COS Student Captures Coveted Internship

Alex Alvarado is learning in a very different classroom this semester: the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. The UCF junior, who is pursuing a B.S. degree in Legal Studies, with a minor in Intelligence and National Security, is working in the office of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District.

The new Intelligence and National Security minor allows students to focus on the fundamentals of intelligence and national security, while specializing in one or more areas that are appropriate for a career in many different fields.

This additional knowledge will prove beneficial as Alvarado pursues his goal of one day running for office and ultimately becoming a senator or congressman himself. He plans to attend law school and a graduate program simultaneously to attain his J.D. and M.P.A. degrees.

Alvarado is one of only 22 American college students chosen for an all-expense-paid internship this spring through the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

Since he began the internship Feb. 6, Alvarado has attended hearings and briefings on Capitol Hill and met several congressmen, congresswomen and senators. Before it ends on April 30, he will prepare reports for the South Florida congresswoman, and potentially write and proofread drafts of legislation, amendments, memoranda and legal documents.

Proud to be representing UCF in the nation’s capital, Alvarado wants to share information about the internship, which is available every semester, with UCF Latino community members who have an interest in politics and public policy.

“This internship covers all expenses – travel and apartment – and provides a $3,750 stipend,” he said. “It is directed to low-income Hispanic students to give them an opportunity to get the experience and tools necessary to succeed in this field.”

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with a mission to develop the next generation of Latino Leaders. CHCI administers nationally-recognized fellowship and internship opportunities that expose young Latino leaders to the world of politics and policy in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://chci.org/programs/internships.

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