The Legislative Fellowship Program places graduate students directly inside the Arizona Legislature during its active session, where they contribute to real policymaking rather than observing from afar. Fellows work closely with elected officials and staff, gaining hands-on experience in legislative research, policy analysis, and the practical realities of how laws are debated, amended, and advanced under real deadlines and constraints. This immersive experience builds professional skills, mentorship connections, and concrete resume credentials that are especially valuable for students pursuing careers in public service, public policy, law, or policy-focused research.
Legislative Fellows of 2025
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Major
Master of Legal Studies in Law & Economics
What I Enjoyed Most
The hands-on experience of being involved in the daily activities of a legislator made me feel like a real part of the process
The Most Impactful Lesson
Real change happens through collaboration, persistence, and being present in every step of the process.
Vanessa Larios
“It was an unforgettable experience that really strengthened my passion for public service.”
Paired with: Lydia Hernandez
Amy Muñoz
“This experience has deepened my commitment to civic engagement, and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned in meaningful, community-focused ways.”
Paired with: Selina Bliss
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Major
Master of Legal Studies in Law & Economics
What I Enjoyed Most
The opportunity to learn directly from my mentor, whose leadership and commitment to public service were truly inspiring.
The Most Impactful Lesson
Politics is often driven by a deep commitment to public service rather than financial reward…Lawmakers and their teams work incredibly hard.
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Major
Master of Public Administration
What I Enjoyed Most
It was exciting to be part of a team where my work had a clear purpose and could help inform important decisions.
The Most Impactful Lesson
Even strong ideas need solid research and clear communication to gain support and move – clear, accurate information is key to good policymaking.
Kudiret Anuar
“Being part of this legislative process and contributing research that could directly impact public safety was meaningful and rewarding.”
Paired with: Theresa Martinez
Angel Nyarko
“Knowing that my work could contribute to meaningful legal change was incredibly rewarding.”
Paired with: Alma Hernandez
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Major
PPEL (Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law)
What I Enjoyed Most
I truly enjoyed getting to know my legislator and seeing how she excelled in everything she set her mind to.
The Most Impactful Lesson
It was crucial to focus on one task at a time and to continually remind myself of the importance of the work we were contributing to, and the impact it has on communities across Arizona.
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Major
Master of Public Administration
What I Enjoyed Most
One of the most rewarding aspects of my time in the Legislative Fellows Program was sitting in on constituent meetings and gaining firsthand insight into the issues that matter most to the community.
The Most Impactful Lesson
The most valuable lesson I gained from the Legislative Fellows Program was the importance of adaptability and staying open to unexpected opportunities as they arise.
Olivia Luttinger
“I was especially proud of creating a comprehensive document featuring bill summaries and key highlights from the Education Committee.”
Paired with: Matt Gress
Monserrat Aparicio
“This program taught me the process of the legislative branch and how important it is to have outreach from the community. This showed me that our voices do truly matter.”
Paired with: Consuelo Hernandez
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Major
Bachelor of Arts, Spanish
What I Enjoyed Most
I enjoyed and am most proud of the work I did this legislative session researching certain bills and helping my representative with a bi-weekly newsletter.
The Most Impactful Lesson
The most significant lesson I learned while in this Program was the importance of taking initiative and presenting possible solutions for potential problems.
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Major
Master of Legal Studies in Law & Economics
What I Enjoyed Most
I enjoyed being physically present in the capitol and working alongside my legislator. Being present in-person allowed me to learn much more about the mechanisms of political intrigue than I could otherwise.
The Most Impactful Lesson
The most significant lesson I learned, to borrow from Rep. Gress’ words, is “nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
William Wimmer
“This experience challenged my existing ideas of what I thought Democrats and Republicans stood for, and made me realize just how much both parties are aligned on numerous issues, despite what the parties may say otherwise.”
Paired with: Leo Biasucci
