State Sen. Stephanie Bice and Majority Leader Rep. Mike Sanders give OC students valuable internship experiences

Several OC students pursuing a degree in political science landed internships in the Oklahoma State Capitol building this semester.

April 13, 2020 - Senior Luana Miranda, juniors Kaitlyn Maker and Sonia Coffin, sophomore Stephanie Mathiasen and freshman Jonathan Hernandez all landed internships, representing Oklahoma Christian University in the political science world.

Hernandez was selected to work with Sen. Ron Johnson as well as on David Hill’s campaign for U.S. congress. Miranda, Maker and Mathiasen all hold internship positions in the Oklahoma State Capitol in the House of Representatives for Majority Leader Rep. Mike Sanders. Sanders is an OC alumnus who majored in History/Pre-Law. Last school year, OC’s political science professor, Trey Orndorff, invited him to speak on campus. At that event, several students got to meet Sanders and speak with him about potential internships. Orndorff met Sanders when he spoke at OC’s daily chapel in 2018 for an Eagle PR campaign activating OC students to take action to reduce the federal debt. 

The students that were chosen to work in Sanders’ the office were given tasks such as observing House proceedings and taking note of all of the bills presented on the floor. They then read them and created a bill summary. Those summaries include effective dates, fiscal impacts and what the bill would change in regards to Oklahoma Law. They were also given the opportunity to sit in on sessions and watch the floor in action. 

Internships are great for a resume, but the students have truly learned some valuable lessons while working with Sanders. 

“My biggest take away from my internship so far has been about service to others and how to approach big questions,” said Mathiasen. “Rep. Sanders asks himself three questions before every vote ‘1. Is it good for my constituents? 2. Is it good for my state? 3. Does it violate my religion or moral beliefs?’ These three questions are very important for him when it comes down to voting, but to me, they are questions that can be modified for any situation.”

Another office that an OC student is a part of is that of State Senator. Stephanie Bice in her race for the U.S. House of Representatives. Sonia Coffin is a finance assistant on her campaign and political news sources such as The Washington Post consider this Oklahoma race is one of the top House races in the country.

“Stephanie Bice has been my role model since 2016, so this opportunity continues to humble me everyday, “ Coffin said. “My responsibilities range from assisting Sen. Bice with fundraising calls to importing and exporting data for financial purposes. This is a very coveted seat with eight Republican candidates, so finances are a crucial part to winning this seat.”

Students are not the only ones who recognize the importance of landing an internship during their college years. Orndorff noted that an experience like this is crucial to success after students’ time at OC. 

“At OC, your professors are mentors,” said Orndorff. “We are safe spaces, and as you graduate from here, that application of knowledge takes place with people who don’t know you that intimately. Students need an opportunity to work with people who are not their mentors.”

To stay updated with the campaigns mentioned above, follow the candidates on Twitter at @RonJohnsonWI, @DavidHillOK, @mikeasanders and @stephaniebice.