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Hobby School of Public Affairs

Internship Programs

CIVIC HOUSTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (CHIP) AWARD

About the Program

The Hobby School of Public Affairs' Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP) was established in 1996 as a non-partisan government internship program dedicated to introducing University of Houston students to public service. The program has since placed over 1000 interns in political offices in the Houston area, and it is open to all majors at a sophomore level and higher.

On-site intern responsibilities combined with an academic curriculum encourages students to become more civic-minded, with many ultimately deciding to pursue a career in public service.

The Award

The CHIP Award was established in 2003 to recognize an outstanding local government intern.  A $1000 award is presented to one recipient each fall and spring semester.

The application deadline is Friday, December 13.

To apply, you can find the application here.

Your application must be typed and will need to also include an updated resume, current unofficial transcripts, proof of financial need, and one recommendation letter.

Congratulations to Juliana Hernandez, recipient of the spring 2024 CHIP Award!

juliana 

Juliana Hernandez is a senior double majoring in public policy and political science. Hernandez is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, a global honors society for public affairs and administration students. She started her public service journey through a summer internship with the office of Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones in 2023, where she focused on serving constituents through programs and activities at community centers within the precinct.
Hernandez deepened her passion for public service through her interdisciplinary coursework at the Hobby School and as a Civic Houston Intern in the district office of U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, where she harnessed her customer service skills and background to assist constituents with various issues. Hernandez is active on campus as an officer with the UH League of United Latin American Citizens. She gives back to her community through volunteering and as a leader in her local civic club.

Recipients 

Alan Guzman, Political Science major and Journalism minor
Office of Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard, Fall 2023

Marina Coronado Fernandez, Political Science major and Journalism minor
HeadCount, spring 2023

Emily Cruz Sariles, Political Science and Spanish major and Quantitative Social Science minor
Teach for America, fall 2022

Lailla Ahmady, Political Science major and Women & Gender Studies minor
Office of Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn, spring 2022

Eesha Ahmed, Political Science major and Indian Studies, Psychology minor
Houston Crackdown, fall 2021

Cassidy Lee, Political Science and Spanish major
Representative Armando Walle, spring 2021

Maya Ali, Political Science and Public Health major
Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement, spring 2020

Kayla Vasquez, Anthropology major
State Representative Jon Rosenthal, fall 2019

Alexander Le, Honors Biomedical Sciences major
Harris County Public Health, spring 2019

Liza Hurtubise, Political Science major
Office of State Representative Gene Wu, fall 2018

Britnee Chuor, Political Science major
Office of State Representative Gene Wu, spring 2018

Alexa Moores, Political Science major
Office of Senator Ted Cruz, fall 2017

Gaby Calderon, Political Science major
Office of Trustee Erica Lee Carter, spring 2017

Julia Ossemi-Seied, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Jerry Davis, fall 2016

J Ehlinger, Political Science major
Office of State Representative Gene Wu, spring 2016

Edith Rodriguez, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Robert Gallegos, fall 2015

Aisha Ibrahim, Psychology major
Office of Council Member Richard Nguyen, spring 2015

Ja'Terrell Moffett, Political Science major
Office of Congressman Al Green, fall 2014

Bryan Shea, Political Science major
Office of State Representative Dan Huberty, spring 2014

Brenda Resendiz, Political Science and English major
Office of Congressman Ted Poe, fall 2013 

Jennifer Rodriguez, Communications major with a minor in Political Science
Office of State Representative Carol Alvarado, spring 2010 

Shaziya Bandukia, Political Science major
Peter Brown for Mayor Campaign, fall 2009 

Vincent Harding, Political Science major
Center for Houston's Future, spring 2009 

Ann Ngo, Political Science major
Office of Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman, election division, fall 2008 

Autumn Jodzio, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Mike Sullivan, spring 2008 

Shaun Stacey, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Sue Lovell, spring 2007 

Cynthia Brum, Political Science major
Galveston Houston Association for Smog Prevention, fall 2006 

Jane MacNeil, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Carol Alvarado, spring 2006 

Daniel Lazarine, Political Science major
Peter Brown for City Council Campaign, fall 2005 

Jerry Greenspan, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Adrian Garcia, spring 2005 

Emily Klein, Political Science major
Office of Congressman John Culberson, fall 2004 

Pamela Klekar, Political Science & French major
Office of Council Member Mark Ellis, spring 2004 

Anika Guerrero, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Ada Edwards, fall 2003 

Sara Price, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Gordon Quan, spring 2003