Student Voices: a Rutgers Democracy Lab Blog
"This Summer Cemented My Calling to Serve": a Reflection by Rida Kadri
My Summer 2025 internship on Capitol Hill wasn’t your typical Hillternship. I spent nine weeks working for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Democrats, currently in the minority, but steadfast in their fight for transparency and accountability in our government. In that short time, I experienced the unusual situation of working under two bosses: an acting ranking member and, following a leadership election, a new one. Needless to say, it was an eventful summer.
When I arrived in Washington, I was still uncertain about what I wanted to do after graduation. I made the decision to graduate a year early, limiting that extra cushion of time to decide what comes next for me beyond the Raritan. After dabbling with the idea of law school or getting my Masters in Political Science, I wanted real-world experience to give me clarity – after all, there’s only so much Reddit can tell you. But my time on the Hill was hugely impactful, and I can certainly see myself aiming to make it back one day.
Being in the room with stakeholders fighting for our democracy was such a surreal experience that never lost its thrill. From staffing an eight-hour hearing on Sanctuary States alongside representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and witnesses like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, to taking attendance before Oversight Democrats successfully motioned to subpoena the Epstein files, my summer was truly life-changing.
Interacting with the members, sitting behind the dais or right next to them, and listening to them talk with such spirit and devotion had me in admiration. Their passion for speaking on contentious issues like DEI and ICE enforcement reminded me why public service matters. But my role models weren’t just the elected officials. The staff who built these hearings from the ground up left just as deep an impact on me. The Staff Assistant and Deputy Chief Clerk in my office took me under their wing, especially during my last five weeks when I was the only intern. They showed me the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Congress moving, shared their career journeys, and encouraged me to carve my own path. Their mentorship made the summer not just meaningful, but transformative.
We are living through stories that will one day be studied in history books. From topical issues such as immigration to the uncertainty of AI to cybersecurity, our democracy faces urgent challenges. Our country needs enthusiastic young adults engaged in public service now more than ever. From our small towns and local governments all the way to the halls of Congress, we need the rising generation to step up, grounded in values to push back against hatred and safeguard the constitutional principles at the heart of our democracy. America needs our hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
This summer cemented my calling to serve. Policy decisions made in Washington ripple into the lives of everyday Americans, and I want to keep fighting for them. During this internship, I learned to appreciate the unsung heroes of democracy: the counsels, clerks, and staffers working outside the public eye. While it’s easy to get frustrated watching injustices unfold on the news, it’s equally important to recognize the people working to address them. Oversight Democrats answered every concern from issues like Medicaid to Alligator Alcatraz, and they continue to advocate for those without a voice in government. My small hand in putting together binders of materials for members to use during hearings gave me a sense of purpose, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity that allowed me to support and serve the people.
I leave this experience not only with gratitude, but with resolve. I now know that I want a career where I can put my energy, skills, and heart into giving back to our country.
I’m truly thankful to the Eagleton Institute of Politics and the Rutgers Democracy Lab for awarding and sponsoring my unforgettable summer in our nation’s capital.
"Democracy as a Verb": a Reflection by Gavin Walker-Mason
This summer, I had the immeasurable privilege to pursue two internships in the United States Senate, with the office of U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján, from my home state of New Mexico, and for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources under ranking member, Senator Martin Heinrich. These opportunities were absolutely life-changing.
In only my first two weeks on Capitol Hill, the city of Los Angeles made national headlines as National Guard troops were deployed to combat peaceful protests against the disappearance and abductions of community members, family members, and hardworking immigrants. This event, and watching the responses of policymakers in real time - on the senate floor and via legislative response - sparked my realization of the tense, critical time it is for our country. Working for New Mexican senators, representing one of the most diverse states in America, posed challenges as thousands of constituents raised concerns about how the administration is handling these issues, and the threats they pose to our people back home. Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from this summer was just that: new perspective on the linear connection between real people’s livelihoods and the policy decisions that happen in one small, yet powerful, city thousands of miles away.
These attacks on democracy would continue throughout my internships – from the arrest and indictment of Newark’s very own elected officials (Mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. LaMonica McIver, respectively), to the continued genocide and humanitarian crisis in Palestine, to the passing of the “Big Beautiful Bill” with the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits in American history; the list goes on and on.
But it was in this feeling of defeat and hopelessness, sitting in the senate gallery with tears in my eyes watching elected officials continue to disappoint me and threaten my communities, where I saw a protestor’s bright yellow t-shirt that read, “Democracy as a verb.”
This simple phrase reframed the concept of democracy for me – from an experience to an action. From something that is done to a people, to instead about response – how a people reacts to injustice. It changed the narrative from a feeling of hopelessness to marking the beginning of my fight in public service.
This framework is exactly the framework that the Rutgers Democracy Lab has invested in. Most simply, a lab is a space for growth – a place to explore, to learn, and to create. The Democracy Lab gave me this opportunity this summer in the United States Senate, one that I will never forget, one that changed my life, and one that I plan to repay through my future career in public service. The Democracy Lab creates opportunities so people can lead with informed and fierce, passion-driven response to injustice – for young people to realize their potential, their voice, and implement democracy themselves.
This protestor, this shirt, this program, and this summer has - again - changed my life, and I am committed to continuing to build this career of mine into politics, to continue uplifting the generation behind me, and to invoke democracy because our country, this state of the world, and our future as a society depends on it; we cannot afford complacency.
Accordion Content
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On September 23rd, Rutgers Democracy Lab and the Eagleton Institute of Politics hosted their first fireside chat with Jeff Flake. Flake served in the U.S. Senate from 2001 to 2013 and was the US Ambassador to Turkey in the Biden Administration. The event was hosted in partnership with the Richard D. Heffner Open Mind Lecture series, aiming to spur free discourse across different perspectives. As a member of RDL’s inaugural cohort of the “Think and Do Tank,” I had the privilege of attending the fireside chat in person.
My afternoon began with the relentless determination to catch the last shuttle to the New Jersey Bar Association. As I ran along the lush, lime-colored field towards Woodlawn mansion, I harbored a thousand feelings at once. Anticipation, fear, excitement, and doubt all seemed to collide into a singular mass, forming at the pit of my stomach. I did not know much of Flake, apart from the fact that his political stances differed from my own. As a left-leaning student, I feared that he would undermine my values or pit his views against my own. And so, I carried my mass on the shuttle, towards my eventual destination. As I arrived at NJSBA, I was greeted by the smell of coffee amidst stiff handshakes and lively chatter.
Moments later, Flake’s entrance cued attendees’ eager silence, signaling the start of the fireside chat. Quick, measured steps padded around the audience as the camera crew began to film. As the room dimmed, focus shifted towards the front of the room. The first portion of the event, moderated by my fellow RDL classmate, Shayam, consisted of Flake answering attendees' pre-submitted questions. Inquiries were thoughtful and diverse, ranging from his thoughts on current political issues, his experiences as a senator and ambassador. Out of all his responses, however, I found myself to be particularly intrigued by Flake’s work on Immigration Reform. As a Senator in the Obama Administration, he was part of a bipartisan (4 D; 4 R) “Gang of Eight,” composing the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. The bill aimed to ease the transition for undocumented immigrants to become American citizens. This particularly surprised me, as the Republican platform has historically been synonymous with anti-immigrant rhetoric. As a daughter of immigrant parents, I felt validated upon knowing about Flake’s efforts. My mass of fear began to shrink until I no longer felt its grip over my body.
After the moderated discussion, the fireside chat, the atmosphere began to brighten, and the focus had now shifted to us. The chairs, originally arranged in rows, now shifted to a large, Socratic-Seminar style circle. The floor was open for attendees to facilitate dialogue with Flake. The air of formality transformed into something more personal and intimate. A student expressed that he felt discouraged from promoting civic engagement as a non-partisan individual in polarizing political spaces. Upon hearing this, Flake encouraged the attendee to become involved in his community. Additionally, he emphasized that one should not let division deter them from inspiring change in their communities.
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In the fourth week of Democracy Lab, I was introduced to the idea of the “Common Good.” This concept was defined by ethicist John Rawls as “certain general conditions that are...equally to everyone's advantage.” Catholic religious traditions expanded on this meaning, “the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their individual members relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment.” Thus, the common good typically takes the form of public institutions that are designed to be free and accessible to constituents, regardless of social class, race, or gender. Typically, these institutions resemble public schools, libraries, or public safety networks, as they serve to provide citizens with free access to security and information resources.
However, while the “Common Good” is typically used to refer to the tangible, my interpretation of this idea extends to underlying motives coupled with a desire to enhance the quality of life. For instance, a resident, upon witnessing food insecurity in their town, may advocate for the establishment of a local food bank. In this scenario, a constituent contributes to the common good through an act of public service. A politician may promote the common good on a larger scale by creating legislation that spurs public service or reforms existing accessible institutions.
Throughout the Fireside chat, Flake’s actions embody the Common Good. His work in the “Gang of Eight” aimed to give an underserved demographic (undocumented immigrants) an accessible pathway to gaining citizenship, while increasing border security. Attaining legal status in the US is difficult and tedious, taking up to several years to process. Furthermore, Flake was aware that many in his party opposed his bill. The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act failed to pass in the House of Representatives, as it was opposed by a majority of House Republicans. Despite this outcome, Flake’s divergence from party consensus, coupled with his collaboration with his Democratic colleagues, suggests that he valued implementing the Common Good over expressing party loyalties. While partisan politics can be useful in drawing attention to specific issues, it simultaneously creates echo chambers. When individuals are trapped within information silos, their perceptions of the Common Good become limited, leading to potential for bias and harm. Collaborating with different perspectives allows for an impartial perception of civic change. In doing so, individuals of bipartisan political backgrounds can come together to implement efficient solutions to ongoing civic problems. Flake’s words of encouragement to the nonpartisan student further establish this point; the desire to enhance constituents’ lives is far greater than division along party lines.
As I mention this, however, I also admit that I, too, fall victim to overpartisanship and fear engaging in meaningful dialogue with individuals who disagree with my stance on civic issues. It is this fear that contributed to my anxiety upon arriving at the fireside chat. Upon knowing that Flake is a Republican, my immediate assumption was that he was ignorant or indifferent to the problems I identify with as a South Asian American. However, this was far from the case. Flake’s experience serves as a testament to how common ground and the Common Good can coexist within partisan spaces.
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As we move forward, I encourage my readers to replicate the findings of the Common Good in their daily lives. While we may not be politicians or lawmakers, that does not rid us of our ability to initiate small, meaningful acts of change. Whether you choose to collaborate with communities to implement a project or initiate dialogue within our immediate circles, your actions will create an impact, creating a ripple effect for the world to eventually witness.
RDL Think & Do Tank Podcast
Episode One: Civil Dialogue and Holding Elected Officials Accountable in a Polarized Age
In the first episode of the Think & Do Tank podcast, Shayan Chaudhury, student moderator of the September 23rd Fireside Chat with former Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ), reflects on the event. He also offer reflections on the recent Civility Tour of NJ Senators Jon Bramnick (R-21) and Joe Cryan (D-20), including, what does productive bipartisanship and communication look like in this era of polarization?
The author of the written piece is Mahima Thoguru.