On Monday, June 22nd, the New Jersey State Policy Lab’s summer intern cohort joined with students from the Eagleton Institute of Politics, the Rutgers Democracy Lab, and the Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship program as part of an immersive, one-day civics program at the New Jersey State House in Trenton.
With coordination from Ginger Gold Schnitzer, the Director of Education and Strategic Initiatives at Eagleton, the students had an opportunity to learn from and network with a variety of accomplished legislators, elected officials, and government workers. The program began with an overview of the legislative process followed by a series of short discussions and Q&As with subject matter experts.
Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-15) and Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy (D-14) both met with the students at different points throughout the day to discuss their respective careers before and after running for office and shared their perspectives on the bill-making process as well as the still developing Fiscal Year 2027 state budget.
Students met with members of the Office of Legislative Services, including Mike Combs and Patrick Walsh, along with policy staff with the state Senate and Assembly, Sophia Vicente and Natalie Ghaul, respectively. Later sessions included presentations by advisors and aides within Governor Mikie Sherrill’s office, including Edan Blank, Eash Haughton, Carolina Montes, and Gretel Rodriguez Ramos, who also happens to be an NJSPL summer intern alum. Afterwards, officials Michael Marich and Emy Quispe discussed their work within the New Jersey Department of Labor. The final discussions were led by Francine Pfeffer with the New Jersey Education Association and Alexis Bailey with Public Strategies Impact, who both discussed their work at the local level as lobbyists.
The New Jersey State Policy Lab’s summer internship, now in its fifth year, welcomed seven new students at the beginning of June: Lanae Ali, a master’s student with Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA); Daniel Fairman, a master’s student with Rutgers SPAA; Saarah Haqq, a master’s student with Rutgers School of Public Health; Jessica Korins, a master’s student with Rutgers School of Public Health; Ryan Lawrence, a master’s student with the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy; Jital Parikh, an undergraduate student with TCNJ; and Brigette Thompson, an undergraduate student with Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences. This 10-week internship is being guided by teaching assistant Vageesha Sharma, a doctoral student at Rutgers SPAA.
See more photos: New Jersey State Policy Lab, June 26, 2026