The Charles P. Wolff Internship in Government and Public Affairs was established in 2005 thanks to a generous gift from Sheryl Pitts Wolff in memory of her husband. Interns spend 12 months working with IGPA staff on a variety of projects, including communications activities, organizing events, researching potential award recipients, and some public policy research.
IGPA’s Wolff interns are chosen from a very competitive field of applicants from the University of Illinois, usually 2-3 dozen strong, each year. Applicants come from all fields of study – engineering, agribusiness, journalism, history, political science, and others. Interns play a key role in determining their successors by preparing the advertising for the position, reviewing application materials, participating in interviews, and consulting with IGPA leadership in making the final choice.
The internship is paid, begins each June, and continues through the following academic year. The internship is built around four “modules” that are designed to expose the interns to a variety of activities that occur within a busy public policy research institute. These modules include general office duties, public engagement logistics and execution, research, and exposure to the public policy conversation in Illinois. There are opportunities for the interns to participate fully in IGPA activities, including events in Chicago, Springfield, and/or Washington, DC. A Wolff intern is treated as is any other member of the IGPA staff. We expect that the interns will perform tasks as assigned and complete them within the assigned time frame; we expect promptness and a professional attitude; and, most importantly, we expect the interns to have a fun and rewarding experience. Our pledge is to do all we can to ensure that is so.
Toby George is a senior majoring in Information Sciences with minors in Political Science and History at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. On campus, he is the Project Manager at Illinois Enactus,leading the sustainable paper-making initiative, Monarch and a voting member on the Subcommittee on Undergraduate Student Conduct. Prior to joining IGPA, he researched a variety of legal subjects under Professor Robin Fretwell Wilson at UIUC College of Law and was the Lead Law & Dialogue Ambassador for the Tolerance Means Dialogue. During his time at the Tolerance Means Dialogue, he learned how the law can be a powerful and positive tool for change. After graduating in the spring of 2024, Toby plans on attending law school in hopes of utilizing the law as a tool for change within his community
Grace Wilkins is a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign senior double majoring in Political Science: Law & Power and Communication. Prior to joining IGPA, Grace interned for Illinois Senator Richard J. Durbin in Washington D.C., working closely with the economic portfolio and press teams. She has also served as the marketing and communications intern at Builden Partners, interned with the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office and worked as a bank teller at Illinois National Bank. On campus, Grace is the Founder and former President of the student professional organization the Society of Women in Public Affairs. Additionally, Grace is a member of the social sorority Chi Omega for which she served on the executive board as the Director of Recruitment. She was also involved with the pre-law fraternity Kappa Alpha Pi, serving as the new member educator, and the Illini Mentor Program, serving as a member volunteer and the Finance Officer on the executive board. After graduation in the spring of 2024, Grace hopes to attend law school and work in policy and public service.
Studied Political Science at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Studied Political Science and Government at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Studied Political Science, Government, and Communications at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Fellow, Office of Governmental Relations, University of Illinois System
Pursuing full-time opportunities
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Fellow, Office of Governmental Relations, University of Illinois System
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