Meet Penn Hill Group’s Summer fellow, Elle Jones, and Summer interns, Abbie Wampler and Morgan Lavelle. Elle graduated from Pomona College in May of this year with a degree in Public Policy Analysis and a minor in Mathematics. Abbie graduated from Indiana University in May of this year with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Law and Public Policy. Morgan is a rising Junior at Marquette University, where she is majoring in Political Science and International Affairs. Learn a little bit about each of them below!

Elle Jones

Why did you decide to spend a semester in DC?

I spent the Spring semester of my junior year interning at Penn Hill Group, and during this time I was introduced to Federal education and workforce policy. Beyond the work, I also loved being part of a team that was so collaborative and passionate about what they were doing. The late start date for my next job gave me the opportunity to reach out and continue working on the issues I care so deeply about.

What do you hope to do or learn during this internship?

I am excited to return to the team and take on greater responsibilities as a fellow. I am especially interested in building stronger stakeholder engagement skills and taking a more active role in leading projects. Since my last time at Penn Hill Group, several new Federal education initiatives have emerged and I am excited to deepen my understanding of how the implementation of programs like Workforce Pell and the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit are shaping the education landscape.

What interests you most about education?

What interests me most about education is that it is both a universal priority and a deeply personal issue for so many people. Everyone has a connection to education, whether as a student, parent, educator, employer or community member. I am fascinated by the way policy decisions at the Federal, State and local levels work together to shape educational opportunities and outcomes. Effective education policy requires balancing local flexibility with strong foundational support, and I enjoy exploring how different levels of government can work together to achieve that goal.

What are some of your future goals?

After finishing this fellowship, I will be moving back to California to work in the State Assembly through the Capital Fellows Program. I am excited for the opportunity to work directly within the legislature and staff education-related issues impacting California residents. In particular, I’m looking forward to learning about the State’s role in education policy and how it balances responding to constituent concerns while also coordinating statewide efforts. I’m hoping this experience, combined with my time at Penn Hill Group, will give me a more comprehensive understanding of how the State and Federal government work together to make policy decisions.

Abbie Wampler

Why did you decide to spend a semester in DC?

I decided to spend my Summer in DC because I was ready to re-immerse myself in Federal policy. After a previous internship in DC, I felt like I understood the education space from an institutional perspective. When I was interning with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I learned how hearing and markup processes worked while also gaining insight into the issues that mattered most and the role that Congress plays in shaping policy. In my subsequent time with Indiana University’s Federal Relations Office, I came to understand the needs of institutions of higher education that spanned across issue areas. From both experiences, I felt like there was a missing piece in my understanding of how policy ideas translate into real change. By coming back to DC, I knew that my education policy knowledge would continue to expand. I knew that I wanted to be in DC long-term after my graduation, so this opportunity felt like a clear transition from school into the workforce.

What do you hope to do or learn during this internship?

Over the course of this internship, I hope to understand the workings of other key players and stakeholders in the education policy world. Whether it be their function or actual impact, I want to learn what other organizations want, need and how they operate to achieve those goals. I also want to feel increased confidence with foundational education policy issues and better equipped to write and speak on policy updates. Prior to this experience, I knew interest and membership groups were aiming to change policy, but the connection from an idea to real change felt fragmented. I hope to see how meetings with congressional offices paired with longstanding relationships and advocacy efforts can change the attention, outcomes and visibility of an issue. 

What interests you most about education?

Education is of interest to me because of its impact on individuals and communities. Through working in numerous after-school programs, I realized that the world of education was shifting and becoming more complex due to factors such as the pandemic, artificial intelligence and changing learning outcomes. From my own experience in college, I saw differences in how certain students were more likely to complete their degrees, obtain better access to resources and receive support that helped them succeed. These experiences have influenced my interest in understanding how education systems can better serve students and ensure that more people have access to opportunities that allow them to succeed. 

What are some of your future goals?

My future goals are quite broad and still developing. However, I do know that I hope to continue within the higher education policy space while broadening into labor and workforce issues. Working with people and being able to help address their needs is something I have grown to value. Within this, I hope to continue along the policy and communications track by finding my way back to the Hill, continuing consulting work or supporting a nonprofit’s policy needs. In the future I am considering graduate school or law school, but above all, I know that I want to continue working in policy and helping organizations advance their goals.

Morgan Lavelle

Why did you decide to spend a semester in DC?

I had the opportunity to spend the Summer in DC through Marquette University’s Les Aspin Center for Government Program. I have long been interested in public policy and government, and this program provided an incredible opportunity to experience the policymaking process firsthand while building a strong professional network in the hub of American politics. Back at Marquette University, I am a student worker for Marquette’s Political Science Department. My job has allowed me to connect with professors who previously worked or lived in Washington, and hearing about their experiences reinforced my desire to spend a Summer here. This past year, I also completed a study course in partnership with the Milwaukee Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which further sparked my interest in Federal government and public service. Interning with Penn Hill Group felt like a natural next step for me to gain hands-on policy experience.

What do you hope to do or learn during this internship?

During my time with Penn Hill, I hope to develop a deeper understanding of the Federal policymaking process through real-life exposure, not just a textbook. I am also hoping to sharpen my writing and research skills to fit more of a policy lens and to be more applicable to my future professional career. I am excited to see how policy is shaped through the collective efforts of Congress and Federal agencies, and how strategic advocacy can influence legislative outcomes.

What interests you most about education?

Education has always been an important part of my life. In addition to working for Marquette University’s Political Science Department, both of my parents work in education publishing. I grew up hearing firsthand about the intersection between Federal policy and State implementation when it comes to the dissemination of education materials to districts. Because of this, the field of education policy has always intrigued me. As I became more entrenched in public policy, I began to gain appreciation for how Federal education policy affects not only schools but also businesses and nonprofits alike. I believe education is one of the most foundational pillars of American society, and I am passionate about expanding opportunities for students and supporting policies that improve equitable access to quality education. My own educational experiences have shaped who I am, and I am excited to contribute to conversations that help create those same opportunities for others.

What are some of your future goals?

I plan on attending Marquette Law School during my senior year of my undergraduate education through Marquette University’s Pre-Law Scholars Program. My long-term goal is to build a career in public service, ideally working my way to the Hill where I can contribute to legislative processes and the development of policy. I am particularly interested in the connection between law and policymaking and would like to create a meaningful impact on the education policy space. Running for public office is also something I may consider in the future, depending on where my career takes me!