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CIVIC HOUSTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (CHIP) AWARD

About the Program

The Hobby School of Public Affairs' Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP) was established in 1996 as a non-partisan government internship program dedicated to introducing University of Houston students to public service. The program has since placed over 1000 interns in political offices in the Houston area, and it is open to all majors at a sophomore level and higher.

On-site intern responsibilities combined with an academic curriculum encourages students to become more civic-minded, with many ultimately deciding to pursue a career in public service.

The Award

The CHIP Award was established in 2003 to recognize an outstanding local government intern.  A $1000 award is presented to one recipient each fall and spring semester.

The application deadline is Friday, May 3. To apply, you can find the application here

Your application must be typed and will need to also include an updated resume, current unofficial transcripts, and one recommendation letter.

Congratulations to Alan Guzman, recipient of the fall 2023 CHIP Award!

Guzman HS 

Alan Guzman is a Junior at the University of Houston pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political
Science with a minor in Journalism. By the end of spring 2024, he will have successfully
completed two internships with the Civic Houston Internship Program, with the office of
Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard. Furthermore, his involvement extends to
impactful campaign experiences, notably contributing to the successful re-election campaign of
Edward Pollard for Houston City Council District J. Guzman has also been in involved with campaigns
for prominent figures such as Lina Hidalgo for Harris County Judge, Beto O'Rourke for Texas,
and John Whitmire for Houston mayor. Currently, he is participating in the Averie Bishop for
Texas house District 112 campaign. On campus, Alan is an active participant in numerous
organizations. He is collaborating with fellow UH students to establish an organization called
Planned Parenthood Generation Action. This organization is dedicated to advocating for
reproductive rights, educating young people on sexual health, and fostering lasting change in the
community. Guzman's future aspirations are to attend law school and run for public office.

Recipients 

Marina Coronado Fernandez, Political Science major and Journalism minor
HeadCount, spring 2023

Emily Cruz Sariles, Political Science and Spanish major and Quantitative Social Science minor
Teach for America, fall 2022

Lailla Ahmady, Political Science major and Women & Gender Studies minor
Office of Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn, spring 2022

Eesha Ahmed, Political Science major and Indian Studies, Psychology minor
Houston Crackdown, fall 2021

Cassidy Lee, Political Science and Spanish major
Representative Armando Walle, spring 2021

Maya Ali, Political Science and Public Health major
Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement, spring 2020

Kayla Vasquez, Anthropology major
State Representative Jon Rosenthal, fall 2019

Alexander Le, Honors Biomedical Sciences major
Harris County Public Health, spring 2019

Liza Hurtubise, Political Science major
Office of State Representative Gene Wu, fall 2018

Britnee Chuor, Political Science major
Office of State Representative Gene Wu, spring 2018

Alexa Moores, Political Science major
Office of Senator Ted Cruz, fall 2017

Gaby Calderon, Political Science major
Office of Trustee Erica Lee Carter, spring 2017

Julia Ossemi-Seied, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Jerry Davis, fall 2016

J Ehlinger, Political Science major
Office of State Representative Gene Wu, spring 2016

Edith Rodriguez, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Robert Gallegos, fall 2015

Aisha Ibrahim, Psychology major
Office of Council Member Richard Nguyen, spring 2015

Ja'Terrell Moffett, Political Science major
Office of Congressman Al Green, fall 2014

Bryan Shea, Political Science major
Office of State Representative Dan Huberty, spring 2014

Brenda Resendiz, Political Science and English major
Office of Congressman Ted Poe, fall 2013 

Jennifer Rodriguez, Communications major with a minor in Political Science
Office of State Representative Carol Alvarado, spring 2010 

Shaziya Bandukia, Political Science major
Peter Brown for Mayor Campaign, fall 2009 

Vincent Harding, Political Science major
Center for Houston's Future, spring 2009 

Ann Ngo, Political Science major
Office of Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman, election division, fall 2008 

Autumn Jodzio, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Mike Sullivan, spring 2008 

Shaun Stacey, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Sue Lovell, spring 2007 

Cynthia Brum, Political Science major
Galveston Houston Association for Smog Prevention, fall 2006 

Jane MacNeil, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Carol Alvarado, spring 2006 

Daniel Lazarine, Political Science major
Peter Brown for City Council Campaign, fall 2005 

Jerry Greenspan, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Adrian Garcia, spring 2005 

Emily Klein, Political Science major
Office of Congressman John Culberson, fall 2004 

Pamela Klekar, Political Science & French major
Office of Council Member Mark Ellis, spring 2004 

Anika Guerrero, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Ada Edwards, fall 2003 

Sara Price, Political Science major
Office of Council Member Gordon Quan, spring 2003