(By Lee Evancho/Calhoun Journal)
MONTGOMERY, AL — Kay Ivey announced Friday that the application period is now open for the Governor’s Office Summer Internship Program, a nine-week opportunity designed to give college students hands-on experience in state government while working within Alabama’s executive branch.
The program places interns alongside professionals in the Governor’s Office, where they assist with daily operations, participate in special projects and gain exposure to key issues affecting the state. Governor Ivey, a former teacher and longtime supporter of education, encouraged college students with an interest in public service to consider applying.
“I am excited to welcome another class of bright, driven students to Montgomery this summer,” Ivey said. “Working alongside my exceptional staff, our interns play a meaningful role in the work of the Governor’s Office, contributing fresh ideas and supporting the day-to-day efforts that move our state forward.”
Former interns have described the program as influential in shaping their academic and professional paths. Mary Sullivan, a summer 2025 intern in the Governor’s Press Office, is currently a student at The University of Alabama and was recently selected as a 2026 Capitol Scholar. She said the internship provided mentorship and long-term professional development opportunities.
“The governor’s internship reshaped my approach to public service by providing valuable opportunities for professional development, mentorship from exceptional leaders and continued support beyond the internship itself,” Sullivan said. “During my time in the office, my appreciation for the state of Alabama grew substantially.”
The internship has also served as a pipeline for continued service within state government. John Gilchrist, a Tuskegee University graduate who interned in the Governor’s Appointments Office, now serves as Governor Ivey’s Constituent Services Policy Correspondent. Gilchrist credited the program with preparing him for his current role.
“My internship in Governor Ivey’s Office not only served as a vital portal into the daily operations of the Governor’s Office, but into a broader system of state government,” Gilchrist said. “This valuable experience allowed me to excel in roles as a current staffer in the Ivey Administration.”
Eligible applicants must be current college students with a strong interest in government and public service. The internship will run from June 2, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Applications are due by March 13, 2026, by close of business.
Additional information and application details are available online at:
https://governor.alabama.gov/administration/internship-program/
