Two Northwest Missouri State University students are working with state lawmakers this spring and gaining insights about Missouri government as part of the University’s legislative internship program.

The internship program begins in early January when the legislative session convenes and finishes in mid-May. The University annually sends students to Jefferson City to gain valuable experience in the legislative process and help them understand how Missouri is governed.

Northwest’s 2020 legislative interns and their legislative offices are listed below.

• Blake Brodersen, a junior political science major from Warsaw, Missouri, is an intern in the office of Gov. Mike Parson.
• Spencer Owens, a junior political science major from Lawson, Missouri, is an intern in the office of Rep. Gina Mitten.

The legislative intern’s responsibilities include attending hearings and work sessions where issues are debated and discussed, drafting news releases, tracking and analyzing news coverage, and following and crafting legislation.

Brodersen said he looks forward to observing how state government works and gaining experience by playing an active role in the legislative process.

“My hope is that I can gain valuable experience and see in real-time the operations of government,” Brodersen said. “Already during my time in the governor’s office I have attended meetings as well as worked closely with members of the governor’s staff to monitor and research legislation.”

Owens said he wants to gain a better understanding of the state’s legislative process. He hopes to run for office as a Missouri House Representative and later for a U.S. Congressional office.

“I hope to gain more knowledge in regard to the legislative system as a whole but also learn more about the incredible capacity for change that resides within the walls of the General Assembly,” Owens said.

The internship is open to all majors, and applicants must meet a minimum grade-point average. Candidates are selected based on an essay addressing why they should be placed in the program and an interview with a panel of Northwest faculty and staff.

Selected students can receive up to 12 credit hours of academic credit and be eligible for a $3,000 stipend to assist with living expenses in Jefferson City.

For more information about the legislative internship program, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/career/students/mli.htm . Interested students also may contact Career Services at career@nwmissouri.edu  or 660.562.1250, or Daniel Smith, assistant professor of political science, at desmith@nwmissouri.edu.