worthwhile experience. The work provided great first-hand knowledge of how a legislative body works. Assisting with committee reports and budget amendments opened my eyes to just how complex the inner workings of government can be, and it gave me a newfound appreciation for the research undertaken and the support materials created by the office staff. This experience also gave me a great opportunity to see the democratic process in action. The Representatives in our state house come to work with a passion to serve their constituents to the best of their ability. Seeing the Representatives come into the office every day, with that dedicated passion for serving their constituents, only strengthens my own passion in being able to serve my community one day.”   

Tyrai Jones
University of Rhode Island

“Interning in the Office of the Rhode Island House Republican Caucus is much more hands-on than anything you might learn at University. You actually get to experience the job, rather than learn about it in the classroom, and you’re presented with real responsibilities. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the representatives and staff in the day to day operations of Rhode Island State Government. The experiences I encountered, working with professionals who encompass policy development and government functions, helped me to become more confident as I move forward in the professional world."

Christian Rada
Providence college

"I have been gifted the experience of working with powerful leaders who have inspired my career to move forward in public policy. The Rhode Island House Republican Caucus opened my eyes to the complexities of how our government is functioning, yet our caucus has shown its passion for public service through the hard work of our staff members and representatives. The atmosphere and camaraderie in the State office give me hope for a brighter future. The hands-on experience of watching committee hearings, conceptualizing the debates over each bill, and understanding the micro-mechanism of how a party machine is run will provide the framework for my career and prepare me for the road ahead."

adam Cavanaugh
rOGER wILLIAMS uNIVERSITY 

"​A rewarding experience. This internship goes above and beyond the traditional task of greeting folks when entering the office, allowing me to engage in policy areas ranging from educational freedom to infrastructure. I’ve been allowed to combine my passions for politics and youth engagement into meaningful deliverables. Working alongside the staff and representatives, I look forward to continuing to take a deep dive into the issues facing Rhode Island to assist the House Republicans in providing common-sense, fiscally responsible solutions. I do not doubt that I will reflect upon this internship with gratitude and appreciation for expanding my knowledge and skills in a variety of areas. Thus, helping in my future endeavors and goal of serving as an elected official one day, hoping to reignite the American Dream for future generations."

Matt carroccia
University of Rhode Island

"I am extremely grateful that I have had the opportunity to work with the House Republicans under House Minority Leader Blake Filippi and Chief of Staff Stenhouse during my final semester at the University of Rhode Island. The experiences were diverse; all of the representatives and office staff are friendly, and I deeply admire the dedication they show to Rhode Islanders. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as an intern in their office, and I am positive that my experiences will help me as I move forward in the professional world."

Jonathan Dufromont 
Johnson & Wales University

"To me, having the incredible opportunity to intern in the Rhode Island State House, is a catalyst for my future endeavors in law and politics. It allows me to obtain hands on experience in politics on a state level, which has been an aspiration of mine since I was 14 years of age. Attending meetings for the young Republicans while in high school is where I discovered my fascination with our nation’s government and all the facets involved in its operation. I hope to learn valuable skills from this experience and to build on those I have already obtained in hopes that one day I may have the chance to run for public office like those who I work around. With one more year till the completion of my undergrad, I hope to continue on to law school or potentially do policy analytics for a couple of years due to the peaked interest from my participation in this internship. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity that’s presented itself to me and I intend to take away as much from this journey as I possibly can."

​Michelle Place
Rhode Island College

“Throughout the internship, I have been given a variety of new and rewarding experiences that have expanded upon my understanding of how our state government functions. Through the guidance of the office staff and the Representatives, I have implemented new skills in research and listening comprehension, and I am learning the overall structures and processes of the legislature. There is something new every day, and I grow more interested and passionate about the field and the fascinating ways in which our local government keeps the interest of its people in mind while working diligently to fulfill their needs.”

Robbie Joannou 
roger williams university 

“So far, this internship has been my vehicle to fully immerse myself in Rhode Island politics. Being able to track bills, observe committees, and engage with constituents provides me with the opportunity to use what I learned in class and apply it to the real world. This internship has aided me with my plans by confirming my aspirations to get involved in public policy and to become an attorney.”

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