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Public Service Internship Program 2026
The Public Service Internship Program offers driven college students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with public offices and non-profits, all while engaging in a summer-long policy project. Through this program, interns will build professional skills and develop critical research abilities by exploring a policy issue they care about. NextGen is committed to supporting students by providing a stipend to help offset transportation and other expenses. Recognizing that this may be many students’ first experience with in-depth research, we pair each intern with a dedicated mentor to guide them through the process and help them prepare to present their findings to local officials and key stakeholders. In the second half of the program, NextGen Scholars will participate in the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy Persuasive Writing Credential program. The Public Service Internship Program will create the leaders of tomorrow, changing communities one student at a time.
Meet Our Former NextGen Scholars
Abigail Estrada-Hernandez
Abigail is a first-generation college student with a B.A. in Women’s & Gender Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. With a background in political organizing, digital communications, and data-driven advocacy, she has held impactful roles at the White House Office of Digital Strategy, Target, and the United Nations Foundation, among others. Abigail served as President of IGNITE UIUC, leading initiatives to empower young women and non-binary individuals to own their political power. With deep roots in community service, Abigail also served in the Office of the Student Trustee, co-leading events like the Art of Leadership Summit to amplify student leadership. Her work centers on advancing equity through storytelling, civic engagement, and emerging technology, particularly cybersecurity policy. Abigail aspires to use her interdisciplinary background and technical acumen to shape inclusive digital policy and national cybersecurity strategies through a career in public service.
Abigail interned with State Senator Cristina Castro.
Ma'Kayla Mashburn
Ma’Kayla is a first-generation college student from the South Side of Chicago. She is currently a third-year student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Political Science on the pre-law track. Growing up on the South Side, Ma’Kayla witnessed firsthand how policy decisions directly impacted her community, which inspired her to pursue a career in public service and advocacy. She is passionate about climate and environmental justice, criminal justice reform, and affordable housing—issues that continue to affect her community. Ma’Kayla joined NextGen to gain hands-on experience in advocacy, build her leadership skills, and contribute to meaningful change through policy initiatives that uplift underrepresented communities.
Ma'Kayla interned with State Representative Mary Beth Canty.
Our Internship Partners
Empower the Next Generation of Change-Makers
Join NextGen Scholars for Change in empowering first-generation students with opportunities in policy and leadership.