From California to Capitol Hill: UC San Diego’s Federal Policy Interns are Shaping the Future

During their time in Washington, federal policy interns are helping tell UC San Diego’s story to Congress, the White House and government agencies, showcasing the positive impact of federal investments in the university. They’re also developing their own advocacy campaigns in a capstone project, which allows them to learn firsthand the critical role that public institutions play in the federal policymaking space.

UC San Diego’s federal policy internship is just one of many pathways offered through the systemwide University of California Washington Center (UCDC), an immersive academic program that invites students from all majors to spend a term living, learning and working just steps away from the White House. For most, this is their first time experiencing the nation’s capital, let alone getting a behind-the-scenes look into the inner workings of the U.S. government.

“The federal policy internship is truly a transformative experience. These students are our best advocates for change in the system and are making a real impact in the federal policy conversation,” said Carl Welliver, UC San Diego’s associate director of federal relations, who played a key role in establishing the internship program. “For those who participate in UCDC internships, it often is the cornerstone of their educational experience at UC San Diego and sets them up for their future careers.”

Meet John Paculdo Koenigshofer and Maya Perez-Diaz, UC San Diego’s first two federal policy interns, who shared with UC San Diego Today how their time in Washington, D.C., helped shape their future career aspirations:

Long before setting foot on UC San Diego’s campus, John Paculdo Koenigshofer had his sights set on Washington, D.C. Naturally, his interest was sparked when he first heard about the UCDC program while on a campus tour for prospective students.

“I knew all the way back in high school that this was a program that I wanted to do,” said Koenigshofer, a double major in history and political science. “I was planning for it from the get-go."

In his second year at UC San Diego, Koenigshofer applied and was accepted into the spring 2023 UCDC cohort. The next step was to apply for internships: while the program provides resources and support, students are ultimately responsible for securing their own positions.

As he explored his options, Koenigshofer connected with Welliver, who shared the details of a newly established federal policy internship that involved accompanying the team to meetings on Capitol Hill and the White House, where they discuss how policies impact the university on issues like student aid and basic needs or immigration. Notably, the internship was paid, aimed at closing the opportunity gap and being inclusive of students with financial needs. Koenigshofer applied and was selected, becoming the first UC San Diego student to fill the role.

“I loved the fact that it was a pilot program, so I would really have an opportunity to give my input and shape what the internship was going to look like in the future,” Koenigshofer said. “I also felt like this advocacy role could really allow me to build on my experience and help effect meaningful change.”

For his capstone project, Koenigshofer focused on the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) grant program, a designation that UC San Diego had recently received. This status enables the university to apply for competitive federal grants to expand efforts that address the unique needs of its Asian American and Pacific Islander students. Koenigshofer’s project aimed to find ways to expand the program and align its funding with other minority-serving institution programs.

These capstones, developed independently by students with guidance from Welliver and his team, include opportunities to meet with legislative offices to advocate for specific issues. For Koenigshofer, the work didn’t stop when he returned to San Diego, where he’s continued to serve as an advocate for the community on campus and beyond. This spring, in recognition of his efforts, he was selected as a Key into Public Service Scholar by The Phi Beta Kappa Society.

“The federal policy internship helped me focus on Asian American and Pacific Islander issues, and that’s really informed how I’ve conducted myself as a student leader back on campus,” said Koenigshofer, who begins his fourth year at UC San Diego this fall. “It’s a community that I really want to help serve, whether I’m doing community-building here or policy advocacy in D.C."

Koenigshofer’s experience as a federal policy intern solidified his goal of returning to the nation’s capital after graduation. He hopes that fellow Tritons interested in civic engagement and policy work will consider applying for the internship or other opportunities through the UCDC program, where they can fully immerse themselves in all that Washington, D.C. has to offer.

His advice to them? “Make yourself heard. Make yourself noticeable. Be curious. Do things that you’re passionate about. Be ready to learn. As long as you’re genuine about that, you’re going to succeed in D.C.—or anywhere else."

For Maya Perez-Diaz, the journey to Washington, D.C., was as unexpected as it was transformative. A transfer student and mother of a four-year-old son, she applied to the UCDC program on a whim—uncertain if she’d even be able to go. But when the timing aligned during the spring quarter of 2024, she seized the opportunity to become a UC San Diego federal policy intern before graduating in June with a degree in political science.

Although being away from her son for 10 weeks was challenging, Perez-Diaz soon found her stride—and a renewed sense of purpose for her future.

She was captivated by the energy on Capitol Hill, where she engaged with various legislative offices, including the office of Rep. Mike Levin of California’s 49th Congressional District, as she advocated for her capstone project on military mental health care.

The issue was deeply personal for Perez-Diaz, who comes from a military-connected background and is passionate about advocating for UC San Diego’s veteran community as well as the broader veteran and service member population in Southern California.

“I had very close friends that I watched decline from a lack of care,” Perez-Diaz explained, adding her meetings on the Hill allowed her to amplify voices and stories that often go unheard. “I know we say it is a ‘project,’ but it was something deeper for me—something close to my heart that I’ll always advocate for.”

The experience was so impactful that Perez-Diaz has now relocated to Washington, D.C., where she’s actively applying for jobs, building on the connections and lessons she learned during the internship.

“There’s nothing quite like this city. I don’t think you can get this experience anywhere else. It’s just so motivating, and it feels like everybody’s here to put their work in and try to make things better,” she said. “It was life-changing for me. This opportunity opened so many doors and I couldn’t be more thankful for it.”