MTSU legislative interns



HELPING MAKE HISTORY—Several MTSU interns work full-time for the Tennessee State Legislature during each spring's legislative session, researching and tracking bills, working with constituents, assisting with committee and subcommittee meetings and performing general office tasks. "Interns usually look back on their internships as one of the best experiences of their college years," says internship coordinator Dr. Mark Byrnes, who is also dean of MTSU's College of Liberal Arts and a longtime professor of political science. The 107th General Assembly for the State of Tennessee convened Jan. 11, 2011, at Capitol Hill in Nashville. Interns from MTSU for this legislative session are, seated from left, Jordan Cassadine, intern for the Tennessee Board of Regents; Megan Lyons, intern for the Nashville-based lobbying firm JohnsonPoss Government Relations; Jessica Bryant, intern for State Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna; Nikita Graham, intern for State Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro; Sara Page, intern for Rep. Jimmy Eldridge, R, Jackson; Leslie Hicks, intern for Rep. Pat Marsh, R-Shelbyville; Samantha Ferrell, intern for Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin; Tim Sigler, intern for Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville; Garrett Haynes, intern for Rep. Joe Carr, R-Lascassas; and Charles Burns, intern for Sen. Jim Kyle, D-Memphis. Standing from left are former State Rep. John Hood, who now works in MTSU's Division of Development and University Relations; David Gregory, TBR vice chancellor; Catie Stroud, research analyst for the Tennessee General Assembly; Matt Bailey, former MTSU intern; Eldridge; Dr. Mark Byrnes; Sparks; Ketron; MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee; Carr; State Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale; Shaun Luber, an intern for Womick; Jared Hagler, intern for Rep. Curry Todd, R-Collierville; and Colby Sledge, an MTSU alumnus and current press secretary for the Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus.

State of Tennessee Photographic Services photo by Theresa Montgomery

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