Public Affairs Scholars

Program Description

The Public Affairs Scholars Program is an opportunity for 10 St. Olaf students from any major to engage in a 10-12 week internship at a federal, state, or local government agency. Most internships will occur in or around the Washington D.C.-Maryland-Virginia metro area. The program is offered through the Future Leaders in Public Service Program organized by the Partnership for Public Service.

Selected participants in the program will receive:

A 10-12 week, in-person internship at a federal, state, or local government agency. Internships will typically be 32-40 hours per week. (A few remote or hybrid options may be offered.)
A $7,000 stipend for in-person internships, administered by St. Olaf’s Piper Center.
Professional development sessions, including orientation and networking events throughout the duration of the internship. Students will engage in community with students from other colleges and universities participating in the program.

Application deadline: December 5

Most internships will center loosely around public interest technology but this theme will be approached from multiple disciplinary perspectives – as such, all majors are welcome and encouraged to apply.

The Partnership for Public Service will manage applications and administration of the internship program.

Program Purpose & Mission

Our nation’s current and future challenges make it imperative that the government identify, recruit and retain the next generation of public servants.

With just under 7% of the full-time federal workforce under the age of 30, executive branch agencies are working to meet this need, prioritizing the design and implementation of paid internship programs that provide students with valuable work experience, an expanded professional network, and a better understanding of the importance and impact of public service.

Managed by the Partnership for Public Service, the program helps bring highly skilled talent from across the country to government and offers students the opportunity to apply their educational training to work at a federal agency.

Partnership for Public Service Description & Mission

The Public Affairs Scholars Program is available to students in collaboration with The Institute for Freedom and Community (IFC), The Piper Center for Vocation and Career, The Partnership for Public Service, and through the financial generosity of St. Olaf alumni who care about elevating St. Olaf students into public service.

To apply to the program, candidates must:

Be a U.S. citizens at the time of application submission.
Currently be enrolled at St. Olaf for the entire academic year. Undergraduates must be rising sophomore, junior or senior at the time of the internship.
Have a GPA above 2.5.
Be interested in specific career tracks. Applicants can select up to two career tracks in: Data Science, Government Contracting and Acquisition, Integrated Prevention, Liberal Arts, Public Administration, Public Interest Technology & AI, Science, Mathematics and Engineering (subject to change)
Successfully complete a background check before beginning the internship.

Priority for some spots will be given to students who are or were enrolled in the Public Affairs Conversation Program at St. Olaf, however all students are encouraged to apply.

St. Olaf students are expected to:

Participate fully in the professional development sessions (orientation, networking sessions, workshops) throughout the internship.
Be responsible for their own housing, transportation, and living expenses.
Communicate in a timely, regular manner with the Piper Center, PPS and Agency staff.
Understand they are representing the college – including current and future student participants. Students should therefore conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful, positive, and ethical; to follow rules and expectations required of staff.
Demonstrate a respect for their host organization and it’s culture. When in doubt, to ask questions of supervisors about expectations in the workplace.
Advocate for themselves to ensure they are engaged in meaningful project work that is making an impact.
Contact Piper Center staff early for advice if they are experiencing workplace challenges.
Leverage their liberal arts education to make a difference!

Apply through Handshake by selecting “Apply Externally”. You will be taken to the formal application page on the Partnership for Public Service (PPS) website. (Applications will open on September 29.)
Applicants can select up to two preferred career tracks at the time of application.
St. Olaf applications will be reviewed by PPS to verify eligibility and a complete application.
PPS presents applications to relevant government agencies.
Agencies select candidates, conduct interviews, and make offers (PPS may be involved in student communication of offer.)

Note: Optional reference letters may be uploaded directly through the application portal or emailed to internships@ourpublicservice.org with the applicant’s name referenced in the subject line.

September 29, 2025	Applications for the Summer 2026 cohort opens
December 5	Applications close
Late January	Applicants are notified of eligibility status. Eligible applicants will receive instructions on next steps
Mid-February to Mid-March	Virtual interviews conducted
March-May	Background check process begins
May	Virtual Orientation
May 26 – June 15	Internships begin
July 31 – August 14	End of internships

Housing and Meals are not included. Students will be expected to use their stipend to fund housing, transportation, and living expenses.

Students are encouraged to connect with the other St. Olaf participants to pursue possible group housing options. There are numerous summer internship housing options in the area.

Metro Washington D.C. Internship Housing Options (internhousinhhub)

A few examples are provided below:

Georgetown University | Summer Intern Housing
American University | Summer Intern Housing
Howard University | Intern Housing

(This information is provided for convenience. St. Olaf College or the Piper Center cannot recommend or endorse housing options. Students are encouraged to use their best judgement when selecting housing options and to consider, location, amenities, cost, and safety.)

Agency hosts and internships will change each summer. Below are some examples of past internships.

Office of Tribal Relations, Tribal Agriculture Production Intern

Intern developed an introductory guide to Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge for farmers and ranchers to implement best practices into their crop and garden systems across the United States

Office of Tribal Relations, External and Intergovernmental Affairs Intern

Intern researched how the USDA can provide resources to local and state governments through current federal initiatives and incentives.

Office of the Chief Information Officer, STEM Intern

Intern supported programs related to department’s AI and Emerging Technologies working group. Developed knowledge around U.S. Patent Law and current debates around emerging technologies.

Office of Scheduling and Advance, Office of the Secretary Intern

Intern provided administrative support to Secretary and Deputy Secretary and delivered department policies to the White House, Congress, and the public.

Office of Cargo and Commercial Sealift, Maritime Administration (MARAD), Trade Policy Intern

Developed policy memos on U.S. offshore wind development, which focused on how MARAD can better support U.S. shipbuilders constructing specialized offshore wind vessels.

Office of the Secretary, Office of Deputy Secretary, Communications Intern

Worked on communications programming related to Deputy Secretary initiatives which included developing a summer speaker series and working with senior leadership to promote the agency’s work.

Maryland Department of the Environment, AI Intern

Built three AI chatbots with the goals of streamlining the environmental permitting process and simplifying technical workflows.

Maryland Department of Education, AI Intern

Researched and made recommendations for the use of AI for the Maryland public school system, module for teachers, students and parents from grades K-12.

Public Affairs Scholars

Program Description

Program Purpose & Mission

Program Details

Examples of Past Internships