The Charles P. Wolff Internship
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.
About
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
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
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.
INTERN HONOR ROLL
Jolie Pressburger
2022-2023
Jolie Pressburger is majoring in political science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Abby Aderinto
2022-2023
Abigail Aderinto is an incoming senior at the University of Illinois where she double majors in Political Science & Communication.
Ethan Thuo
2022-2023
Ethan Thuo is majoring in Political Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with minors in Legal Studies and Jazz Studies
Mariama Mwilambwe
2021-2022
Fellow, Office of Governmental Relations, University of Illinois System
Eddie Ryan
2021-2022
Senior, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Legislative Aide with Rep. Ammons
Steph Petrov
2021-2022
Pursuing full-time opportunities
Ali Mirza
2020-2021
Paralegal, United Community Housing Coalition, Detroit
Adem Osmani
2019-2020
Fellow, Office of Governmental Relations, University of Illinois System
Megan Manoj
2018-2019
Student, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago
Thomas Dowling
2017-2018
Entrepreneur, co-founder of tech startup TaxProper.com
Samantha Bolet
2016-2017
Cyber Strategy and Governance Consultant, Risk Advisory, KPMG, Chicago
Mitch Dickey
2015-2016
Regional Government Relations Manager at TransfrVR, Chicago
Ryan Fane
2014-2015
Law Student, University of Chicago
Neha Nigam
2013-2014
Judicial Law Clerk, U.S. District Court, Northern District, Illinois, Chicago
Emily Blumenthal
2012-2013
Global Strategic Planning Manager, Nike, Chicago
Tim Knudsen
2011-2012
Attorney and Partner, Croke Fairchild Morgan & Beres, Chicago; Chair, Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals
Laura Miller
2010-2011
Mobilization Director, WhenWeAllVote.org, Harvard Ash Center Fellow, Washington, DC
Drew Bazil
2009-2010
Foreign Service Officer, U.S. State Department
Lally Gartel
2007-2009
Vice President and Senior Counsel for Litigation, Guaranteed Rate, Chicago
Jacqueline Orozco
2006-2007
Anchor/Reporter, WSYX/WTTE-TV, Columbus, OH
Jon Monteith
2005-2006
Community and Outreach Coordinator, Resilience Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, WA


Ali Mirza, 2020-21
Steph Petrov, 2021-22
ABOUT CHARLES P. WOLFF

Charles P. “Chas” Wolff was a 1970 graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who dedicated his career to public service. He spent six years as an assistant to Senator Adlai Stevenson III. He also advised Senators Bill Bradley, D-NJ, and Robert Kerry, D-NE, and was an adviser to Vice President Walter Mondale and to Democratic presidential candidate Bruce Babbitt in his campaign for the 1988 Democratic nomination for president.
Wolff also served as Special Assistant for Intergovernmental Affairs in the U.S. Department of Commerce and was president and chief operating officer of the Roosevelt Center for American Policy Studies in Chicago.
He was elected to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees in 1986 and became its president in 1989. He served as Board president until his death from cancer in 1991.
Source: Chicago Tribune, Nov. 10, 1991
U of I Fund Agreement, Dec. 30, 2003
Photo courtesy University of Illinois Archives & Champaign News-Gazette, Oct. 26, 1986
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