Presidential Federal Internship Program

Miguel Garcia, Political Science Major

2024 Presidential Federal Internship Service: Office of Senator John Hickenlooper

Miguel Garcia is a first-generation undergraduate student currently pursuing his bachelor’s in political science and a minor in philosophy at MSU Denver. In his first semester at MSU, Miguel has already become a part of the MSU Denver Mock Trial team. Raised in Aurora, CO, Miguel’s upbringing in a culturally diverse environment, marked by a strong sense of community and the presence of immigrant families such as his own, has significantly influenced his academic and professional aspirations. His overarching goal is to embark on a career in Public Service and Law, with a focus on advocating for and safeguarding the rights of immigrants and workers within his community. Miguel also has a passion for protecting the environment and hopes to find legal and legislative mechanisms to do so. Miguel is poised to bring a dedicated and informed perspective to the fields he aspires to contribute to.

Isai Lozano, Social Work Major

2024 Presidential Federal Internship Service: Child Welfare League of America

Isai Lozano resides in Denver Colorado and is a first-generation college student. He struggled transitioning into the rigor college demanded of him but was able to push through by relying on his family and peers to support him. Ever since the Pandemic, Isai has seen the importance in community and community resources, and this has called him to pursue a social work degree in the hopes of one day working in Child welfare.

Isai has been recognized for overcoming hardship and for his academic achievements by being a recipient of the Reisher Scholar Program. This scholarship program has helped provide him with the proper guidance and has allowed him to commit more time to extracurriculars such as being a Residential Assistant on campus to gain first-hand experience and familiarity in cultivating and maintaining a community. Other pursuits such as an internship at the Denver Human Services has shown him the cogs in the machine that is child welfare. Experiencing this first-hand insight and by working under his superiors he has piqued an interest in macro social work. Isai wants more than to just help people, he wants to create meaningful foundations in their lives that will last them a lifetime.

Denny Palacios, Political Science Major

2024 Presidential Federal Internship Service: Office of Senator Michael Bennet

Denny Palacios is a non-traditional student in her third year at MSU Denver. As an immigrant who has called Denver home for the past twelve years, Denny has focused the lens of her studies in policy and history studies on the Mexico-USA drug trade relationship. During her time at MSU, Denny has truly committed to life on campus. Her identities as current co-chair for The Student Advocacy Council (Student Government), the lead Student for Model United Nations, a full-time student, and a part-time job holder grant her an understanding of the particular complexity of being a MSU Denver student.

Her insight as a previous ESL Paraprofessional, merged with her current experience as a First-Generation Political Science student and Political Theory teaching assistant, have revealed the profound impact policy and access to quality education have on individual lives and communities. Denny seeks to pursue a career on educational law or as a professional higher education academic.

Mary Preston, Political Science Major

2024 Presidential Federal Internship Service: Public Religion Research Institute

In moving to Denver from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and pursuing a journey through undergraduate academia at two of three Auraria institutions, Mary has come to appreciate the community that has embraced her. She understands that folks have an obligation to give what they can to the city that gives them what they need, and simultaneously recognizes that there are discrepancies in achieving favorable conditions for all neighbors.

Mary has a vision of achieving justice in our growing city through equitable and sustainable development. She has a vision that everyone will have access to a safe and fair job opportunity, a way to get to that job without dependence upon a personal vehicle, and an affordable house with a fridge full of food to come home to at the end of every shift. Through collaboration among community members and cooperation among community leaders, Denver can become an exemplary city where everyone is housed, moving, and fed.