Pictured, from left, are Miguel Koch, political science major from Allen; Dylan Miles, political science major from Center; Wil Stafford, management major from Lufkin; Trent Bush, political science major from Timpson; and Sydney Shifflett, criminal justice major from Carrollton. Photo provided by Dr. Charlotte Sullivan, SFA’s director of government relations.
Students Include Two Local Shelby County Interns
June 6, 2025 – Through Stephen F. Austin State University’s Legislative Internship Program, five students served during the 89th Texas Legislature and learned the intricacies of Texas lawmaking and civic leadership. While gaining hands-on experiences, they left a strong impression in Austin.
Interns during the spring 2025 semester included Trent Bush, political science major from Timpson; Miguel Koch, political science major from Allen; Dylan Miles, political science major from Center; Sydney Shifflett, criminal justice major from Carrollton; and Wil Stafford, management major from Lufkin.
Started in 2009 under the leadership of the late Dr. Ken Collier, professor of government, the SFA Legislative Internship Program provides real-world, hands-on practical experiences to SFA students in law-making, issue advocacy and civic leadership during every regular session of the Texas Legislature. To date, more than 40 SFA students have served in the program. Over the years, interns have left such an impression in Austin that many state legislators contact the university seeking internships.
“Engaging with the Texas Legislature while they are in session provides the perfect laboratory for understanding how politics works in real time,” said Dr. Charlotte Sullivan, SFA’s director of government relations. “Students who go through the internship have an insight into politics that will benefit them no matter what career path they choose.”
Interns are selected through a competitive application process that includes a résumé, a personal statement and an in-person interview. Once selected, interns are matched with state legislative offices or legislative committees. To assist in this process, Sullivan works with the interns to mentor and guide them.
The interns arrived in Austin before the start of the spring semester and remained in Austin until the end of the regular session in late May. While in Austin, students received course credit toward their degree.
According to Koch, who worked in the office of State Sen. Robert Nichols, serving as a legislative intern was a catalyst for professional growth and confidence. He was able to learn the basics of legislative analysis through hands-on experiences rather than watching from the sidelines.
“Serving in the 89th Legislature has given me an incredibly unique perspective on what it means to shape the law,” Koch said. “Watching a bill go from an idea in Sen. Nichols’ office to codified statute was incredible as a political science student, and getting to experience those moments firsthand gave me a perspective that will certainly assist my time in law school.”
Miles, who worked in the committee office of State Sen. Brandon Creighton, felt the opportunity provided learning opportunities he wouldn’t have gained in a classroom setting.
“Working at the legislature is truly a one-of-a-kind experience,” Miles said. “There is no equivalent to the hands-on learning and insider perspective that it provides. Having studied state government previously, there was still a great deal I did not know about the norms of the legislative process that I would have otherwise never known.”
“I cannot begin to describe what working in Austin has meant to me,” Miles continued. “This has been my first step into the political and legal world, and had I been asked even a few weeks before having applied to the internship, I would not have thought it possible that I would be working at the state Capitol.”
For Bush, who served as constituent manager in the office of State Rep. Todd Hunter, the internship reignited his passion for politics. He noted how the internship program offered a refreshing perspective on the political process and the importance of cooperation.
“With the political climate being what it is these days, it is easy to feel like the entire career is just a never-ending battle with whichever ‘other team,’” Bush said. “This experience has shown me that even in a high-level political atmosphere, there are people willing to reach across the aisle with friendship.”
Shifflett served as a legislative assistant in the office of State Rep. Joanne Shofner. While in the position, she helped research and develop a bill that eventually passed.
“The most rewarding part of my internship was witnessing the legislative process from start to finish, particularly seeing a bill I had worked on pass and learning about its positive impact on Texans,” Shifflett said. “Hearing how a piece of legislation can improve lives or solve problems was incredibly fulfilling. Moments like those affirm the importance of public service and the real-world outcomes of our work.”
For Stafford, who served as a legislative aide in the office of State Rep. John Lujan, working with professionals on a daily basis inspired him and cemented his desire to pursue law school and one day open his own law firm.
“The most rewarding part was working alongside some of the smartest and most hardworking individuals I’ve ever met,” Stafford said. “Their dedication and professionalism inspired me daily. This internship has brought me closer to achieving my dream by being able to work alongside and receive advice from people who have achieved the same goals.”
New this session, thanks to SFA’s affiliation with The University of Texas System, students attended professional development sessions with key decision-makers in state government, received assistance with securing housing in Austin and obtained additional financial assistance beyond institutional support from SFA.
“Affiliation with the UT System has only enriched our ability to provide a well-rounded, engaging experience for our interns in Austin,” said Dr. Steven Galatas, associate professor in SFA’s Department of Government and campus coordinator for the program. “The UT System has taken an already great program to an even higher level.”
For more information about the Legislative Internship Program, visit the program’s website.
