KAC Interns Reflect on 2025 Legislative Session
Jessica Herrera Russell | April 11, 2025
With the legislative session wrapping up, our three University of Kansas interns have successfully completed KAC’s inaugural Legislative Session internship program. As they finished their last week, we offered our interns an opportunity to reflect upon their experiences.
Our internship team comprised two policy interns, Ella Rhuems and Helen Viloria, and one communications and policy intern, Kenna McNally. Here's what they had to say.
Why did you initially decide to apply at Kansas Action for Children? How does your experience compare to your initial expectations?
Kenna McNally: “I first considered applying for the Kansas Action for Children internship when I saw it in the Honors Weekly newsletter from the University of Kansas Honors College. As a bit of a Kansas Legislature nerd, I was ecstatic to see such an excellent opportunity at an organization whose values and mission closely aligned with my own. As I had previously interned in the Statehouse for an individual legislator, I was pleased at the opportunity to understand and experience the Legislature from a different perspective. Going into this internship, I had no experience working for an advocacy organization like KAC and every expectation I had has been completely blown out of the water. From the welcoming and encouraging staff, the hands-on committee and floor experience, and the mentorship of my supervisor Jessica Herrera Russell in strengthening my communication and writing abilities, this internship has truly been one of a kind.”
Ella Rhuems: “When thinking about the spring 2025 legislative session, I initially had planned to complete the Kansas Legislative internship program and intern for a single lawmaker. One week, as I read the KU “Honors Weekly” in my inbox, I stumbled onto a list of internship opportunities. After reading the description, applying was a no brainer. I knew I wanted to work in the statehouse, and not knowing much about the world of advocacy and lobbying, I thought this internship would be a great opportunity to experience the other side of the legislative process. After being hired, I had many expectations for the internship – what I would be doing, how my work would impact the organization, and what kinds of things I would learn. I am overjoyed to say that those expectations were greatly surpassed. I could not have asked for a more welcoming, helpful, and kind group of professionals to spend this semester with. Throughout this session, I learned so much about the Kansas legislative process and advocacy work. From sitting in committee, to notetaking in the House and Senate gallery, to running up and down the stairs every day in the statehouse, I could not have asked for a better way to become involved with the Legislature.”
Helen Viloria: "Throughout my college career, I have been looking for ways to apply my major of Economics to real-world scenarios, and how data-driven research could play a role in advocacy work. When I saw the KAC internship, I thought it could be the perfect opportunity to find the intersection between these interests. I had never worked in the statehouse before or done legislation tracking, so I was unsure of what to expect. However, at the end of the internship, I can say that this experience has been incredibly formative, I am more politically engaged and educated than before and have been able to grow and develop my own opinions."
What was your favorite moment at Kansas Action for Children throughout your internship?
Ella: "One of my favorite days of the session was KAC's Early Childhood Advocacy Day. I really enjoyed seeing all of the work and dedication that went into creating this day, as well as the outpouring support from the community who came to the Capitol to support this effort – even on a stormy day! Shaking hands with the Governor toward the end of the day was the cherry on top. I also have enjoyed all of the little moments spent getting to know my colleagues over the session. Whether it was sitting down for lunch together, grabbing a coffee, or chatting before a committee, I loved getting to know the people I was working with. Additionally, this was a great time to ask questions about the session that I had always wondered, but had not gotten to ask about.”
Kenna: "It is difficult to choose just one moment that I can label as my favorite. However, one memory that immediately comes to mind is attending the Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) lunch during their Statehouse Advocacy Day. There were many other KAC staffers also at the lunch, but Ryan Reza, Dustin Hare, and I were sitting at the “Economic Security” table and talked with several of the KIFA Advocacy Day attendees who asked us questions about our work and we got to engage with them about the work that they do within their parishes and communities. Meeting and talking with this group about our hopes for our communities and the state was one of the best lunch hours that I have spent throughout this session.”
Helen: "One of my favorite moments was when I attended either the Senate K-12 Budget Committee or House K-12 budget Committee because I was always interested in the discussions that were being had and bills being passed out. I believe education in the state of Kansas is an issue that needs more support and resources to help shape our future classes, and these committees helped me gain insight on the political climate for both sides of the aisle on this issue."
What part of the Legislature surprised you the most?
Kenna: "Because I had worked in the Statehouse previously, I knew about this a little bit, but I was still surprised by the level of respect and even friendship that exists across party lines. In a world where partisanship is so rampant, it was refreshing to see each day these moments of kindness and camaraderie."
Ella: "Surprisingly, there are a lot of quirks to the Kansas Legislature! Going into this session, I expected things to be kept very professional. And while most days are run-of-the-mill lawmaking, some days there is a bit of tomfoolery and fun traditions. Things like bingo cards, the freshman legislator 'initiation' ritual, and even jokes and fines for hats worn at the well. These silly occurrences may seem small, but they help to lighten up a process that can seem serious and intimidating, as well as remind everyone that lawmakers are just like everyone else.”
What was the biggest skill you gained or honed through this internship? How will you apply this skill to your future work?
Helen: "One of the biggest skills I developed was efficient note taking, and being able to condense and summarize information as I was taking it in real time. Additionally, this internship further challenges my critical thinking skills and being able to look at a topic from all angles, develop questions from both sides, and be able to connect it to other issues. I believe these skills will be valuable in any kind of work to allow me to effectively analyze information and make data-driven decisions."
Kenna: "As the Communications and Policy Intern, I had the incredible opportunity to work under Senior Communications Manager Jessica Herrera Russell. Jessica provided detailed critiques that supported me in bettering my communication and writing skills, especially in shaping my writing for a particular audience. Honing my ability to communicate concisely and effectively, adapting my message for each audience through this internship will support me as I finish my final semester of coursework and enter the communications field.”
What were the biggest learning moments for you throughout this internship?
Ella: "In addition to learning more about communication, many of my learning moments were about the legislative process, advocacy, and policy. Coming into this internship with little experience in the Kansas Legislature, there was a big learning curve to mastering all of the moving pieces each day. The most useful thing I learned was fully understanding how a bill goes through committees to the floor – from bill hearings and testimony to committee and floor amendments, motions, and conference committees."
Helen: "Some of my biggest learning experiences came from sitting in on committees, particularly the education-related committees both in the House and Senate. I found it interesting to see the metrics they use to determine what qualifies schools for funding, how much funding they can receive, and what programs are the most vulnerable right now. This is where I also got to hear personal testimony from teachers all around Kansas, which was valuable to understand exactly what educators in Kansas are experiencing right now and trying to close the learning gap for reading and math levels."
What accomplishment are you most proud of during this internship?
Kenna: "I am proud of the work that I did every day here at KAC, but I am most proud of the ways that I was able to support the team. Whether this was ensuring testimony was posted to the KAC website, taking committee and floor notes, or helping upload and send weekly newsletters, I truly enjoyed and am proud to have been a part of the KAC team and supported in any way that I could.”
Ella: "While I still get lost at least once a day, I am proud to know committee room numbers by heart, can now successfully find any room in the statehouse, and know enough about the murals and chamber decorations to give a pretty good tour."
As you finish up the rest of your academic semester, what’s next for you?
Kenna: “This summer I will be completing a three-week study abroad program in Copenhagen, focused on the impacts of healthcare inequities, particularly on women. I will then return to Kansas for my final semester of coursework while seeking full-time positions in the communications and advocacy fields.”
Ella: “As this semester wraps up, I am looking forward to starting my senior year at the University of Kansas! This summer I hope to intern in Washington, D.C., which has been a long-time goal of mine. Outside of KAC, I work at the Dole Institute of Politics and will continue my work there in the upcoming year. Additionally, I hope to pursue more internships surrounding Kansas politics and legislative policy (like this one) as my final year in college unfolds.”
Helen: "This semester has been one of the busiest ones yet during my college career. My senior year at KU will be spent applying to law schools and continuing my second term as President of Miller Scholarship Hall."
To the 2025 Class of KAC Interns, we are very appreciative of your dedication to learning about the Legislature and advocating for Kansas kids right alongside us. We are eager to see what the future brings for you, but know you will do great things!
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