The Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP) is sponsored by Senator Rodney Ellis and is administered by the Mickey Leland Center on World Hunger and Peace at Texas Southern University. UH recruitment and academic assignments are coordinated by the Hobby Center for Public Policy.

TLIP provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students attending Texas colleges and universities to serve as interns in the Texas Legislature, in various state agencies, and in local government.

University of Houston students may earn 3-12 academic credit hours for participating in the program by combining academic study and research with supervised practical training. Undergraduate and graduate students interested in the political process and in the kind of humanitarian service exemplified by the late Congressman Mickey Leland are encouraged to apply for admission to TLIP.

State Representative Ana Hernandez and former UH-TLIP intern with 2006 TLIP intern Estella Gonzales

State Senator Rodney Ellis serves as advisor to the interns, while his office assists in coordinating on-site activities. During legislative sessions, TLIP interns are placed as legislative assistants in the offices of ranking members of the Legislature, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In the interim between legislative sessions, interns serve in the offices of elected and appointed officials at the state, county and municipal levels, such as the Harris County Judge and the Mayor of Houston. This exposure provides students with first-hand knowledge of the critical issues facing our community and state, and often initiates or focuses a career in public service. In fact, several TLIP participants have continued in public service at all levels of government.

TLIP Application

General questions about TLIP should be directed to the Mickey Leland Center on World Hunger & Peace at Texas Southern University. Contact and submission information is included on the application.

Download the TLIP Application.

University of Houston Texas Legislative Interns 2009

Natasha Egharevba, Resha Thomas, Eronn Putman & Joy Thomas (UHD) worked in Austin during the 2009 legislative session.

Austin & Houston

Sam Dike Senator Rodney Ellis

Todd Hendricks Senator Rodney Ellis

Hannah McConn Senator Rodney Ellis

Joy Thomas (UHD) Representative Alma Allen

Eronn Putman Representative Ellen Cohen

Natasha Egharevba Representative Yvonne Davis

Resha Thomas Representative Jim McReynolds

Learn more about the 2009 TLIP interns by reading their bios.

University of Houston Texas Legislative Interns 2007

Phillip Song, Isaiah Warner (back row) Angela Owens, Yasmeen Belal, Lesley Nelson, Stefani Garcia & Cynthia Brum

Yasmeen Belal Rep. Vickie Truitt

Cynthia Brum Rep. Allen Ritter

Stefani Garcia Rep. Veronica Gonzalez

Lesley Nelson Rep. Solomon Ortiz, Jr.

Angela Owens Rep. Jose Menendez

Phillip Song Rep. Ellen Cohen

Also pictured is former HCPP intern Isaiah Warner, now a legislative aide for Rep. Jessica Farrar.

UH-TLIP Interns 2006

Estella Gonzalez Council Member Adrian Garcia

Jerry Greenspan Council Member Carol Alvarado

Daniel Lazarine Rep. Dora Olivo

Tanya Makany Rep. Ana Hernandez

Kelechi Meremikwu, Henal Patel, Dolly Marchena, Carlos Doroteo & Nicholas Reed (St. Edward's University)

UH-TLIP Interns 2005

Carlos Doroteo Rep. Melissa Noriega

Melissa Duncan Rep. Craig Eiland

Shannon Garth-Rhodes Rep. Allen Ritter

Dolly Marchena Rep. Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles

Kelechi Meremikwu Rep. Joe Moreno

Emily King Sen. Kyle Janek

Henal Patel Rep. Scott Hochberg

Hamilton Rucker Rep. Joe Deshotel

Kevin Vickers Rep. Jim Dunnam

UH-TLIP Interns 2004

Karina Chapa, Kassaye Kassaye, Donica Beckett, Keron Wright & Michelle Whipple

Donica Beckett Mayor Pro Tem Carol Alvarado

Karina Chapa Representative Scott Hochberg

Kassaye Kassaye Councilmember Ronald Green

Michelle Whipple Commissioner El Franco Lee

Keron Wright Representative Joe Moreno